SOUTHERN’S MISSION, VISION, and VALUES
Southern Adventist University is a co-educational institution established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, offering doctoral, master’s, baccalaureate, associate degrees, and one-year certificates. Various delivery modalities (face-to-face, online, hybrid, and other) are employed in order to effectively support learners enrolled in the university’s classes and programs.

MISSION
Grounded in Jesus Christ and dedicated to the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we equip students to embrace biblical truth, embody academic and professional excellence, and pursue Spirit-filled lives of service.

VISION
Southern Adventist University’s vision is to:
· Model the love of Jesus in every interaction.
· Invite each student into a saving relationship with Jesus.
· Inspire each student to engage with God’s Church and the world through service and witness.
· Provide each student with an exceptional learning experience that equips them to thrive in a fluid, global job market.

CORE VALUES
As Southern Adventist University employees, we:
· Embrace the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Worldview and Fundamental Beliefs
· Love Others as God Loves Them
· Act with Integrity
· Live Prayerfully
· Serve Others Generously
· Follow God’s Calling
· Pursue Excellence
· Exercise Responsible Stewardship
· Offer an Exceptional, Wholistic Learning Experience

CODE OF ETHICS: A Behavioral Guide for Southern Adventist University, its Employees, and its Students.

Foundations: Seeking to do what is right both in the sight of the Lord and in the eyes of other people (2 Cor. 8.21) and wanting to honor their pledge to revere God and love their neighbors wholeheartedly (Mark 12.30-31), Southern Adventist University (SAU), its employees, and its students commit themselves to exemplifying the ethical characteristics, values, and behaviors described below. These principles serve not only as ideals for inspiring good citizenship but also as guides for developing the policies and rules detailed in handbooks designed for SAU’s governors, employees, and students.

Honesty: Standing on the side of honesty (1 Cor. 13.6), ethical people are truthful, sincere, forthright, and tactfully candid (Eph. 4.15). They avoid all deceptive practices (Exod. 20.16; Prov. 12.19). They do not cheat, steal, plagiarize, lie, deceive, or act deviously (Exod. 20.15).

Integrity: Keeping their consciences clear (1 Pet. 3.16), ethical people are principled, graciously courageous, honorable, and upright (Prov. 21.29). They act on convictions and conscience (1 Tim. 1.5). They do not place expediency over principle (John 11.50).

Promise-Keeping: Making their “Yes” mean yes and their “No” mean no (Matt. 5.37), ethical people are trustworthy. They fulfill commitments and abide by the spirit as well as the letter of their agreements (1 Cor. 4.2). They do not seek loopholes or technical excuses to evade their commitments (Ps. 15.4).

Fidelity: Being friends who stick closer than family members (Prov. 18.24), ethical people are loyal to relatives, friends, peers, associates, co-workers, employees, employers, church, and all legitimate governmental entities. They safeguard others’ ability to make independent professional judgments by scrupulously avoiding undue influences and conflicts of interest (Josh. 24.15). They do not break confidences or tell secrets obtained in professional and personal roles unless other ethical duties require disclosure (Prov. 11.13).

Fairness: Knowing that showing partiality is wrong (Prov. 28.21), ethical people are fair, open-minded–willing both to admit error and (when appropriate) to change positions. They demonstrate a commitment to justice, equivalent treatment of individuals, and healthful tolerance for diversity (Jas. 2.1). They do not take undue advantage of another’s mistakes or adversities (Gal. 6.1-2).

Caring for Others: Loving others as much as they love themselves (Matt. 19.19), ethical people are benevolent, caring, kind, compassionate, forgiving, and helpful. They treat others as they themselves should be treated (Matt. 7.12). They do not harm others; they do not act selfishly or greedily (Isa. 58.6-7).

Respect for Individuals: Taking delight in the moral worth of human beings (Rom. 12.10), ethical people are courteous, gracious, and decent. They respect themselves by striving to live lives of wellness. They value human dignity, honoring other people. Ethical people are courteous, gracious, and decent. They respect human dignity, privacy, and the moral right of others to self-determination (1 Pet. 2:17). They do not patronize, bully, embarrass, or demean others (Matt 7:1-2).

Responsible Citizenship: Believing that they should respect governmental authority (Rom. 13.4), ethical people are good citizens. They support and obey just laws and oppose unjust ones; they exercise their civic rights and privileges responsibly–such as voting, expressing informed views, and performing public service; they respect and honor democratic processes of decision-making; they avoid unnecessary secrecy or concealment of information; they do their best to provide to other people information they need to exercise their rights (Matt. 22.21). They do not initiate, support, or tolerate anything immoral, illegal, antisocial, or uncivil (2 Pet. 2.10).

Pursuit of Excellence: Ever pressing toward the goals set before them (Phil. 3.14), ethical people are diligent, reliable, industrious, and committed (Prov. 6.6-11). They work at being well informed and well prepared; they make excellence their goal; they strive to meet personal and professional responsibilities; they perform their tasks to the best of their abilities; they try to develop and to maintain a high degree of competence (Eccles. 9.10). They do not accede to mediocrity; they never seek to “win at any cost” (Prov. 20.17).

Accountability: Keeping their promises even if doing so hurts them personally (Ps. 15.4), ethical people are accountable. They accept responsibility for decisions and the foreseeable consequences of actions and inactions and for setting an example for others; they protect and enhance the reputations of both the organizations and individuals within their spheres of influence–including the reputations of their “enemies” (Matt. 5.38-48); they avoid even the appearance of impropriety and take whatever appropriate actions they can to try to correct or prevent the inappropriate conduct of others (1 Thess. 5.22). They do not hide from duty; they do not remain silent or inactive in the face of wrong (Isa. 58.7).

POSITION STATEMENT ON HUMAN RELATIONS

Southern Adventist University stands in support of the principles outlined in the General Conference statement, "One Humanity: A Human Relations Statement Addressing Racism, Casteism. Tribalism, and Ethnocentrism." The statement below contextualizes this statement for our university setting. The faculty and staff of Southern Adventist University commit themselves to the following principles on human relations and pledge themselves to strive to implement them in the conduct of their various offices and roles:

We are committed to the unchanging biblical truths that reveal that human beings are made in the image of God {Gen 1:27) and affirm that God has "made of one blood all nations" (Acts 17:26) and are thus committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that promotes the equality of all people and is devoid of prejudice, discrimination, and separation.
We are committed, so far as possible within the academic and financial resources of the university, to the recruitment and retention of students from different cultural and ethnic groups.
We affirm that the principle of recruitment and retention of faculty from different cultural and ethnic groups, so far as possible within the staffing needs of the university, is fundamental to providing positive role models among cultural and ethnic groups on campus and is salutary in providing positive instruction among such groups.
We are committed to providing a university atmosphere that promotes interaction among cultural and ethnic groups on campus. We are likewise committed to the sharing of Southern's cultural climate through faculty, staff, and student interaction.
We are committed to the concept of multicultural education that being different does not connote superiority or inferiority and that we can all learn from one another.
We affirm that all faculty, staff, and students should hold a positive attitude toward cultural differences and that they should support the multicultural aspects of Southern's programs in their respective areas of expertise and responsibilities.
Finally, we are committed to the biblical precept to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and are therefore committed to apply the Golden Rule as our ultimate guide in human relations.

CHRISTIAN STANDARDS AND CONDUCT
All employees of Southern Adventist University are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works." Therefore, all employees are expected to willingly and conscientiously uphold the high moral and Christian standards that the church represents and live in harmony with the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Employees of Southern Adventist University represent the church, as well as the university; consequently, their appearances, words, and actions require care and judgment. By the grace of God, their lives are a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

Southern employees choose to talk "that which is good to the use of edifying'' (Eph. 4:29); thus, they refrain from lewd talk and profanity and avoid being demeaning or derogatory.
Southern employees recognize that their bodies are "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 6:19) and thus refrain from the use of tobacco in any form, intoxicating beverages, and/or illegal drugs.
As members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Southern employees recognize the importance of coming together with like-minded believers; therefore, they do not "forsake the assembling of themselves (Heb. 10:25) and attend church services on the seventh-day Sabbath and support their local churches with tithes and offerings (Lev. 27:30).
Southern employees embrace the Biblical exhortation to mentor the next generation (Ps. 145:4); therefore, by both personal example and instruction, employees are to assist in the education of students regarding the application of Christian standards and conduct.

Special attention is to be given at all times to neatness, cleanliness, modesty, and courteous behavior. Webster defines modesty as "being free from coarseness, indelicacy, and indecency; a regard for propriety in dress, speech, and conduct." Because we realize that God expects His commandment-keeping people to be distinct from the world, Southern Adventist University affirms statements made by Ellen G. White concerning simplicity and appropriateness of dress: "Our appearance in every respect should be characterized by neatness, modesty, and purity" (Counsels for the Church, p. 10).

In accordance with the teachings on Christian behavior espoused by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we uphold conservative Christian values in dress and appearance. We believe that adherence to these values creates a positive workplace environment.

The employee's attire and grooming are to be neat and appropriate for the work area. Extremes in fashion are to be avoided. Modesty is expected at all times.
Employees are expected to follow guidelines articulated in the Church Manual and accordingly will not wear rings, earrings, necklaces, chokers, and bracelets (except Medic Alert bracelets). Southern respects the conscience of those who choose to wear a wedding band or engagement ring.
Southern employees believe "the Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of [God's] will" ("28 Fundamental Beliefs") and support the tenets of Scripture as understood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as outlined in its 28 Fundamental Beliefs document.
Southern expects all employees to live in harmony with biblical standards of sexuality as held by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which maintains that sexual relations should only be expressed in a heterosexual marriage. Therefore, Southern does not condone any non-marital sexual intercourse or sexual intimacy (acknowledging that not all intimacy is sexual in nature), pornography usage, or inappropriate sexual contact. Additionally, Southern does not condone engagement in same-sex romantic or sexual relationships. Marriages should be in harmony with the Biblical principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and have a recorded marriage license.

We expect employees to make a commitment to Southern's community standards by respecting and adhering to Seventh-day Adventist standards and conduct, which includes expectations for sexual integrity, both on and off campus and in their interactions online and in social media (refer to the Freedom of Expression policy).

Pornography

Pornography is defined as "printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings" (Oxford Dictionary). Pornography of any kind, whether virtual or physical in nature, is harmful and destructive to healthy relationships and spiritual growth. In addition, the possession of pornography is a violation of the community standards of Southern, which are founded on the teachings of the Bible and the Seventh-day Adventist church. Because of its destructive nature, any accessing, creating, viewing, or distributing of pornography is unacceptable, either on or off campus and may result in disciplinary action. Any violation of Tennessee or Federal laws with respect to child pornography will be reported to the proper authorities and may result in sanctions by Southern.

Pregnancy Outside of Marriage

Southern recognizes that those who experience a pregnancy outside of marriage need support, and Southern will work to uphold the biblical principles of compassion, integrity, and confidentiality for all involved. The sexual activity outside of marriage will be considered separately from the pregnancy. Southern also operates in harmony with applicable state and federal laws as they relate to pregnancy, including FMLA, Title IX, and Title VII.

Public Display of Affection (PDA}

Southern cares about relationships and how students and employees nurture those relationships while maintaining a respectful campus environment. Students and employees are expected to conduct themselves with discretion and in a manner that is consistent with Christian values. Respecting others is important to Southern. PDA that may appear sexually suggestive is not condoned on Southern's campus. This includes, but is not limited to, intimate touching, fondling, prolonged kissing, or any other conduct that is out of harmony with this policy.

Transgender

Employees are expected to abide by and support the Seventh-day Adventist Church teaching on gender and sexuality. As such, it would not be appropriate for employees to seek to transition from their biological sex, and they will be expected to support the church's teachings on gender identity. If transition steps are taken, employment or continued employment will be addressed.
In harmony with our institutional commitments to fostering a Christian environment, as well as Title IX requirements, employees are encouraged to respect all persons and required to avoid discrimination, bullying, and harassment.
Discussion of the Adventist Church's position is not considered harassment. Guidelines relating to transgender persons are available online, or from Human Resources or Student Development.

Adjunct

Faculty

Hourly

Temporary