Code of Conduct
Community Standards at I AM University
We are not simply a platform — we are a community. The standards in this document define how we treat one another, how we engage with ideas, and how we conduct ourselves in a shared learning environment shaped by faith and mutual respect.
Last Updated: January 2025
Foundation
Community Values Overview
The I AM University community is bound together by a shared commitment to faith, learning, and service. Our Code of Conduct is not a list of restrictions — it is a description of who we aspire to be together. It reflects the conviction that a healthy learning community requires intentional cultivation of the virtues and habits that make genuine formation possible.
This Code of Conduct applies to all members of the I AM University community — students, faculty, staff, and contractors — in all contexts related to the institution, including coursework, community discussions, platform interactions, email communications, and any external activities conducted in the name of or in connection with I AM University.
We have designed this Code to be taken seriously and enforced consistently, but also to reflect grace. Our goal is restoration and growth where possible, and protection of the community where necessary.
Dignity
Every person in this community is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with fundamental dignity and respect, regardless of background, perspective, or level of achievement.
Honesty
We speak truthfully, engage authentically, acknowledge our limitations, and refuse to use deception in any form — academic, relational, or professional.
Excellence
We bring our best to every learning interaction. Mediocrity is not neutral — it is a failure to steward the time, gifts, and opportunity before us.
Compassion
We hold our standards firmly and extend grace generously. We engage with the struggles of our fellow students not with judgment but with genuine care.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions, including mistakes and lapses in conduct. Accountability is not weakness — it is the foundation of trust.
Service
Our education is not an end in itself. We learn in order to serve — our communities, our fields, and the world we are called to impact.
Standards
Expected Behaviors
Academic Conduct
- Complete all assignments, assessments, and program requirements with integrity, submitting only your own work (or work that appropriately credits collaborators) as defined by our Academic Integrity Policy
- Engage substantively with course material — actively reading, listening, thinking, and applying the content rather than passively completing minimum requirements
- Participate in course discussions and community spaces in ways that add value, demonstrate preparation, and respect the intellectual contributions of others
- Meet deadlines and communicate proactively with instructors when circumstances affect your ability to complete work on time
- Cite sources properly in all written work, using appropriate citation formats as required by the course or instructor
Interpersonal Conduct
- Treat all community members — students, faculty, staff, and guests — with courtesy, dignity, and respect
- Engage in disagreements and academic debate constructively, challenging ideas without attacking persons
- Respect diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives within the bounds of the institution's stated values and theological commitments
- Maintain appropriate professional and interpersonal boundaries in all communications with faculty and staff
- Support fellow students in their academic journey — celebrating their successes and offering encouragement in their challenges
Digital & Platform Conduct
- Use the I AM University platform and all associated digital spaces (discussion boards, messaging systems, video conferencing tools) in ways consistent with this Code of Conduct
- Represent yourself honestly in all digital interactions — do not impersonate other students, faculty, or staff
- Protect the privacy of other community members — do not share private communications, personal information, or identifying details about other students without their consent
- Do not record live class sessions, office hours, or private communications without explicit permission from all parties
- Maintain professional communication standards in all written platform interactions — even in informal discussion spaces
Institutional Identity
Faith Community Expectations
I AM University is an explicitly Christian, faith-based institution. Our curriculum, community life, and institutional culture are shaped by a Christian worldview. We are not denominationally exclusive — we welcome students from a wide range of Christian traditions — but we are unapologetically committed to a faith-centered educational vision.
We also welcome students who are genuinely exploring faith, as well as those from different traditions who wish to engage seriously with a Christian intellectual and spiritual framework. We do not require doctrinal uniformity as a condition of enrollment. We do require respect for the institution's faith identity and the faith commitments of fellow community members.
What This Means in Practice
- Engage respectfully with theological content and faith perspectives presented in the curriculum, even where you may personally differ
- Refrain from denigrating or mocking the faith commitments of other community members
- Participate in community prayer, devotional content, and faith-integrated learning in a spirit of genuine openness, even if your personal beliefs differ
- Recognize that faith-integration is central to our academic model — not incidental to it — and engage accordingly
- Conduct yourself in ways consistent with the values of the community as articulated in this Code, including in external contexts where you represent yourself as an I AM University student
Faith community expectations are held alongside a genuine commitment to intellectual freedom and honest inquiry. Students are encouraged to ask hard questions, wrestle with difficult ideas, and engage critically with the material. Doubt is welcome; disrespect is not.
Clear Boundaries
Prohibited Behaviors
The following behaviors are prohibited and will not be tolerated in the I AM University community. This list is representative, not exhaustive. The institution reserves the right to address any conduct that violates the spirit of this Code, even if not explicitly listed.
Harassment & Discrimination
- Harassment of any kind — sexual, racial, religious, or based on any other characteristic — directed at students, faculty, staff, or guests
- Bullying, intimidation, threats, or persistent unwanted communications directed at any person
- Discriminatory conduct based on race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, age, sex, or other protected characteristics
- Creating a hostile learning environment through repeated offensive comments, jokes, or targeted behavior
Academic & Enrollment Dishonesty
- Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy (see full policy for details)
- Providing false information on enrollment applications, academic records, or communications with the institution
- Impersonating another student, faculty member, or staff member
- Misrepresenting your identity, credentials, or qualifications
Platform & Technology Misuse
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to other accounts, institutional systems, or private data
- Distributing malicious software, phishing attempts, or disruptive content through institutional platforms
- Sharing, selling, or distributing copyrighted course materials without authorization
- Using institutional platforms to promote competing educational offerings or commercial services
- Recording or distributing private communications without consent
Community Harm
- Conduct that materially disrupts the learning of other students
- Retaliation against any student who reports a concern or participates in an investigation
- Conduct that brings disrepute to the institution through public behavior clearly associated with I AM University
- Violation of applicable local, state, or federal law in contexts connected to institutional enrollment
Reporting Concerns
Students, faculty, and staff who observe or experience a potential violation of this Code of Conduct are encouraged to report it. Reporting is an act of care for the community, not an act of hostility toward individuals.
Reports may be submitted to support@iamuniversity.us with the subject line "Code of Conduct Report." Reports should include as much relevant detail as possible: what occurred, when, who was involved, and any relevant evidence or context.
Anonymous reports are accepted, though they may limit the institution's ability to investigate fully. When possible, providing contact information allows us to follow up for additional context.
Non-Retaliation Guarantee
I AM University strictly prohibits retaliation against any person who reports a Code of Conduct concern in good faith. Retaliation is itself a violation of this Code and will be subject to disciplinary action. If you experience retaliation for reporting, please report it immediately.
Enforcement
Disciplinary Process
Investigation
Upon receiving a Code of Conduct report, the institution will:
- Assign the matter to an appropriate institutional contact who was not directly involved
- Notify the subject of the report of the allegation and provide an opportunity to respond — except in cases involving safety where immediate action may be required
- Gather and review relevant evidence, communications, and context
- Make a determination and notify both the reporting party and the subject in writing
Sanctions
Sanctions are commensurate with the severity and context of the violation and may include:
- Formal written warning
- Required completion of training or educational intervention
- Restriction from specific platform features or community spaces
- Temporary suspension from the institution
- Permanent dismissal from the institution for severe, repeated, or egregious violations
The institution is committed to proportionate, consistent, and grace-oriented disciplinary responses. We seek restoration where possible. Some violations, however, require immediate and decisive action to protect the community.
Appeals
Students who receive a disciplinary sanction under this Code may appeal the decision through the Student Complaint Policy within 15 business days of receiving written notification.
Questions About This Code
If you have questions about community standards, want to understand how a specific situation is addressed, or wish to report a concern, please contact us:
Student Affairs & Community Standards