STUDENT BODY
Maple Springs Baptist Bible Seminary has
more than 75 students enrolled in study of the Word of God. They come from
various independent and denominational churches. Most of the student body are
from the Washington metropolitan area.
MSBBS is primarily an evening institution
designed to serve full-time Christian workers and others who have full-time jobs
during the day. Therefore, MSBBS offers most of its curriculum during the
evening hours. Although MSBBS is primarily an evening institution, a number of
classes are offered during the day Monday - Saturday.
CHAPEL
Chapel services are held once per semester
for day and evening students. These services challenge the students from the
Word of God. Also, chapel serves as a period of intercessory prayer. Students
and faculty are expected to attend all chapel services.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
ASSOCIATION
The Student Government Association
consists of students who have been appointed/elected for three primary purposes:
to listen intently for the specific needs of the student body; to channel such
information steadily to the administration and faculty; and to convert such
information into effective action.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
All graduates and certificate recipients
as well as former students who have earned at least 30 semester hours of credit
are designated as Alumni of the College and Seminary. The MSBBS Alumni
Association, under the leadership of the Director of Development and Alumni
Affairs, serves the needs and interests of graduates.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
The Christian Service Department, under
the supervision of the Director of Student Services, provides an opportunity for
students to develop Christian leadership and spiritual ministry. Within the
Washington metropolitan area there are opportunities for institutional work in
jails and hospitals. Everything is done to ensure that students will receive the
maximum degree of benefit and fulfillment from personal involvement in various
types of practical Christian work and community service throughout the
Washington area.
CAMPUS AND
BUILDINGS
The Seminary campus is a beautiful one and
one-half acre tract of land opposite the Maple Springs Baptist Church. It is
nestled in a suburban residential community which is easily accessible by public
transportation to the heart of the rapidly expanding Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area.
Chester A. McDonald Center for Biblical
Studies Administration Building. This building is named in honor of Chester
A. McDonald, the founder of the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary
who served as its first President. He is Pastor of the Maple Springs Baptist
Church and serves as the Chancellor of MSBBS. MSBBS is a ministry of the Maple
Springs Baptist Church. The Administration Building is the center of activity of
the Seminary. In it are housed the administrative offices, bookstore, snack
area, classrooms and the library.
Library. Located on the ground
floor of the Administrative Building, the Library provides a variety of
resources. It contains a growing collection of excellent resources for
reference, research and circulation. The holdings are arranged on open shelves
according to the Dewey Decimal classification system.
HEALTH SERVICE
Students are encouraged to secure medical
services when necessary from their own physicians. These consultations are
entirely at the student's expense. Special items, such as the cost
prescriptions, hospitalization, ambulance service, x-rays, operating room
expense, dental work, surgery, special nursing or special care for students with
contagious diseases are also paid by the student, if not covered by health
insurance.
The services of Washington's many fine
hospitals are available in an emergency. Students are required, if they do not
have hospitalization insurance, to obtain such before entering school. Students
should meet this requirement by purchasing health insurance coverage of their
choice.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
At the beginning of each school year, new
students receive a copy of the Maple Springs Bible College and Seminary Student
Handbook. When the Student Handbook is revised, all students may receive a
revised copy.
Because we at MSBBS are a Christian
community as well as an educational institution, our family life together is
governed by a code of conduct. This is done so that we may be able to function
together in harmony, that we may preserve a good testimony, and that we may each
develop good habits of Christian discipline.
DRESS STANDARDS
Moderation in the manner of dress is a
safe guide for MSBBS students. Casual dress is acceptable in the classroom so
long as it is neat and modest. Students are to dress appropriately and in good
taste at all times.
GENERAL POLICIES GOVERNING
STUDENTS
The right of sharing in the privileges of
the MSBBS community involves corresponding responsibilities. These include the
recognition of the authority of the administration and faculty of MSBBS and the
Board of Trustees of MSBBS over all procedures, policies and guidelines in
governing the college.
MSBBS seeks to maintain high standards of
integrity in academic work, in ministry, and in community relationships. These
standards of integrity are expected to be met by students, faculty, and staff
and are stated here for self-discipline and support by all members of the
college community. Each of us may expect from the other absolute honesty in all
relationships, responsibilities, and tasks; integrity and good stewardship in
all financial obligations and dealings; conscientious concern for each other in
matters of personal habits, attitudes, and actions; demonstration of a spirit
which recognizes the Lordship of Christ and expresses the biblical concept of
love for God and man; a caring attitude toward others; an appreciation of the
facilities of MSBBS and a custodial concern for maintaining both its natural and
physical facilities.
The maintenance of appropriate personal
standards while members of the community, is expected. The use of alcohol,
tobacco and non-prescription drugs on campus is not permitted. MSBBS also
believes that the biblical standards for human sexuality clearly prescribe a
heterosexual relationship within the context of marriage, or sexual chastity for
those who are single. Students are expected to conform to these standards and
give clear evidence of their Christian life and character so as to commend the
Gospel, strengthen the church and honor the Lord.
Evidence of conspicuous or persistent
failures in moral responsibility will lead to disciplinary action which may
result in suspension or dismissal from the faculty, staff or student body.
Specifics for faculty are outlined in the Faculty Handbook, and details for
students are given below.
POLICIES ON DISMISSAL AND
READMISSION
The following activities will subject the
student to dismissal from MSBBS: use or possession of alcoholic beverages and/or
illegal use or possession of narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens
or solvents; sexual immorality; lying, especially to the Administration or
Student Government Association in a disciplinary or appeals situation; gambling;
abuse of property; dishonesty (including falsification on tests or assignments,
theft, forgery, etc.); and persistent failure to comply with administrative
requests.
Should a student wish to appeal
non-academic disciplinary action by MSBBS, he/she should apply first to the
Director of Student Services. The second stage consists of an appeal to the
Student Government Association in conjunction with the Vice President for
Administration. If unsatisfied, the student may then appeal to the President.
There will be no appeal beyond the President.
A student dismissed from MSBBS may, after
two semesters, apply for readmission by approaching the Director of Student
Services, who will consider the request in conjunction with the appropriate Vice
President and/or Dean.
STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
The Informal Procedure Process
- A student who believes that he/she has been aggrieved must
first attempt to seek an informal resolution with the other
party involved in the dispute, e.g, grade dispute with
instructor.
- If the student is unable to resolve the dispute with the
primary party of the dispute, then the student is to bring the
dispute to the Dean's Office, here upon the Dean, or his/her
designee will seek to reach an informal resolution through
mediation between the parties.
- If the mediation at the Dean's level fails, then the
student's grievance is consigned to the Vice President for
Academic Affairs.
The Formal Process
- Student grievances which are consigned to the Vice
President for Academic Affairs must be specified in writing. A
student's written statement, along with supporting evidence,
constitutes a case document.
- The second party to the dispute is also required to
provide the Vice president for Academic Affairs a written
statement with his/her account of the dispute.
- The Vice President for Academic Affairs is then required
to set a date for convening a meeting to hear the case as
expeditiously as possible. All parties are to be informed, in
writing, of the charges and the meeting date, as well as a
statement requesting his/her presence.
- During the hearing, the student presents his/her case,
after which the accused party is allowed to present the other
side.
- Following the hearing, the Vice President for Academic
Affairs will inform all parties, in writing, of his/her
decision. The Dean of the College or Seminary is also sent a
copy of the Vice President's decision.
NONACADEMIC GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
A student who believes he/she has been aggrieved must first
attempt to seek an informal resolution with the other party
involved in the dispute.
APPEALS PROCESS RELATING TO FINANCIAL MATTERS
A. First Appeal
- First appeal must be filed within 45 days of the event.
- Appeal must be in written form addressed to the Vice
President for Administration. It must address the basis and
reason it is filed.
- The Vice President will consult with staff.
- The Vice President will prepare a written response to the
appeal. If the response is negative, the reason for the negative
decision will be clearly stated.
B. Final Appeal
This appeal may be made to the President. Such appeal must be
in writing and filed within 30 days from the date of the
response from the first appeal.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Each student must pledge to honor MSBBS Standards of Conduct.
Also, each student is required to sign a copy of the pledge to
MSBBS Standards of Conduct.
HONOR SYSTEM
Academic life in the Seminary operates under an honor code
based on individual integrity. Each student is required to sign
an "Honor Pledge" upon enrolling in the Seminary, which
prohibits the giving or receiving of assistance under specified
scholastic situations and requires the reporting of any
infractions. Tests and examinations are not necessarily
proctored by faculty members.
ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT
MSBBS is dedicated to learning and upholds the highest
academic standards. Students are expected to attend all
scheduled classes for which they are enrolled except in cases of
illness or other valid reasons (in all cases notify the
professor).
Given its objectives, MSBBS will not overlook failures of
personal integrity in matters of academic honesty among members
of the college community and will deal with them in an effort to
seek the interest of all concerned. Normally cheating on an exam
shall result in a "zero" for the exam and an "F" for the course.
Normally copying someone else's paper will result in a "zero"
for the paper and an "F" for the course. Additionally, students
may be placed on probation or suspension due to these
violations.
Students who have not met, or made satisfactory arrangements
to meet, all financial obligations to MSBBS, including library
book returns and library fines will not be allowed to register
for the next academic semester. No diploma, transcript, or
letter of recommendation shall be granted, nor action taken in
regard to placement, until such time as these arrangements have
been completed. Students will be graduated only after their
debts to MSBBS have been paid, or arrangements satisfactory to
the administration have been agreed upon.
STUDENT SERVICES
COUNSELING SERVICES
When a student is accepted into any seminary program, a
faculty advisor is assigned to him. The advisor is to guide,
assist, and counsel the student throughout his academic program.
BOOKSTORE
The Seminary bookstore operates as a service to the students
to supply them with textbooks and necessary materials. The cost
of books and supplies is not included in the registration fee.
Bookstore Refund Policy
- Refunds will be given if the returned book has not been
marked, altered or written in. No refunds will be made after two
weeks of purchase.
- No refunds will be given without a receipt.
- Refunds during registration will be given for any mistakes
made by the bookstore or the college. This includes scheduling
errors or course canceled by the seminary.
LIBRARY AND INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES CENTER
The Library and Instructional Resources Center (LIRC), which
serves students, faculty, and staff is a vital part of the
educational program at MSBBS. It is called a library/resource
center because it offers audio/visual materials, cassettes,
video tapes, books, and periodicals. Within 15 minutes driving
distance is the Library of Congress, the world's largest and
greatest library, with general provisions in the field of
learning and a total of over 20 million volumes. Local
university and seminary libraries are also available as are
interlibrary loans.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
The Business Office handles all financial matters, such as
tuition and fee payment. The Director of Records and Admissions'
Office handles all student admissions and academic records,
academic calendar and course schedule information.
STUDENT PARKING
All student vehicles must be parked in the parking area
across Belt Road on the Maple Springs Baptist Church parking
lot. This enables security to better monitor parking facilities.
SNACK SHOP
The student snack shop is a self-serve facility. Faculty,
staff, and students find it a pleasant place to fellowship over
a cup of coffee, soft drinks, and treats.
PLACEMENT
MSBBS provides placement assistance for students seeking
professional positions with churches and other Christian
organizations. Graduating students may register with the
Director of Student Services for such assistance. To help
prepare graduates to enter Christian service, counselors offer
seminars on preparing resumes, job application completion, and
interviewing techniques for those who register. These records
are on file in the Director of Student Services Office.
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