Disciplinary Procedures

1.    In the College’s understanding of Orthodox theology and its sacred task - the training and nurturing of well-disciplined, educated, responsible and dedicated priests, religious educators and lay workers - academic excellence cannot be separated from spiritual effort, a life of personal and corporate prayer and participation in the Holy Sacraments, and from active participation in the life of the college community in general. Therefore every student is encouraged to study the content of the Christian revelation and to appropriate that saving revelation in a personal way.

2.    By the very fact of their application and acceptance to St Andrew's, each student is bound to the ecclesiastical regulations, moral standards and behaviour traditionally expected by the Orthodox Church from those who desire to minister in the Church and in obedience to which they are expected to live throughout the time of their association with St Andrew's and beyond, seeking to further cultivate the Orthodox ethos and phronema (mentality and attitude) as a conscientious Christian.

3.    Therefore any neglect in discipline, moral lapse, crime, truancy, flagrant breach of academic honesty (such as plagiarism), insubordination to authority or actions contrary to the best interest of St Andrew's will lead to disciplinary action by the Dean, and if serious enough, to suspension or immediate dismissal.

4.    Should a student demonstrate any neglect in discipline, moral lapse, crime, truancy, flagrant breach of academic honesty (such as plagiarism), insubordination to authority or actions contrary to the best interest of St Andrew's that student will be summoned, in the first instance, by the Sub-Dean to informally discuss the matter(s) at hand. This initial investigative phase may require more than one meeting or discussion. The Sub-Dean may co-opt the assistance of other members of the Faculty Board during this initial phase.

5.    A continuation of poor discipline will warrant the convening of a disciplinary committee by the Dean or, in his absence, the Sub-Dean. This committee will be comprised of at least three staff members plus at least one external member. The student will be informed in writing of the committee's meeting at least two working days in advance and will be advised to attend and respond to the committee's concerns.

6.    A written determination of the committee's decision will be given to the student within ten working days of the committee's meeting.

7.    If the student is dissatisfied with the determination he/she may appeal to the Dean of the Sydney College of Divinity for advice and further protocols. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Dean of the Sydney College of Divinity within ten working days of receipt of the determinative outcome of the grievance panel from St Andrew's.

8.    The policies and procedures of the Sydney College of Divinity will apply thereafter and as stated in the document entitled STUDENT GRIEVANCE POLICY AND PROCEDURES.

9.    The decision of the Academic Board of the Sydney College of Divinity will be final.