If this is an emergency situation, dial 911.
In order to create and maintain a healthy academic environment, all faculty, staff, and students need to be aware of their surroundings and be willing to report incidents as they witness them. Each report that comes in is evaluated by trained professionals and is directed to the appropriate person/office for further review and action.
Thomas Nelson offers one place for you to report an incident-Report an Incident-which is located at the bottom of each page of our website. Click on the button marked Incident Report and complete the form.
What kinds of incidents should be reported?
Listed below are some broad categories of incidents which should be reported. This is not however an exhaustive list. If you cannot decide whether or not this is the appropriate means of communicating your concern, then err on the side of caution and report it.
Academic Concerns
- Cheating on a test or quiz
- Using unauthorized materials in tests
- Collaborating during tests
- Plagiarizing, submitting work that is not your own
- Colluding with another person(s) in submitting work for credit unless such collaboration is approved in advance by the instructor
Student Code of Conduct
- Use, possession, or distribution of narcotics or hallucinatory drugs or controlled substances of any nature
- Unauthorized use or consumption of alcohol
- Alteration or falsification of official College records
- Failure to pay a debt owed the College or presentation of a check with intent to defraud
- Possession on one's person or in one's automobile of illegal or dangerous weapons (e.g., knives, guns, etc.)
- Gambling of any nature on College property or during College activities unless officially authorized by the College (i.e. state lottery)
- Failure to comply with the College regulations/guidelines on expressive activity. Applicants may contact the Vice President of Student Affairs
- Fighting, obscene conduct, public profanity, or disruptive behavior
- Damaging, defacing, stealing, or destroying College property or property of a member of the College community or campus visitor
- Violation of College policies or regulations governing parking, registration of student organizations, or use of College facilities
- Failure to comply with lawful directions of campus officials including instructors, acting in performance of their duties
- Commitment of any act with constitutes a felony under Federal or State law
Disruptive Classroom Behavior
The instructor is responsible for maintaining an environment conductive for student learning as an official College representative. When an instructor feels that it is necessary for a student to leave the classroom because of disruptive behavior, then the instructor should direct the student to do so, and the instructor should complete an Incident Report.
Non-classroom Disruptive Behavior
If inappropriate non-classroom behavior impacts a College member's ability to perform his/her job, then the College member is expected to intervene or report immediately to the appropriate person with an appropriate level of authority. If the disruption requires that Campus Police be summoned, the College member should complete an Incident Report to document the incident.
Mental or Physical Health-related Concern
If a student's condition in class disrupts the academic environment and the concern is related to a physical or mental health condition, then the instructor should complete an Incident Report each time the class is interrupted. This will include health-related behaviors that require an emergency medical response (ambulance).
Threats
Any member of the College community who has been threatened or feels threatened should complete an Incident Report. If the threat is eminent, then please dial 911 or Campus Police at (757) 825-2732. (The College no longer supports TIPS; therefore, please use the Incident Report button on any page of the Thomas Nelson website.)
General Concern
Students sometimes face obstacles outside of the classroom that make it very difficult for them to succeed in college. Obstacles may include homelessness, food insecurity, and limited resources to pay bills, grief, loss, or violence. A student may benefit from meeting with a member of the Care Team, accessing Student Emergency Funds, or connecting with off-campus resources. Once an Incident Report is filed, then the team identifies the correct resources and connects the student to them.
Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct
Thomas Nelson is committed to providing an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination based on any status protected by law. The institution promotes and maintains education opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, ethnicity, religion, gender, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), disability, national origin, or other non-merit faction. If students believe that they have been discriminated against, then they should complete the Incident Report. The appropriate college official will reach out to the student and provide timely assistance.
The College also prohibits sexual misconduct, which can take the form of harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation. If a student wishes to report ANY form of sexual misconduct, then the student is encouraged to complete the Incident Report, and the appropriate college official will reach out to the student and provide timely assistance.
Other Behavioral Concerns
A student may witness a behavior on campus and not know to whom to turn. Complete an Incident Report, which permits trained professionals to examine the situation and to see if it warrants action. The Incident Report may help keep many other people safe.