Whitworth University’s behavioral policies, commonly known as the Big Three, are at the heart of all other campus regulations. They represent and enforce Whitworth’s core values and are integral to student life. However, the formal language used to outline the Big Three can make it difficult for students to understand their parameters.  

In simple terms, the Big Three are: 1.  No alcohol or nonprescription drugs are permitted on campus.  2.  No cohabitation with any member of your preferred sex, which includes both sexual and intimate contact as well as spending extended hours of the night together.  3.  No violent, destructive, or otherwise harmful behavior that would endanger anyone or any property on Whitworth campus. 

The official Whitworth student handbook uses broad language to describe these policies. This often leads students to believe that they are more complicated than they really are. However, there is a good reason for the use of this language. 

“The policies are intentionally written broadly or flexibly so they can cover many real-life scenarios,” said Ken Guan, Whitworth’s manager of community standards, “This allows student affairs staff to respond thoughtfully to each student’s unique situation rather than applying overly rigid or specific rules universally.” 

These policies can be interpreted in different ways.  

“Most real understanding comes through conversation,” said Guan, “When students sit down to review the relevant policy, ask questions and discuss the values behind it, the policy becomes more humanized, helping students develop a stronger connection to its purpose.” 

Another point of frequent confusion is the name of the Big Three. Students report getting the Big Three mixed up with Whitworth’s Little Three, which are harmless traditions that students attempt to complete before they graduate.  

“I was confused about the Big Three and the Little Three,” said first-year Ashlyn League, “I got them mixed up… It’s confusing sometimes.” 

Since students are typically taught about the Big Three by their dorm Resident Assistants (RAs) during their first-year orientation, where the Little Three are also commonly taught, it is understandable that they would get them mixed up. Additionally, unless a student goes through RA or Campus Ministry Coordinators (CMC) training, they will likely never have the Big Three formally brought up or explained to them in detail again.   

When a student violates one of the Big Three, Whitworth’s priorities will be to end the unacceptable conduct, make sure it does not happen again and repair the effects it had on both the offender and the larger Whitworth community. 

As RA Kolina Perreira-Alimoot said, “The impact that the Big Three has on Whitworth is to help ensure everybody’s safety and mental health.”  

“There is a common misconception about the conduct process: that it’s meant to discipline students and enforce rules… it is, in fact, a very human-centered process,” said Guan, “We handle each case carefully and give every student the chance to review the report in person with me, share their perspective, ask questions, point out inaccuracies and discuss how policies relate to their situation. The report a student receives is just a starting point, not the final decision … In each unique case, we thoughtfully evaluate who is responsible for the policy violation.” 

Whitworth’s Big Three help ensure students’ safety and comfort while on campus. They represent the University’s goals and standards. Even if a student violates one of the Big Three, Whitworth will try to work with them to make sure there is no repeat transgression.  

 “The Student Affairs team also supports students who violate policies and go through our conduct process by raising awareness of their behavior and its impact on the diverse community around them,” said Guan, “Our student conduct system is an educational system that promotes overall learning and personal growth, not one that aims to punish … the Big Three help us create a process that balances accountability, fairness and student well-being. These approaches reflect Whitworth’s commitment to a community built on safety, respect and growth.”  

For further information on the Big Three, consult the Behavioral Expectations section of the Whitworth Student Handbook.