Student Life: Mission, Services, and Programs
Mission
In the context of the University’s mission, Catholic identity, and core values, the Student Life components of the Enrollment Services and Student Success division complement the University’s academic goals. This is accomplished by engaging students through an integrated program of services and educationally purposeful learning experiences designed to enhance holistic growth and personal development.
Athletics and Recreation
Intercollegiate athletics and recreation are integral aspects of the total educational program. Through training, teamwork, and rigorous competition, students are provided with opportunities for development of varied skills and values.
The University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, of the Atlantic East Conference (CSAC), the Landmark Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Twenty-two athletic teams, twelve sports for women (basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, indoor track and field, and volleyball), and ten sports for men (baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, swimming/diving, tennis, and indoor track and field) are sponsored. Graduate students may be eligible to participate in athletics and should contact the Director of Athletics and Recreation for more information.
Formal and informal recreation opportunities also are provided through intramural sports, wellness classes, sports clubs, and varied fitness activities. Facilities include an indoor pool, and a state-of-the-art Athletics and Wellness Center with a climbing wall, a gymnasium and an arena, a dance studio, a sand volleyball court, tennis courts, and intercollegiate/intramural athletics fields.
Counseling/Student Development Center
The Counseling/Student Development Center assists students with many challenges, changes and choices. The Center’s professional staff and supervised graduate student interns respond to a spectrum of student needs, from routine information to academic support services to assistance with serious psychological issues. The Center offers confidential individual personal counseling, personal growth groups, psychiatric consultation, and crisis intervention to help students deal effectively with important issues related to their academic and personal growth. The staff is committed to a comprehensive wellness philosophy. Outreach educational sessions to enhance social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and vocational health are provided.
Dean of Students
The Dean of Students supervises a program of varied services and activities to increase student learning and personal development through formal and out-of-class learning experiences. Planning, policy formulation, and management of the Housing and Resident Life and the Student Engagement Offices are coordinated by the dean who is the primary administrative liaison to the student body. The dean of students also administers the disciplinary/judicial policies and procedures and related services and programs.
Housing and Residence Life
The mission of the Housing and Residence Life Office is to provide a comfortable, secure, and nurturing living-learning environment, that is conducive to students’ academic and personal development while intentionally fostering a sense of community, civic engagement and responsibility, and appreciation for diversity. Year round on-campus housing is available for full-time graduate students in one of two locations on campus: Perpetual Help Hall and the Woodland Graduate Residences. Applications and pertinent submission dates are available on the department website.
Student Activities Engagement
The Student Engagement Office staff coordinates activities and programs to increase students’ leadership skills and to enhance their personal, social, and cultural development through involvement in activities, organizations, and programs offering varied learning opportunities.
Other responsibilities of the office include the New Student Orientation Program, coordination of the formal leadership development/education program, administration of the student activities budget system, advisement of the Graduate Student Council, recognition and advisement of student organizations, and supervision of co-curricular activities and related programs.
Student Health Services
A full-time registered nurse and a nurse practitioner provide primary care (assessment and treatment) and make referrals to community physicians and to campus and community resources for treatment, health education, and counseling. Serious emergencies are referred immediately to nearby hospitals. Physician services are available during the spring and fall semesters.
The Student Health Services staff is committed to a comprehensive wellness philosophy. On-campus medical services, health information and counseling are available to all students without charge. Students living on campus and all international students are required to complete and submit a health history and immunization record (including documentation of compliance with the Pennsylvania law mandating that residents of university-owned housing have received the meningococcal vaccine) to the Student Health Services Office. Other students who choose to use these services must submit a completed health history and immunization record before non-emergency services can be provided. Resident students who do not fulfill the health immunization record requirement will be required to live off campus.