Student Conduct

Agape wants to ensure that its students can study English and learn about American culture in a caring environment. Therefore, it reserves the right to define and enforce acceptable standards of conduct. The following rules are meant to help everyone who studies at Agape accomplish their goals for the program. In addition to the more severe violations of Agape or government policy listed in the section below “Disciplinary Probation and Dismissal,” students should:  

1. Be considerate to other students and Agape staff;
2. Conduct themselves honestly in all academic matters;
3. Not bring alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs to Agape facilities or be under the influence of any such substances while on Agape grounds;
4. Not bring weapons to Agape facilities;
5. Avoid smoking inside Agape buildings. Those who wish to smoke may do so outside when class is not in session;
6. Turn off cell phones during class;
7. Maintain accepted standards of personal hygiene.

Disciplinary Probation and Dismissal

Students may face disciplinary probation or dismissal for any of the following reasons:

1. flagrant or persistent disregard for the Agape policies and rules in this Student Handbook
2. violation of federal, state, or local laws
3. dishonesty in academic matters (cheating)
4. verbal or physical abuse or other students or of Agape staff
5. engaging in obscene or immoral behavior while at Agape

Violations of federal, state and local law will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Every effort is made to assist students who have problems. However, persistent violations of policies will not be tolerated. Students are normally placed on probation for one 9-week session or the remainder of the current session. At the end of this period, the probation will be lifted (removed) if the student has made significant progress toward remedying the problem; otherwise, the student will be dismissed from Agape. In the case of F-1 students, dismissal from the program means that the student will be “out of status” and will have to leave the U.S. immediately.

Appeal of Discipline

Students who disagree with penalties may contact the General Director. When penalties are appealed, the General Director will make final decisions on all matters related to student discipline. It is always helpful for the student to submit a written letter explaining the reasons for the appeal.

A student who is dismissed may request reentry to Agape after being away from Agape for one session. A student who has been dismissed twice may not reenter the Agape program.

Confidentiality of Student Records

Agape English Language Institute (Agape) will:

1. Collect, use, and keep only that information about a student which is needed for academic or legal reasons, or to help bring about a positive living and learning experience for the student during his or her studies at Agape,
2. Limit access within Agape to this student information only to those Agape employees who need to know the information for the reasons given in (1) above,
3. Release a student’s information to a person or agency outside of Agape only with the student’s permission, except in the following cases or to meet legitimate investigatory or legal requirements:
   • when student information is shared with the student’s own agent or personal representative,
   • when information related to the quality of a student’s homestay arrangement is shared with the student’s homestay family while
   • arranging the homestay or while mediating disputes between the student and the homestay family,
   • when basic student information is shared with an insurance company for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining insurance for the student,
   • when student information is given to another school for the purpose of transferring the student to that school, or
   • when student information is reported to a government agency (for example, to maintain the student’s visa status).
4. All student records are the property of Agape English Language Institute and are kept in secure files at Agape’s office. Students may make requests to the Associate Director to review their file information by appointment.