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
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You may obtain an EPass to date an academy senior only if the age difference is 2 years or less.
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The academy student must have parental permission.
- Couples may not stay overnight in a home together.
Dating Maranatha Faculty or Staff
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If a college student dates a faculty or staff person, the couple is subject to the dating policies to which the student is subject.
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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
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The couple is under the rules for the student with the lesser status. See chart for more information on Passes.
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Older students (23 or older) must avoid all off-limit areas.
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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.
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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.
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Dating Guidelines for Off-Campus Students
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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.
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Students living with parents are expected to abide by the general dating guidelines of Maranatha regarding dress, deportment, and physical contact.
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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]