Santa Clara University

Campus Life

Santa Clara students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities as part of their total development. The primary educational objective in supporting student activities and organizations is to foster a community that is enriched by men and women of diverse backgrounds, wherein freedom of inquiry and expression enjoys high priority.

The following sections describe various aspects of student life and services:

CAMPUS MINISTRY

Campus Ministry is a place where people are committed to spiritual and personal growth of students, staff, faculty, and alumni. In support of the University’s mission to develop the whole person, Campus Ministry offers a variety of programs and pastoral presence to support that development, particularly the spiritual and personal aspects. Campus Ministry offers a welcoming environment where faith may be explored, discovered, and developed. More than 500 students attend weekly worship, and even more students are involved in campus ministry programs. In addition to seven campus ministers, there are also resident ministers living in residence halls on campus. Campus Ministry seeks to facilitate growth in individuals and the community by its presence, programs, and services. To attain this vision, Campus Ministry offers the University community a variety of programs: liturgies and other sacramental celebrations, retreats, counseling and spiritual direction, educational forums, interfaith sharing, and Bible studies. The Campus Ministry staff reflects the reality of the Church today: a team of women and men—lay, religious, and priests—who collaborate with student interns and all segments of the community in the planning and execution of our programs.

In all of this, Campus Ministry is guided by the words of the prophet Micah: “This is what the Lord asks of you, only this: to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.”

STUDENT MEDIA

KSCU: KSCU is a student-run, non-commercial radio station at 103.3 FM. The program format features primarily independent music, including indie rock, punk, ska, jazz, blues, and reggae. Students may get involved with the radio station as a staff member or as a volunteer disc jockey, office assistant, fundraiser, or sound technical staff. The staff of KSCU operates all aspects of an FM radio station in accordance with SCU’s mission and goals, and Federal Communications Commission regulations.

The Redwood: SCU’s yearbook strives to maintain proper journalistic guidelines while producing an accurate and quality book for the University community. Entirely student run, with the aid of a faculty advisor, The Redwood offers paid and volunteer positions in writing, design, and photography. Students at-large are encouraged to participate by contributing to the yearbook.

Santa Clara Review: A student-edited literary magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art, the Santa Clara Review is published biannually, drawing on submissions from SCU students, faculty, staff, and writers outside of SCU. The Santa Clara Review is committed to the development of student literary talent, in both editorial knowledge and creative writing skills. Students may get involved with the magazine in several staff positions and with opportunities to volunteer in the areas of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art, and management.

The Santa Clara: The Santa Clara is the University’s undergraduate weekly newspaper, serving as an informative and entertaining student-run campus publication. Students may get involved in a staff position or as a volunteer writer, photographer, or member of the business staff.

STUDENT RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Listed below are some of the service centers established to meet the needs of students. Each center provides a variety of programs to encourage personal growth.

Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services offers mental health services to undergraduate and graduate students. The mission of the services is to support the developmental growth of students in ways that enable them to become more effective in their personal, academic, and social functioning. Counseling helps students address psychological issues that may affect their successful participation in the learning community. Among the psychosocial and developmental issues that students work on with their counselors are depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems, disturbed sleep or eating behaviors, acculturation, academic motivation, homesickness, family concerns, intimacy, and sexuality. The services are confidential and free and include individual counseling, couples counseling, group counseling, and psycho-educational programs. When CAPS is closed, an after-hours crisis line is available to students at 408-551-1760.

Student Health Services
Cowell Health Center provides quality, accessible, and convenient medical care to Santa Clara students. The Health Center provides primary medical care, physicals, diagnosis of illness and injuries, immunizations, gynecological examinations, limited in-house pharmacy, and referral to specialists when needed. The Health Center staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and medical assistants. In addition, a psychiatrist, registered dietician, and physical therapy assistant are each available on a part-time basis.

Graduate students who choose to use the Health Center must pay a health fee of $90 per quarter to be seen at the Health Center with no office visit charge. There may be a charge for laboratory tests and medicines. Students are seen on an appointment basis and usually can be seen the same day, if an appointment is requested in the morning. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday when classes are in session, except for Thursdays when the center opens at 9:15 a.m. When the Health Center is closed, there is an advice nurse available by phone and volunteer student emergency medical technicians who can visit students on campus. The center is closed from mid-June to mid-August. Students may call 408-554-4501 for hours of service and to schedule an appointment.

All international graduate students must carry health insurance, either their own personal plans or the University-sponsored plan. Graduate students who want to purchase the University health insurance must also pay the $90 per quarter health fee. Please call the insurance coordinator at 408-554-2379 for further information.