Chapter 17: 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
Supporting the University’s mission to develop the whole person, Campus Ministry offers a variety of programs and opportunities where faith may be explored, discovered, and developed. The Campus Ministry team is committed to supporting the spiritual and personal growth of all students, regardless of faith tradition, if any, and a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. The team consists of 8 full-time campus ministers, a dozen spirituality facilitators living in residence halls on campus, and about 20 student staff. Campus Ministry welcomes the participation of anyone interested, and offers the University community a variety of programs: worship, retreats, prayer and reflection groups, leadership opportunities, faith formation, social justice awareness and action, and faith-based clubs, including those for Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Orthodox students.
Please visit the website at: scu.edu/cm or stop by the office in Benson Center.
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, electronic, reggae, and more. 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.
Santa Clara Review: The Santa Clara Review is a bi-annual literary magazine. Submissions are drawn nationally from students, staff, and community members. There are opportunities to contribute in the areas of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, art, and management. Students are encouraged to submit their pieces for publication in the Santa Clara Review as well as in the companion magazine titled The Owl.
Student Resources And Services
The Cowell Center promotes a holistic approach to students' physical, emotional, psychological, and interpersonal well-being. The Center's counseling and medical staff are available when students believe that their well-being is being compromised in any way. The Cowell Center has a wealth of health and wellness resources to support students as they navigate the academic rigors at Santa Clara University.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is staffed with psychologists who strive to promote, enhance, and support students' emotional and interpersonal well-being through a range of mental health services offered within a safe and confidential environment. Individual counseling, couples counseling, group counseling, and psychoeducational programs are available. In counseling, students work on a wide range of psychosocial and developmental issues such as depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems, disturbed sleep, eating behaviors, acculturation, academic motivation, homesickness, family concerns, intimacy, and sexuality. All students are eligible for up to 10 counseling sessions per academic year; the first six (6) sessions are free, with a nominal fee assessed for sessions seven (7) through ten (10).
When CAPS is closed, an after-hours emergency and suicide crisis hotline (408) 279-3312 is available to students along with Santa Clara's unique crisis webpage featured on the Ulifeline website.
Student Health Services
Student Health Services (SHS) is staffed with a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and medical assistants. A psychiatrist, registered dietitian, and physical therapy assistant are available on a part-time basis. SHS provides high-quality services, such as primary medical care, physicals, diagnosis and treatment of illness and injuries, immunizations, gynecological examinations, a limited in-house pharmacy, and medical referrals to specialists when needed. Medical visits to the Cowell Center's Student Health Services range from $10 to $50 per visit for all students. Visit fees are in addition to all other nominal associated fees, such as the cost of medications, lab/blood tests, and supplies. Visits to Cowell Center's Counseling and Psychological Services range in cost from no charge to $100 per visit for all students. For further information, see the Cowell Center website. When SHS is closed, an advice nurse is available by phone for students both on campus (extension 4880) and off campus (408) 554-4880. A volunteer student emergency medical group, SCU Emergency Medical Services (EMS), is also available to take care of medical emergencies on campus. The health center is closed from mid-June to mid-August.