Direct Admission

SNU Lifestyle Covenant

Convinced that clear and healthy parameters are essential for a Christian community to thrive, expecting that each person who enrolls at SNU respects the importance of these healthy parameters and affirming the value of living as a people with strong character who positively influence culture in specifically Christian ways. We, the students, faculty and staff of Southern Nazarene University, as a Christian community willingly embrace the following values and the guidelines they create as reflected in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.

We value honesty; therefore, avoiding deceit, cheating and plagiarism is expected.

We value the use of positive, wholesome and edifying language; therefore, refraining from profanity, vulgarity and gossip is expected.

We value the worth and dignity of all people. SNU strives to be a culturally responsive community where all members of the community are respected, valued and appreciated.

We believe all people are made in the image of God and a diverse community valuing the contributions of every person is essential to SNU and the Kingdom of God. Therefore, abstaining from racism of any kind, hate speech, bullying of any kind or a public disregard for any individual or group is expected. Loving others as ourselves is our goal, so treating all others with value, respect and compassion is expected.

We value self-control that results in physical and mental well-being; therefore, abstaining from the use or possession of intoxicants (including, but not limited to, tobacco, marijuana, alcoholic beverages, drugs) is expected; for the same reason appropriate and modest clothing is expected. We value sexual purity and the sanctity of Christian marriage; therefore, abstaining from sexual immorality (including, but not limited to, premarital or extramarital sex, other immoral sexual activity and homosexual behavior) is expected; for the same reason, abstaining from viewing or possessing pornography is expected.

We value discernment and wise decision-making; therefore, avoiding environments that could lead to behavior detrimental to our success is expected; for the same reason making choices that are consistent with the values expressed in this covenant is expected.

We value respect for authority and for the persons in authority on our campus and in our community; therefore, compliance with federal, state and local laws and with the policies and procedures of the SNU Student Handbook is expected.

We value our faith community and the Christian practices of corporate worship, biblical teaching, prayer and fellowship; therefore, expressing our commitment to Christ and to each other through regular chapel attendance, mutual encouragement, support and accountability is expected.

While we recognize that not every individual holds the same degree of conviction on a given expectation or commitment, we as a community commit to living within the parameters of this covenant at all times, whether on or away from campus.
Those who act outside of these parameters will be subject to review and disciplinary consequences as stated in the SNU Student Handbook.

This is a supporting document of the SNU Student Handbook as well as the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.