Couples

In all social relationships between men and women, believers must exercise care to maintain a godly testimony for Christ and to avoid temptation. Please observe the following dating guidelines.

General Guidelines

  • Students may date only professing believers who are faithfully attending a Bible preaching church [SL 8/12].
  • Couples may date at these times and locations.
  • Couples must avoid all off-limit areas.
  • Couples are not to engage in physical contact and are to maintain observable space between them. This guideline applies to photographs and videos.

Dating Non-Maranatha Students

You may date an individual who is not a student at Maranatha provided that:
  • You have parental permission on file with the Student Life Office if you are under 21 [SL 8/12].
  • You follow normal Epass procedures.
  • Your date who is attending a Maranatha sponsored activity meets college dress standards for the event.

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.

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. Passes ~ Chaperones.
  • Faculty and Staff may date only students who are at least 21 years old or a Junior.

Dating Guidelines for Students 23 or above or Graduate Students

  • The couple is under the rules for the student with the lesser status. Passes ~ Chaperones.
  • Older students must still abide by the When and Where policies for couples.
  • An older student or graduate student dating another older student, graduate student, faculty, or staff member does not need an Epass or chaperone.
    • 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

  • Off-campus students who do not live with their parents must abide by all dating guidelines and policies including passes, chaperones, and physical contact.
  • Students living with parents are expected to abide by the general dating guidelines of Maranatha (above).
    • If two off-campus students living in their parents’ homes are dating, parents/guardians are responsible for the times and places of dating, as well as whether or not a chaperone is needed.
  • Off-campus students may be in mixed groups together without a chaperone
    • If it is an odd numbered group.
    • If they are not in an apartment or home [SL 9/10].

Also see: Dating Locations, Engaged Couple Status, Chaperones, Pass Chart. and Social Campusing