Student Life

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The graduate student body at PBU is diverse. Over twenty different denominations are represented. Students range in age from the mid-twenties to the mid-sixties, with the average age in the late thirties. Females represent 53% and males, 47%, of the student body. Geographically, the majority of students come from the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. More than ten countries are represented in the student body. Most students are employed and work in an occupation related to the student’s graduate program. Graduate students have obtained their undergraduate degrees from a wide range of colleges and universities.

PBU is an academic community of Christian students, faculty, and staff. As such, and in keeping with the mission and vision of the University, members of the PBU community are to exhibit biblical wisdom and Christian maturity regarding their personal conduct and behavior toward others. They should be sensitive regarding the testimony of their personal lives in representing the Lord Jesus Christ, His Church, and the University. Members of the University community should live according to 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Christian community involves covenantal responsibility and mutual obligation to one another as members of one body living together before a righteous and holy God. Therefore, members of the University community are to be guided by biblical admonitions to demonstrate Christian love and concern for others, honesty, fairness, justice, kindness, forgiveness, mutual edification, self-control, deference, respect, and social responsibility toward one another and all people.

Because Christian community exists in social and cultural context, members must be careful to demonstrate civility and respect for those with whom they disagree, while exercising wisdom in evaluating the ideas and activities of others. Christians living in harmony share a deep concern for the Body of Christ, defer to one another, reason together, and express genuine Christian love, as outlined in Romans chapter fourteen.

Additional specific standards of conduct for students, faculty, staff, administration, and trustees as well as other institutional and governmental policies can be found in the respective handbooks for each group.

GRADUATE STUDENT STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

The following standards apply to all University students while enrolled in the graduate programs at PBU. These standards are established on the bases of state and federal laws, biblical teaching, and University policy and tradition. Students registered in dual degree programs are classified as traditional undergraduate students regarding standards of conduct. The administration is responsible to, and reserves the right to, exercise judgment in interpreting and enforcing these standards and all matters related to them based upon the totality of the circumstances.
1. University students are subject to the responsibility of academic integrity which demands honesty and giving credit to the proper sources.
2. Hazing is classified as a crime by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the University will not allow this type of activity. Hazing is defined as any type of initiation process which includes actions that may potentially cause bodily harm, physical exhaustion, personal embarrassment, loss of dignity, emotional trauma, or mental duress.
3. Harassment or discrimination against others on the basis of race, national origin, age, sex, or handicap is not tolerated. Intimidation and violence through words or action are prohibited. This includes but is not limited to threats, verbal attacks, vandalism, stalking, acts of hatred and physical attack.
4. Students are to be highly selective in their choices of entertainment. Biblical standards and discernment should serve as guidelines in making personal decisions. Pornographic materials, including electronic media and sexually explicit internet sites and email are not to be viewed, possessed, distributed, or transmitted on or away from campus.
5. PBU affirms the biblical teachings that a sexual relationship is intended only within a heterosexual marriage of husband and wife. Students are to abstain from any type of sexual activity or immoral relationship outside of the marriage of a man and a woman.
6. Tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, including illegally obtained prescription drugs, and gambling are prohibited on the PBU campus. All state and federal laws concerning these are to be strictly observed.

Students who are interested in obtaining personal or career counseling or participating in a support group should contact the director of student care at 215-702-4224.

Graduate students are required to submit a completed health form for admission into the graduate programs. During the academic semester the privileges of student health services are available to students who have submitted a completed health form. The University nurse may be contacted during posted office hours for ordinary needs at 215-702-4334.

Social Life

Many activities on campus are open to graduate students and their families. These include a weekly women’s community Bible class; Crimson Celebration; concerts by the PBU Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and popular contemporary Christian artists; and various sports events.

PBU has an active Alumni Office and Alumni Association offering a wide range of events, services, and opportunities to support PBU. The PBU Alumni Association exists to unite all alumni of PBU as a community for effective communication with each other and the University; to arrange alumni reunions; to encourage the formation of alumni chapters worldwide; to foster and perpetuate enthusiasm for the University and fellow alumni; and to promote alumni commitment to the University through prayer, recruitment, and financial support. For more information, the student may visit the alumni website at www.pbu.edu/alumni.