Student Life Policies

Living Above Reproach 

Traveling to another country is a wonderful opportunity to grow and learn, be challenged academically, meet new people, and to have life changing experiences. One of the challenges that students face while participating in this program is how to respond to the new opportunities that a new culture affords them. What do they do when faced with personal choices like alcohol, smoking, drugs, and new relationships? While these may or may not have been decided upon in your host culture, we realize that you will be faced with these choices again as you live in another country – it is our desire to be open and upfront in this discussion. 

While we are not taking a stance on the “morality” or “right or wrong” of these choices, we do want to be clear about the expectations of you while participating in this program. We are asking that while you are enrolled in a L&LI program to completely – 100% abstain from smoking tobacco, illegal drug use, or initiating new romantic relationships with people living in your program location. Regarding alcohol, L&LI will hold students accountable to the policies of their home institution. In some L&LI programs, students will be asked to abstain from alcohol 100% regardless of their home institution’s policies. Speak with your enrollment advisor if you have more questions. Choosing to disregard these policies could result in early dismissal. 

Our heart is not to take away opportunities or inhibit your time in our program. This program is part of a much bigger picture that you may or may not be aware of. We need to think in terms of the following: 

#1 Your testimony as you live and interact with others. People will make decisions and assumptions of you based on your personal choices. 

#2 The testimony of the L&LI program. You represent us and the program. We have a vast and rich network of relationships that we have worked hard to cultivate over the last 20 years. 

#3 Messages we are intentionally or unintentionally sending to other Christians. These issues have proven divisive and difficult within the global church. We do not want to make this worse by our behavior. 

#4 Your college or university; you represent them while you are in our program.

Again, it is not our heart to make a judgment or say that these particular behaviors are right or wrong. However, in the past they have proven to be issues that have caused more harm than good, more risk than reward. We are asking you while you are in a L&LI program to completely – 100% abstain from drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, illegal drug use, or initiating new romantic relationships with people living in your program location. During orientation, additional information on “living above reproach” will be discussed. 

Chapel Expectations 

The purpose of chapel is to gather in the context of worship and study in order to: 

• Better KNOW, LOVE, and GLORIFY God; 

• GAIN God’s perspective on our learning; and 

• GROW together as a Christ-centered community so that we might serve in the world as Jesus’ disciples. 

 Chapel is an essential part of fulfilling L&LI’s mission of providing Christ-centered higher education and responding with an appropriate Christian worldview to the challenges of a developing country. Therefore, attendance is mandatory. Any unexcused absences (those not cleared by an L&LI staff member) may result in disciplinary action. 

Local Law 

 Students will attend an orientation upon arrival to the country informing them of, among other topics, local laws. Ignorance of local law is no excuse for breaking it. Students are always subject to local law. When in doubt, consult L&LI staff or your home country’s embassy or consulate. Rights you are accustomed to at home may not exist in other countries. L&LI can provide only limited assistance to a student who has been arrested or detained. 

High-Risk Activities 

High-risk activities may have tragic consequences for individual students who do not follow instruction or protocol, as specified by L&LI, and may seriously disrupt the program. Irresponsible actions may jeopardize the reputation of the program. Activities such as hitchhiking, driving, bungee jumping, hang gliding, and white water rafting are not permitted as part of the program. High risk activities included in the program with appropriate safety precautions and guides are: ATV-ing, ziplining, canyoning, mountain hiking, and scuba diving. Student medical history and/or capacity/skillset could prevent participation.

Diversity & Discrimination 

L&LI is committed to maintaining a community that is free of discrimination and harassment, and where a variety of backgrounds and perspectives enriches the experience for all. Any behavior that makes an individual feel uncomfortable deserves to be acknowledged and addressed. When possible, direct confrontation with the individual(s) whose actions are interpreted as objectionable may resolve the issue. If you feel you need further support or action, you should notify L&LI staff immediately. L&LI resources or outside expertise may be utilized to promptly address and resolve the problem. L&LI will not tolerate disrepectful actions, gestures, or speech that demeans someone because of his or her gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, religion or any other characteristic protected by law or that of his or her relatives, friends or associates. 

Sexual & Other Harassment Policy 

L&LI is committed to an environment in which all people are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to live and study in an atmosphere that promotes learning opportunities and prohibits practices such as harassment. Therefore, L&LI expects that all relationships among students, staff, faculty, homestay families, internship supervisors and coworkers, and others associated with the program will be collegial and free of harassment. 

L&LI encourages reporting of all perceived incidents of harassment. It is the policy of the program to investigate such reports. L&LI prohibits retaliation against any person who reports harassment or participates in an investigation of such reports. 

Definitions of Harassment 

1. Sexual harassment may include a range of subtle and not-so-subtle behaviors, and may involve individuals of the same or different gender. Depending on the circumstances these behaviors may include, but are not limited to: unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors; sexual jokes and innuendos; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; commentary about an individual’s body, sexual prowess or sexual deficiencies; leering, whistling or touching; insulting or obscene comments or gestures; display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; and other physical, verbal or visual conduct of a sexual nature. 

2. Harassment on the basis of any other protected characteristic is also strictly prohibited. Under this policy, harassment is verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward a person because of his or her gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, religion or any other characteristic protected by law or that of his or her relatives, friends or associates, and that: 

   • has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; 

   • has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance; or 

   • otherwise adversely affects an individual’s opportunities. Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to: epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; denigrating jokes; and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group and that is placed on walls or elsewhere or at outlying centers, or circulated in the living space and/or learning space. 

Definitions of Sexual Assault 

Sexual assault may fall by definition within the scope of sexual harassment and may be subject to criminal prosecution by law enforcement authorities to which it must be referred by L&LI. Such conduct must be addressed by L&LI with any external criminal proceedings. Developing countries handle incidents differently. 

Sexual assault is defined as any sexual act that is perpetrated without consent of the victim. The type of force employed may involve physical violence, coercion, or the threat of harm to any person. A victim is considered unable to consent, and therefore sexually assaulted if he or she is: 

1. mentally incapacitated or physically helpless due to drugs or intoxicants; 

2. cognitively impaired; 

3. unaware that the sexual act is taking place; 

4. under 16 years of age (except where the persons are married and the act is consensual), or under 18 years of age when the accused: 

   • Is a parent or entrusted by law to care for the victim; 

   • Uses a position of authority over the victim to persuade him or her to submit. 

Examples of acts defined as sexual assault include forcible rape by an acquaintance or stranger, incest, and sexual abuse of minors, as well as sexual assaults that do not involve penetration. 

Reporting & Assistance for Victims 

Informal Procedure 

If for any reason an individual does not wish to address the offender directly, or if such action does not successfully end the offensive conduct, the student should notify his or her RC, or any other L&LI staff member who may, if the student so requests, talk to the alleged offender on the student’s behalf. A student reporting harassment or retaliation should be aware, however, that L&LI may decide it is necessary to take action to address such conduct beyond an informal discussion. This decision will be discussed with the student. The best course of action in any case will depend on many factors and, therefore, the informal procedure will remain flexible. Moreover, the informal procedure is not a required first step for the reporting individual. 

Formal Procedure 

As noted above, students who believe they have been the victims of conduct prohibited by this policy statement or believe they have witnessed such conduct should submit a written statement of their concerns to the Director of Student Life or the Program Director. L&LI encourages the prompt reporting of complaints or concerns so that rapid and constructive action can be taken before relationships become irreparable. While no fixed reporting period has been established, early reporting and intervention have proven to be the most effective method of resolving actual or perceived incidents of harassment. Any reported allegations of harassment, discrimination or retaliation will be investigated promptly. The investigation may include individual interviews with the party(ies) involved and, where necessary, with individuals who may have observed the alleged conduct or may have other relevant knowledge. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigatory process to the extent consistent with adequate investigation and appropriate corrective action. Retaliation will not be tolerated against a student for reporting harassment or discrimination, or for participating in an investigation of a claim of harassment or discrimination, and disciplinary action will result. 

Acts of retaliation should be reported immediately and will be promptly investigated and addressed. Misconduct constituting harassment, discrimination or retaliation will be dealt with appropriately. Responsive action may include training, referral to counseling and/or disciplinary action such as warning, reprimand, housing reassignment, temporary suspension or dismissal, as L&LI believes appropriate under the circumstances. If a party to a complaint does not agree with its resolution, that party may appeal to the Program Director. False and malicious complaints of harassment or retaliation as opposed to complaints, which, even if erroneous, are made in good faith, may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. 

Disability 

L&LI aims to facilitate accessible educational experiences for students with disabilities and to serve as a resource to all members of the academic community in furthering this goal. Students with disabilities (physical, learning, or other types of disabilities) should contact the Program Director as soon as possible to discuss their needs and to obtain information about the accommodation process and possibilities. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and every effort made to work collaboratively with qualified students to facilitate accommodation. In-country conditions and resources vary by site, and specific program locations may have limited accessibility. Students seeking accommodations are asked to provide the following:

1) A written request for specific accommodations signed by the student. 

2) Current documentation of the disability provided by a qualified professional (ie: university or college disability and/or student support services). 

Documentation must be in writing, signed by the evaluator, and at a minimum include the following: 

• Specific diagnosis of the disability 

• Specific evidence of the disability, including any tests or other evaluations performed and results 

• Impact of the disability on the person’s functioning (functioning limitations)

• Recommendations for accommodations, including academic injunctions or auxiliary aids 

Documentation should be recent, ideally no more than three years old. Requests for accommodations and documentation of the disability should be submitted as early as possible, no later than 30 days prior to the program start date. Additional information may be requested to assist L&LI in making a determination on reasonable accommodations. 

Please send all information and inquiries to info@landli.org

Emergency Interim Suspension 

If a student’s behavior constitutes endangering behavior that presents an immediate, severe, and direct threat to oneself or others (or a likelihood of harming oneself or others) or there is a presence of grievous misconduct and violation of L&LI policies, L&LI staff may direct that the student be suspended for a period not to exceed seven (school) days, pending the results of administrative proceedings or, where mental health issues are present, psychological evaluation. During that interim suspension, the student shall not be allowed to participate in program activities or utilize program resources. Alternate housing arrangements may be necessary and will be the responsibility of the student placed on suspension. Additional violations while the student is placed on interim suspension will result in immediate dismissal from the program. 

Student Legal Fees 

Students are expected to abide by all of the laws, policies, and procedures of the program country. In the event of a legal matter during the academic program, the student is responsible for all penalties, costs, and legal fees associated with the incident. L&LI will not be liable for the selection, hiring, or vetting of legal professionals for the student or for any legal fees incurred.