Page 19 - Providence Christian College - Fall 2018

The Providence Promise
by Geoff shaw
Many schools adopt an honor code, but most reduce it to the realm of academics. Providence is a special living and learning community where an emphasis is placed upon gaining godly wisdom rather than simple learning. At the beginning of this school year, Student Senate met with members of the Providence Administration to develop a code, which, in the words of its preamble, would “encapsulate the spirit of the community we aspire to be.”
Five categories were identified: Providence students promise to devote their affections to right worship, to live dutifully, to love their neighbor, to pursue academic excellence with integrity, and to represent Providence with distinction.
Generally speaking, the volume of written code governing a society has an inverse relationship to the uniformity of said society. Put another way, diverse populations beget increased legislation. Christian colleges are not exempt to the pressures of establishing an ever increasing number of rules. Students enrolled at Providence are required to abide by the guidelines spelled out in our Student Handbook—a lengthy document covering everything from plagiarism to public displays of affection. But something is lost if the answer to addressing affections of the heart is simply amplifying legal code. The Providence Promise is meant to serve as a remedy to this way of thinking.
Each year, the entire Providence community will be given the opportunity to re-pledge themselves to this Promise. During orientation, new students will learn how it shapes our identity and will be given the opportunity to join our community with their signatures.
Deeper Learning for Greater Wisdom
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