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Student Activities
from the use of tobacco products, the use of alcoholic beverages, and the activity of gambling. Biola students have chosen, freely and willingly, to abide by these standards. We regard any violation of these standards to be a breach of integrity, since each member has voluntarily chosen to associate with the Biola community and to accept, uphold, and live by these standards. The University reserves the right to refuse admittance and/or dismiss any person who does not conform either to the stated guidelines and regulations governing student conduct, or to the expressed principles, policies, and expectations of the University. The University also reserves the right to take action against an individual for violating the standards regardless of how much time has passed since the violation. When The Standards Apply The Biola Community Standards apply to all students: 1. While enrolled in classes for the Fall Semester (including Thanksgiving), Spring Semester (including Spring Break), and Summer Session. 2. Who are representing the Biola Community in any off-campus events, such as mission trips, internships, study abroad, and athletic or academic activities. 3. Who are not enrolled in classes but are living on campus. A complete published statement of the standards can be found in the Biola Student Handbook (https://studenthub.biola.edu/undergraduate- student-handbook). Student Activities Spiritual Development & Chapels The spiritual development of our students is a central dimension of Biola’s mission and education. Indeed, the Bible affirms that there is a spiritual knowledge that grows in us as we unceasingly engage with our God (1 Cor. 2:6ff). Learning to live “in Christ” is not only the Christian’s primary calling, but also leads to fruit (e.g. peace, hope, patience) that help students identify and give themselves to their other callings (including their academic studies). The Dean of Spiritual Development and his staff provide many, diverse ways for students to learn about, identify and engage with the transforming work and callings of God in their lives. There are more than 175 chapel opportunities for students each semester, offered every weekday, varying from large corporate gatherings for worship and teaching, to weekly prayer services and retreats, to one-on-one spiritual direction and mentoring. Scripture provides the foundation for our teaching chapels, which also present biblically-based wisdom from across the disciplines. Through the close study of biblical texts integrated with scholarly, artistic and ministry specializations, teaching chapels provide wisdom for spiritual growth, relationships, missions and evangelism, justice, diversity and reconciliation, apologetics, and arts and culture, among several other topics. Structured prayer and worship services are provided throughout the week for students to learn the rhythms of the spiritual life whereby they can listen and respond to God’s Word and wisdom for their lives. The Torrey Memorial Bible Conference in the fall and the Missions Conference in the spring create space for three days of focused teaching on biblical themes. In addition, once each semester the University observes a planned Day of Prayer, which provides opportunities for corporate and individual prayer gatherings across the campus.
Weekly engagement with Biola’s Spiritual Development opportunities — which include chapels, retreats, and spiritual mentoring — are required of all undergraduates, and encouraged for all graduate students. (Graduate programs also have chapel services of their own.) Speakers are drawn from across the nation and around the world, but also include Biola's own faculty and staff, many of whom are sought after as speakers by other universities. Of course, the spiritual formation of students is taking place across the campus, in class, in advising, and less formally in the many discussions and prayer times that occur spontaneously among faculty, staff and students. More than 50 local churches are invited to come on campus annually to acquaint student with and invite them into these congregations. In the context of community and gospel-centered ministry, students can serve in many campus, local and global ministries through prayer, discipleship, evangelism and outreach, proclaiming the gospel of Christ in word and deed. These opportunities for ministry range from the “Manna” ministry to the homeless, to the construction of pipelines that bring water to Honduran villages, to the “California School Project, which empowers and trains high school students in southern California schools to share their faith with their peers. Nearly 100 students are involved in leadership with chapel programs, as well as local and global ministries, and receive weekly leadership training that prepares them not only for ministry, but also with vocational skills for life and work in a diverse world. Pastoral care is available to all of our students, and is a safe and confidential place to discuss their relationships to God and others, their emotional needs, questions of discernment and calling, sexuality, theological doubt, or simply to receive short-term spiritual guidance and mentoring. Students are also encouraged to seek longer-term guidance through the spiritual direction program where students are matched with trained spiritual mentors who will walk with them throughout their years at Biola. See the Spiritual Development (https://www.biola.edu/spiritual- development) website for additional information. Student Government for Undergraduates All registered undergraduate students are represented by the Student Government Association (SGA), Biola's undergraduate student government. The mission of SGA is to equip student leaders to provide representation and advocacy for students' needs to university administration. The SGA President presides over two branches that comprise the student government, the Senate Branch and the Auxiliary Branch. The Senate Branch, which holds the legislative power of SGA and determines how contingency funds and funding for student clubs will be allocated, is supervised by the SGA Senior Vice-President and consists of elected Senators and a hired Diversity Liaison. The Auxiliary Branch includes the Marketing and Communications Department, Finance Department and Office Administration Department. SGA is located in the upper level of the Student Union Building and is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. SGA staff can also be contacted at (562) 903-4882. Student Programming and Activities The Student Programming and Activities (SPA) department plans events and administers programs to provide opportunities for community building and out-of-the-classroom learning. A staff of over 30 student workers (reporting to the Director and Assistant Director of Student
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