Mar 19, 2024  
2008-2010 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2008-2010 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Life and Development


The Division of Student Affairs Administration at Providence College promotes the educational development of the student outside of the classroom. In addition to providing services which address the students’ personal needs while attending college, these efforts include the social, cultural, and recreational resources which make for a complete college experience.

Programs and services include personal and career counseling, residential life, student health, safety and security, discipline, off-campus living, non-varsity athletics, and student activities, clubs, and organizations. Complementing student affairs is the Office of the Chaplain/Campus Ministry, which addresses students’ spiritual growth and development.

Student Services

Personal Counseling Center
The Personal Counseling Center provides a professional counseling service for students who may be dealing with stress, anxiety, or other personal/emotional problems. The center offers individual counseling on a walk-in and appointment basis. In addition, the center makes available a wide range of resources including self-help literature, workshops, and counseling/support groups, as well as crisis intervention and assistance with substance abuse. All services are confidential within the limits of the law and ethics.

For more information about the center’s services or to contact a counselor, go to www.providence.edu and click on Student Life > Services for Students > Personal Counseling Center.

Health Services
The College provides health services to its students during the academic year. The Student Health Center is staffed by two nurse practitioners and one physician. Appointments are necessary to meet with one of the providers.

When the center is closed, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. (Monday through Friday) and 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, emergency medical services are provided by on-campus emergency medical technicians. The center provides laboratory services but does not provide x-ray or surgical services, treatment for major illnesses, or allergy shots. The staff refers students who need those services to either a local hospital or physician, and students assume financial responsibility for those services.

Complete Medical Record: Incoming freshmen and transfer students must submit a complete medical record on forms supplied by the College and signed by their physician. It is the responsibility of each student to update his or her medical records whenever there is a change in health status, insurance, or other relevant information. Every student is required to have medical insurance and must provide proof of insurance.

For more information about the Student Health Center including contact names, office hours, mandatory insurance, a list of required immunizations, fees, or to schedule an appointment, go to www.providence.edu and click on Student Life > Services for Students > Health Center.

Students with Physical Disabilities
Providence College helps students with physical disabilities to access the College’s educational programs and activities, including but not limited to its living spaces, classrooms, priority scheduling, and recreational activities. Specially-equipped dorm rooms and additional rooms in the apartment complex for upper-classpersons are provided for those students who need them. Accommodations for transportation to off-campus, College-related events may be arranged in advance through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Administration. Academic support services are also available to persons with disabilities through the Office of Academic Services.

To protect the interests of students who are entitled to reasonable accommodations based on their disability, the College has established Student Procedures for ADA/504 Grievance Resolution:

Any student with a documented disability who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of that disability may use this process to file a grievance with the College. The following process is designed to help the student and the College reach an understanding of the situation and resolve any differences in as cooperative, respectful, and timely a manner possible.

  1. Informal attempt to resolve
    A student who has a grievance with a College employee (staff/faculty/administrator) is encouraged to first attempt to resolve the matter by meeting with that individual. The purpose of the meeting is to reach a mutual understanding of the student’s situation and the employee’s actions. The student has 5 business days from the date of the action being grieved, or the date the student learns of the aggrieved action, to initiate this discussion.

    If the meeting with the allegedly non-compliant employee proves unsatisfactory, or if it is impractical to consult with that individual, the student should seek the assistance of the employee’s supervisor within 10 calendar days of the aggrieved action. The purpose of this interaction is for the supervisor to attempt to work with both parties to reach a resolution.

    It is strongly recommended the student keep a written record/log of all attempts to reach resolution of the problem.
     
  2. Formal attempt to resolve
    If no satisfying resolution is reached after the above informal attempts to resolve are made, or if the student chooses to bypass the above informal attempts, the student may file a formal complaint in writing with the Chairperson of the College’s Americans with Disabilities Act/504 Advisory Committee. A formal complaint should be submitted as soon as possible, but certainly within a reasonable amount of time after the problem occurred.

    The written complaint should be as brief and factual as possible, citing the date and time of occurrence, and the precise nature of the problem, along with the hoped-for outcomes or relief. A listing of all meetings in which attempts were made to resolve the problem must also be included.

    Within 5 business days of receipt of the request for a hearing, the ADA/504 Committee will convene. The committee will review written submissions and provide the student with an opportunity to present his/her complaint. The committee may interview the person(s) against whom the complaint is made as well as other members of the College community as deemed necessary. Every reasonable effort will be made to preserve confidentiality to the extent possible. Members of the College Community asked to provide information are mandated to cooperate with the committee. The student who has filed a complaint may be accompanied by an advisor who is a member of the College community. Advisors may not be attorneys, and certain employees may be precluded from serving as advisors. The advisor’s role is limited to providing support and consultation; the advisor may not actively participate in the hearing. The hearing will be closed to persons other than those who are directly involved. Within 5 business days of the conclusion of the hearing, the committee will submit in writing its recommendation to the respective divisional vice president.

    Within 5 business days of receipt of the recommendation, the divisional vice president, who is not required to conduct a hearing and who may consider the matter on written submission, will issue a decision to the student and provide a copy of the decision to the committee chairperson.

    If the student is not satisfied with the divisional vice president’s decision, the student may, within 5 business days, submit a written appeal to the College’s executive vice president, who is not required to conduct a hearing and who may consider the matter on written submission. Within 5 business days, the executive vice president will issue a decision to the student and provide a copy to the committee chairperson. The decision of the executive vice president is final.

    The above procedural steps do not limit the student or any of the College community members directly involved with the problem from attempting to resolve the matter at any time during the formal complaint process. The time frames listed above may be adjusted for compelling reasons with explanation and notification to the student (i.e.: essential individuals and/or information are not readily available).

    Use of this grievance procedure does not limit an individual’s pursuit of other remedies, including the right to pursue a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. Visit the following Web page: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/qa-complaints.html or call: 1(800) 421-3481.

Safety and Security
The Office of Safety and Security operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. The principal objective of the Providence College Office of Safety and Security is to safeguard members of the College community and to protect private and institutional property on campus. As a service organization, the security department attempts to contribute to the smooth functioning of College community life by stressing the importance of crime prevention, the individual’s obligation to take necessary precautions, the cooperation of each member of the College community to safe-guard personal and College property, and the care that must be taken to comply with fire regulations. The Annual Campus Security Report is available at the security office.

For more information about the office’s services, go to www.providence.edu and click on Student Life > Safety and Security.

Policy on Drug-Free Campus
Providence College, in compliance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989, has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees of the College which includes enforcement of policies and standards of conduct with respect to behavior on College property, and behavior at any College-sponsored events.

Career Services
The mission of the Office of Career Services is to help students identify, enhance, and accomplish their career development, internship, job search, and educational goals in the transition from freshman year through senior year, and from college to career.

Services include a number of distinct career development and job search programs, presentations by career experts, workshops, special events, how-to materials, and access to an extensive variety of library and online career, internship, and job search resources covering every career category.

Students may meet individually with career services advisors during daily “Quick Questions/Walk-In Hours” or by appointment.

Two service divisions operate within the Office of Career Services: the Career Planning and Internship Service and Career Services for Seniors.

The Career Planning and Internship Service focuses primarily on the development of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in the areas of self assessment, major and career exploration, goal-setting, career networking, internships, graduate school exploration, and preparation for senior year and beyond. Senior-year students also can take advantage of internships and job shadowing and alumni networking programs sponsored by the Career Planning and Internship Service.

The service hosts an extensive calendar of events and programs, and keeps students regularly informed through newsletters, e-bulletins, and a detailed Web site. The Career Assistants, a group of trained student paraprofessionals, regularly sponsor career development seminars in the residence halls and provide individual peer advice to students.

Key programs include: the Major/Minor Fair, the Internship Program and Internship Showcase, the Alumni Career Network and Winter Job Shadowing program, Alumni-Student Career Nights in Boston, New York City, and Providence, the President’s Council Executive Career Mentor Program, and the Alumni/Career Expert Speaker series.

Career Services for Seniors
Career Services for Seniors helps students link their strengths and motivations to entry-level jobs, long-term career paths, graduate and professional school programs, or all three. Services are delivered through four main systems: PC ERS - PC Entry-level Recruitment System; PC ALT - Advisement, Leads, and Tips for the Independent Job Search; PC CAP - Career Advancement Process; and PC Resources and Advisement for Professional/Graduate School.

PC ERS has a number of components: a yearlong on-campus recruitment program through the eFriars online system; four career fairs on campus; alumni career nights in Boston and New York; several intercollegiate career fairs, including one for all 16 BIG EAST Conference schools; an online career fair; an intercollegiate job fair featuring approximately a dozen schools; and a job-listing system for recent alumni.

PC ALT expands upon careers and employers not available through PC ERS. This service features dozens of opportunities personally selected by College career services staff members, the General Job Search Tips booklet, and an electronic communications resource, “Specialized Job Search Tips for Specific Careers,” which incorporates the following fields: communications, non-profits, government, science, federal law enforcement, publishing, entertainment and the arts, and education.

Both the PC ERS and PC ALT services are supported by the opportunity for individual consultations with career services staff members, mock interviews, and career presentations by employers and guests.

PC CAP helps students to identify job options that match their strengths, motivations, and current credentials, as well as identify ways to update those credentials. It also educates students on long-range career options that various entry-level positions can lead to, provides them with guidance on how to consult with professionals and executives about sharpening their career focus, and offers direction on hiring norms, becoming a stronger employee candidate, networking, and exploratory interviews.

PC Resources and Advisement for Professional/Graduate School features a thorough selection of online resources about the professional and graduate school process. Another highlight is access to Peterson’s Guides in six volumes, including the guide for graduate and professional school programs. The volumes are available in the career services office. This service also offers advisement on new types of graduate and professional school programs and programs not directly related to the undergraduate major.

Internships
The Office of Career Services is the central campus resource for students interested in school-year or summer internships. Internships can be volunteer, paid, and/or for academic credit. Academic internships (three credits, 10-12 hours per week for one semester) are typically available to eligible juniors and seniors. Students interested in enrolling in an academic internship course should consult the academic department related to their internship interest and meet with the College Internship Coordinator in the Office of Career Services as needed for assistance with the internship process. The office posts internship listings in an online system and maintains an extensive collection of online and hard-copy local and national internship resources. Further information regarding internships and academic procedures is available at www.providence.edu/career/students and in the academic section of this catalog.

Career Services Resources and Web Site
The Office of Career Services maintains a career library and distributes numerous educational publications. Its Web page—www.providence.edu/career—keeps students informed of events and programs and provides resources for self-assessment, major and career exploration, the internship search, the job search, and the graduate and professional school process. Resources include eFriars, an online system for internships and entry-level recruiting; FriarLink, an online system for connecting to alumni for career information and advice; SIGI, a self-assessment and career focus program; a Web page section on the graduate and professional school preparation process; and a number of career, internship and job-listing resources and links.

Residential Life

On-Campus Living
All members of the freshman and sophomore classes must reside on campus, with the exception of those who commute from the home of a parent or guardian, are married, or have a compelling reason to reside off campus. All students who reside on campus must be full-time students in the day school and regularly attend the classes for which they are registered. All students who reside on campus must do so for the entire academic year; thus, residential students are responsible for all charges associated with that one-year commitment. Exceptions to the provisions in this paragraph are for extraordinary circumstances only and rarely granted, and must be obtained in writing from the Dean of Residence Life.

Every residential building provides Internet access, cable TV access, a laundry facility, and study lounge space. For more information about on-campus living options, including contacts in the Office of Residence Life, photos and descriptions of residence halls, and housing procedures and deadlines, please go to: www.providence.edu/reslife.

Traditional Residence Halls
The College has nine traditional residence halls with single, two-, three-, and four-person rooms, predominately occupied by freshman and sophomore students. These traditional halls are gender-specific by floor and/or building and are secured by the College’s card access system. Each building has its own unique setting and environment.

Apartment Complexes
The College has five apartment-style student residence buildings. Three buildings are comprised of six-person apartments, wherein there are three two-person bedrooms, while two buildings are comprised of four-person apartments (two bedrooms with two students per room). All apartments provide full kitchens (including a dishwasher) and are fully furnished.

The Suites
In addition to apartment-style living, the College offers suite-style residence living. The suites feature two- or three-person bedrooms, with an adjoining common living area that accommodates four, five, six, or seven persons per suite (two to three bedrooms).Each suite provides an efficiency-style area equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave, sink, and countertop space.

Leadership Opportunities
Each residence hall provides ample opportunity for students to showcase their leadership abilities and contribute to their community. A student may apply to be a Resident Assistant, participate in the Hall Council, or take part in activities and events within his/her residence hall. In addition to fostering a positive community environment, the Office of Residence Life provides various student resources, including 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week emergency response services.

Off-Campus Living
Providence College offers assistance and advice to juniors and seniors who wish to live off campus. The Office of Off-Campus Living provides students with assistance in securing off-campus accommodations and roommates. The office lists available rental property in the area and monitors the status of minimum housing code inspections. Assistance is available to students in all matters related to off-campus living, from landlord and roommate problems to legal concerns.

Each year that a junior or senior student wishes to live off campus, he or she must have permission from the dean of residence life. Students are advised to sign no leases until that permission has been granted. Graduate students, married students, and local students living with parents are exempt from this permission requirement.

All students living off campus, including commuter students, are required to provide their local off-campus address along with current telephone and e-mail contact information to the Office of Off-Campus Living by the beginning of the second week of classes. For more information about off-campus living, including contacts in the Office of Off-Campus Living and useful information about everything from leases to utilities, go to www.providence.edu and click on Student Life > Living at PC > Off-Campus Living.

Office of the Chaplain/Campus Ministry

The chaplains, staff, and student leaders who make up the Campus Ministry team at Providence College bring together students, faculty, and staff for prayer, worship, and learning. Campus Ministry promotes the building of a genuine Christian community through a vibrant sacramental life, which includes daily and Sunday celebrations of the Eucharist and regular opportunities to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Through its many services and programs, Campus Ministry helps students explore their faith and serve their community. The goal of Campus Ministry is to help students integrate spiritual, academic, and personal growth.

The chaplain of the College is a Dominican Friar, who together with the other chaplains and campus ministers, is responsible for the pastoral care of the entire College community. The chaplain is always available to help and support students in times of crisis or difficult decision making.

The chaplains and campus ministers reach out to students of all faiths to offer pastoral support and promote full spiritual and personal development. Recognizing the impact we can have on society by working together and sharing the gifts with which we have been blessed, Campus Ministry offers members of the College community many opportunities to work for social justice through reflection groups, prayer vigils, and direct volunteer service to the local community.

Campus Ministry also seeks to help train future leaders for society and the Church. This is done through the retreats program, as well as through lectures, workshops, and opportunities for involvement in ministry to the College faith community.

For more information about the Office of the Chaplain/Campus Ministry, including contacts, go to www.providence.edu and click on Student Life > Spiritual Life.

Activities & Organizations

Student Organizations and Activities
One of the advantages of a small college is the rich campus life with many undergraduate interests. The size of Providence College permits and engenders a warm, friendly relationship among students, faculty, and administrators.

Life for a Providence College student is much more than just a classroom and textbook experience. The College is committed to helping students learn and develop into well-rounded individuals with a wide variety of interests. The co-curricular activities at Providence College provide students with opportunities to apply in a practical way what they learn in the classroom.

The College offers hundreds of co-curricular activities including a wide selection of pre-professional and academic clubs such as the Finance Club, the Marketing Club, and the Biology Society. Students can become involved in the spiritual aspect of campus life through Campus Ministry. They can choose from several performing arts clubs and related activities including the Dance Company, the A Cappella Club, and the Blackfriars Theatre, and from a broad range of language, cultural, and political clubs such as the College Democrats and the Asian American Club.

Students who want to serve the community can choose from a number of service organizations such as Urban Action, Best Buddies, or the Council for Exceptional Children. Or, they may join specific issues/interest clubs such as a campus branch of SOAR (Students Organized Against Racism).

For a complete list of clubs and organizations, go to www.providence.edu and click on Student Life > Student Activities > Clubs and Organizations.

The Student Congress
The Student Congress is the only organization on campus that represents the entire student body in all facets of College life. The Student Congress also has representation on various standing committees of the College. The president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary are elected annually by all students. Class officers and representatives are elected by each class. All officers serve for a one-year term. For more information about how to get involved with the Student Congress and for a list of subcommittee opportunities, go to www.providence.edu, then click on Student Life > Student Activities > Student Congress.

Board of Programers
The Board of Programers (BOP) sponsors cultural, social, and recreational programs designed to meet students’ needs and to complement their academic programs. The BOP is comprised of four executive officers and approximately 40 chairpersons serving on 10 committees. Officers are elected annually by the entire student body, and the chairpersons are selected by the executive committee. For more information on the Board of Programers, go to www.providence.edu, then click on Student Life > Student Activities > Board of Programers.

Slavin Center
Slavin Center, the student union, is one of the main hubs of the Providence College campus and is home to the College’s many student organizations and clubs. It also houses a variety of offices and facilities that provide services to students, from the Office of Off Campus Living and the Providence College Bookstore to the Office of Career Services and ’64 Hall, which serves as a theater, cinema, ballroom, and lecture hall. The Alumni Hall Food Court is accessed through the lower level of Slavin Center. Slavin Center is wireless so students may check e-mail, do homework, or surf the net from one of the many seating areas. For more information about Slavin Center/Student Union, go to www.providence.edu and click on About PC > Campus Buildings > Administrative > Slavin Center.

McPhail’s Entertainment Facility
Slavin Center houses McPhail’s Entertainment Facility, a multipurpose student facility where students can gather throughout the week to socialize with friends, grab a snack, shoot a game of pool, or watch the big game on a wide-screen TV. A number of special entertainment offerings are promoted on a weekly basis throughout the academic year. For more information about McPhail’s Entertainment Facility, go to www.providence.edu, then click on > Student Life > Student Activities > McPhail’s.

Athletics
Providence College has a rich athletic tradition. The Friars play an active role in intercollegiate athletics through membership in the NCAA, ECAC, HOCKEY EAST Association, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and The BIG EAST Conference.

On-campus athletic facilities include the Peterson Recreation Center, the Joe Mullaney Gymnasium in Alumni Hall, Schneider Arena, and four large field and recreational areas, including an artificial-turf field for intercollegiate and recreational purposes. The College presently fields teams in the following sports for men: basketball, cross country, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, track, and swimming. Intercollegiate teams for women include basketball, cross country, field hockey, ice hockey, soccer, softball, tennis, track, swimming, and volleyball.

Intramurals, Club, and Recreational Sports
Students who wish to participate in non-varsity sports have a wide variety of intramural, club, and recreational sports to choose from at the College.

Intramural sports provide safe, physical competition in a variety of sports and skill levels and encourage respectable competition and good sportsmanship. The Intramural Athletic Board (IAB) is composed of approximately 15 students who support the Department of Recreational Sports in organizing, scheduling, and overseeing intramural competition.

Among the sports currently offered to both men and women are: flag football, ice hockey, soccer, 3-on-3 basketball, 5-on-5 basketball, softball, and wiffleball. Co-ed sports include tennis, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee. The IAB frequently hosts a number of one-day tournaments to introduce new sports for participation.

Club sports include men’s and women’s rugby clubs, men’s volleyball, the Outdoor Adventure Club, racquetball, golf, crew, figure skating, and the Sailing Club. Physical fitness and recreational activities are also provided based on established interest. A variety of fitness classes is conducted. Other programs which have been offered at times include self-defense and swimming lessons. The intramural and recreational sports program provides additional instructional classes as interest is expressed by suitable numbers of the campus community.

For more information about intramural and club sports, go to www.providence.edu, then click on Student Life > Intramurals and Recreational Sports.

Peterson Recreation Center
The Peterson Recreation Center is the hub of all intramural athletics and recreational activity at Providence College. Opened in 1980, the center is available for use by all eligible members of the College community. It is home to the Begley Arena, the Cuddy Racquetball Complex, and the Taylor Natatorium, a 25-meter pool.

The Begley Arena, featuring five multi-purpose courts within a perimeter 200-meter running track, accommodates basketball, volleyball, tennis, indoor soccer, and other uses. The Cuddy Racquetball Complex has three courts with observation windows and a dance studio where both academic dance classes and group fitness classes are taught.

Alumni Hall-Joe Mullaney Gymnasium
Alumni Hall is the home of Joe Mullaney Gymnasium, which has a 2,620-seat capacity and serves as the home court for the women’s basketball and volleyball teams. It also serves as the practice court for the men’s basketball team. It provides offices for the athletics and military science departments. It also houses strength and conditioning facilities, a food court, and other learning and training facilities.

Concannon Fitness Center
Opened in September 2007, the Concannon Fitness Center is a 23,000-square-foot addition to the Peterson Recreation Center and Alumni Hall. It features a three-story glass atrium, 11,500 square feet of space on the first level for cardiovascular and selectorized strength equipment, 4,600 square feet of space on the second level for cardiovascular equipment and plate-loaded strength equipment, and 2,700 square feet of space on the second level for free weights. The center also includes a 3,600-square-foot varsity athletics weight room.

Friar Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex
The Friar Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex is an artificial-turf facility that opened in September 2005. This multi-million-dollar facility serves as the home of the Friar field hockey and lacrosse teams. It also is used by intramural teams. Located beneath the complex is the 101-car Peterson Garage.

Schneider Arena
Schneider Arena, with a seating capacity of 3,030, is the home of the Friar hockey teams. The arena provides student activities such as ice skating and intramural hockey.