Community Living

Download Community Living information.

Community
Grace College is a community of Christians who are committed to God and to each other for the purpose of developing spiritual maturity, academic proficiency, and personal growth. Individual commitment to Jesus Christ is the cornerstone for participation in the Grace community. Together we seek to honor God by integrating faith and learning into our commitment to Christ. In sharing this vision, we desire each member to bear the responsibility for his or her own spiritual growth as well as for the support and encouragement of others in the community. Christians who choose to join the Grace community do so freely, and willingly take upon themselves these community living standards.

COMMUNITY LIVING STANDARDS

What to Bring: Residence Hall Students
The school provides for each student a bed, dresser, desk, chair, and curtains or miniblinds. The resident is responsible for any other room accessories he or she may wish to have.

This list is not exhaustive; it contains suggested items:

Alarm clock
Backpack/book bag
Bedding and sheets (twin, regular)
Bible
Calculator
Calendar/planner
Camera
Clothes hangers
Computer/laptop/netbook
Crates for storage
Desk lamp
Flashlight and batteries
Hair dryer/curling iron
Iron and ironing board
Laundry bag/basket
Laundry detergent
Mattress pad
Phone (not provided)
Pillow
Proper Identification (more info)
Stapler
Stereo
Toiletries
Towels and wash cloths
TV/DVD player, video game system
Umbrella
Wastebasket
White sticky tack

Please do not bring the following items:
Answering machine
Any appliance not marked U/L
Any appliance with an exposed heating element
Candles and/or incense
Candle warmers
Electric blankets
George Foreman grills
Halogen lights
Hot plates
Popcorn poppers that use oil
Space heaters
Sun lamps
Toasters and/or toaster ovens

Appliances
Most electrical appliances are prohibited in residence halls because of sanitation, safety, and electrical circuit overload concerns. However, refrigerators that do not exceed 1.8 amp. compressor units and 2.5 cubic feet in size are permitted, and small microwaves up to 750 watts are allowed. Space heaters, toasters, toaster ovens, candle warmers, electric blankets, and all open coil appliances are not permitted. Televisions are permitted in resident rooms but cable/satellite is only available in lounges and lobbies. Power strips are acceptable but extension cords are not allowed. Refrigerators and microwaves are available to rent for the year through Student Senate. These can be rented at registration or in advance by e-mailing studentaffairs@grace.edu.

Auto Registration
Grace College is a walking campus. However, any student properly licensed and carrying property and liability insurance may own or use a motor vehicle on campus. Students are provided free parking, usually adjacent to his or her residence hall. All vehicles must be registered with the Campus Safety Office located in Indiana Hall. All vehicles must display a current Grace tag while on campus and must remain in parking lots designated per the Campus Safety Handbook.

Bicycles
Bicycles should be registered with the Campus Safety Office located in Indiana Hall. Bicycle racks are provided outside of the residence halls. Storage of bicycles inside residence halls is not permitted. Winter storage is offered through Campus Safety.

Chapel
Chapel services are considered a co-curricular activity with the purpose of promoting spiritual growth, worldview development, and a sense of community. Chapel is a central component of our college’s strategy for fulfilling its mission and is required for all students.

Church Attendance
The importance of the local church is paramount in the life of all Christians as clearly portrayed in the New Testament. So, Grace emphasizes the need for students to consistently attend and become involved in local churches. This participation should contribute significantly to personal spiritual development and to valuable experience in serving others, which is part of our institutional mission.  A directory of local churches is available at http://www.gmawarsaw.com/church-directory/index.cfm

Computer
Students’ computers should have 10/100 Ethernet and/or 802.11g WiFi (wireless must be WPA2 encryption compatible) networking capabilities and should be running XP SP3, Vista SP1, or OSX 10.4 or newer. A simple, once-per-semester registration process allows campus-wide network usage. The Office of Information Technology also requires computers to have current operating system updates and an approved antivirus program (one will be provided if you do not have an approved antivirus solution). Personal communication and entertainment devices (like the iPod Touch, iPhone, and gaming systems) must also be registered through the OIT helpdesk in order to use the Grace network. For more complete information, check the Office of Information Technology web page (http://www.grace.edu/studentlife/informationtechnology/index.php) or contact the OIT helpdesk at extension 6174 or helpdesk@grace.edu.

Curfew
Specific curfew hours have been established to help first and second year students achieve success in their academic pursuits and for the fostering of community in the residence halls. All Freshmen have curfew for their first year at Grace.  Curfew is at midnight on Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Sophomores (class status determined by credit hours) may apply for exemption to curfew if they meet specific “good standing” criteria (based on gpa, chapel attendance, parking violations, and good behavior)

Dance Policy
Because a significant number of evangelical Christians view dancing as a morally questionable activity, the context in which it takes place should be the determining factor as to its appropriateness.  While some may be able to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner in such settings, there are numerous potential dangers inherent in them. Before engaging in any type of dance activity, please consider that issues of the heart are of utmost importance.  For help in determining whether a particular activity is within college guidelines, students should consult with the Office of Student Affairs or their Resident Director.

Decorations and Fire Safety
Personalization in decorating is encouraged. Pictures and posters are to be consistent with the spiritual philosophy and community standards of Grace College. Please exercise care in decorating the walls. All double-sided tape, contact paper, scotch tape, nails or any other substance that leaves a permanent mark on the walls and furniture is not to be used. Throw rugs and carpet are permitted in the residence halls. Rubber backed carpet is not allowed due to fire code regulations. Because of safety issues, halogen lights, and the burning of candles or incense are not permitted. Christmas lights may be used in safe ways from November 1st through check-out at the end of the Fall Semester. 

Discernment
In the context of media and entertainment (including music, drama, literature, television, and movies), discernment is the ability to make reasoned and skillful judgments, grounded in the values, ideals, and guiding principles of biblical/Christian theism, regarding the truth and merit of everything seen and heard.
Our goal is to assist students in the process of developing personal convictions, which will guide their decisions about the media that they choose as entertainment.  No music or video games with warning labels (“explicit” or “M” Mature) are permitted. 

Dress Code
The spirit of our expectations for dress and appearance incorporates the following principles: a desire to glorify God in everything, responsibility to fellow Christians, consideration of others, and sensitivity to not be offensive in any way. We, as a college, desire that your appearance be reflective of the standards of the Grace community. These standards should reflect modesty and appropriateness. Attire that is immodest, tight, backless, strapless and low in the neckline or with bare midriff is not permitted. Tank top straps must be at least a one inch wide. Each professor maintains the right to establish his or her own classroom attire policy/restrictions. Additional guidelines for campus and recreation attire are outlined in the Student Handbook.

Firearms and Weapons
No firearms, including pellet guns, paintball guns, fireworks, water balloon launchers, etc., are allowed on campus. Knives with blades exceeding 3 3/4” are not permitted.

Open Hours
Residence hall open hours allow for the co-ed gathering of students on campus. Open hours are scheduled for Women’s Residence Halls on the first and third Saturday of every month from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Open hours for Men’s Residence Halls are scheduled for the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Additionally, each residence hall may have additional open hours at the discretion of the Resident Director.

Growth Groups
Each student in the Grace Community who lives in a dorm will be a member of a “Growth Group.” These small groups are designed to enhance the development of spiritual maturity and cultivate relational connections as each group explores its needs and interests. Small groups consist of students living within a hall or floor and are facilitated by an upperclassmen Growth Group Leader. Participation in growth groups is mandatory for first-year students. 

Pets
Because of health and sanitation concerns, no animals, except fish, may be kept on campus. 

Substance Abuse
Substances such as tobacco (any form), alcoholic beverages, and drugs not authorized by a physician are physically and psychologically harmful, and so are not allowed. Underage drinking and drugs are against federal, state, and local laws and are not in compliance with the Campus Security Act of 1990. These substances are not to be used, possessed, or distributed on or away from campus in any form under any circumstances.