Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

Introduction - Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

Overview - Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

Over the years a number of task forces had convened to explore the possibility of a Wesleyan seminary as part of Indiana Wesleyan University.  Each time the vision was to focus on the practice of ministry and to do so as innovatively as possible.  Finally, under the direction of President Henry Smith and a newly formed seminary task force, IWU approved in 2008 the offering of a Master of Divinity degree.  The degree then passed through an accreditation process with the Higher Learning Commission, allowing Indiana Wesleyan University to offer professional degrees for the first time in its history.  Finally, the Board of Trustees approved the formation of a full blown seminary in the Spring of 2009, incorporating the already existing MA with a major in Ministry program under its umbrella.  The first MDIV classes commenced in August, 2009.

Communication with Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

Mission - Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

The seminary at IWU is a Christ-centered academic and ministry community committed to changing the world by equipping pastors and church leaders to minister more effectively for the Kingdom of God in the church and the world, to embody the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to cultivate personal, spiritual transformation.

It is our commitment to participate in the missio Dei with accessible and economical delivery systems and courses that are spiritually formative and content-rich, emphasizing the practice of ministry in dialog with solid theory and the foundational disciplines of the Bible, Christian theology, and church history.

Grade Appeal and Academic Policy Grievance - Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University follows generally accepted college and university practice in the development of academic policies, the operation of classrooms, and use of grading techniques. The university allows its instructors independence in following generally accepted practices. A student who wishes to appeal a course grade or an academic policy decision (including one believed to be discriminatory based on race, national origin, color, sex, disability, or age, including Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504), must abide by the procedures that follow.

Each stated time frame will be the ordinary process. More time may be necessary in the event of a lengthy investigation, hearing, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances. All grievances, with all documents, recommendations, and decisions, will be reported to the Dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. Because the appeal process is a private university administrative process, legal counsel or representation is inappropriate.

Grade Appeal

A grade appeal involves only those situations in which a student believes that an instructor (a) has not followed fair grading practice or (b) has not followed his/her published grading policy. A student who wishes to appeal a grade based on one or both of these reasons must follow these procedures:

1. The student must first contact the instructor for a full explanation of the grade given and the basis for making the grade.
2. If there is no resolution, then the student may file a grade appeal request form, which can be obtained from the administrative office of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. If a properly completed grade appeal request form is not received by the university within 30 days of the date the student's grade was sent, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal.
3. After the university receives the grade appeal request form, it will be forwarded to the instructor along with a faculty grade appeal response form.
4. If the instructor agrees that the grade should be changed, the university will change the grade and notify the student.
5. If the instructor does not agree that the grade should be changed, the university will notify the student and send a form that may be used by the student to request a review by the Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University Academic Appeals Committee. If the university does not receive the form from the student within 15 days of the date the form was sent, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal.
6. Upon receipt of the request for committee review from the student, the matter will be brought to the next regularly scheduled Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University Academic Appeals Committee meeting. (NOTE: The committee reserves the right to seek clarification from the student or the instructor). If the matter involves a member of the committee, then that individual will recuse himself/herself from deciding the appeal. The committee will notify the student of its decision, which will be final.

Academic Policy Grievance

An academic policy grievance involves those situations in which a student believes that the university has not followed published policies regarding an academic decision or discrimination based on race, national origin, color, sex, disability, or age, including Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. A student who wishes to file an academic policy grievance must follow these procedures:

1. Level 1 - The student must first contact the person who has made the decision for a full explanation of the policy and how the policy was followed. If the policy has been followed, then the student has no further recourse.
2. Level 2 - If the policy was not followed or the student disputes the way in which the policy was applied, then the student may request that the matter be reviewed by the Regional Dean/Program Director by filing a form requesting such a review. This form may be obtained from the Regional Dean/Program Director. If the complaint involves the Regional Dean/Program Director, the student may request that the Dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University review the matter. If a properly completed form is not received by the university within 30 days of the date on which the event that gave rise to the complaint occurs, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal. The Regional Dean/Program Director (or, if applicable, the Dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University) will notify the student of the decision.
3. Level 3 - If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, then the student may request that Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University Academic Appeals Committee review the matter by filing a form requesting a committee review. This form may be obtained from the Dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. If the university does not receive a properly completed form within 15 days of the date on which the decision notice in level 2 was sent, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal. Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University Academic Appeals Committee will notify the student of its decision, which will be final.

Non-Academic Appeal - Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

A non-academic appeal involves only those situations in which a student is seeking recourse from (a) a university non-academic program, policy, or decision; or (b) alleged discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, color, sex, disability, or age, including alleged violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Acts of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, or other state or federal legislation.

Each stated time frame will be the ordinary process. More time may be necessary in the event of a lengthy investigation, hearing, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances.

All non-academic appeals will be reported to the Human Resources Coordinator for Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. Because the appeal process is a private university administrative process, legal counsel or representation is inappropriate.

A student who wishes to file such an appeal must abide by the procedures that follow:

1. Level 1 - The student must first contact the person or the department concerned to resolve the dispute informally. Such contact must occur within 30 days of the incident that generates the dispute.
2. Level 2 - If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at level one, the student may submit a written request within 30 days of the level one decision to the Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University HR Coordinator for a review by the Non-Academic Appeals Committee, which is comprised of the personnel from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. The request from the student should include thorough documentation supporting the student's claims. Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University HR Coordinator will communicate the committee's findings and decision to the student.
3. Level 3 - If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved at level two, the student may submit a written request within 30 days of the level two decision to the Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University HR Coordinator for a review by the Dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. Appeals at this level will be considered only to ensure that University procedures were followed in levels one and two. The request from the student should include thorough documentation supporting the student's claim and reference why the decision at level two is deemed unsatisfactory. The Dean will consider the situation and will inform the student of the decision, which will be final.