Student Life

Christian Commitment

Walla Walla University welcomes students from all backgrounds and asks them to respect the distinctive Seventh-day Adventist way of life both on and off campus. Adventism, at its best, is characterized by an emphasis on Christian faith and spiritual discipleship; a personal relationship with a gracious, loving, Creator God; moral and intellectual integrity and maturity of character; the sanctity of life; a positive regard for differences of conviction and perspective; healthful living, daily worship and Sabbath rest.

SABBATH OBSERVANCE. The Seventh-day Sabbath is observed at Walla Walla University from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Students are expected to treat these sacred hours with reverence.

CHURCH AND SABBATH SCHOOL. Each Sabbath, the Walla Walla University Seventh-day Adventist Church offers formal opportunity for worship and spiritual renewal. The Sabbath School program provides numerous settings campus-wide for formal and informal group Bible study, prayer, music, meditation and discussion.

SPIRITUAL LIFE AND MISSION. At Walla Walla University, there is a network of leaders, programs, and opportunities for the spiritual enrichment of the students, faculty, and staff. Student leadership is encouraged as well as involvement in the various areas of worship, service, music, and much more.

CHAPEL EXPERIENCE. The chapel experience at WWU—known as CommUnity —includes Tuesday chapel and an occasional assembly. Other events included in the "chapel" experience offer weekly opportunities for the entire campus to gather for worship, academic reflection and discussion, celebrations of school spirit, social outreach, and civic enlightenment. These events are important to the spiritual and social unity of the University family. All undergraduate students are required to participate.

WORSHIPS. Providing programs conducive to academic and spiritual growth is the reason Walla Walla University exists. To preserve this distinctive objective, and to develop a habit of worship, selected attendance at a variety of worship events is required. Morning prayer services, small groups, and evening worships are available every day to give students several opportunities to meet the requirement.

CAMPUS MINISTRIES. Campus Ministries is an organization on campus, led by the Campus Chaplain and student leaders, that promotes religious understanding and activity on and off campus. Typical activities include Friday evening programs, a variety of worship opportunities throughout the week, small groups, prayer meetings, opportunities to socialize in a Christian context, and community service projects.

OFFICE OF STUDENT MISSIONS. Through the Student Missions (SM) Office, a large number of WWU students take advantage of international student mission and North American volunteer opportunities. Participating students spend up to one year away from the WWU campus in volunteer service settings around the world.

CABL (COLLEGIATE ADVOCATES FOR BETTER LIVING). CABL, an outreach of Campus Ministries, emphasizes positive healthy lifestyle choices through a variety of informational, social, inspirational, recreational, and outdoor programs and activities open to all students without charging any dues.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH. Service to others is an integral part of Christian higher education. This organization provides opportunities for community service in the Walla Walla area.

ATHLETIC OUTREACH. The athletic program encourages students to grow in their Christian experience and develop a willingness to share that relationship with others. The opportunity is available for the student-athlete to be an active witness on the WWU campus and the community around us.

VOLUNTEER MINISTRIES. Involvement in ministry on campus, at the campus church, and in the community are an integral aspect of a community that is committed to being generous in service. A wide range of opportunities are provided to serve in these areas, as well as service days throughout the year, Sabbath afternoon outreach events, and travel to churches and academies throughout the Northwest to put on vesper programs and church services.

SERVE CLUB. This organization provides fellowship, worship experiences, and many opportunities to serve on campus, in the community, and throughout the Northwest, and is open to all students. Returning and prospective Student Missionaries are strongly encouraged to join.

SMALL GROUPS. Campus Ministries (Chaplain's Office), encourages spiritual growth in small groups is vital to the religious life of Walla Walla University. Many groups meet weekly on campus for encouragement and spiritual growth.

PRAYER MINISTRIES. Campus Ministries (Chaplain's Office), provides a variety of opportunities for times of singing, praying, and spiritual support, including a daily opportunity, M-F at 7:30 a.m. at Heubach Chapel.

BEYOND WWU NETWORK. Beyond WWU is a program that provides a network for graduates of Walla Walla University. Graduating seniors can sign up for this program and WWU will help them become connected to communities and to church families where the graduates are re-locating for jobs or graduate schools.

Social Opportunities

Walla Walla University places an emphasis on providing on-campus social opportunities consistent with its Christian mission.

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY. All WWU faculty and regularly enrolled undergraduate students are members of the ASWWU. ASWWU elected officers are responsible for a wide range of social and religious activity planning, and for representing student needs and concerns to WWU administrators. The ASWWU is also responsible for production of the Mask student directory, The Collegian weekly student newspaper, and the Mountain Ash yearbook. Student editors of these publications are appointed by the ASWWU Media Board. The ASWWU is co-sponsored by the Vice-President for Student Life and the Student Activities Director.

CAMPUS CLUBS. Students of varying interests and social tastes support a variety of campus clubs and interest groups. Most academic departments sponsor organizations designed to foster academic interaction in more informal settings. Other campus clubs include: Aleph Gimel Ain (AGA), residence hall women; Omicron Pi Sigma (OPS), residence hall men; and Village Club.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES. A variety of activities are planned through the Student Activities office to meet the social needs of the students. Concerts, weekend activities, and mid-week stress relief events enable students to socialize outside the classroom.

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. In addition to on-campus social activities, WWU students take advantage of a variety of regional cultural opportunities. These include performances by the Walla Walla Symphony, art exhibits, lectures by leading political and entertainment personalities, and live theatrical productions.

Campus Sports and Recreation

ATHLETIC PROGRAM. Recognizing that athletics are an integral part of campus life at WWU, the athletic program is designed to provide opportunities for Christian athletes to participate and excel in high-level athletic endeavors. The activities are designed to move beyond traditional intramural sports and encompass the following: Women's sports: basketball, softball, volleyball; Men's sports: basketball, soccer.

INTRAMURALS. A recreational sports program in individual and team sports that encourages campus-wide involvement at all skill levels. More than 60 percent of WWU students participate in at least one intramural activity during the school year.

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. Regional sporting opportunities include wind-surfing on the nearby Columbia and Snake Rivers; hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the Blue Mountains, or skiing/snowboarding at any of several ski resorts.

Student Housing

RESIDENCE HALLS. Walla Walla University provides on-campus housing for unmarried students. Students who register for 6 hours or more, under 22 years of age or with less than 136 quarter hours completed, are required to live in a residence hall. Requests for exceptions are processed through the Student Life Office. Others are welcome as space allows. Campus residence hall options include:

Foreman/Conard Hall. This residence hall complex houses approximately 400 women. The Foreman portion is a seven-story high-rise for upper-division women, featuring a fitness center, elevator service and air-conditioned rooms. The Conard portion includes a large worship room, study areas and small parlors. Foreman/Conard provides laundry and kitchen facilities.

Sittner Hall. Accommodating approximately 400 men, this residence hall includes lounges, a recreation room, and health club facilities.

Meske Hall. Meske Hall occupies the front wing of Conard Hall, and accommodates 100 upper-division men. The second floor houses several student service departments: Campus Health and Wellness, Counseling and Testing Center, and Office of Diversity.

Hansen Hall, Portland Campus. Hansen Hall is designated for unmarried students, and is located adjacent to the WWU School of Nursing and the Portland Adventist Medical Center.

APARTMENTS. The University owns and manages 200 unfurnished rental units, consisting of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and houses for both single (who have permission to live outside of residence halls) and married enrolled students. The University Village Life and Apartment Housing Office is located at 26 N. College Avenue, College Place, WA; telephone: (509)527-2109. Information on apartments in the community can also be obtained at the above office.

Student Services

CAMPUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS. Campus Health and Wellness provides medical care, preventive health and health education services to a campus population of approximately 1700 students and 300 faculty and staff as well as their immediate family members. In addition, Campus Health & Wellness contracts with health care facilities in Billings and Missoula for our MSW students, and Portland for our nursing students.

Main Campus. An on-campus University clinic with a highly qualified staff provides acute and some chronic care services for students requiring medical attention. Referrals for other chronic or emergency conditions will be made to the local clinics and hospitals; however, the student is responsible for charges incurred. Campus Health and Wellness bills only WWU related insurances; personnel will assist with insurance billing questions when needed.

Portland School of Nursing. The Adventist Health Ventura Park Clinic provides health care for students on the Portland campus. This clinic accepts students with WWU student insurance or most other insurance providers. If a condition warrants, the student may be referred to a specialist. If referred, the student is responsible for making financial arrangements with the provider.

COUNSELING AND TESTING. Counseling and Testing Services (CTS) provides counseling and testing services for WWU students.

Counseling Services. The services provided by CTS are designed to help students deal with the pressures of university life. Students can receive help in dealing with personal problems, learning more about themselves, and in planning their future.

The counselors on staff are qualified to discuss a wide variety of issues, including loneliness, depression, stress, time management, test anxiety, study skills, relationship problems, eating disorders, incest and rape survival, dysfunctional family situations, and marital and premarital counseling. Issues may be worked through on an individual basis or in a group setting, and all counseling is strictly confidential.

Testing Services. Counseling and Testing Services is the official testing center for most standardized tests administered on campus. These tests are given on dates specified in advance by the testing companies, and most require advance registration. Many of these tests require a fee to be paid by the student directly to the testing company. Registration materials are available at the CTS Office. Tests administered at CTS include:

• ACAT (Art majors)
• American College Testing (ACT) Residual Test
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Correspondence/Distance Learning Tests
• English Placement Tests and Language Placement Tests
• Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (subject tests only)
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• Major Field Test (MFT)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• PRAXIS and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Test
• WEST-E (Education)

Addiction Support Services. Counseling and Testing Services also provides services for students who are dealing with substance-use problems (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc.). University policy prohibits the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Recognizing that not all students make choices consistent with this philosophy, CTS provides individualized assessment, testing, counseling, and referral services as well as a prevention program. Counseling and Testing Services works closely with residence hall deans and the Vice President for Student Life and Mission to insure that students receive adequate help and support to remain substance-free.

Services are also provided for students with other addictive behaviors such as: eating, gambling, computer (internet, gaming, etc.), and relationships.

Fees and Scheduling. Most services offered by Counseling and Testing Services are free to students, with the exception of a few tests. Students requesting counseling services are asked to complete a short information form before a session is scheduled. The forms are available at CTS on the main floor of Meske Hall or at the CTS web site. If students have any questions they are free to call CTS at 527-2147 during office hours.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES. The policy of Walla Walla University is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, regarding students and applicants with disabilities. The University is committed to providing access to programs and services to qualified individuals who have a documented disability. To receive assistance, students must submit formal documentation to the Disability Support Services (DSS) Coordinator and request an appointment to determine appropriate accommodations. Since accommodations are not retroactive, it is in the student's best interest to submit documentation as soon as possible. Documentation guidelines are available through the University website (see below) or by calling a request copy.

The staff works with students to arrange needed accommodations based on their documentation and individual needs. Examples of accommodations are: exam accommodations, books and other print material in alternate format, equipment and technology access, classroom relocation, notetakers, accessible housing, and other services.

The DSS office is located in the lower level of Village Hall. For more information contact: Disability Support Services, Walla Walla University, 204 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324. Phone: 509-527-2366. Web:www.wallawalla.edu/resources/student-support-services/disability-support-services

INFORMATION SERVICES. Information Services operates computer systems for the use of faculty, staff, and students of WWU. All systems are connected to the internet by a campus-wide wired and wireless computer network. Thus all computer systems are available from any location on campus. To do their classwork, students can use computer labs on campus, desktops in their room or their own laptops connected to the campus wireless network.

A wide variety of software applications are available for the use of faculty, staff, and students. These include popular programs for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, programming languages, graphic design, CAD, communications, and mathematical computation.

Academic Services

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT. Academic Advisement is an important part of a student's progress through a chosen program of study at WWU. Academic advisers assist students in their consideration of life goals and in developing an educational plan to meet those goals. Academic advisers provide students with information about career options, academic policy, procedures, resources and programs. Specific attention is given to appropriate placement and satisfactory academic progress. If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress, the academic adviser works with the student to develop a plan to achieve academic success.

All degree seeking undergraduate students are assigned an academic adviser to assist them in making the most of their university experience. Preprofessional students are assigned academic advisers who are familiar with specific professional programs.

CAREER CENTER. The Career Center provides services that assist students with the process of self-assessment to determine a major, investigate potential careers, and develop the skills necessary to secure employment. Assessment tools such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory are used to assess interests and personality at no charge to the student. A Career Values Card Sort is used to identify career values. Students are encouraged to select occupations to explore through job shadow and informational interview experiences. Connections are made through the Career Network database to facilitate the process of exploring careers. The Career Center hosts a Graduate School Fair, a Career and Internship Fair, and other events that give students the opportunity to network with professionals and learn more about potential career paths. The yearly Etiquette Dinner is another opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that will benefit career development. For more information, contact the Career Center at 527-2664.

Placement Services. Each quarter the Career Center coordinates visits from graduate schools and professional programs, providing the opportunity for students to participate in interviews for acceptance to these programs without the necessity of traveling long distances. Students have the opportunity to receive assistance with the job search process by attending workshops presented or hosted by the Career Center. The topics include: resume writing, job search skills, interview techniques, and applying to graduate school.

Cooperative Education. The University provides a cooperative education program that integrates academic learning with a work environment. Students receive academic credit for a pre-arranged work experience. (See listing under specific departments/schools for credit and grading applicable to that major.) Department co-op advisers and students determine an appropriate work site in collaboration with the Cooperative Education Coordinator. The Coordinator then monitors the students' paperwork and progress throughout the quarter. For more information, contact the Career Center at 527-2664.

Service Learning. Many academic courses offer opportunities for students to participate in service work in the community.

KGTS/POSITIVE LIFE RADIO is federally licensed as an educational, community-service station. Positive Life Radio's mission is to be a community of believers promoting positive values through Christian music radio. This is accomplished by; 1. Stirring listeners toward a deeper relationship with Christ, 2. Equipping WWU students to impact their community through broadcast training, 3. Serving the Pacific Northwest through 5 partner stations and 13 translators. Owned by Walla Walla University and operated as an Academic Support department the station serves the Communications and Languages Department and others by training students in broadcasting, management, audio production, sales and development, engineering and research. KGTS/Positive Life Radio is funded primarily by listeners and local businesses with support from WWU.

The Positive Life Radio Network serves other Northwest radio stations with Christian music and programs 24 hours each day. Students receive practical experience in network programming and management.

LIBRARIES. The combined WWU libraries contain over 180,000 items, including books, videos, DVDs, e-books, and journals. Access to thousands of journal articles is provided through full-text databases.

Research starts on the WWU Libraries home page (library.wallawalla.edu). The online catalog, along with over 98 article databases to which the Library subscribes, can be searched here. Links to web pages at the Portland and Montana campuses are also available.

Books and Media. Using the online catalog, students can search collections of books, media, e-books, and journals at the Peterson Memorial Library, Curriculum Library, Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory, Montana MSW sites, and the branch Nursing Library in Portland, Oregon.

Summit borrowing, made available through membership in the Orbis Cascade Alliance, offers direct access to over 28 million books, sound recordings, films, and video tapes held by 36 other academic libraries in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. College Place and Portland students, faculty and staff may request items directly through the Summit Catalog. Materials may be requested for pickup at the Peterson or Portland libraries and are delivered within three to four days. Presently, the Summit service is not available to the Montana MSW sites.

Articles and Indexes. Online databases selected to support the university's curriculum are available through the WWU Libraries home page, under the Articles tab of the main search box. Example databases include:

• Academic Search Premier
• ProQuest
• CINAHL
• PsychArticles
• SocIndex with Full Text
• Computer and Applied Sciences Complete
• JSTOR Arts and Sciences
• E.G. White Writings online
• SDA Periodical Index

Subscriptions for many of the library's databases are made possible by membership in library consortia such as the Adventist Library Information Cooperative (ALICE) and the Orbis Cascade Alliance.

Peterson Memorial Library. Located on our College Place campus, this main library for the Walla Walla University community houses the majority of the libraries' print collections. A variety of individual and group study areas are available, including the library board room which may be reserved for group meetings or study sessions. Microform readers make microfilm material accessible and TV/VCR/DVD units located throughout the library provide viewing points for media. A PC lab with computers, a scanner, and a printer allow students to do research and write papers all at one location.

Curriculum Library. Located in Smith Hall, this library contains professional literature on education, K-12 textbooks, children's literature, magazines, standardized tests, math and science manipulatives, games, and curriculum guides.

Portland School of Nursing Library. This facility serves nursing students and faculty on WWU's Portland, Oregon campus.

Montana Libraries. Small site collections are available in Billings and Missoula to meet the immediate needs of students enrolled in the MSW program at those locations.

Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. A small collection of books is located at the marine laboratory. It provides basic resources to students enrolled in summer biology classes.

TEACHING LEARNING CENTER. The Teaching Learning Center (TLC) offers drop-in tutoring free of charge and private tutoring for a minimal fee to all students enrolled at Walla Walla University. Tutoring is offered to students taking classes in the areas of business, mathematics, engineering, languages, science, and writing. Tutoring in additional areas is available upon sufficient demand. The writing center helps students with papers assigned for any class, and reading and study skills classes are offered to improve those specific academic skills. Disability support services are available for students with documented disabilities.

VETERANS BENEFITS. Walla Walla University is an approved training institution for veterans eligible for educational benefits. The required course load is twelve hours per quarter in order to maintain eligibility to receive maximum benefits. If you have questions about veterans policies, please contact the Veterans Administration coordinator in the Academic Records Office (509) 527-2491.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

To maintain a proper atmosphere for Christian growth and maturity, and to ensure that the rights of all students are respected, the University expects students to act as responsible citizens, abiding by local, state, and federal laws and to conduct themselves honorably. Although students of all religious persuasions are welcome, the University does expect students to live as members of a Christian community as detailed in the Student Handbook.

STUDENT APPEALS. Students have a right to appeal decisions and actions relating to their programs. Academic appeals should be directed to the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration, social appeals to the Vice President for Student Life, and financial appeals to the Director of Student Financial Services. If satisfaction is not obtained, students may consult the Walla Walla University Grievance Policy.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (commonly referred to as FERPA, or the "Buckley Amendment,") Walla Walla University has adopted the following policies and procedures to protect the privacy of education records. Students will be notified of their FERPA rights annually by publication in the Bulletin and on the WWU homepage.

Definitions

Walla Walla University uses the following definitions in this policy:

Student: any person who attends or has attended WWU.

Education records: any record maintained by the University which is directly related to a student, with the following exceptions:

Personal records kept by university employees which are in the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute;

Employment records unless the employment records are contingent on the fact that the employee is a student;

Right of the University to Refuse to Provide Copies

Walla Walla University reserves the right to deny copies of transcripts or other records (not required to be made available under FERPA), if the student has an overdue financial obligation to the University or if there is an unresolved disciplinary or academic dishonesty action against the student.

Disclosure of Education Records

Walla Walla University will disclose information from a student's education records only with the written consent of the student, except:

To school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records.

A school official is:

1. A person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position
2. A person elected to the Board of Trustees;
3. A person employed by or under contract to the University to perform a special task, such as legal counsel or an auditor.
4. A student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her task.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her task. Examples include:

1. Performing a task that is specific in his or her job description or by a contract agreement; or
2. Performing a task related to a student's education; or
3. Providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student's family, such as health care, counseling, job placement, or financial aid.
4. To officials of another school, upon request, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
5. To certain officials of the U.S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General, and state and local educational authorities, in connection with certain state or federally supported education programs.
6. In connection with a student's request for or receipt of financial aid, as necessary to determine the eligibility, amount, or conditions of the financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
7. If required by a state law requiring disclosure that was adopted before November 19, 1974.
8. To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the University
9. To accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.
10. To comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena.
11. To appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency.
12. To an alleged victim of any crime of violence or sexual harassment offense of the results of any institutional disciplinary proceeding against the alleged perpetrator with respect to that crime or offense.

Record of Requests for Disclosure

Walla Walla University will maintain a record of all requests for and/or disclosure of information from a student's education records. The record will indicate the name of the party making the request, any additional party to whom it may be redisclosed, and the legitimate interest the party had in requesting or obtaining the information. The record may be reviewed by the student.

Directory Information

Walla Walla University designates the following categories of student information as public or "Directory Information." Such information may be disclosed by the institution at its discretion.

1. Name
2. Current enrollment status.
3. Telephone number.
4. Date and place of birth, dates of attendance, class standing, previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors (including Dean's List), degree(s) conferred (including dates), and full-time or part-time status.
5. Email addresses.

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of Directory Information. To withhold disclosure, written notification must be received in the Academic Records Office at: Walla Walla University, 204 S College Ave., College Place, WA 99324. Directory Information will then be withheld indefinitely until the Academic Records Office receives in writing a revocation of the request for nondisclosure.

Walla Walla University will honor a request to withhold information listed but cannot assume responsibility to contact the student for subsequent permission to release the requested information. Regardless of the effect upon the student, the institution assumes no liability as a consequence of honoring instructions that directory information be withheld.

Correction of Education Records

If students believe that any information contained in their education records is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights, they may request in writing that the office which contains those records amend them. Students should identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why they believe it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights.

That office will reach a decision and inform students in a reasonable amount of time after receiving the request. If the records custodian refuses to amend the record, students have the right to a hearing. This hearing will be conducted by an appropriate committee appointed by the Academic Vice President of the University. The hearing will be held within a reasonable amount of time after the request for a hearing has been made. The hearing committee will notify the student, reasonably in advance, of the date, place, and time of the hearing.

Students will be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issue raised. Students may be accompanied by one or more other persons. The committee will make its decision in writing based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence presented and the reasons for the decision.

If the hearing committee supports the complaint, the education record will be amended accordingly and students will be so informed. If the hearing committee decides not to amend the education record, students have the right to place in the education record a statement commenting on the challenged information and/or stating the reasons for disagreeing with the decision. This statement will be maintained as part of the education record as long as the contested portion is maintained, and whenever a copy of the education record is sent to any party, the student's statement will be included.