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Updated: August 2021
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 7418 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
(412) 731-6000
STUDENT HANDBOOK Table of Contents
WELCOME! ......................................................................................... 1
GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................... 1 Parking ........................................................................................................1 Campus .......................................................................................................1 Security .......................................................................................................1 Fire Precautions .........................................................................................2 Emergency Closing or Class Cancellation ..............................................2 Offices .........................................................................................................2 Telephones .................................................................................................2 Equipment and Supplies ..........................................................................2 Guests ..........................................................................................................2 Crown & Covenant Publications .............................................................3
STUDENT INFORMATION ........................................................... 3 Bulletin Boards ...........................................................................................3 RPTS News .................................................................................................3 Chapel .........................................................................................................4 Student Housing ........................................................................................4 Emergency Contact Registration and Missing Student Policy ............4 Printing/Photocopying..............................................................................4 Student Identification ...............................................................................5 Library ........................................................................................................5 Wireless Network ......................................................................................5 Network Use ..............................................................................................5 Computer Security ....................................................................................5 Student Email .............................................................................................5 Mailboxes ....................................................................................................6 Meals ...........................................................................................................6 Kitchen Use ................................................................................................6 Vending Machines .....................................................................................6
Seminary Women ......................................................................................6 FEAST (Friends Eating at Seminary Tables) ..........................................7 Prayer Groups ............................................................................................7
ACADEMIC INFORMATION ........................................................ 7 Student Web Portal (Blackbaud) .............................................................7 Registration ................................................................................................7 Registration for a Spouse ..........................................................................8 Moodle ........................................................................................................8 Booklists ......................................................................................................8 Academic Advisor and Faculty Mentor .................................................8 On-Campus Class Absence ......................................................................9 Course evaluations ....................................................................................9
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS .................................................. 9 Children on Campus .................................................................................9 Alcohol and Other Drugs .........................................................................9 RPTS Statement on Human Identity and Christian behavior ............ 10 Community Standards ............................................................................ 11 Student Records and Directory Information ........................................ 13 Nondiscrimination Policy....................................................................... 15 Cheating and Plagiarism ........................................................................ 15 Formal Student Complaint Process ....................................................... 15
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS .............................................. 16
WELCOME! The Board of Trustees, Faculty, and Staff welcome you to the Reformed
Presbyterian Theological Seminary as a student and trust that you will
have an enriching experience during the time that you are here. This
Student Handbook is provided to give you helpful information about
various processes and procedures. Please refer to the Academic Catalog
(http://rpts.edu/catalog.pdf) for more information. Information in this
publication is subject to change without notice.
“The mission of the Seminary is to educate students who love the Lord
Jesus Christ and His Word, equipping pastors for the ministry of the
Gospel and preparing others in the church for effective service in His
Kingdom, all within the framework of the historic Reformed faith”
(Academic Catalog, p. 9).
GENERAL INFORMATION
PARKING Students are to park behind or on the far side of Rutherford Hall. Parking
near the front entrance is reserved for faculty, staff, and guests. Carnegie
Place residents may park between Crown & Covenant’s parking space
and the tree across from the chapel. A basketball court is located beside
the shed; do not park in that area. Students may not park in the lot nearest
the front street entrance during the day. This area is reserved for the
offices of the RPCNA and Crown & Covenant. Students may park in this
area between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., but vehicles must be
moved by 7:30 a.m.
CAMPUS Take initiative to keep our buildings and grounds neat and attractive. Do
what you can to conserve light and heat. Turn out lights in rooms unless
you are coming right back. Do not adjust thermostats. If you move
furniture in the building, see that it is put back into place when leaving.
If you notice any maintenance needs in the building (hazards, burnt out
lights, cleaning deficiencies, etc.), enter them as a maintenance work
order here: http://s.rpts.edu/BldgWork. We want our campus to be a
positive testimony for Christ.
SECURITY The doors to Rutherford Hall and the Willson Center are locked and
require a code to be unlocked from outside. Do not give this code out to
anyone, including your children. If you forget the code, press the call
button. If others you do not know come in with you, be responsible to
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make sure that they are here legitimately. If you are unsure, do not open the
door. If you are expecting a guest, notify the office.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS The metal doors on the stairs on all floors are to be kept closed at all times
for fire protection. Do not prop them open. The fire alarm system on each
floor gives warning in the building only. IN CASE OF FIRE, EVACUATE,
THEN CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BY DIALING 911. Resident
students should know the location of the fire extinguishers on each floor.
Fire extinguishers are located throughout the building. The red PULL
alarms will sound an alarm only in the building.
EMERGENCY CLOSING OR CLASS CANCELLATION It is the practice of the Seminary to hold regular classes and activities on
all days scheduled on the Seminary calendar. If an emergency develops
that requires the cancellation of classes and/or activities, the staff will
email or call students who are expected. Ensure that your contact
information is kept current in the web portal. If a weather-related closing
is necessary, an announcement will air on KDKA Radio, 1020 AM and be
posted online at www.kdka.com.
OFFICES The Main Office will normally be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Recognize that all offices,
including the Main Office, are the work areas of Seminary faculty and
staff. These offices and their equipment are not to be used by students.
Respect the confidentiality of materials on or in desks and files.
TELEPHONES Phones located at the Seminary are predominately for faculty and staff
use. If you need to make a call, utilize the phone in the basement. This
phones will only make local, 911, and toll-free calls. Phones located in
any office and the Library are for Seminary staff use only, except in an
emergency.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES All materials are to be paid for when they are used. If you need
equipment or supplies, check with the staff.
GUESTS Please feel welcome to invite guests to visit the Seminary. If you want
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them to sit in on classes, clear this with the faculty member(s) involved.
If you want your guest to be here for meals, make arrangements in the
Main Office at least two days in advance. When our guest room is
available, guests may also stay overnight. Rates for guests are $25.00 per
person per night. Arrangements for overnight guests must be made in
the Main Office in advance. Payment should be made upon arrival.
CROWN & COVENANT PUBLICATIONS Crown & Covenant Publications is the publishing ministry of the
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), offering
many products, including Psalm-singing materials and Reformed
doctrine books. They also publish a magazine, The Reformed Presbyterian
Witness. Their telephone number is 412-241-0436. All students, staff, and
faculty receive a 20% discount on in-store orders. Occasionally, students
may help with unloading new shipments of books and receive a free book
as thanks.
STUDENT INFORMATION
BULLETIN BOARDS The Seminary has four bulletin boards which are meant to be a vehicle
for information and communication.
• The main floor bulletin board is for posting of RPTS information by
faculty and staff only.
• The basement bulletin board to the right of the student mailboxes is
for general use. Clear your material with the Main Office before
posting items on this bulletin board.
• The veterans' bulletin board is in the dining room and provides
contact information for the Veterans Administration, flyers
regarding chaplaincy programs, etc. Contact the Financial Aid Office
with questions or to post materials.
• The basement bulletin board nearest the dining room is for Geneva
College/CUBM use only.
RPTS NEWS
RPTS regularly post announcements and important information in
Blackbaud under the News tab (Featured Content and Recent Activity)
and Calendar. News items include academic news; Financial news; RPTS
activities; schedules of chapel speakers and final exams; special seminars;
news from students, faculty, alumni, and the Library; and miscellaneous
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information. On occassion, an email of the RPTS News, called The New
RP TimeS will be sent out as well. If you have information that you would
like included in the RPTS news, email the details to the Main Office
(office@rpts.edu).
CHAPEL “Chapel services are an important part of the life of the Seminary
community and are held Tuesday through Friday mornings from 9:50-
10:20 a.m. Professors, students, and guest preachers lead us during these
worship times together. All students are required to attend chapel when
they are on campus during that period of time and on days when they
have classes either 2nd or 3rd period. Any exceptions must be arranged
with the President” (Academic Catalog, p. 21).
STUDENT HOUSING Dormitory rooms, located on the third floor of Rutherford Hall, are
available to male students. A limited number of apartments for married
students are also available (https://s.rpts.edu/housing). Students living in
Seminary housing should refer to the Dorm Handbook or the Apartment
Handbook, appropriately, for additional guidelines.
EMERGENCY CONTACT REGISTRATION AND MISSING
STUDENT POLICY During the course registration process on the web portal, students must
provide two current emergency contacts. This confidential information
will be used only by authorized RPTS personnel in the event of an
emergency or if a student is reported missing while at the Seminary.
If a student is suspected to be missing from campus, students, faculty,
and staff are instructed to immediately report this information to the
Director of Student Services or the Main Office.
In the event that a student is reported missing, after 24 hours the
Seminary staff will take the following steps:
• Notify the individual identified as the student’s emergency contact.
• If needed, the Seminary will notify the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
PRINTING/PHOTOCOPYING Students may use the copier located on the first floor of the Library. The
copier has a pay station attached that allows students to use their own
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secured account. The account may be funded with cash, credit card,
Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Students are not permitted to use the copier in the front office.
STUDENT IDENTIFICATION A student photo ID is issued at the beginning of each academic year. This
card contains your student ID number and a library barcode for
borrowing materials from the RPTS Library. Lost cards can be replaced
for $10.
LIBRARY The Library staff will help you with any Library questions. The Library
also has its own website, where you can find helpful information about
the Library and its resources and services.
WIRELESS NETWORK The Seminary is equipped with wireless network, which will appear as
“rpts-wireless” in your network selection settings. The wireless key may
be obtained from the Main Office and should not be shared with anyone
who is not a student.
NETWORK USE While we respect your freedom to use the Internet how you wish, our
network may not be used for illegal or immoral purposes, including but
not limited to: downloading pirated software, music, or movies; any and
all forms of pornography; spamming; hacking; and the like. Do not use
the network bandwidth to play online games or watch videos and
movies, as it slows down the network for your fellow students.
COMPUTER SECURITY All computers at the Seminary are equipped with antivirus software, and
all student computers that use our wireless network must be equipped
with antivirus software. If your computer is not so equipped, do not use
our wireless network. NOTE: Microsoft Security Essentials is available as
a free download from Microsoft and has free lifetime updates.
STUDENT EMAIL All Seminary students receive an @rpts.edu email address. This email
address will be very important for your entire career at RPTS. All
communications from the Seminary to the student will be done through your
RPTS email account. You may access your student email by going to
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http://mail.rpts.edu. Your username is the first letter of your first name
followed by your last name, unless you have a longer name or share the
same first initial and last name as another student. Check your RPTS
email regularly.
MAILBOXES Mailboxes for faculty and staff are in the Main Office. Each on-site
student has a mailbox in the basement. Check your mailbox each time
you come to class.
MEALS Lunch meals are offered throughout the academic year from Tuesday
through Friday, with the exception of finals weeks. Lunches should be
purchased in the Main Office at least two days in advance. The cost for
students is $6 per meal. These prices are subject to change.
KITCHEN USE Dorm students have exclusive use of the refrigerator and storage
shelving in the back pantry. Non-resident students should not use these
areas for food storage. The refrigerators in the front pantry may be used
by non-resident students and staff members. Mark all items with your
name. Do not allow food to accumulate or spoil in the refrigerator. The
refrigerators will be cleaned out at the end of each quarter.
If you use the kitchen or lunch room, clean up after yourselves. Rinse
and put dishes in the dishwasher. Clean countertops, tables, floors, etc.
as you use them.
VENDING MACHINES Vending machines are available in the basement near the elevator where
you can purchase snacks, drinks, and coffee. The coffee is via a Keurig
system with pods available in the snack machine. The machines accept
cash, debit, and credit cards.
SEMINARY WOMEN A group for female students, seminarians’ wives, and other Seminary
women meets the second Monday of the month throughout the year from
6:30-8:30 p.m., for fellowship, support, spiritual growth, and preparation
for service. The schedule, including the monthly topic, will be posted in
the Blackbaud calendar. An email prior to the meeting is usually sent out.
Babysitting is provided.
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FEAST (FRIENDS EATING AT SEMINARY TABLES) The Seminary community and their families are invited to share a
covered-dish dinner early in each quarter. Look for announcements in
the RPTimeS and on the bulletin board.
PRAYER GROUPS Faculty, staff, and students meet each week to pray. Time and location
will be announced. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Other
voluntary prayer groups are encouraged; announcement of such
meetings is appropriate in chapel or in Blackbaud.
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
STUDENT WEB PORTAL (BLACKBAUD) You will use the student web portal for the following:
• Degree requirements and registration
• Viewing grades/unofficial transcript
• Billing, payment, and financial aid information
• Emergency contact information
• Directory (contact information for faculty, staff, and students)
• RPTS links: We should review this section
o Handbooks
▪ RPTS Catalog
▪ Student Handbook
▪ RPTS Style Guide
▪ DMin Handbook
o RPTS Links
▪ RPTS Website
▪ RPTS Library
▪ RPTS on YouTube
▪ Moodle
o Forms
▪ Request for Independent Study
▪ Internship Application
▪ Request for Incomplete Grade
REGISTRATION Registration for a new quarter begins in Week 7 of the current quarter
and must be completed by Week 10. After this date, a late registration fee
will be added to your account. Students are responsible to register for
each quarter through blackbaud.
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Before registering, credit students should always
• Review the course sequence for your degree and concentration
- these begin at page 59 in the catalog.
• Review degree requirements (see separate FAQ)
• Speak with your academic advisor about what courses to take
(this is highly recommended, but not required)
All student accounts and library fines must be paid in full, and any other
holds resolved, prior to registration.
REGISTRATION FOR A SPOUSE All spouses who desire to take classes (audit or credit) must complete an
application and be accepted prior to taking classes. See the Academic
Catalog for specific information regarding spouses taking courses as
auditors or for credit.
MOODLE Moodle is the Seminary’s learning platform, which is used for the
following:
• Course syllabi
• Course materials from professors
• Assignment/exam submission
• Video lectures for distance learning students
Access to your materials in Moodle (https://moodle.rpts.edu/.) will be
available by the first day of each quarter and will terminate three weeks
after the end of each quarter.
BOOKLISTS Prior to each quarter, a booklist will be posted in Blackbaud on the
Resources tab. Students are responsible to order their own materials,
unless otherwise noted.
ACADEMIC ADVISOR AND FACULTY MENTOR Each student is assigned an academic advisor to assist the student in
planning your quarterly schedules and to ensure you meet the
graduation requirements for your degree. Each student is also assigned a
faculty mentor, who is available for counsel, as needs arise, and you will
pray with him during chapel prayer times. It is best to make an
appointment in order to meet with your faculty mentor. Both your
Academic Advisory and your Faculty Mentor may be found in
Blackbaud under Groups, or under My Day – Progress under the
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Advisory section. If you only have one listed, then your advisor and
mentor is the same faculty member.
ON-CAMPUS CLASS ABSENCE • If you have to miss a class, ask a classmate to record the class for you
and collect any handouts from the missed class. This option is
usually the best and easiest.
• Alternatively, you can purchase individual weekly sessions through
Moodle for most classes, if they have been or are being recorded. If
the class is currently being recorded, the recording will usually be
available within 48 hours. CAUTION: If the course is not currently
being recorded, the lecture you purchase may not correspond
entirely with the actual information presented in the on-campus
class you have missed, as professors often vary their content from
year to year. All sales are final, and no refunds will be given for
lectures purchased.
COURSE EVALUATIONS Students are required to complete an evaluation for each course in which
they are enrolled as a credit student. Holds are placed on student
accounts if these are not completed by the due date at the end of each
quarter.
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
CHILDREN ON CAMPUS The Seminary is committed to providing an educational environment
that facilitates teaching and learning.
• Spouses and children are encouraged to attend chapel.
• Children of students are not to accompany their parents to class
without special permission of the professor.
• Children are not to be left unattended in the building while their
parents are in class or at any other time. The Seminary does not
provide childcare.
• Children in the classrooms, Library, or other areas of the building,
may create distractions or disruptions, as well as present potential
liability for the Seminary.
• Children are not allowed to use the Seminary computers.
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS The possession or use of tobacco or illegal drugs is forbidden in the
buildings and on the grounds of the Seminary. The possession or use of
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alcoholic beverages is forbidden in Rutherford Hall and in the BCI and
its adjacent classrooms. Students who have a problem with alcohol or
drug use may request private counseling with any faculty member or at
the Biblical Counseling Institute. However, continued offenses or refusal
to accept counseling will be grounds for dismissal.
RPTS STATEMENT ON HUMAN IDENTITY AND CHRISTIAN
BEHAVIOR
Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His
image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions,
including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally
challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception
through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect,
and value all human life (Psalm 139).
Statement on Gender
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each
person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary
sexes together reflect God's image and nature (Genesis 1:26-27).
We acknowledge that in this fallen world, on rare occasions, a
person is born with anatomical ambiguity. We affirm the dignity
and image of God fully shared by such persons and support their
efforts to determine with competent medical counsel their
anatomical sex and coordinate gender calling (2017Minutes of
Synod, page 122). Nevertheless, the vast majority of persons are
born with clear anatomical sex distinction. God has called each
person to live within the gender indicated by his or her anatomy
(2017 Minutes of Synod, page 120). We believe it is sinful behavior
to reject one's sex given by God at conception or attempting to
alter one's sex given by God at conception, including dressing in
such a way as to willfully reject one's sex given by God at
conception.
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Statement on Marriage
We believe the term "marriage" has only one meaning: the uniting
of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as
delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25). We believe that
marriage between one man and one woman, for life, uniquely
reflects Christ's relationship with His Church (Ephesians 5:21-22).
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only
between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1
Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4). We believe that God has
commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in
outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
Statement on Sexuality
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including
adultery, cohabitation, fornication, homosexual behavior,
bisexual conduct, attempts to alter one's sex, bestiality, incest, or
use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew
15:18- 20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
COMMUNITY STANDARDS
COMMITMENT
We commit ourselves to the historical gospel of our Triune
God.
John 17:3
As a community of believers devoted not only to the
accumulation of knowledge but also to the development of
practical ministry skills, a starting point for our fellowship is a
commitment to the historic Christian faith. This includes
acknowledging the only true God to be one God in three distinct
persons and the belief that eternal life is a gift of God received by
faith alone through the righteousness of Christ alone.1
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HONOR
We honor one another in our relationships and work for
Christ's glory.
Romans 12:10
Further, all Christians are called by God to a life of holiness. At
the Seminary, where we train those who are preparing for
service in Christ's church, we are especially concerned to be
above reproach in our conduct. In our study and in our
relationships with one another, we seek to be faithful, wise, and
filled with the fruit of the Spirit.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We promote healthy communication
to achieve accountability in the Spirit's strength.
Galatians 5:25
We are committed to holding one another accountable in matters
of Christlikeness and spiritual maturity, seeking to encourage
and strengthen one another in a spirit of meekness.2 All members
of the community—faculty, staff, students, board members— are
called to respect one another in regard to diversity of
denomination, ethnicity, and culture.3 All members are expected
to refrain from behavior which Scripture forbids, including
sexual misconduct (sexual relations outside of marriage, sexual
harassment, sexual abuse, same-gender sexual relations,4 use of
pornography, and any other sexual or gender deviation contrary
to God's Word),5 theft,6 academic or personal dishonesty,7
substance abuse,8 misuse of property,9 threats to the health and
safety of others10 physical or emotional abuse,11 financial
irresponsibility,12 disrespect,13 or violation of campus
regulations.14 These behaviors damage or even destroy true
fellowship and the spiritual vitality which Christ purchased with
His own blood.15
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The Seminary may deny admission, admonish, warn, place on
probation, suspend, expel, withhold a degree, deny
employment, terminate employment, or take other action in
response to beliefs or personal conduct outside of these
Standards.
1 WLC Q 8 to Q11, Q70
2 WLC Q 122 – Matt. 22:39; Matt. 7:12, Gal. 6:1-2
3 WLC Q 126 – Eph. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:17; Rom. 12:10
4 SHICB
5 WLC Q 137 to Q 139 – 1 Thess. 4:4; Job 31:1; Matt. 5:28; SHICB
6 WLC Q 140 to Q 142 – Ps. 15:2; Rom. 13:7; Phil. 2:4
7 WLC Q 140 to Q 142 – Ps. 15:2; Rom. 13:7; Phil. 2:4
8 WLC Q 134 to Q 136 – Eph. 4:26-27; Eph. 5:28-29; Luke 21:34; 1 John 3:15 9 WLC Q
140 to Q 142
10 WLC Q 134 to Q 136 – Eph. 4:26-27; Eph. 5:28-29; Luke 21:34; 1 John 3:15 11 WLC
Q 134 to Q 136 – Eph. 4:26-27; Eph. 5:28-29; Luke 21:34; 1 John 3:15 12 WLC Q 140 to
Q 142 – Ps. 15:2; Rom. 13:7; Phil. 2:4
13 WLC Q 124 to Q 133
14 WLC Q 124 to Q 128 – Eph. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:17; Rom. 12:10
15 WCF 26.1, 26.2 – 1 John 1:3; Heb. 10:24-25
WLC – Westminster Larger Catechism
Q – Question
WCF – Westminster Confession of Faith
SHICB – Statement on Human Identity and Christian Behavior
STUDENT RECORDS AND DIRECTORY INFORMATION The Seminary maintains a policy of security and confidentiality of
student educational records. Any printed records are kept in locked
offices and digital records are stored in our secure student information
system and our secure institutional network, both of which are backed
up at an off-site location.
The Seminary does not accept Title IV student loan monies and is not
bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA),
however, its policies are nonetheless generally consistent with FERPA.
EDUCATIONAL RECORDS
• A student has the right to review his/her education records.
• A student should submit a written request to the Registrar that
identifies the record(s) he or she wishes to inspect. The student will
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be notified of the time and place where the records may be reviewed.
The Registrar will be present during this review.
• A student has the right to request an amendment of the education
record that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. The
student should write to the Registrar, clearly identifying the part of
the record that he or she wants to have changed, and specify why it
is inaccurate or misleading.
• If the Seminary decides not to amend the record as requested by the
student, the Seminary will notify the student of the decision. The
student may appeal this decision.
• A student has the right to consent to the disclosure of personally
identifiable information contained in the student’s educational
record.
• One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure
to school officials with legitimate educational interests, i.e. if the
official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or
her professional responsibility.
• Upon request, RPTS may disclose education records, without
consent, to officials of another school in which a student seeks to be
enrolled.
• RPTS may also disclose personal information when a student’s
health/safety are in jeopardy or if/when a student poses a significant
threat to self or others.
CAMPUS DIRECTORY INFORMATION
RPTS has designated certain personally identifiable student information
as “directory information.” This information includes a student’s name,
campus address, RPTS email address, permanent address, telephone
numbers, and photograph.
Directory information which may be disclosed to others without the
student’s permission also includes the following items: date and place of
birth, actual or anticipated graduation date, fields of study, actual or
anticipated degree(s), dates of RPTS attendance, honors and awards
received, current class schedule, and the most recent school previously
attended.
The same information may be posted on Blackbaud in Directories, which
are accessible to members of the RPTS community through the web
portal via SSO (single sign-on) with your rpts.edu email account.
The Seminary may disclose any of these items at its discretion, without
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prior consent, unless the student notifies the Registrar in writing that he
or she does not wish to permit such disclosure. Requests for non-
disclosure by the student are in effect from the date received in writing
from the student until rescinded in writing by the student or the student’s
death.
The confidentiality flag on your record will stay in effect even after you
leave RPTS unless you notify the Registrar of your request in writing to
rescind the flag. You should be aware that this confidentiality flag will
keep the Seminary from responding to routine verification requests by
potential employers or other schools.
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY “No student shall be excluded from study at the Seminary on the basis of
nationality, race, ethnicity, or gender, and all students shall be afforded
equal dignity and respect as members of the student body” (Academic
Catalog, p. 27).
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM The Seminary policy on cheating and plagiarism is found in the Academic
Catalog (p. 53). To better understand how to avoid plagiarism, please see
the RPTS Style Guide. The RPTS Style Guide and Library Policies on the
Library website are also helpful resources in understanding issues
related to copyright laws.
FORMAL STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCESS The Seminary takes formal student complaints seriously and maintains
records of formal, written student complaints which are filed with the
President or Academic Dean. These records include information about
the disposition of the complaints, as well as the complaints themselves.
These records are made available to evaluation teams of the Association
for Theological Schools (ATS) for review during re-accreditation visits.
A complainant must be either a full-time or part-time student enrolled
for class at the time of the complaint or a former student who has taken
classes within two years of the time of the complaint and hopes to re-
enroll. A complaint from a former student who has not studied at RPTS
within two years of the time of the complaint may be handled differently.
All formal complaints must be written, dated, and signed by the
complainant.
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Procedure:
Complete records of each student complaint and the institutional
responses to these complaints are kept on file by the Seminary. Upon
receipt of a formal student complaint, steps will be immediately taken to
resolve the complaint. The following information will be kept on file:
• the person to whom the complaint was addressed
• the date the complaint was submitted
• the substance of the complaint
• the determination of the validity of the concern expressed
• the steps taken by the institution to resolve the problem, if needed
• the institution’s final decision(s) regarding the complaint
• the response of the complainant to the decision(s) of the institution
• the external actions initiated by the student to resolve the complaint
(if any).
Complaints which are received by ATS and forwarded to the Seminary
from RPTS students or former students who have taken classes within
two years of the date of a complaint will be handled according to the
above guidelines.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
MAIN OFFICE – (412) 731-6000
BCI OFFICE – (412) 731-3000
EMERGENCY NUMBER – 911 (fire, police, ambulance/paramedics)
EMERGENCY SEMINARY CONTACTS Josh Nye – (724) 674-1091
Ed Blackwood – (412) 407-3317
Mark Sampson – (412) 708-6846
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