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The Green Book

1) Introduction

a) About OBU

Oklahoma Baptist University, a senior institution chartered by the state of Oklahoma, is owned and maintained by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. A Board of Trustees elected by the members of the Convention is responsible for the operation of the institution.

The affairs of Oklahoma Baptist University are administered by the President of the University who is elected by the Board of Trustees. The President, the chief executive officer of the University, appoints officers to assist him in University administrative matters.

The academic structure of the University is composed of several colleges and schools, each of which is the responsibility of a dean. The five academic deans report to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The academic entities are the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the School of Christian Service, the School of Nursing, and the School of Business. A college represents a diverse area of study; and a school is a more focused area of specialized concentration of study.

The members of the faculty are recommended by the President and are elected by the Board of Trustees. Members of the instructional staff are directly responsible to their respective departmental chairmen who are responsible to their respective deans. All curriculum matters are first considered by a University committee then presented to the Faculty Forum before being forwarded to the President for approval.

Students may actively participate in the process of University governance. Students appointed by the Student Government Association President and those elected to the SGA Senate serve on University committees with administrators, faculty, and staff. They are represented on task forces, advisory groups, and the Planning Analysis Committee. The university administration welcomes comments from individual students regarding University policies and procedures.

In compliance with federal law, including the Provision of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Oklahoma Baptist University does not illegally discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military service in the administration of educational policies, programs, or activities, its admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic or other University administered programs, or employment.

b) Purpose Statement

Oklahoma Baptist University has been founded on Christian principles and teachings with the primary purpose to conduct educational programs in the traditional arts and sciences and in other disciplines with the intent to prepare students for effective service and leadership. The mission finds expression through a strong liberal arts core curriculum which supports degree programs designed to prepare students for careers and graduate study; through activities planned to stimulate spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural, and physical development; and through an environment that reflects the application of Christian principles.

A student, by virtue of choosing to attend or remain at Oklahoma Baptist University, agrees to live within the framework of the University's standards which include, but are not limited to, its values, policies, rules, philosophy, Christian mission, and expectations ("the University's standards"). While a student's personal convictions may differ from these standards, the choice to become or remain a part of Oklahoma Baptist University's community includes a commitment to abide by the University's standards. The University may, in its sole discretion or judgment, discipline or dismiss a student who demonstrates a lack of respect for, or who disregards the University's standards, or whose conduct is not in keeping with the University's standards.

Owned by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and operated through a Board of Trustees elected by the Convention, the University engages in educational tasks in a manner consistent with the purposes of the Convention: to furnish the means by which the churches may carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

To achieve its purpose, the University has adopted several goals, among which are

• To be a Christian learning community where faith and knowledge contribute to the individual's awareness: of himself and his obligations within a diverse and interrelated society; of truth and its force; of the joy of discovery and the beauty of existence; and of the legacy of the past, the challenge of the present, and the promise of the future.
• To cultivate a Christian community in which the Baptist principles of individual freedom and dignity as well as mutual kindness and respect and concern for others are stressed.
• To encourage a climate of learning where the student may develop the life-long habit of critical thinking in the search for truth.
• To identify and communicate the knowledge, experience, and values which constitute man's cultural heritage.
• To provide opportunities for the student to engage in a serious study of the Bible and to learn the philosophy and tenets of the Judeo-Christian heritage; to instill an awareness of and an appreciation for the distinctive Baptist contribution to Christian theology and for the values inherent in the Christian faith; to encourage Christian commitment.
• To foster an awareness of the needs of the human community and the responsibility of each individual in an active life of service.
• To offer a broad-based liberal arts education and specialized professional training in mutually supportive roles.
• To afford the opportunity to explore the relevance of all academic endeavors to the Christian life.
• To make personnel, services and facilities of the institution available to meet appropriate educational, cultural, and religious needs of its several constituencies.
• To serve the Baptist constituency through the development of informed, enlightened, sensitive leadership.

f) Student Development Policies

University policies relating to student life are intended to give each student programmed opportunities within the context of a Christian community to develop and to expand those potentialities which can give full expression to person. Within University guidelines, a student is encouraged to make personal choices which enhance development. The formulation of behavioral expectations into policy is guided by Baptist beliefs; and these policies provide the bases of creative social relationships in the OBU community.