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Biola University’s position on marriage affirms the goodness of sexual relationships as designed by God to be expressed within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. More information on the University’s theological position regarding human sexuality may be found in its Board of Trustees’ approved Statement of Biblical Principles: God’s Intentional Design for Life.

We believe that sexual activity outside of marriage, behavior involving or having the potential to lead to sexual activity outside of marriage (including, but not limited to nudity, cohabitation, pornography), and sexual activity between two persons of the same sex (whether or not married) is contrary to God’s intentional design for sexuality. Living out God’s intent for sexual expression, while requiring sacrifice at times, is ultimately a source of freedom (John 10:10). Biola hopes to foster a community where living according to this intent helps each person thrive personally, relationally, and spiritually.

Biola University’s position on gender affirms the goodness of God’s creation of humankind as male and female. Specifically, in its Statement of Biblical Principles: God’s Intentional Design for Life, Biola states, “We believe God created all things and set in place the laws of nature, not according to random chance but according to his perfect, miraculous and purposeful plan...God created the natural world and called it good, and after he created male and female he declared his creation very good.”

Our sex as male or female is a biological given of the individual human person from conception made manifest at birth, and is a stable characteristic of the person determined by God’s creational intent. We believe each person was intended to experience congruence between the physical and experiential dimensions of their sexuality. In a fallen world, all humans will experience sexual brokenness in varied ways. Nonetheless, we affirm that our sex/gender are good gifts and integral to what it means to bear God’s image in the world, and that we need to steward them in accordance with Scripture.

In keeping with Biola’s Theological Positions, the University holds that any surgical or medical procedure or any hormone therapy intended to alter our sexed bodies or to reassign sex/gender is inconsistent with our Community Standards and is thus the basis for denial of admission and/or for dismissal.

Students’ biological sex at birth will be the normative criterion for assigning appropriate housing, athletic team participation, and all other gender-specific activities or behavior, including expectations for personal pronoun use.

When deciding to join the Biola community, students commit to refrain from engaging in behaviors and relationships that are inconsistent with Biola’s position on marriage, sexuality and gender. Our biblical understanding of marriage means that at Biola romantic expression should be consistent with this understanding of marriage. Students who choose to engage in behaviors or relationships inconsistent with Biola’s position will be referred to the Student Care and Conduct team, which manages student adherence to Biola’s Community Standards.

While we seek to be compassionate and redemptive with the individuals involved and will offer support, resources, and accountability, we nevertheless hold high our beliefs about marriage, sexuality and gender and will abide by our Community Standards in respecting students while also maintaining our biblical convictions on these matters.

Even though our policy is clear on marriage, sexuality and gender, all members of the Biola community are expected to treat one another with respect and Christ-like compassion. Any form of harassment, bullying, insults, slurs, and other forms of derogatory speech or behavior based on a person’s sex/gender has no place in a Christian community. These inappropriate behaviors will be directly addressed by the University (see Biola’s Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy).

As a distinctly Christian university, Biola is committed to operating in accordance with these commitments on sexuality and gender based on Biola’s Statement of Biblical Principles. We will do so with courage, humility, prayerfulness, and care. Helpful resources for students processing their faith and sexuality and/or gender include spiritual direction, pastoral care, and the .

Romantic/non-platonic relationships, consensual or not, between a student and a faculty member, teaching assistant, or any other University employee who has educational or supervisory responsibility over the student, are prohibited.

Other romantic/non-platonic relationships, such as those between faculty and students not currently enrolled in the faculty member’s class and who do not exercise any other supervisory or educational responsibility over the student, are generally unwise. Such relationships, which may also occur between staff and students, even though consensual, may create an environment in which power differences may be unfairly exploited, the respect and trust given to someone in authority may be violated, and pressure may be subtly or inadvertently exerted on those in a vulnerable position. In these situations, the faculty or staff member must discuss the proposed relationship with his or her Dean/supervisor and the Sr. Director of Human Resources to obtain guidance and approval prior to engaging in any potentially prohibited or unwise relationship.

Any inappropriate or unwelcome sexual contact should be dealt with under Biola’s Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy.

University policy forbids exhibition, possession, or distribution of material or representations deemed to be obscene or contrary to the moral standards and/or mission of the University, including, but not limited to, pornography. Further, the use of institutional or personal computers for the viewing, transmission, retrieval and/or storage of such material is a violation of University community standards and will result in disciplinary action.

As with other sexual conduct outside the confines of marriage, viewing of pornography is inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture. When this comes to the University’s attention, we will seek to be redemptive in the lives of the individuals involved. Consequently, the University will offer counsel and assistance to support and strengthen the individual‘s resolve to live consistently with Christian teaching on sexuality.

The University will assist those involved in an unplanned pregnancy while enrolled as a student at Biola University. We will support students in considering all the reasonable options available to them. These include marriage of the parents, single parenthood, or offering the child for adoption. Because the Bible is clear in its teaching on the sanctity of human life, life begins at conception; we abhor the destruction of innocent life through abortion-on-demand. Student Development stands ready to help those involved to cope effectively with the complexity of needs that a crisis pregnancy presents. Additional support is available through the Biola Counseling Center, the Health Center, along with academic and other support services. While some students in these circumstances may choose to leave the University temporarily, it is our hope that any student who chooses to continue in classes during the pregnancy will find Biola to be a supportive and redemptive community during this crucial time.