A Letter from the Provost: Student Handbook

Dear APU Community, On behalf of the administration, I want to let you know that we’ve updated our to better serve our students. The previous handbook, mostly written decades ago when APU was a small residential-focused college, was outdated. The updated version reflects the input of SGA and leaders from across campus, including Student Life, Campus Pastors, Diversity, University Relations, Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and board members who contributed to its revision. We reviewed best practices from other universities and solicited opinions from leaders of Christian institutions. Now, I can say with confidence, our handbook is much stronger. In an academic environment where ideas are freely exchanged, change is inevitably debated. Knowing this, I want to provide clarity around the intent of the handbook update. The undergraduate handbook:

• Affirms our mission to be Christ-centered and place God First in all we do.
• Applies uniform standards to all students in a nondiscriminatory fashion.
• States that APU is biblical and orthodox in our evangelical identity.
• Upholds our commitment to preventing unlawful discrimination.
• Calls the university to develop disciples and scholars to advance God’s work in the world.

As a university located in the diverse Southern California region, we are called to minister to everyone who seeks a rigorous, faith-based higher education. APU is a multifaceted and dynamic community that draws people from myriad places and backgrounds to enrich our university.

I ask for your support of our updated handbook. If you have questions about it, please talk with the appropriate Student Life representative.

We’re focused on making APU an exceptional place to learn and grow with one another.

Sincerely,

Mark Stanton, Ph.D., Provost