Handbook - prior to January 2019

History, Philosophy, Mission, and Values [edit]

History

Eastern Mennonite University had its beginnings in the Shenandoah Valley in 1917 when Eastern Mennonite School, as it was then known, began as a Bible academy. The school grew, gaining accreditation by the Virginia Board of Education as a junior college in 1930. Seventeen years later in 1947 a four-year degree program was approved by the state. Regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools[1] was achieved in 1959. By 1965 a seminary had evolved to prepare persons for Christian ministry. The seminary received accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in 1986. The first graduate program (other than seminary)--counseling--began in 1993. Two others followed in the next two years--conflict transformation and education. An adult degree completion program was established in 1994. The school’s name was changed from “college and seminary” to “university” in August 1994. An MBA program was approved to begin fall of 1999. Today the university is located not only in Harrisonburg but also in Lancaster, Pa. (EMU at Lancaster) where the adult degree completion program, MA in Education, certificate in conflict transformation, AA in pastoral ministry and seminary courses are offered.

With simultaneous commitments to academic excellence, professional expertise and Christian discipleship, EMU has a distinctive educational role to play. To inspire excellence demands competence and sacrificial devotion on the part of faculty, staff and administrators. This is the challenge and the goal.

 

Philosophy

The educational task of Eastern Mennonite University is rooted in the Christian faith and its scriptures as they have been interpreted and lived out in a unique - Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. This tradition embraces God’s gift of reconciliation through the cross and the power of the resurrection to create new life in conformity to the teaching and spirit of Jesus.

Eastern Mennonite University, in continuity with the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition, is guided by several particular theological principles. We believe that Jesus Christ is the word of God Incarnate. We believe the Bible is the inspired book for the church and the authoritative guide for faith and life. The church is a community of work and worship where Christ is made known and where truth and meaning of life are discovered. Discipleship, which includes personal devotion to Christ, simplicity of life, peacemaking (which expresses itself in reconciliation, active pursuit of justice and non-participation in the military), evangelism and Christian service, is the mark of an authentic Christian life. Agape love, the style of life modeled in Jesus, should shape our common life. EMU affirms the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective together with other statements regarding faith and practice endorsed by the Mennonite Church. EMU recognizes its accountability to the Mennonite Church.

Students are encouraged to embrace this faith heritage while their own convictions and experiences and those of other religious heritages are respected. EMU seeks to deepen students’ faith and life in Christ, while also encouraging them to critique their own faith tradition in wholesome ways.

Recognizing God as the creator of all, EMU exposes students to many ways of knowing. By studying a broad-based liberal arts curriculum that features knowledge in a particular field and significant experience in a cross-cultural setting, undergraduate students deepen their understanding of the human condition and commitment to Christian service. Specialized graduate programs that express EMU’s particular strengths and commitments combine the rigor of academic specialization with practical preparation for service in the larger church and world. Learning has great consequence when it occurs in the intimacy of a campus village conscious of its own faith heritage, but open to and connecting with the vitality of a variety of world cultures.

Teaching and learning require mutuality in which teachers and students share opportunities and responsibilities. The faculty bring to their task specialized knowledge as well as an ability to make broad connections across the disciplines. They take responsibility for the direction of the learning process. The student is an active participant in learning, setting goals, determining procedures and evaluating results.

Faculty are expected to practice what they teach, demonstrating the creative possibilities of devout faith combined with serious reflection. The spiritual, moral and intellectual persuasiveness of faculty comes from significant engagement in congregational life, Christian service, and a demonstrated love for learning.

Creative teaching and learning affect the mind and character of the student. At its best education engenders in students a sense of idealism and responsibility, as well as a reverent humility before the awesome complexities and ambiguities of life.

Approved by EMU Board of Trustees, November 1994

Approved by Mennonite Board of Education, January 1995

Mission Statement

 

Identity

A leader among faith-based universities, Eastern Mennonite University emphasizes peacebuilding, creation care, experiential learning, and cross-cultural engagement. Founded in 1917 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, EMU is an educational institution of Mennonite Church USA. EMU serves students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds and confers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees.

 

Mission

EMU educates students to serve and lead in a global context. Our Christian community challenges students to pursue their life calling through scholarly inquiry, artistic creation, guided practice, and life-changing cross-cultural encounter. We invite each person to follow Christ’s call to

bear witness to faith,

serve with compassion, and

walk boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace.

 

Vision

EMU envisions a learning community marked by academic excellence, creative process, professional competence, and passionate Christian faith, offering healing and hope in our diverse world.  To this end, we commit ourselves to

do justice,

love mercy, and

walk humbly with God.

 

Shared Values

EMU embodies the enduring values of the Anabaptist tradition:

Christian discipleship,

community,

service, and

peacebuilding.

Together we worship God, seek truth, and care for God’s creation.

Approved by Board of Trustees June 28, 2008

 

Community Lifestyle Commitment [edit]

Expectations and Responsibilities for Community Life

for faculty, staff and students at Eastern Mennonite University

Preamble

Eastern Mennonite University is a Christian community in the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition joined together for the purpose of academic study, personal development and spiritual growth. We are committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and believe that the scriptures establish the basic principles that should guide our life together. These principles include the responsibility to love God with all our being, love our neighbors as ourselves, seek after righteousness, practice justice, help those in need, forgive others, seek forgiveness and exercise freedom responsibly with loving regard for others.

We acknowledge that it is impossible to create a community with expectations that are totally acceptable to every member. Nevertheless, clearly stated expectations promote orderly community life. Because of the importance of trust in and responsibility to one another, violations of these standards are regarded as a serious breach of integrity within the community.

 

Commitment

As a member of the EMU community, I will strive to practice stewardship of mind, time, abilities and finances. I will pursue opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth and demonstrate care for my body. I also will exercise social responsibility in my standard of living and use of economic resources. Realizing the destructive character of an unforgiving spirit and harmful discrimination based on prejudice, I will seek to demonstrate unselfish love in my actions, attitudes and relationships. I will be honest and show respect for the rights and property of others.

I recognize that some social practices are harmful to me, as well as harmful or offensive to others. Therefore, respecting the values of others and the mission of Eastern Mennonite University, I recognize my responsibility as a member of the community to refrain from sexual relationships outside of marriage, sexual harassment and abuse, pornography, acts of violence, abusive or demeaning language and the use of illegal drugs.  Recognizing that EMU supports nonuse of alcohol and tobacco, I will respect and abide by the university policy that prohibits the use of alcohol and tobacco on campus or at university functions and the misuse of alcohol off campus.

I pledge myself to carry out this commitment in a spirit of openness and helpfulness through mutual accountability motivated by love.

For additional information on expectations and responsibilities, see the Student Handbook and the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. The latter is available on MCUSA website.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, March 23, 2001

 

 

Statement on Safety and Behavioral Expectations for the EMU Campus Community [edit]

The Community Lifestyle Commitment of EMU outlines the expectation that all persons on our campus will respect the dignity and diversity of others even when we do not agree. In light of this, we will not tolerate any form of bigotry, harassment, intimidation, threat, destruction of personal property, name calling or other forms of abuse whether written, spoken directly or implied. Alcohol or other substance abuse, fatigue, ignorance or saying, “it was just a joke” will not be acceptable excuses for such behavior.  Persons who are gay or lesbian have the same right to be treated with respect and dignity as does anyone else on our campus.

Persons who engage in such non-respectable behavior may be subject to discipline. Persons who believe they have been victims of harassment should report the incident immediately. Faculty should report incidents to the provost. Staff should report incidents to the vice president for finance. Students should report incidents to the vice president for student life.

Every faculty member and administrator is responsible to ensure implementation of this statement in their areas of responsibility by informing those in their spheres of influence.

Adopted by Cabinet consensus, July 16, 2001

Reaffirmed by Cabinet, April 8, 2004