2005-07 Catalog
(Volume XLV * May 2005)

Persons To Whom Inquiries May Be Directed

Policy of Nondiscrimination

Academic Year Calendars

Section I: General Information

Section II: Admissions

Section III: Student Life

Section IV: Expenses and Financial Assistance

Section V: Academic Information

Section VI: Programs of Study

Section VII: Courses of Instruction

Directory

Catalog Home Page

SECTION III: Student Life

Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs is committed to the holistic education and development of all students. The office is dedicated to creating inclusive learning communities inside and outside the classroom where the development of independent and creative thinking among students is honored and nurtured. Focusing on goals of student learning, social justice, and assessment, the office continuously improves the quality and scope of programs and services to enable our students to be successful citizens in the global community. Departments within Student Affairs include the Career Development Center, the Student Center, Counseling, Dining Services, Health Services, Greek Life, Judicial Affairs, Multicultural Student Affairs and Disability Services, Orientation, Residence Life, Student Activities, Student Leadership Programs and Organizations, Student Community Services and Service Learning, and Veteran's Affairs. Student Affairs also coordinates many events that have become part of Shepherd's tradition including Midnight Breakfast, Family Day, Homecoming, Student Recognition Day, Day of Service, and the Student Leadership Conference.

Orientation to University
Shepherd conducts a two-phase orientation program to help students make a smooth transition from high school, home, or work to university life. Phase one consists of a one-day (transfers and readmits) or a two-day (first year) summer program which gives new students an opportunity to meet with faculty, discuss their academic program, and schedule classes for the fall semester. Phase two of the program, conducted in August, also provides opportunities for academic advisement and is designed to help new students make a smooth adjustment to university life. Because the University feels that orientation is important whether the student is newly graduated from high school, entering the University from the world of work, or returning to school as a non-traditional student, all new students accepted for admission in the fall semester are required to attend. Shepherd offers nontraditional-aged students programming specifically designed to meet their needs. Exceptions to the orientation requirement may be granted for nonresident students who are 25 or older and who carry less than 9 credit hours. All new students are required to pay the one-time orientation fee. Dates for the summer program are announced to newly-admitted students early in the spring. The University also conducts an orientation program in January for new, transfer, or readmitted students.

Career Development Center
Career planning is a developmental process that should be fostered during the entire period of a student's involvement with the institution and beyond. The primary purpose of the Career Development Center is to aid students in developing, evaluating, and effectively initiating and implementing career plans. The Career Development Center (CDC) carries out this mission through three separate components: Career Services, Cooperative Education, and the Washington Gateway Program.
Career services works with students who want to refine their career plans by offering professional, individualized career counseling, assessment, and education through the following means: up-to-date career resource library with information on graduate school, employment, and job opportunities; workshops on graduate school, resumes, interviewing, credential files, and other career-related issues; and individual appointments for individuals seeking more detailed career assistance.
Visit the CDC's detailed Web site at www.shepherd.edu/jobweb for information related to career issues, free online job service, and links to other helpful Web sites for career exploration and employment opportunities.
The Cooperative Education (Co-op) Office works closely with students to provide them with information and opportunities that will enable them to combine classroom study with real work experiences that relate to their major.
Washington Gateway enables the University to incorporate the resources of the metropolitan area into its curriculum. Through joint coordination by the Washington Gateway and academic departments, the University offers specialized courses that are tailored to a academic disciplines. These programs permit students to travel into the Washington/Baltimore area; provide the opportunity for internships or co-ops in the metro area; and bring various Washington government leaders, speakers, and lecturers to campus.

Residence Life
At Shepherd University, residence hall life is considered an important part of the overall educational mission of the University. Because learning does not end in the classroom, the experience of living in a residence hall plays an important role in affecting the development of the whole student. The residence life staff works together to create a living environment which assists students in fostering their intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development and general well-being. In order to promote this holistic development of the student, all full-time students are required to live on campus. Exceptions to the policy are explained in the Shepherd University Student Handbook.
Activities and programs are planned and carried out for the benefit of residents, providing them with opportunities to learn to live comfortably with roommates and as community members. A major value of the experience is learning to live without infringing upon the rights of others. To this end, the residence halls have specific standards developed by the staff and residents to assist in group living and citizenship education.
By accepting a room reservation in a residence hall, students agree that they will follow the rules and regulations found in the Shepherd University Student Handbook and will not conduct themselves in any way that will infringe upon the rights and privileges of other individuals or the residence community.
Rooms are furnished with single beds, dressers, desks, and chairs. Students must supply linens, pillows, blankets, bedspreads, mattress covers, and accessories to suit their tastes. Additional suggestions and prohibited items are listed in the Shepherd University Student Handbook.

Dining Services
The University operates a station-style dining facility located between Kenamond and Turner halls. The Dining Hall offers a variety of entrees including grill items, theme bars, cook-to-order entrees, pizza and pasta, and home-style meals. Vegetarian and vegan items along with salads and desserts are available. All residence hall students are required to participate in the board plan. At the University Center, dining services also has the Ram's Den, a made-to-order retail outlet and the Fireside Bistro, a gourmet coffee and deli shop. Both food service locations are available to residence hall and commuter students. Dining services also enlists the services of a registered dietician who is available to consult with students about their dietary concerns.

Student Health Services
Student Health Services is located on the ground floor of Gardiner Hall, and services are available to main campus students. Staffed by certified University health R.N.s, health services offers an integrated approach to address the physical and emotional well-being of students. A local nurse practitioner is retained for student care. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students are seen by appointment or during urgent care walk-in hours. Health services offers basic-level medical care of common ailments such as earaches, mono, strep, bee stings, sprains, and flu-like illnesses. Services are available to all students on main campus.
Full-time students as well as ALL resident students must submit a completed health record form containing the information listed below. (Students with a medical exemption should attach a letter from their physician, and those claiming religious exemptions will need a statement from their religious faith leader.)
1. Immunizations
a. Measles and rubella. The state of West Virginia requires proof of immunity to measles and rubella (MMR) for all students born after 1957, with one of the following documents:
1. Dates of vaccination.
2. Date and results of a rubella titre (a blood test).
3. Dates and medical verification of having had the disease.
b. Tuberculosis. The date and results of a TB test within one year prior to entrance are required for all new, transfer, and readmit students except for those with a documented physician deferment.
c. Tetanus. A tetanus shot is required within 5-10 years prior to entrance.
2. The results of a physical examination given within one year prior to entrance are required.
Expenses incurred by medical care outside health services, such as lab work, X-rays, hospitalization, are the responsibility of the student. Health insurance is recommended but is not offered by health services. In cases of severe illness, it is advisable that personal physician treat students at home. Special health services are available to veterans at the Veterans Administration Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Counseling Center
The counseling center is located on the ground floor of Gardiner Hall and accessed through the health center. The counseling center is staffed by a full-time licensed professional counselor and is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Health Center at 304/876-5161.
Free confidential counseling for individuals and groups is available on campus to all students. Referrals to outside agencies for more extensive or comprehensive services are also available; however, Shepherd University will not assume the cost for these outside services.

Student Community Services
The Office of Student Community Services and Service Learning, located in Student Center 201, is committed to providing beneficial, educational, and memorable community outreach experiences for students by assisting and coordinating individual and group opportunities for service. The staff offers support to students and faculty for service learning projects to enhance the learning opportunities at Shepherd by assisting with the integration of service into the classroom curriculum. The office also helps coordinate opportunities for all academic and social organizations, resident assistants, and staff. An Alternative Spring Break trip is planned each year that gives students the option of spending their spring break volunteering outside their immediate community. Students who wish to volunteer can register online through the Office of Student Community Services Web site www.shepherd.edu/scsweb/ and can view a list of nonprofit agencies and opportunities.

Services for Students With Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Shepherd University is committed to fulfilling its ethical and legal responsibilities to ensure equal opportunity for all students. In addition, the University prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual on the basis of her/his disability. A person with a disability is generally defined as any individual who 1) has a physical or mental impairment, 2) has a record of such impairment, or 3) is regarded as having such an impairment, and the impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities such as self-care, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, or learning. Disabilities can include, but are not limited to, mobility impairment, visual or hearing impairments, systemic (medical) conditions, psychological disorders (as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition), and learning impairments.
Students with disabilities at Shepherd University have the right to: