Responsible Office: Student Development Approved By: President's Council Approved Date: 7/1/2017 Effective Date: 7/1/2017 Category: Student Description/Purpose: Information on: the Student Handbook University History Mission and Vision Statement Saint Francis of Assisi Office of Mission Integration Campus Ministry Division of Student Development Mission Statement
Details: The Student Handbook Welcome to the SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY Community. As a member of this community, there are many things you will need to know as you proceed on your journey. The Saint Francis University Student Handbook (The Handbook) is essential to your journey as it provides information about the many services that are available to students. An integral part of the Handbook is the University's Code of Student Conduct which includes policies, behavioral expectations for students, and an outline of student rights and responsibilities. The Handbook serves as a good resource. As a member of the community, you are responsible for knowing the information, policies, and procedures outlined in this document. The University has made a great effort to provide current and accurate information in the Handbook but reserves the right to make changes or additions to the Handbook as necessary. Once those changes are published online, they are in effect. You are encouraged to check the online version of the Handbook for the most current versions of all policies and procedures. Our goals for The Handbook are:
Taking time to review this handbook will help you grow to understand the roles you play in the community. As a result, we believe you will be enlightened to:
The Beginnings of the University The seeds of what has become Saint Francis University were planted by six Franciscan friars from Ireland who founded a boys' academy in the mountain hamlet of Loretto, Pennsylvania, in 1847. Saint Francis University was soon given the power to grant degrees by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and became one of the first Catholic co-ed universities in the nation. An extensive building program, which began after World War II and continued through the '50s and '60s, resulted in most of the current 42-building campus. Twelve residence halls, a student center, However, we continue to define ourselves with the following: Statement of Mission A Mind for Excellence. Saint Francis University offers higher education in an environment guided by Catholic values and teachings and inspired by the example of our patron, Saint Francis of Assisi. The oldest Franciscan institution of higher learning in the United States, Saint Francis University is an inclusive learning community that welcomes all people. A Spirit for Peace and Justice. University programs and activities foster such Franciscan values as a humble and generous attitude toward learning, respect for diversity and the uniqueness of individual persons, understanding of ethical issues, and reverence for all life. With a spirit of simplicity and joy, we provide opportunities for the University community to think critically and analytically, communicate effectively, and integrate theory and practice. A Heart for Service. Saint Francis University offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts tradition, graduate and professional programs of study that emphasize personal and professional ethics, and continuing education opportunities for personal and career enhancement. We seek to inspire in all members of the University community a love of lifelong learning and a commitment to share their gifts and skills generously with others in a rapidly changing world. Vision Statement Saint Francis University is a Catholic university of choice for undergraduate and graduate students, nationally recognized for its Franciscan mission and goals, its academic excellence and its vibrant student life co-curriculum. The University places particular emphasis on developing individuals who will lead or serve with character and values in their chosen professions and communities. Saint Francis of Assisi Saint Francis of Assisi lived the life of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. Born wealthy, he loved pleasure and fine clothes as an Assisi youth. He rejected his wealth and status when he began to see the emptiness in his way of life. He went on to live a life filled with compassion, care, service, and prayer. He founded the Order of Friars Minor, which was orally approved by Pope Innocent III in 1209. He also founded the Second Order of the Poor Clares and the Tertiaries, the Third Order of Saint Francis. Francis is well known for receiving the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ. He died in Assisi in October of 1226. We celebrate the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi in October each year. The community form of life of the Friars of the Tertiaries Regular was approved by Pope John XXII in 1324. Third Order Franciscans eventually founded what is today Saint Francis University. The Office of Mission Integration As a Catholic academic community of higher learning sponsored by the Third Order Regular Franciscans, SFU is dedicated to providing its students with both a liberal arts education and career-oriented studies, in a manner that is animated by its Catholic and Franciscan heritage. In addition, the University aims to be an academic institution where religion in general and Catholicism in particular are vitally present and operative across campus. This occurs when religious perspectives, ethical concerns, and faith seeking intersect with each subject area and academic discipline. Such integration fosters the education of the whole person, through academic and career-oriented learning as well as social, psychological, physical, moral, and spiritual/religious growth. To achieve these aims, the Office of Mission Integration collaborates with diverse groups, offices, departments, and divisions across campus to incorporate our Mission and Franciscan Goals for Higher Education in both curricular and co-curricular activities. The Office also serves the University to achieve several objectives as outlined in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, an Apostolic Constitution issued by Saint John Paul II in 1990 describing the identity and mission of Catholic colleges and universities. These objectives are:
In various ways, the personnel of the Mission Integration Office offers programming for faculty and staff members in Franciscan history, spirituality, and values, as well as the Catholic intellectual tradition. While rooted in Franciscan tradition and Catholic faith, the Offices programs and services often appeal to individuals from other religious traditions as well as no religious tradition. The Mission Integration Office also oversees and collaborates with the Department of Campus Ministry, the Center for Service & Learning, and the Dorothy Day Outreach Center to foster the faith formation of its students and staff through liturgies, retreats, and service-learning experiences. Campus Ministry Department Guided by our Catholic Franciscan heritage, the Campus Ministry Department provides opportunities for members of all faith traditions to encounter God in their daily lives. As a community of faith and love, we strive to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of the University as they are reflected in Spiritual Discovery & Growth The college years are a time not only for intellectual growth but also a time for spiritual discovery. Saint Francis University recognizes this important component of student development. Our goals are to promote the Catholic identity of the university by creating opportunities to form and practice a faith life that witnesses to Catholic ideals, principals and attitudes; to promote the institutions commitment to Christian service by providing opportunities to minister to the poor and needy of the university community and the local region; and to expand opportunities for interfaith and ecumenical engagement, learning, and faith formation. Worship, Service, Ministry & Fellowship The Campus Ministry Department provides worship and prayer, ministry, fellowship and service opportunities for members of all faith traditions. Worship and prayer opportunities include daily Noon Mass, two Sunday Masses, weekly Reconciliation, as well as weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. A non-denominational church service is offered on campus every Sunday. There are also numerous quaint locations on campus for quiet prayer and reflection. Ministry opportunities include Peer Ministry, Liturgical Ministry, and faith-based housing. Peer Ministers are students who are witnesses to their Christian faith. They provide pastoral care, and retreat, prayer and service opportunities to fellow students. Liturgical Ministry opportunities include servers, cantors, lectors, ushers, setting up for Mass, instrumentalists, singers, and Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion. Many fellowship opportunities exist, such as: Sharers of the Word, a student-led prayer group that seeks to evangelize through the empowerment in the gifts of the Holy Spirit; Cru, an internationally recognized organization that is passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; FIRE Starters, a Confirmation retreat team serving local high schools in the Diocese of Altoona- Johnstown; and a Knights of Columbus chapter. Also, the Department offers a Rite of Christian Initiation program and a Confirmation program, as well as Bible studies, prayer, and faith sharing, groups, and social events. The Department evangelizes by partnering with key groups on campus such as Residence Life, Student Government, Student Activities, the Greek organizations, Athletics, and HUGS United. Often these partnerships result in service projects. Service to others is embedded in the University culture and is an integral part of Campus Ministry. The Division of Student Development Your pursuit of knowledge is the most important reason for being in a University. The University's co-curricular learning environment offers activities which often build upon your classroom experience. These activities while vital to the University's commitment to educate the whole person are social, physical, recreational, and spiritual, as well as an opportunity to experience real interactions with other people from a variety of regions and backgrounds. Under the direction of the Vice President for Student Development, the Division includes the offices of Alcohol and Drug Education, Athletics, Student Conduct, Counseling Services, Diversity and Inclusion, Greek Life, Residence Life, Student Engagement and Title IX. The Mission of the Division of Student Development The Division of Student Development believes in the holistic development of its students, in providing opportunities for growth, and in serving the needs of students. From our Catholic, Franciscan heritage and our commitment to our institutional mission, we believe that positive holistic development can best be achieved by embracing values which include a search for God through the teachings of Jesus Christ, a call to social justice and awareness, a responsibility of peacemaking, and a focus on self-respect and the respect for others. It is within this values system that we intertwine our educational, social, and spiritual environments giving our students the Saint Francis experience. Furthermore, we realize that values are learned through the experience of sharing, and therefore, emphasize the creation of a community based on personal integrity and intrapersonal accountability. Knowing that the basic building block of any community is the individual, the Division of Student Development recognizes the uniqueness of each student and strives to provide individual attention through a student-centered lens. We embrace the diversity of our students and set a tone of acceptance and respect among all students. As an integral part of student learning, we strive to integrate the liberal arts education outside of the classroom by creating academic and social opportunities that challenge our students to grow intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually, as they continue to develop vocationally within their respective majors. To achieve our mission, the Division of Student Development fosters cooperation and collaboration among all Saint Francis University constituents. |