Ownership
Cumberland Baptist Institute is owned and operated by the West Somerset Baptist Church and the Parkers Mill Road Baptist Church, both of Somerset, Kentucky. Churches and individuals throughout the fellowship of the Cumberland River Association of Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Association support the Institute with much appreciated offerings and gifts.
Institutional Objectives
A student who graduates from Cumberland Baptist Institute should be able to:
1. Show that he has acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible and can make practical application of biblical principles.
2. Demonstrate his knowledge of sound Bible doctrine in accordance with the doctrinal statement of the school.
3. Demonstrate a satisfactory personal relationship with Jesus Christ by regular devotional habits and a consistent prayer life.
4. Give evidence of his compassion for lost souls and appreciation for worldwide missionary service.
5. Give evidence of sound scholarship by performing skilled research and by displaying independent study habits.
6. Demonstrate spiritual, mental, emotional and physical maturity as indicated by both progress and effective Christian service.
7. Demonstrate that he can serve competently in spheres of Christian service.
8. Show promise of developing lifelong habits of study and continued growth.
9. Every student eligible for graduation must be in complete agreement with the Doctrinal Statement of Cumberland Baptist Institute.
It is the conviction of Cumberland Baptist Institute that preparation for leadership requires studies in general education, Bible, and one or more specialized Christian ministries. Each student at Cumberland Baptist Institute majors in Bible.
Dress Code
All full-time Ministerial students are required to wear slacks, a dress shirt and tie.
Slacks and shirts are the accepted attire for all other male students.
(No shorts, or cut-offs of any type will be permitted)
Polo shirts are permitted.
Dresses and slacks are acceptable for female students.
The only acceptable body piercing is ladies earrings.
All other is expressly prohibited!
Example; no nose rings, eyebrow rings, lip rings or wearing of earrings by males.
This list is not all inclusive and will be amended as necessary to any and all other items deemed unacceptable by the Administration!
We do not feel that strict guidelines should be a necessity.
As Christians we are aware that the Holy Spirit will not lead us contrary to Godliness. Therefore we ask each of you to be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and allow Modesty and Godliness to be the foundation all is based upon.
Please remember that at all times you are a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as Cumberland Baptist Institute and it is important that we display proper ambassadorship.
Examinations
Examinations are given at stated times and at the election of the instructor. Some instructors may choose to issue grades solely on the basis of notebooks. In other courses a set time may be determined for written tests. All work assigned by the instructor is due on the date specified; any extended time is at the discretion of the teacher.
Each instructor will seek to see that every student has the sufficient opportunity to accomplish the goals in his class. Each instructor is at liberty to give daily quizzes, tests, or research themes to his class when he chooses. Any assignment not received the day it is due will lose five points per class period until it is submitted to the instructor.
Final exams are given to every class at the close of the school term. No final may be taken before its scheduled time, unless prior arrangements have been made with your instructor and the school administration.
Grading System and Requirements
The following standard is used in all courses in determining the grades on all tests, exams, themes, graded daily work, and final grades.
95-100 A EXCELLENT 4.0+ GPA
85-94 B GOOD 3.0+ GPA
75-84 C AVERAGE 2.0+ GPA
70-74 D BELOW AVERAGE 1.5+ GPA
0-69 F FAILURE
Any student who is not maintaining at least a 2.0 grade point average should speak with that particular instructor if it just one class or with the Dean if it is an overall problem. All grades will consist of 4 parts; Class Attendance, Examinations, Class Assignments, and Attitude and Classroom Participation.
Thesis Requirements
All bachelor and master theses must have a Bible subject. This subject must be submitted to the Dean by October 1st of the graduate year. Upon approval by the Dean and the Administrator, the student then has until April 1st to complete his thesis and submit it for grading. All theses must be in correct form as taught in Techniques of Thesis Writing in the curriculum of CBI. The proper number of required words is a must. All theses will be approved by the West Somerset Baptist Church and the Parkers Mill Road Baptist Church as approved by the Administrator and Dean. Of course the clock hours and grade point requirements must be met, as well as quality Christian Character and attitude. The length of the bachelor thesis is 15,000 words and the master thesis is 25,000 words. In addition to Scripture quotations or references, at least eight different sources must be quoted or referenced in the bachelor thesis and at least twelve in the master thesis. Progress reports must be made to the Dean periodically.
Students will not be permitted to duplicate subjects or subject matter in another thesis program. Each subject matter must differ from the thesis previously written.
Thesis requirements for the doctrinal program are located in the Doctrinal Program section which follows in this catalog.
Student Grades
The instructor will furnish any student, upon request, a progress report for work he is doing in a particular subject. Grade cards are distributed to each student at the close of each semester. All grades are recorded on the student’s transcript and become a part of his records. A student may view his transcript only in the presence of an authorized staff member. The records must not leave the office of the school
Transcripts
Transcripts are permanent records of every student who enrolls at CBI. The records belong to the school and can only be seen by certain members of the administration. The student may obtain a copy of his transcripts by making a written request to the registrar. The first copy will be free. All others will cost $2.00 per copy.
Attendance and Absenteeism
Faithful attendance is a mark of character lacking in many Christians of our day, including those in the ministry. A student who considers it unnecessary to attend his classes will soon see his grade fall and begin to submit work that is below average.
Students with perfect attendance in a semester will gain four additional points in their final grade.
Students missing one day in a semester will not be penalized.
Students who miss more than one day in a semester will lose a point for each day missed, off their final semester grade.
Students who miss five days in a semester will be dropped one entire letter grade.
Students who miss seven days in a semester will fail the course.
It is up to the student, when they must be absent, to consult with their instructor concerning all required makeup work if they are to maintain their grade.
A class period is one hour and twenty minutes. Each subject requires one class period per week.
Withdrawal
If a student finds it necessary to withdraw from a class, or all classes, he must complete a withdrawal form; any student who fails to withdraw properly will receive a failing grade in each course. The grade will be recorded on his permanent transcript.
No student will be allowed to drop a course if he is passing and simply wants to drop it because he thinks it is too difficult.
Probation
Academic: Any student who does not maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better during a given semester will be placed on academic probation for one semester during which he shall have opportunity to raise his grade point average.
Disciplinary: Conduct unbecoming to Christian character shall be grounds for dismissal from the school. Re-admission will be gained by full consent of the administration.
School Colors
“Crimson” – Represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of the sins of mankind.
“White” – Represents the cleansing of men’s souls through the sacrifice of the Saviour.
“Gold” – Represents the Royalty and Kingship of Jesus Christ.
Church Student Relationship
The West Somerset Baptist Church and the Parkers Mill Road Baptist Church, both of Somerset, Kentucky co-sponsor the Cumberland Baptist Institute. CBI is responsible to these churches at all times.
The utmost care is taken to maintain the closest possible fellowship and cooperation.
Whether a student is a member of the sponsoring churches or of a sister church, he or she should remember that they always represent and that their conduct is a direct reflection upon Cumberland Baptist Institute.
Students are expected to take part in the Sunday School, worship and training services of a scriptural church.
Code of Conduct
1. Courtesy First
2. Property and facilities should be respected at all times.
3. Food and drinks should be confined to the kitchen area.
4. No rearrangement of furniture without permission from the faculty.
5. All teachers will be respected for their positions and will be addressed as Brother, followed by their last names.
6. Use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on church or school property, ANYWHERE.
7. Gossip does not reflect Christian character and is forbidden.
8. BIBLE CONFERENCES ARE A PART OF THE CLASSROOM WORK. ABSENTEEISM WILL LOWER THE STUDENTS GRADE.
9. The student is to be a Christian example at all times. Even when the student is not on school or church property he is a representative of the Cumberland Baptist Institute.
10. One should be proud of his call to preach and of the Cumberland Baptist Institute no matter where he may be.
Scholarships and Awards
Scholarships: Scholarships will be added as they are made available by donors.
Awards: The Ewell Hargis Memorial Award is presented each year during commencement to the “Most Outstanding Student” for the current academic year. This Award is named in honor of former Instructor and School Representative, Bro. Ewell Hargis and is designed to inspire the student body to aspire to instill the attributes
Bro. Hargis demonstrated during his ministry and encouraged in his students.
The recipient of the Ewell Hargis Memorial Award is determined by a vote of the faculty. In the event of a tie, it will be broken by the Administrator.
Dean’s List: A student who maintains a grade point average of 3.5 or above during the Semester is eligible for inclusion on the Dean’s List, provided he is carrying a minimum of 12 semester hours, has no grade under 2.0, or a withdrawal, and is current with all their financial responsibilities toward CBI.
