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, Vision, Values

What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

MISSION

EMU prepares students to serve and lead in a global context.

Our community of learning integrates Christian faith, academic rigor, artistic creation and reflective practice informed by the liberal arts, interdisciplinary engagement, and cross-cultural encounter. 

VISION

EMU will be renowned for academic excellence and faithful discipleship in addressing the most significant challenges in our complex world.

We seek to be a leader among Christian universities, united by a hopeful and enquiring spirit, cultivating meaningful relationships locally and globally, and engaging the rich diversity of human identity, experience, and need. 

VALUES

EMU’s mission and vision are grounded in the enduring biblical values of Christian discipleship, community, service, and peace.

These values are embodied throughout the university in our distinctive commitment to peacebuilding, social justice, cross-cultural engagement, and sustainability. Rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, we follow Jesus’ call to bear witness to truth, serve with compassion, and walk boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace.

Eastern Mennonite University, founded in 1917, is an educational institution of Mennonite Church USA, serving students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. EMU confers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees in the liberal arts, applied sciences, and professions.

Approved by Board of Trustees June 24, 2017

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Life Together: Commitments for a Community of Learning [edit]

Expectations and Responsibilities for Community Life

for faculty, staff and students at Eastern Mennonite University

At Eastern Mennonite University our life together supports our work, and in turn, our work shapes our life together.  EMU serves the church and the world by engaging in academic inquiry in conversation with God’s story through scripture, Christ, and the church. As a Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition, we encourage each other in Christ-like ways of living and learning. 

The following ideals describe the learning community we aspire to be. They are derived from scripture as read in the Anabaptist tradition, our own century of tradition as an academic church institution, and the traditions we continue to make together today. Formal policies and procedures outlined in EMU faculty, staff, and student handbooks are designed to hold us accountable to these principles and sustain the identity and values that bind us together while creating space for questioning that identity in a spirit of continual renewal. We commit ourselves to regularly review and update all university policies in light of these ideals.

Love for God and one another: Our most important work is to love as God loves us, as shown in the life of Jesus. We seek relational, collaborative, and restorative approaches to teaching and learning, administration, policy, and discipline. We commit ourselves to practice generosity and hospitality, demonstrating reconciling love, sustained by collective worship and spiritual formation.

Wisdom: Our learning community pursues truth and seeks wisdom in its practice. We bring creativity and rigorous inquiry to our academic work, including our curricular distinctives of peacebuilding, social justice, cross-cultural engagement, and sustainability. We listen to each other with compassion and boldly share our own authentic statements of faith and doubt. We commit ourselves to intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth in all aspects of academic and social life.

Equality: Because each person has immeasurable worth in God’s eyes, we value participatory processes and pedagogies. Each person has a right to be heard, and to work and study in a safe environment. Policies and procedures aspire toward equity, including individuals of all backgrounds in the benefits of community membership and giving everyone a recourse against abuse of power. We commit ourselves to show respect for the rights, dignity, and full personhood of one another.

Sustainability: We strive to use God’s gifts wisely and generously, emphasizing well-being and supporting policies that enable students and employees to live balanced lives. We commit ourselves to exercise responsibility in our care for the earth and our use of resources as we practice stewardship of mind, time, abilities, and finances.

Accountability: Our individual and collective actions affect the health of the entire community. We expect each person to conduct themselves ethically and faithfully in personal and public matters, in order that all may thrive physically, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. We commit ourselves to mutual accountability motivated by love in a spirit of generosity and grace.

Approved by Board of Trustees on June 24, 2017

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