Student Life

The following is a brief description of campus life at Union University and the various organizations and services that contribute to its unique community. A more complete list of campus organizations and resources is available at www.uu.edu/studentlife.

Barefoots and Modero Coffee

Barefoots, located in the Student Union Building, and Modero, located in The Logos library, are Union’s two specialty coffee shops. Each provides single-origin, specialty (top 10% in the world) coffees and espresso blends, as well as a full range of espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, coffee sodas, and other drinks. We serve fresh pastries in both shops, and a rotating menu of lunch foods in Modero.

Barefoots and Modero provide the community with places to converse with others and to read, think, and reflect about the matters of the classroom and beyond. While both shops aim to promote the arts, Barefoots is uniquely situated as a venue to invite more substantial engagement through hosting concerts and art exhibits, as well as a number of student events focused on the arts. Barefoots hosts events once or twice a month.

Campus Recreation

The Department of Campus Recreation offers a 3,600 square foot Wellness Center and a 27,000 square foot Activities Center. The department offers programs to promote healthy lifestyles such as health assessments, motivational incentives, exercise prescription and health education including nutrition and exercise programming advising for students. Currently enrolled students, faculty, staff, and spouses are eligible to use the Center and participate in related activities. One-on-one fitness training with Certified Personal Trainers is available.

Center for Academic Success (CAS)

The mission of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) is to facilitate academic achievement by providing a community of support that promotes effective learning strategies, self-management tools and successful student behaviors. Support programs and services are carefully designed to engage students in intellectual growth, bridge gaps in understanding, and to help them to develop healthy, productive work and study habits leading to greater independence.

CAS Programs:

Keystone Program: The Keystone program provides students with support and accountability through our EDU 185 course and one-on-one meetings, equipping them with the tools they need to make a successful transition from high school to college during their freshmen year.
Undecided Advising: Through active engagement with a counselor, students get the chance to explore, discover, and define their God-given strengths, interests, and abilities to help inform their selection of a major or minor.
Academic Counseling: Students are provided one-on-one meetings to discuss programs of study, curriculum mapping, and academic concerns while being coached on strategies to improve performance.
Resiliency Program: First-year students on academic probation are provided individual support and accountability to assist them in grade point recovery, curriculum planning, and academic success strategies.

CAS Services:

Hundley Peer Tutors: Subject-specific tutors provide one-on-one sessions designed to help students develop learning tools and master their subject matter.
Discipline-Specific Study Labs: Study Labs provide a place for students to study independently or in small groups and are hosted by Study Lab coaches who are available to aid students to explore course content, get answers to questions, and to develop good study habits.
Test Proctoring: Test proctoring services are provided for ADA approved students as requested by faculty to meet testing accommodations.
Distraction-Reduced Study Spaces: Located inside the Center for Academic Success, conference and small group rooms outfitted with whiteboards are available to students within quiet, distraction-reduced areas along with a computer lab and printing services.

For more information on these programs or services, visit the website at www.uu.edu/studentlife/academic-success.

Community Expectations

Union University students are expected at all times to represent the University and the Christian community appropriately. The general policy of conduct at Union University is that students conduct themselves as persons of faith who strive to exemplify the character of Jesus Christ throughout their daily lives. Regulations regarding these expectations and student life as a whole are found in detail in the Campus Life Handbook available at www.uu.edu/studentlife/handbook.

The Provost and the Vice-President for Student Life are charged with the administration of discipline through the judicial system. They are empowered to rule in any irregularity pertaining to academics and student life and impose redemptive discipline for community values violations as expressed in the Campus Life Handbook. The judicial system and grievance and appeal system are described in detail in that same publication.

Confidentiality of Student Records

The privacy and confidentiality of all student records shall be preserved in accordance to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. The Act provides students greater access to and control over information in educational records. More information about FERPA can be obtained from the Registrar. Official student academic records, supporting documents, and other student files shall be maintained, only by members of the University staff employed for that purpose, in separate files:

Academic records, supporting documents and general education records—maintained by the Academic Center, academic departments and advisors
Records of discipline proceeding—maintained by the Student Life Office
Financial records—maintained by the Business Office
Medical records—maintained by the Health Services Office (governed also by HIPAA)
Admissions records—maintained by the Admissions Office
Financial aid records—maintained by the Financial Aid Office
Directory information—(student’s name, address including email address, telephone number, date and place of birth, photograph, academic major, class schedule, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and most recent previous educational institution attended) may be made public by the University. If the student wishes to have the aforementioned information private, they may make a request, in writing, to the Academic Center.

Records Not Available for Student Inspection

Records of instructional, supervisory and administrative personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker thereof, and which are not accessible to others
Records created or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional which are used only in connection with the provisions of treatment of a student and are not available to persons other than those providing such treatment (governed also by HIPAA)
Financial records of students’ parents
Evaluations for which a student has waived his/her right of inspection

Counseling Services

Union University Counseling Services is staffed by counselors and social workers to assist students with personal or emotional concerns. These services are brief in nature and are included with the General Student Fee. In addition to brief, on-campus services, off-campus, longer term services and referrals are available through community service providers by referral from the Director of Counseling Services.

Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services offers reasonable accommodations designed to provide equal access to academic and social opportunities at Union University for students with disabilities. Students must provide documentation of a specific disability and how that disability impacts academic performance and/or the student’s ability to participate. The Director will work with the student to formulate accommodations specific to the student’s disability. The Director is also available to help students with disabilities with time management and study skills and assist students in utilizing additional resources on campus. For more information, please visit www.uu.edu/ods.

Health Services

The mission of Health Services is to promote healthy lifestyles and to demonstrate care in a Christ-like manner to students, faculty, and staff and to provide medical services for injuries and illnesses. Health Services is staffed by a full-time nurse practitioner. There is no office visit charge for clinic care, but there may be fees for certain services. All off-campus referrals and care may render a cost and are the responsibility of the patient. Information can be obtained through www.uu.edu/studentlife/health-services.

Intramural Athletics

Union students enjoy a vibrant intramural program which is open for anyone in the University community to participate. Some of the more popular activities attract several hundred students. They enjoy the fellowship and fun that comes from friendly team competition. Union offers intramural sports such as flag football, sand volleyball, disc golf, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, softball, soccer, and more. For more information, please visit www.uu.edu/studentlife/intramurals.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Intercollegiate athletics are an integral part of American college life. At the end of the 2013-14 season, Union completed a three-year process to become a full member of the NCAA DII. In fall of 2014, Union began full membership competition in the Gulf South Conference which includes teams from Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Union University offers varsity competition for men in basketball, baseball, cross country, golf and soccer, and for women in basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, golf and cross country. Union’s athletic programs adhere strictly to all University, conference, and national regulations involving sports and academics for student athletes.

International Student Life

Union University’s International Students Office provides international undergraduate and graduate students with academic, social, and cultural support; the Center also provides guidance on obtaining and maintaining compliance in governmental regulations associated with student visas. International students have access to an international student center, an International Student Union social organization, and comprehensive expertise and guidance from the university’s designated international student officer.

Library Services

The Union University Library, housed in The Logos, offers both traditional and contemporary information resources. Books, e-books, periodicals, e-journals, media and electronic resources are available for use by the students, faculty, and staff of Union University. The library offers three computer labs, a variety of study spaces, presentation and collaborative workspaces, several reading rooms and a recording studio. Special collections and the university archives are located on the third floor. Professional librarians provide instructional assistance and offer a research coaching service to assist students throughout their academic journey. The library's home page is found at www.uu.edu/library. As a member of OCLC's WorldShare™ system, the library at Union participates in a nationwide network. Interlibrary loan services are available using the OCLC and DOCLINE loan systems.

Residence Life

The mission of Residence Life at Union University is to provide a holistic living and learning environment where academic scholarship is developed, distinctive relationships are formed, servant leadership is practiced, community values are upheld, and biblical restoration is provided. To this end, all full-time undergraduate students are required to live in Union’s residence halls unless the student meets the requirements outlined in the Campus Life Handbook or an exception is granted by the Off-Campus Appeals Committee. For information on Residence Life community values, philosophy, costs, family housing, graduate housing, and general procedures, please refer to the Campus Life Handbook located on Union University’s website at www.uu.edu/studentlife/handbook.

Student Discipleship and Engagement

Discipleship

For those entering Union as new students, Life Groups is a student-led, small group ministry through which new students receive encouragement and support as they begin life on a college campus. Life Groups leaders come alongside new students by helping them build relationships with other students, connect to a local church, and take the next steps in their walk with Christ.

Additional small group discipleship opportunities are available each semester for continues accountability and biblical formation. One additional opportunity is the Bridges ministry. The purpose of Bridges is simple: Bridges serves as the facilitator for new, authentic connections centered around impactful conversation. Bridges for Men and Women is a special time for students to grow together in community while everyone pursues growth in leadership and understanding.

Mobilization

During the fall semester, there is a time of intentional focus on God's Word, God's world, and God's work. Opportunities such as learning about "Go Trips" (see uu.edu/events/go), connecting with cross-cultural workers, and participating in special events are all designed to help students take the next steps toward a life that connects fully with God's global purpose. GO Trips provide Union students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to serve alongside field partners domestically and internationally in ministry contexts such as church planting, campus outreach, orphan care, and community development. GO Trips provide an avenue to teach, equip, and train students, helping them take the next steps toward a gospel-saturated life of making disciples, regardless of vocation or geographical location.

Social Fraternities and Sororities

Union has six national social fraternities and sororities: Alpha Tau Omega, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon for men, Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, and Zeta Tau Alpha for women. Under the supervision of the University administration, these organizations plan and host philanthropic, social, and service activities and functions. For more information, please visit www.uu.edu/studentlife/greek.

Student Activities Council

The Student Activities Council promotes community on campus by providing entertaining activities and various opportunities for campus involvement. Traditional events include Variety Show, Midnight Movies, Carl Perkins Christmas Party, Homecoming Hullabaloo, Movie on the Lawn, and Be Our Guest. For more information, please visit www.uu.edu/studentlife/sac/.

Student Government Association

The SGA, composed of all students enrolled in Union University, functions through its executive, legislative and judicial branches. Its elected officers and representatives serve as the official voice of the student body in institutional affairs. The SGA seeks to foster University unity, promote student welfare, and provide student programs, activities and services designed to meet the needs and interest of students. For more information, please visit www.uu.edu/studentlife/sga.

University Clubs and Organizations

Union University hosts over 90 active student organizations for students who are interested in almost any field of study or activity. From biologists to actors to those who want to work with elementary school students, there is a place for every student who wants to be involved in a club or organization. In fact, the typical undergrad chooses to be involved in several of these groups during his or her time at Union.

Academic departments sponsor campus organizations and honor societies relating to and for the promotion of their disciplines of study. These are described within the respective academic departments. The University sponsors special interest organizations relating to varied activities, service, political and social activism, and personal growth. These are detailed in full at www.uu.edu/studentlife/organizations.

Student Publications

The Cardinal and Cream

The Cardinal and Cream is the official award-winning campus newspaper of Union University. Budgeted as a part of the Communication Arts Department, the newspaper is online and updated daily during the Fall and Spring semesters. A full-color news magazine, C&C, is published each semester and distributed to students, faculty, staff, and administration without charge. The Cardinal and Cream and C&C are managed, written and edited by students under the guidance of a faculty advisor. In addition to students enrolled in the Journalism Practicum, any student enrolled in classes at Union may apply for staff positions, particularly those interested in journalism or a related communications field. The campus newspaper enhances the experiences of students in writing, layout, editing, photography, advertising, and journalism administration. Campus news, tweets and blogs can also be accessed off the newspaper's web site: www.cardinalandcream.info.

The Torch

The Torch is Union University's student literary magazine. In continuous publication since 1962, The Torch has won numerous awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Edited by student staff, The Torch provides a venue for the excellent creative writing and art produced during the academic year.

Testing Center

Union University serves as a National Test Center for the American College Test (ACT), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST). For a listing of testing dates and registration information, please visit Union’s testing website at www.uu.edu/academics/testing.

University Awards

The Academic Excellence Medal is awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in each major as selected by the faculty of the major. Inclusion in the selection process requires the student to have completed a minimum of 15 residence hours, excluding pass/fail courses, in the discipline and have a discipline GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The Elizabeth Tigrett Medal, established by the late Mr. I. B. Tigrett in memory of his mother, is presented to the outstanding senior in the graduating class. The award is based on citizenship, character, leadership, scholarship, and school service. To be eligible, a student must have attended Union his/her entire college career.

University Ministries

The Office of University Ministries encompasses the work of Chapel, Church Relations, Missionary-in-Residence program, and employee pastoral care. We aim to help the university community center our lives around the Word of God, to engage our constituent churches and missionaries, and to care for one another. In this way, we can grow together toward deeper communion with God and one another and further faithfulness in Christian living.

Worship

University chapel services are corporate opportunities for us to worship together as a community, receiving Biblical encouragement, moral guidance, and spiritual challenge. Understanding that nothing takes the place of the local church in a student's life, the purpose of Chapel at Union University is to provide students, faculty, and staff opportunities to worship God while fostering spiritual growth and encouraging the integration of faith, learning, and living. Along with exposure to a wide range of worship styles and traditions in chapel, the University community experiences a variety of influential Christian ministers and leaders who are laboring to advance God's Kingdom throughout the world. Preachers, ministers, missionaries, and Christians who promote leadership and marketplace ministry provide challenges to serve society as they speak from a Christ-centered perspective about education, business, government, medicine, science, family, and various contemporary issues.

Because we are a Christian community and chapel services are integral to the educational experience, chapel attendance is required. Chapel services are held on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Undergraduate students who are enrolled in 12 or more hours are to attend 14 chapel services each semester. The semester's chapel schedule is available at www.uu.edu/events/chapel.

Students attending fewer than 14 chapel services during a semester will be places on chapel probation. Students on chapel probation are expected to attend 14 chapels during the subsequent semester in addition to the number of chapel services missed the previous semester. Should a student not meet the requirements for a second semester, he/she will not be allowed to hold institutional leadership positions in the areas of academic departments, University Ministries, Student Life, Institutional Advancement, Undergraduate Admissions, and Business Services or allowed to participate in Athletics or Intramurals.

Those on probation for two semesters who still do not meet requirements will be suspended from the University for one semester. Information regarding University Suspension, the judicial process, and appeal processes can be found in the Campus Life Handbook.

Students who are studying abroad, meeting full-time internship requirements through the College of Education and School or Social Work, or who are enrolled in clinicals through the College of Nursing and Health Sciences can receive chapel attendance reductions or exemptions. Exemptions and reductions will be applied automatically at the beginning of the semester.

For more information about chapel requirements, please email the Office of University Ministries at chapel@uu.edu. If you have any questions regarding chapel exemptions and reductions, you must contact the Office of University Ministries prior to the last day to add classes for the current semester edu/academic/calendars. If you have further questions regarding your chapel attendance, please email chapel@uu.edu.

Vocatio Center for Life Calling and Career

The Vocatio Center is Union University’s career services and student employment office. Begin your journey today through career counseling, resume and cover letter assistance, interview preparation, job search strategies, and more. Our goal is to help you walk across the graduation stage with a diploma in one hand and a job offer or grad school acceptance in the other. We’ll help you identify areas of interest and opportunities to pursue, and you’ll gain confidence as you learn to market your skills and experiences to employers. Ready to get some experience? Apply for on-campus student employment positions as well as off-campus internship, part-time, and full-time opportunities through our office. Visit us at www.uu.edu/studentlife/vocatio-center to find out more.

The Writing Center

The Writing Center serves to make better writers at Union University. We pursue this goal by training graduate and undergraduate Writing Consultants to coach students to improve any writing assignment by employing a better writing process. The Writing Center offers free peer tutoring and writing-related workshops to all Union students. For more information, or to make an appointment, visit our website at www.uu.edu/writingcenter.