A Message from the Founder
A Vibrant Learning Environment
Welcome to John Melvin University! John Melvin University is dedicated to the loving memory of my younger brother, John Caleb Melvin (1982-2003). Our goal at JMU is to prepare you for a successful career and also help you discover God’s plan for your life. John Melvin University represents a committed community of Christian people who are invested in your academic and spiritual success. Our board of directors has over 20 years of experience building communities and successful Christian businesses, while developing industry leaders in Education, Business, Healthcare, Management, and the Sports industry.
We believe that “doing is learning”. With our focus on God, Education, and Freedom, your experience will be enlightening, immersive, and hands-on. With smaller class sizes, students have more opportunities for active engagement, development, and growth.
Our vision is to provide premier a Christian University that educates people to lead and serve.
The quality of our education, instructors, and facilities offered by John Melvin University are important; and we work hard at giving our students the very best.
JMU provides an enriched and diverse learning environment for our students. Our teachers are passionate, experienced, and eager to pass on their knowledge to their students. We hope to build meaningful relationships with the students, their families, and the members of our local communities.
We believe that a great education requires much more than acquiring knowledge. We attach great importance to maintaining a close relationship with God and to helping others. We look forward to working with you to build your successful future.
- Jean Melvin
Vision:
The vision of John Melvin University is to be the premier provider of Christian-focused, multifaceted and diversified higher learning to fulfill the Great Commission in life and career. John Melvin University believes that the Bible should be at the heart and core of all training and that it is the standard for evaluating all claims to knowledge.
It is the vision of Our Christian University to:
1. Engage students in a quality Christ-centered education that equips and challenges them to reach their unique potential spiritually, academically, socially, and physically.
2. Create a transformative educational experience for students focused on deep disciplinary knowledge; problem-solving; leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; and personal health and well-being.
3. Recruit and develop the world’s most promising students and most outstanding staff and be a truly global university benefiting society as a whole.
Our Mission Statement
John Melvin University is an innovative online community of learners seeking to prepare students and future community leaders through a non-denominational Christ-centered education.
Goals
The goals for achieving this mission are:
Spiritual: To motivate and lead students to Christian maturity and spiritual depth.
Academic: To engage students with opportunities to integrate Biblical faith and life-long learning by challenging and supporting students to pursue intellectual, personal and professional development.
Integrity: To exhibit ethical behavior in and beyond the academic setting, and be good stewards of our resources, acting as persons of high character guided by a commitment to transparency, fairness, and honesty.
Respect: To embrace the doctrines of Faith, Family, Freedom, and Community, which ensure inclusiveness and diversity, understanding that every individual should be treated with professionalism, courtesy, and kindness.
Responsibility: To be responsible and accountable for our actions in every situation, as it relates to our university, our community, and our nation.
Christian Ethics: To emphasize that the Christian spiritual path provides an ethical code that, when followed, will make for a better person, a better university, a better community, and a better world.
Professional: To produce competent graduates in the area of their professional training.
Social: To cultivate a culture that redefines how we learn and live in a way that honors God and has a positive impact on our community for generations to come.
Message from the Athletic Director
Competing at the collegiate level is a privilege that approximately 100 young men and women are able to experience each year as they begin their academic careers at John Melvin University. The purpose of JMU athletics is to put a group of young men and women on a field or court and let them represent the values of their school with pride. JMU athletics provides a sense of community and entertainment and is essential to the university and student retention. Collegiate sports programs, just like professional sports, entertain crowds. 70% of higher education leaders agree that athletics is an important component of higher education.
Direct participants in JMU athletic programs will develop good habits of fitness, competitiveness, drive, discipline, and improve their relationship with God. What our athletes learn about teamwork, individual responsibility, determination, and goal-oriented tasks follow them into their future as they become able employees and successful businesspeople. Also, the friendships they form with teammates can follow far off the field or court. Even students merely shouting from the sidelines can be united in a common bond and develop lifelong commitments to their fellow students and their university.
Todd Self
JMU Director of Athletics
Advancing Christian Athletes
John Melvin University will offer collegiate sports programs that use athletic competition as an integral component of education, faith, and encouragement. JMU offers four team sports programs with intention of adding more programs in the future. All of our athletes will be held to high academic standards.
JMU varsity programs are part of the Gulf-Atlantic Christian Athletic Conference and will also compete in the Independent Junior College Athletic Association. Following our first year, our goal is to apply to NAIA.
Athletic Eligibility
To get ready for entrance into the NAIA we feel that it is important JMU begin the process of meeting the same criteria that all NAIA institutions follow.
NAIA Academic Eligibility Rules
Initial Eligibility: An entering Freshman must meet 2 of the 3 following requirements:
1. 18 on ACT or 970 on SAT (Critical Reading and Math only)
2. 2.00 overall high school GPA on a 4.00 GPA scale
3.Top 50% of high school graduating class
4. Home-schooled Students: For tests taken beginning May 2019, homeschooled students who complete a home-schooling program conducted in accordance with the laws of the student’s state of residence and achieve a minimum score of 20 on the ACT or 1040 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) on the SAT will meet entering freshmen requirements. For ACT tests taken prior to March 2016, a minimum score of 20 is required. For ACT tests taken beginning. March 2016 through April 2019, a minimum score of 18 will satisfy this requirement. For SAT tests taken prior to May 2019, a minimum score of 950 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) is required.
5. International students: An incoming freshman who graduated from a school outside of the United States or one of the U.S. territories shall meet the same eligibility criteria required of a regular freshman student listed in Article V, Section C, Item 1and Article V, Section C, Item 2. High school graduation and cumulative grade point averages shall be determined based on current published NAIA initial – eligibility academic guidelines for international students.
- All incoming athletes must be cleared by the NAIA eligibility center at www.playnaia.org
Transfers: Must sit out 16 weeks (112 calendar days) unless:
1. Only attended a two-year college previously OR
2. Never competed at previous four-year institution OR 2.00 GPA and written release from the Athletic Director of the previous four-year institution
- All incoming athletes must be cleared by the NAIA eligibility center, www.playnaia.org
Continuing Eligibility:
2ND Term Freshman:
9 hours earned during previous term
24 Hour Rule:
24 semester hours earned during previous two semesters
Progress Towards A Degree:
To Play During:
2nd Season – must have earned 24 semester hours total
3rd Season – must have earned 48 semester hours total
4th Season – must have earned 72 semester hours total
AND must have earned at least 48 hours in general education and/or student’s
major. Once you enter JMU, your earned semester hours are
based upon what transfers to and is accepted by JMU
GPA: Juniors and Seniors (academically or athletically) 2.00 Cumulative GPA.
An NAIA Student:
1. May compete during four seasons
2. May compete during first 10 semesters
3. Must be enrolled and stay enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours
4. Must meet freshman or continuing eligibility rules
ATHLETIC INSURANCE
In order to play and/or practice, each student-athlete must provide a copy - front and back - of their health insurance card. In the case of an injury sustained during practice or a sanctioned athletic event, All grant in aid recipients must have a proof of medical insurance on file in the Athletic Director’s office. If a student athlete does not provide proof of medical insurance or allows the medical insurance to lapse, BMC is not responsible for any medical related costs. The student athlete will be responsible for all charges. Student athletes injured during participation in intercollegiate athletics are covered with insurance for medical care and treatment allowed by the NAIA which includes a disappearing deductible. The secondary insurance is considered secondary to all other insurance under which the student athlete is covered. The secondary insurance will cover after the student athlete’s primary insurance payment on claims has been determined and all deductibles have been met. The student athlete’s personal insurance is primary and the college-provided insurance is secondary. The student athlete is responsible for any balance due after the two insurance policies have been processed.
Chapel Attendance:
Chapel attendance is mandatory for all student-athletes. Chapel is vital to our college culture and as ambassadors of our program, student-athletes are to attend chapel and be actively engaged. If a student athlete finds himself/herself too ill to attend chapel, permission must be granted by the Head Coach who will then notify the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Any absences from chapel must have prior approval by the Head Coach who then must notify the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Discipline for repeated violations of unexcused absences may range from a warning to dismissal from the team, and/or reduction/withdrawal of athletically related financial aid.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco Policy:
Beginning in the 2017-18 NAIA National Championships, the NAIA will have mandated drug testing for all participants. To prepare for the drug testing, the NAIA will require drug education beginning with the 2015-16 academic year. All NAIA student athletes will be required to complete the drug education program. John Melvin University reserves the right to conduct random drug testing. Your coach will be in touch as to when and how this will be accomplished.
It is the desire of John Melvin University to have a totally drug and tobacco-free workplace where the body, as the temple of God, is allowed to remain healthy and to grow in stature and where the mind is allowed to grow in wisdom, both acknowledging the presence of Almighty God as the Creator.
Smoking/Tobacco (and Vaping) Policy
- JMU is a tobacco-free environment
- Tobacco products are not allowed by athletes on or off campus
Definition of Tobacco
Tobacco is defined as all tobacco-derived or containing products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems, cigars, cigarillos, and oral tobacco (spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, snuff).
Meaning of Tobacco-free Environment
Tobacco-free at JMU means no tobacco use on College property, including College-owned vehicles, by employees, students, visitors, or vendors.
*It is the purpose of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to encourage student athletes to become knowledgeable about drugs, as they may interfere with the athlete’s health and performance.
Athletes are encouraged to seek out such information through the Substance Abuse Program established by the Department of Athletics. Drug testing and screening has as its primary intent the well-being of the JMU student-athlete. JMU is interested in the prevention and control of drug abuse and in helping the student-athletes with drug abuse problems. The drug testing and screening program is regarded as a preventive measure for a potentially serious illness. If and when a student-athlete tests positive for improper drug use, acceptable methods of treatment are to be administered.
Individuals found to be involved in the illegal distribution of drugs (transfer or sale), through any means, will be immediately dismissed from all athletic teams and their athletic financial aid cancelled.
Purpose of the Athletic Drug Policy
1. To prevent the use of illicit drugs by student-athletes before, during and after the season in each sport.
2. To educate all student-athletes regarding usage and its effect on the individual
athlete and his/her team and teammates.
3. To insure the health and safety of the student-athlete.
4. To educate student-athletes about problems associated with drug use.
5. To see that any chronic dependency is treated and addressed properly.
6. To encourage discussion about any questions student-athletes may have, either
specifically, or generally about usage of drugs.
Education and Counseling on Substance Abuse
Drug abuse in its many forms is a deep concern to the college community. The Athletic Department will promote information and discussion sessions concerning the use of illicit drugs and alcohol with the various teams throughout the year. Information, literature, and counseling are available to the student-athlete through the Athletic Department, Athletic Trainer, and outside agencies.
The Athletic Department urges students and their families to utilize these services and materials. Drug abuse cannot be handled alone. Any call or contact made seeking help or private counseling assistance will be held in strictest confidence, except as otherwise stipulated by this or other policy.
JMU will take a comprehensive view of drug abuse, because drug abuse, in its several forms, lies close to us all. Alcoholism is the number one drug abuse problem in the United States today and the number three killer after heart disease and cancer. The Department of Athletics will inform the student-athlete about the Substance Abuse Policy (requirements and procedures) of JMU.
Athletes must sign, indicating understanding of/and agreement to comply with the policy in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Failure to do so will result in immediate ineligibility and discontinuation of any athletic-related financial aid.
Prohibition of the Use of Illicit Substances
Use of any illegal, illicit, or controlled substance by a student-athlete at JMU (except as may be prescribed by a qualified physician in treating an individual’s medical condition) is expressly prohibited, whether such use occurs before, during, or after the competitive season of the particular sport. This may include, but is not limited to:
1. Amphetamine 7. Methaqualone
2. Barbiturates 8. Methamphetamine
3. Cocaine 9. Morphine
4. Codeine 10. Marijuana
5. Heroin 11. Phencyclidine (PCP)
6. Anabolic Steroids
Substance Abuse Testing
Testing shall be both “random” and “selective.” Random tests shall be conducted on the student-athlete population in each sport. These tests shall be administered on a regular basis, either announced or unannounced. The population selected may include all in a generalized group (i.e. position, sport or classification, etc.) or may include the entire team. Individual student-athletes may also be chosen randomly through the use of a random number process.
**In addition to the randomly chosen individuals to be tested, athletes may be selectively chosen based on previous positive test results, and/or reasonable suspicion.
Reasonable Suspicion is defined as: “A good faith belief, based on specific articulated facts or evidence, that a student-athlete may have violated the college’s drug abuse policy and that drug testing may provide evidence relating to that violation.”
A student-athlete is subject to reasonable suspicion testing when after review of the specific facts and circumstances in a particular student-athlete’s case, a representative of JMU concludes that there exists a reasonable suspicion that a student-athlete has engaged or is engaging in conduct prohibited under this policy. The representative of JMU must document these conclusions. The appointing authority or his/her designee will review this documentation and any other pertinent information. If the designated authority agrees with the documented findings of the representative of JMU, the student-athlete shall submit to a controlled substance test.
Effect of Positive Test Results
1. If a student-athlete has a positive test result for the first time, the individual will meet with the Head Athletic Trainer, Head Coach, and the Director of Athletics to discuss the test results.
2. The Team Physician shall also be notified.
3. The athlete will be deemed medically ineligible to participate in athletic activity until such time as the level of substance dependency has been determined, drug education and counseling has been successfully completed, and the athlete has been deemed medically eligible to participate in athletic activity by the Team Physician and/or outside agencies. This period shall not be less than 50% of eligible competitions in the current season of competition. Should there be less than 50% of eligible competitions remaining in the season of competition and/or during the off-season, the difference shall be completed in the following season of competition. If the athlete is being red-shirted during the season in which they test positive the 50% suspension will be effective during the next season of competition.
4. The athlete’s parents(s), legal guardian(s), or spouse may be notified of the positive test result as a means of obtaining parental assistance in the prevention of further illicit drug use.
5. The cost of evaluation and counseling/education and any follow-up testing will be the sole responsibility of the athlete.
6. Failure to participate in evaluation or counseling or meet any other provisions as established by the Team Physician and/or an outside agency will be treated as a second positive.
7. The student-athlete will be subject to selective testing for the remainder of their athletic eligibility and/or as long as he/she is receiving athletic-related financial aid. This testing may be conducted by an outside agency or lab, as determined by the Team Physician and/or Head Athletic Trainer.
Second Positive:
1. If a student-athlete has a second positive test result or is declared a second positive by any provision of this policy, the individual will receive a dismissal from their athletic team and will also result in loss of scholarship.
Selling/Distributing Drugs
A student-athlete convicted of selling drugs according to the laws of Louisiana will be suspended from the team and athletic-related aid will be immediately cancelled and not renewed for the following year.
Self-Referral
If an athlete voluntarily confesses to substance abuse, the athlete will be entered into the Program as a “first positive” without the mandatory suspension of 50% of eligible competitions and will be required to meet any and all other terms/obligation associated
with a first positive.
The individual will be given one self-referral during their college career with no
penalties. Subsequent self-referrals will be treated as a second positive and will be
treated as previously outlined. The self-referral is designed to help individuals who
recognize they have a problem with substance abuse. With the announcement of a
substance abuse test, the self-referral may not be used to avoid penalties associated with a positive test result.
Education Program
Group sessions for student-athletes will be conducted throughout the year. Attendance is mandatory with record taken. Any excuses from attending must be approved by the Director of Athletics.