Couples

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Believers must develop God-honoring social relationships that maintain a goldly testimony for Christ externally while promoting Christlikness internally in each other. Please observe the following guidelines:

General Guidelines

  • Students may date only professing believers who are faithfully attending a Bible preaching church (2 Cor. 6:14).
  • Couples may not be alone at any time.
  • Couples must avoid all off-limit areas.
  • Couples may not stay overnight in a home together (without parental permission; see Epass).
  • Couples are not to engage in physical contact and are to maintain observable space between them. Side hugs are permissible for photographs.

Dating Non-Maranatha Students

You may date an individual who is not a student at Maranatha provided that:
  • You follow the general guidelines above.
  • You follow normal EPass procedures.
  • Staying in the same home overnight requires parental permission from both parents.

Dating a Maranatha Academy Student

  • You may obtain an EPass to date an academy senior only if the age difference is 2 years or less.
  • The academy student must have parental permission.
  • Couples may not stay overnight in a home together.

Dating Maranatha Faculty or Staff

  • If a college student dates a faculty or staff person, the couple is subject to the dating policies to which the student is subject.
  • Faculty and Staff may date only students who are at least 21 years old or a Junior.

Dating Guidelines for Older Students or Graduate Students

  • The couple is under the rules for the student with the lesser status. See chart for more information on Passes.
  • Older students (23 or older) must avoid all off-limit areas.
  • An older student or graduate student dating another older student, graduate student, faculty, or staff member does not need an EPass and may ride together in a car without a third person.
    • An older student does not need an EPass to date a younger student. The name of the older student should appear on the student’s EPass that has the lesser status.

Dating Guidelines for Off-Campus Students

  • You may host mixed groups in your home/apartment if you submit an EPass.
  • You can host same gender groups until dorm lock or overnight. Please check the Pass Chart.
  • If you are dating an on-campus student then you will need an EPass. Please check the Pass Chart.
  • If you are dating another off-campus student and neither of you lives with your parents then you may not be alone in a home, apartment, or car without parental or faculty/staff supervision.
    • You are expected to abide by university standards of dress, deportment, and physical contact.
  • Students living with parents are expected to abide by the general dating guidelines of Maranatha regarding dress, deportment, and physical contact.
  • Parents/guardians are responsible for the times and places of dating, as well as whether or not a chaperone is needed.

Also see: Engaged Couple Status and Pass Chart[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]