Appendices

Financial Information
2007-2008 Academic Year

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Terms of Payment

Tuition and fees are due one week prior to the start of each semester. Payments for winter and summer classes must be paid in full by the first day of class. Payments may be made by cash, check, money order or credit card (Visa or and Master Card). Please note that Federal Stafford Loans are disbursed during the first week of the fall and spring semesters, so payment for summer term classes are the responsibility of the student. Students who expect to receive financial assistance beyond tuition charges from churches or other sources must provide, with their first tuition payment, a letter from the church or other source, on its letterhead, signed by an official of the church indicating the amount to be distributed to the student for living expenses. This letter must indicate how much is to be paid directly to the student for living expenses, if any. No individual who has unpaid financial obligations to the Seminary or Library shall be permitted to register, take final examinations, receive a degree, or be issued an official transcript. Final exams will not be re-administered to any student at a later date.

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Refunds

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Code of Conduct

Westminster Seminary California is a distinctively Christian community of scholars and expects its students and employees to conform to the standards of behavior set forth in Scripture and in the historical Reformed confessions. These standards teach that authentic goodness is a state of the heart, the product of regeneration by God's Holy Spirit. We cannot judge another's heart, and therefore we cannot judge the internal thoughts and attitudes that produce good or wicked actions. But we can and must take account of the external actions that Scripture praises or condemns. Those whose actions violate these biblical and confessional standards may be subject to discipline (through due process as described in the Faculty Handbook, Student Handbook, and Staff Handbook) and, in cases of serious unrepentant or continued violation, may be required to leave the institution. There are lengthy statements in the Student Handbook concerning plagiarism and the use of drugs and alcohol (see summaries below). Offenses defined by these policies are subject to discipline. Other offenses which violate our confessional standards and are therefore subject to discipline, with the possibility of expulsion, include (but are not limited to) the following: participation in the occult, profane or blasphemous language, expressions of disrespect for others, contentiousness, divisiveness, slander, physical assault, unbiblical termination of pregnancy, sexual misconduct (including rape, incest, fornication, adultery, prurient use of pornography, lewd conduct, homosexual behavior), unrepentant divorce which was obtained on unbiblical grounds, lying, dishonesty (particularly violations of the honor system), disruptive behavior, theft, and damage to the property of others. Such discipline may also be brought against those who violate civil law, except in those rare cases where the civil law contradicts the Scriptures. Student conduct is under the supervision of the Faculty, acting through the Dean of Students. The Faculty reserves the right to dismiss from the institution a student whose conduct is found to be unsatisfactory. The Student Handbook states students' rights to due process and the procedures followed in hearings and appeals in cases of student discipline.

Academic Honesty – Honor System
Examinations at WSC are conducted on the honor system. Each student is responsible to maintain this system without blemish. A more detailed explanation of the honor system is found in the Student Handbook which is given to all new students at New Student Orientation.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious offense. It is sometimes committed through carelessness, sometimes as a conscious intention to deceive. Because of their concern for the seriousness of this offense, the Faculty adopted a detailed “Statement on Plagiarism” for inclusion in the Student Handbook. Every WSC student is expected to read, understand, and follow this statement. It says (in part): “Since ideas and their communication are one of the most important ingredients in any academic institution, it is most important that we, as a community, make abundantly clear our expectations with regard to the sharing and transmission of ideas. We think it essential that no one ever present as his own the academic achievements of another. Certainly the intellectual contributions of others may be utilized, but whenever they are, full credit must be given to the one whose ideas they are. In a word, plagiarism must be avoided at all costs.” Since the definition of acceptable and unacceptable use of others’ words and ideas varies from society to society and from context to context within any given society, an extensive description of what the faculty considers to be plagiarism in the context of graduate theological study can be found in the Student Handbook given to every new student.

Substance Abuse
Westminster Seminary California is committed to being an institution free of the use of illegal drugs and of the abuse of alcohol. All faculty, staff, and students are required as a condition of employment and/or enrollment not to use illegal drugs or to abuse alcohol. Illegal drugs may not be used at or brought to the campus or any Seminary activity. Alcohol may not be consumed on campus or at a Seminary function. As a Christian institution the Seminary is eager to help anyone struggling to overcome the misuse of drugs or alcohol. The Seminary will help find counseling support for a student or employee through the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship or some other appropriate agency. This policy is outlined in detail in the Student and Faculty Handbooks.

Sexual Harassment
God's Word commands respect for others and the maintenance of sexual purity in thought, word, and deed. Scripture condemns the use of influence by persons of either sex to exploit others sexually, and it instructs Christ's followers to avoid all sorts of impure speech. As a community under the lordship of Christ, WSC intends to preserve an environment that is free from sexual harassment. The Seminary's policy defining sexual harassment and the procedure for investigating allegations is published in the Student and Faculty Handbooks.

Non-Discrimination Policy
Westminster Seminary California does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, national and ethnic origin, disability, or gender in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, services, or scholarship and loan programs. The Seminary Board and Faculty understand the criteria for the gospel ministry set down in Scripture as limiting candidacy for the gospel ministry to qualified males. Because the Master of Divinity program is designed for the purpose of preparing candidates for official pastoral ministry, only men are admitted to the M.Div. degree program. Women as well as men receive gifts and calling from God to serve in various un-ordained ministries. Therefore women and men are encouraged to enroll in the Master of Arts programs.

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Board of Trustees

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Administrative officers

Further Administrative Support

Dean of Women
Elizabeth Park

Facilities
Dick Cummings

Human Resources
Steven D. Oeverman

Information Technology
Diane Belnap

International Student Advisor
Brian J. Mills

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Academic Calendar

2008 Fall Semester

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From the President
Introduction to the Seminary
Faculty
Degree Programs
Course Descriptions
Student Life
Admissions
Financial Aid
Academic Information and Policies
Appendices

Financial Information
Code of Conduct
Board of Trustees
Administrative Officers
Academic Calendars