Mission-centered – Biblical Higher Education 2018 Handbook 388

Mission-centered – Biblical Higher Education

2018 Handbook

388 Tremont Street

Rochester, NY 14608

(585) 436-8560

Rochester Bible Institute – 2018 Handbook – September 1, 2018 2

Table of Contents

General Information and Policies: ............................................................................................................ 3

What We Believe: .................................................................................................................................... 3

Mission & Vision: .................................................................................................................................... 4

History: .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Governance: ............................................................................................................................................. 5

Grievance Resolution: ............................................................................................................................ 5

Educational Policies and Procedures: ....................................................................................................... 5

Educational Goals: .................................................................................................................................. 5

Educational Outcomes: ........................................................................................................................... 6

Assessment of Educational Outcomes and Student Development: ..................................................... 6

Academic Accreditation Recognition and Partnerships: .................................................................... 6

Affiliation Approved by: ........................................................................................................................ 6

General Academic Information: ................................................................................................................ 7

Grade Ranking: ....................................................................................................................................... 8

Academic Probation: .............................................................................................................................. 8

Repeating a Course: ................................................................................................................................ 8

Conditions for Dismissal: ....................................................................................................................... 8

Conditions for Re-admission: ................................................................................................................ 9

Transcripts: ............................................................................................................................................. 9

Transfer Students: .................................................................................................................................. 9

Privacy of Educational Record: ........................................................................................................... 10

Rochester Bible Institute – 2018 Handbook – September 1, 2018 3

General Information and Policies:

The information contained in the Rochester Bible Institute (RocBible) Handbook and

Catalogue reflects the current policies and regulations of the Institute. The RocBible reserves the

right to make changes in its policies and regulations at any time. The RocBible handbook contains

Beliefs, Procedures and Policies, and General Educational and Academic Information.

What We Believe:

ARTICLE I

We believe, the Bible to be the infallible and inerrant Word of God, that it is His holy and

inspired Word, and that it is of supreme and final authority. (2 Timothy 3:16)

ARTICLE II

We believe, in one God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19)

ARTICLE III

We believe, in the deity of Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin

Mary; He led a sinless life, took on Himself all our sins, died and rose again, is seated at the right

hand of the Father as our mediator and advocate, and is coming back in glory. (Titus 2:13; Luke

1:34-35; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 24:30)

ARTICLE IV

We believe, that all people everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God and need to come

to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through His shed blood on the cross. Salvation is based on

God’s grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23-24; 6:23)

ARTICLE V

We believe, in holy Christian living, and that we must have concern for the hurts and social

needs of our fellow human beings. (1 Peter 1:15; James 2:15-17)

ARTICLE VI

We believe, that we must dedicate ourselves anew to the service of our Lord and to His authority

over our lives. (Romans 12:1-2)

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Mission & Vision:

MISSION:

The mission of Rochester Bible Institute (RocBible) is to equip servant leaders for God, through

rigorous academic instruction of God’s word, to prepare them for a life of service. “To equip

God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12).

VISION:

The vision of Rochester Bible Institute (RocBible) is to prepare servant leaders for service in the

home, church, community, and the world. It is our prayer, that through the academic instruction

at RocBible, students will diligently study God’s Word, and develop a Christ-like servant

leadership. While meaningfully applying God’s Word, students will participate in teaching

others about the gospel message.

History:

In 2007, Victorious Living Christian Life Center, church was founded by Pastor Barbara JP

Thomas. After seeking God through prayer, conversing other pastors and consulting with the

board of directors at the church, a vision was developed by the church leaders to begin a school

to equip servant leaders for ministry. This was done through the church Christian Education

department. The Bible Institute was established as a ministry under the church.

The first student to complete the Bible Institute certificate program at Victorious Living

Christian Life Center, graduated with the Rochester Institute of Christian Education (RICE)

students in 2015. The Bible Institute has faithfully provided sound biblical training and

education. It has grown from its initial class of five people, to a program that has benefitted

many students.

In the spring of 2018, Pastor Thomas met with Larry Hovey and Pastor Marvin Robinson. From

their meetings they felt the Lord was leading The Bible Institute to become more than just a

church ministry. They began talking with other learning institutions and realized that the

opportunity could be much greater and would accord students with an opportunity to take

courses for credit.

Pastor Barbara was also, the executive director of Rochester Institute of Christian Education

(RICE) under the ministry of Rochester Family Mission. All three were housed at the same

location. RICE was struggling with enrollment and financially. Victorious Living was struggling

to find qualified instructors who would teach for free. Therefore, RICE instructors began

teaching in both The Bible Institute and RICE.

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After praying for guidance on continuing the ministry of RICE, it was disbanded, and Rochester

Bible Institute (RocBible) began in 2018. It is now faithfully providing sound biblical training

and education. Pastor Barbara JP Thomas, RocBible’s president and founder, formed a

relationship from an extension of RICE with Roberts Wesleyan College to accept up to 30

credits as transferable to the college.

Rochester Bible Institute (RocBible) was formed to equip servant leaders for ministry. Students

who complete the required course work will receive a Certificate of Ministry (30 credits

program) or a Certificate of Ministry with a Pastoral Concentration Certificate (60 credits

program).

Governance:

Rochester Bible Institute is a non-denominational Christian organization. The

organization is governed by its own self-perpetuating Board of Directors.

Grievance Resolution:

Resolution of all grievance matters should be referred to the Director of Student’s

Affairs. The student with a grievance must send a letter describing the grievance to the office. A

respond will be sent by the office to the student within 30 days. Information on the grievance

will be gathered by the office within 60 days. Resolution of the grievance will be sent to the

student within 90 days.

Educational Policies and Procedures:

Educational Goals:

Rochester Bible Institute’s educational goals provide a basis for providing its high-

quality biblical education.

1. The Bible is the primary textbook used in all academic classes and programs.

2. Teach sound doctrine.

3. That each student may learn how to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

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Educational Outcomes:

Rochester Bible Institute’s biblical programs enable and challenge the students to successfully

accomplish these outcomes:

1. Expand and strengthen biblical knowledge and understanding.

2. Develop student writing and communication skills.

3. Develop servant ministry leaders.

Assessment of Educational Outcomes and Student Development:

Development of student’s gifts, abilities, and Christian servant leadership will be assessed over

time through:

1. Quality of biblical essay writing

2. Participation in faith sharing groups

3. Student participation in community evangelistic events

4. Field placement.

Academic Accreditation Recognition and Partnerships:

Rochester Bible Institute (RocBible) is not presently accredited. We are currently working

closely with other accredited schools (Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary,

Rochester, NY 14624).

Partnerships will be developed with local churches and educational institutions.

Affiliation Approved by:

Rochester Bible Institute (RocBible) will continue to be an affiliate of The Evangelical

Training Association (ETA). All RocBible faculty are approved by ETA.

Roberts Wesleyan College accepts up to thirty credits from Rochester Bible Institute

toward an associate degree.

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General Academic Information:

Required and Permitted Per Semester

Part-Time (3 - 6 credits)

Full-Time (9 or more credits)

Class Attendance

Regular class attendance is an essential part of the purposes and objectives of the academic

program. Only three absences are allowed per class.

Absences and Leaves

A schedule of class times is published each semester. If students miss more than three classes,

they will be automatically withdrawn. In addition, fifteen minutes after the beginning of the

class, students are marked present or absent. Class attendance is recorded, and grade points

are lowered with successive absences. Students may be granted leave only by permission and

only in case of emergency.

Auditing Courses

The term “Audit” implies the following:

1. The student pays the audit fee.

2. The student receives no academic evaluation and no academic credit for the class.

3. The student may make changes in the audit status only during the add/drop period.

Standards of Progress

Grades generally depend upon homework, tests, class discussion, and final examinations as

described in the course syllabus. All course work must be given to the instructor no later than

two weeks after the end of the semester. Final grade is mailed when the course is paid in full.

Students may obtain progress reports at any time during the semester, from the instructor.

Grade reports are issued once per semester for all courses.

Withdrawal/Incomplete: Any Student who wishes to apply for an Incomplete or Withdrawal,

must:

1. Contact the course instructor for approval.

2. Contact the Rochester Bible Institute’s office and complete the Withdrawal/Incomplete

form,

3. The President’s approval and signature.

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Grade Ranking:

Letter

Grade Point

Grade Scale %

4.0

93 – 100

A-

3.7

90 – 92

B+

3.3

87 – 89

3.0

83 – 86

B-

2.7

80 – 82

C+

2.3

77 – 79

2.0

73 – 76

C-

1.7

70 – 72

D+

1.3

67 – 69

1.0

63 – 66

D-

0.7

60 – 62

0.0

0 – 59

Audit

N/A

Incomplete

0.000

P/F

Passed/Failed

0.000

Withdrawal

0.000

Academic Probation:

Students whose GPA falls below 2.00 will be placed on academic probation. Upon raising their

GPA to 2.00 or higher, the student will be removed from academic probation and all privileges

will be restored. They are also required to meet with the Executive Director.

Repeating a Course:

When a student elects to repeat a course, only the grade received for the repeat will be counted in

the computation of the student’s grade point average. Students may not repeat a course more than

twice.

Conditions for Dismissal:

Any student can be dismissed for behavior which, in the view of the administration, is not

becoming of the Rochester Bible Institute, including but not limited to, repeated infractions of the

published rules.

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Re-admission after suspension is never automatic. The student must apply for re-admission

through the President’s office to be approved. Any student who is dropped for academic reasons

is ineligible for re-admission until one full semester has elapsed.

Conditions for Re-admission:

Upon interruption for academic reasons, the student will be assigned by a committee of the faculty

to a remedial program consisting of readings or research in deficiency. Upon completion of such

a program, the student may petition the faculty committee for re-admission. Re-admission will be

granted based on the review of such remedial work by the faculty committee and determination

that progress has been made in correcting the areas of weakness.

Transcripts:

Upon request, a transcript of credits can be issued from the Rochester Bible Institute (RocBible)

office. An official transcript can be sent to another institution, other authorized person or agency.

Students can be sent an unofficial transcript. Transcripts cannot be furnished, until all accounts

have been satisfactorily settled.

No charge is made for the first transcript when issued. Each

additional copy requires prepayment of $15.00. Please send a

check or money order payable to Rochester Bible Institute with a

letter containing the following information:

• Current name and any other name used while a student at

Rochester Bible Institute

• Current address and telephone number

• Years attended Rochester Bible Institute

• Address to send the transcripts

Transfer Students:

1. Student applying as a transfer student must provide official transcript(s) that sent from

previous college(s). Transcripts must be in the applicant’s file before the Rochester Bible

Institute classes begin. Transfer courses must meet the guidelines listed below.

2. To qualify as a transferable credit:

• The transcript shows the course to transfer with at least the same number of

semester credits as Rochester Bible Institute and a grade of at least C or higher must

be in the applicant’s file before the course begins or the student will be required to

take the course at Rochester Bible Institute according to the current courses

schedule.

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• The previous college must be recognized by a regional and/or professional

accrediting group or be recognized by Rochester Bible Institute.

• A course description sent from the previous college may be used to determine

transfer ability. The applicant must have achieved at least a “C” average (2.00

GPA) in the course to be transferred, as well as a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher

at the previous college.

• All credit transfer requests are subject to review and approval of the President.

• Courses previously completed at another institute, or college, may be applied to an

academic program at Rochester Bible Institute, to the extent that such courses are

in accordance with certificate requirements.

• Transferred grades are not included in GPA calculations at Rochester Bible

Institute.

Privacy of Educational Record:

Rochester Bible Institute’s privacy policy regarding access to student records (such as grades,

grade point averages, and class rank) is governed by the Family Educational Rights Act of 1974,

commonly known as “The Buckley Amendment.”

As applied to college students, these regulations restrict Rochester Bible Institute to the release of

certain records, only to the student (current and former) and to certain other authorized school and

government personnel, except with a student’s prior written consent. Without this consent,

Rochester Bible Institute cannot release a student’s records, even to parents, except in one instance:

parents or guardians of a student may be given access to certain of the student’s records, if the

parents or guardians sign a statement in the Academic Records Office, that they have claimed the

student as a dependent on their last federal income tax return.

The Buckley Amendment allows the college to release the following type of information (not

considered private records) unless the student requests that it be withheld: student’s name, address,

telephone number, date and place of birth, photograph, major field of study, participation in

officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates

of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational institution

attended, eligibility for honor societies, and similar information. A student who does not want this

information released must make a request in writing to the registrar by the close of the registration

period for the semester or term in which the student is enrolled. Requests for nondisclosure must

be filed annually to meet this legal requirement.