Campus Life
Location
Columbia, Mo., the home of Stephens College, well deserves the designation Collegetown,
U.S.A. Twenty-six thousand students are enrolled in the three higher education
institutions in this small city, which is devoted to meeting the needs of students.
Columbia is only 126 miles west of St. Louis and 125 miles east of Kansas City
on Interstate 70. There is regular bus service from both metropolitan areas and
airline service through Columbia Regional Airport, with connecting flights available
in international
airports located in St. Louis and Kansas City.
Student Life
Stephens has a long history of commitment to the total
development of the student, and a planned, residential education is an essential
component of that development. By living, dining and studying together, students
discover how to develop cooperative relationships with peers and build community.
With the help of professional staff and faculty advisers, students learn how
to function independently, to develop their own set of values, to manage emotions
and to gain a sense of identity. Research also shows that students living in
residence halls generally achieve
better academically than commuters.
Stephens provides students with many opportunities, in and out of the classroom,
to make responsible choices and to become involved in policy-making areas which
directly affect their lives. In return, Stephens expects students to take their
responsibilities seriously and to uphold the standards and regulations set forth
by
the appropriate governing boards of the College.
Rights and
Responsibilities
In addition to taking full advantage of the educational
opportunities available to her, each student has the responsibility to conduct
herself in a manner that is best for her own welfare and that of the entire College
community. Students are responsible for the policies stated in the
catalog and Within the Ivy (student handbook). Both may be accessed through
the Stephens College Web site www.stephens.edu.
On-Campus Living and
Food Service Requirements
Students enrolled in the residential program at Stephens
are required to live in on-campus housing throughout their enrollment and participate
in the College's food service plan. Day students are students who reside with
their spouse, parent or legal guardian, or are Columbia-area residents not legally
dependent on another person, who have lived in the community for one full year
or more. A limited number of seniors apply and are approved by the dean of students
to seek housing off-campus. All students living off campus are required to pay
fees which include the charge for a specific number of meals on campus per semester
in the college dining
service.
Services and
Activities
Academic
Resource Center
The ARC is an individualized tutoring center that provides
free assistance to all Stephens College students who want to improve their academic
skills. The goal of the center is to assist those students who desire additional
help beyond that provided by course
instructors.
Broadcasting
Activities
Stephens students receive hands-on experience in the production
of programming for KWWC-FM, the 1,250-watt radio station owned and operated by
the College, and
in Studio A, a full-size television studio.
Counseling
Services
Students' academic, career and personal counseling needs
are met by a variety of services and programs at Stephens College. These programs
are designed to assist students as they move toward self-reliance and self-confidence,
and student life members are available to help identify a student's talents and
potential.
Psychological services provided by Stephens College include conducting intake
interviews and assessments, making referrals to appropriate psychological resources,
providing psychotherapy for students, and providing consultation with college
personnel regarding student concerns. Additional services may be negotiated for
a fee.
Career
Services
Stephens Career Services assists students with
all phases of career planning from choosing majors and identifying
career possibilities
to gaining career-related experiences and securing employment or entrance to
graduate school. The Career Services staff work extensively with students one-on-one
to address individual needs, as well as in groups through special programs
and presentations on such topics as interviewing,
résumé writing and job-search strategies. Career Services also works
cooperatively with academic programs to help students plan and prepare for
internship opportunities.
Career Services maintains an extensive library of resources including employer
directories, company literature, graduate school
information, résumé sample books, a computerized career information
system and much more. The office also maintains a database consisting of more
than 500 alumnae career consultants from whom students may gain valuable career
and employment
information.
Employment opportunities can be found in Career Services for permanent, part-time
and summer positions. Career Services also assists students with on-campus work
study positions.
Cultural
Events
The vast array of cultural experience available to students
on campus includes theatre productions, chamber music concerts, exhibits in the
Davis Art Gallery, jazz, ballet, comedy and musical productions, numerous lectures,
discussions and presentations by on-campus and outside
experts.
Disabled Student
Services
Mobility-impaired students may contact the dean of students
to receive an accessibility map of the campus and other information concerning
access to campus buildings and grounds. Individual orientation to the campus
is available
through the Office of the Dean of Students.
Mobility-impaired students should contact the vice president for
academic and student affairs concerning accessibility of scheduled classrooms.
Once officially notified, the vice president for academic and student affairs
will make every effort to schedule classes in locations that accommodate limited
mobility.
Residents who have a physical disability that requires special accommodations
should contact the director of residence life for room assignments that best
meet their needs.
Health
Services
The Stephens Health Services program is designed to help
students gain the knowledge they need to make responsible decisions about optimal
health. The director of health services, who is also a certified nurse practitioner,
coordinates the delivery of health education and medical services. She sees students
by appointment at the health clinic for lifestyle changes, illnesses and injuries
and may refer students to a consulting physician. There is an extra fee for using
a consulting
physician.
For emergency and/or specialized medical care, students are referred to Columbia
physicians or hospitals where all medical and surgical sub-specialties are available.
All costs are the responsibility of the student and her family. In Missouri,
anyone 18 or older may contract for their own health care. Students should be
aware of medical insurance coverage under their family's policy. Specific information
on student health insurance is available in
the Office of the Dean of Students.
When a student is admitted to Stephens, she receives a health information form
which must be completed and returned to Health Services prior to her arrival
on campus. A student must furnish the report of her medical history, present
health status and evidence
of recent immunizations prior to confirming fall
preregistration.
Office of Student Leadership and Campus
Programming
The Campus Programming office promotes and sponsors student
activities and events, and provides advice and support for student organizations
and campus-wide activities.
The director and staff are committed to developing student leadership and involvement
through innovative and developmental programs. The office encourages service,
volunteerism and active
participation throughout the student body.
Residence
Life
The director of residence life, residence counselor and
graduate residents, all of whom are professionals in the student life area, work
closely with student staff members, assist in the development of hall programs
and provide opportunities for individual and group development that contribute
to the quality of life for students living in the
residence halls.
Resident assistants (RAs) and resident directors (RDs) living in the halls are
students who serve as peer support persons, providing resource information and
referrals. They assist students in adjusting to college life and its demands.
RAs and RDs are responsible for creating and maintaining a sense of community
in
the residence halls.
Residential hall living complements students' academic endeavors through the
connections they make with their roommate, hallmates and staff. The staff encourages
students to take advantage of the many opportunities for involvement. These opportunities
are designed to challenge a student as she learns and grows throughout her college
years.
Student Government
Association, Hall Councils
Students' responsibilities in campus and hall government
are twofold: to become involved in policy-making by making suggestions and problems
known to elected representatives; and to uphold the rules and regulations made
by the same representatives.
Every student is automatically a member of the Student Government Association
(SGA). SGA has executive and legislative powers to govern student activities
and to develop and maintain group living standards. Students who are elected
to SGA committees gain experience in planning, administering and communicating
cultural, social and recreational activities and in dealing with academic, residential
and community problems. Students are also elected to serve as class officers
for each of the four classes. These officers work within the SGA guidelines as
well as serve as leaders
for their classmates.
Each residence hall has its own elected council that provides ideas and support
for campus-wide concerns through SGA. Hall councils also coordinate recreational,
social and cultural
activities within the hall.
Student
Organizations
Many growth and leadership opportunities are available
to students through the following organizations. Honoraries include Alpha Lambda
Delta, national freshman honorary; Alpha Epsilon Rho, television, radio; Beta
Beta Beta, science; Pi Phi Rho, retailing, fashion, business; Phi Alpha Delta,
pre-law; Sigma Beta Delta, business, management, administration; Sigma Tau
Delta, English; Dimensions Company, dance; Psi Chi, psychology; and Mortar
Board, national
senior honor society. Other organizations include Martin Luther King Jr. Student
Union; Sigma Sigma Sigma and Kappa Delta social sororities; Panhellenic Council;
Prince of Wales Club, equestrian riding; Catholic Student Association; Stephens
Christian Fellowship; Mikreh "Happening", Model United Nations; Public Relations
Student Society of America; Habitat for Humanity; Psychology Club; Ambassador
Association; Students Looking at Teaching and Education; Stephens College Republicans;
Stephens Feminist Organization; Student Government Association; Students in
Free Enterprise; The French Society; Young Democrats Club; Warehouse Theatre
Company;
Mudshark
Club; Ten Ideals; and Human United Educated Sistahs.
Student
Publications
Students may become involved in the production of the
student newspaper, Stephens Life, by enrolling in a mass communication
practicum course for credit. Harbinger, a magazine of original literary,
photographic and
graphic works, is also produced by students.
The Campus
The buildings on the Stephens campus bridge the modern
and historic eras.
Historic Senior
Hall, the oldest building on campus (1841) and one of the
oldest structures in Columbia, is included in the National Register of Historic
Places and houses the music and dance
programs.
The James Madison Wood Institute for the
Study of Women's Education is located on the first floor
of Historic Senior Hall. Seeking to facilitate research that will have a significant
influence on the lives of women through the integration of new scholarship
into the curriculum, the Institute draws upon and continues the rich heritage
of commitment
to women's education that has characterized Stephens since former President
Wood began the tradition of building the Stephens curriculum on "the actual social
and economic needs of woman herself." Students and faculty are encouraged to
become Institute research affiliates.
The James Madison Wood
Quadrangle is the Stephens learning center. Included
are the Hugh Stephens Resources Library, classrooms, multipurpose areas, office-seminar
space, a teaching auditorium, a lecture theater, listening rooms, television
and radio studios, FM broadcast facilities, newsroom, computer labs, laboratories,
galleries, art studios—bringing together traditional learning aids and
modern technology.
The Hugh Stephens
Resources Library is the central building of the Quadrangle.
It is an open, informal space housing a variety of resources and offering students
and staff comfortable study areas and computer access to enhance a pleasant,
independent learning and research experience. The Library also offers other
spaces to facilitate academic and business meetings, such as the Penthouse
and other
meeting rooms. The Albert Schweitzer Collection area is a quiet nook tucked
away in a corner of the Library—perfect as a quiet place for individual
study or reflection.
The library collection includes more than 120,000 volumes with new materials
added at the rate of approximately 1,000 each year. There is also a very good
reference collection with professional staff who work with students and faculty
to provide individual or group instruction concerning the various library resources
as needed. The Library subscribes to approximately 355 magazines and newspapers
in paper form, as well as several large databases with access to full-text and
abstract versions of numerous journals. Other media include audio and videotapes,
and journals on microform. The Education/Children's Resource Collection is also
housed in the
Library.
Access to the Library's collection is through the on-line public catalog, Arthur.
Stephens College is a member of the Arthur cluster of the MOBIUS consortium and
so has access to the collections of other academic libraries in Missouri. Students
can view the on-line catalogs of other member libraries, borrow books directly
on-line, or review their own list of checked out materials and renew items themselves
if so desired. Arthur is available at http://arthur.missouri.edu/ .
All computers in the Library have access to the Internet. The Library has a carefully
planned Web page with links to other Stephens Web pages and links to useful on-line
catalogs, search engines, numerous helpful reference-related sites and other
resources. Access the library through www.stephens.edu .
Helis Communication Center, KWWC-FM and
the Patricia Barry Television Studio serve as laboratories
for students in television and radio production, broadcast and print journalism,
and public
relations courses.
Lewis James and Nellie Stratton Davis
Art Gallery exhibits works of selected artists, with a
special emphasis on women artists. The Catherine Webb Art Studios provide class
and studio space for drawing, painting, computer and digital design, ceramics
and
printmaking. These studios also support fashion design classes.
Special facilities of the visual arts area include a large, gas-fired reduction
kiln; two electric kilns; Macintosh computers; printers; and scanners. Each computer
is equipped with CD-ROM drive
and a Zip disk external backup system.
E.S. Pillsbury Science
Center houses science and mathematics faculty offices.
Classrooms and laboratories are set up for individual
projects and class experiments.
Ellis Learning, the
foreign language lab/student center, provides audio tape players for drill in
foreign languages and a dubbing
service for individual tapes.
Louise Dudley
Hall contains classrooms with audiovisual equipment for
courses in English, art history, humanities, social studies, business, psychology,
philosophy and computer technology. Special facilities in Louise Dudley Hall
include a large humanities and art history collection of 35,000 slides, records,
CDs and videos. This specialized library is used as a teaching aid in art, art
history and humanities classes.
Windsor
Auditorium, a teaching auditorium seating 300, is also
used for recitals and guest lectures.
Charters Lecture
Theatre, with seating for 128, is used for lectures and
films. The adjacent Arena Classroom is used for teaching, lecturing, conferences,
exhibitions, audiovisual
presentations and special theatre arts productions.
Firestone Baars
Chapel, designed by Eero Saarinen, is acknowledged to be
one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in the United States. It is used
for a variety of worship services and campus activities as well as for individual
worship and
meditation.
Stamper Commons features
self-service dining facilities for all students, faculty and staff and separate
lounge areas on four levels. There is also the College post office, the bookstore
(known as the Bookshelf), the Office of Student Leadership and Campus Programming,
Health Services, Office of Dean of Students, Office of Residence Life and the
spacious Windsor Lounge.
The John and Mary
Silverthorne Arena is equipped for NCAA Division III basketball
and volleyball.
Other recreational facilities include tennis courts, an indoor pool and billiard
tables located at several locations across campus. A workout facility is located
in Tower Hall.
Macklanburg
Playhouse adjoins the Performing Arts Department production
shop and the student-run Warehouse Theatre. The playhouse seats 350 and includes
a state-of-the-art computerized lighting control system, sound system and modern
rigging equipment. Some unique features are a fully trapped stage floor; 8-foot-by-32-foot
flexible apron deck; dimmer per circuit lighting distribution; and an independent
intercom system. The building houses faculty offices, a rehearsal hall, an art
gallery
and a box office.
The Visitors
Center, a four-story building, houses the Office of Admissions
and provides rooms for guests of the College.
The building also contains the Macklanburg Gallery, which exhibits the
Berman Collection and works of art by Albert and
Arland Christ-Janer.
Other Buildings
Classrooms, studios for fashion design, dance, music
and drama, and student publication offices are located in several traditional
and modern buildings; administrative offices are centered principally in Hickman
Hall.
Also on campus are the experimental arena-type Warehouse Theatre with
seating for about 300; the Johnson Plant Laboratory (greenhouse); and
the Audrey Webb Child Study Center, with the Stephens College Children's
School. Stephens Stables, including indoor and outdoor arenas, paddocks
and rings, and two stable blocks, are close to the main campus. The indoor
arena, renovated in 1999, furnishes all-weather accommodations for riding instruction
and horse shows.
Residence Life
Students are required to live in College residence halls
as part of their educational experience. Details of this policy are found in
the section, "on-campus living requirement."
The director of residence life and graduate residents, all of whom are professional
staff members, supervise the student staff and the residents. The staff advises
residents on personal and academic matters, referring them to other campus
resources if required. Each hall has designated recreational, cooking and entertainment
areas.
Students living in Searcy Hall are part of a house plan, which is a specialized
living and learning environment. Tower Hall is reserved for upper-class students
only.
Department Instructional Resources
Department collections—materials that are the
working tools of a department—are housed in the various academic departments
and supplement the collections of the Hugh Stephens Resources Library. They
include the Department of Art's collection of more than 5,000 color and black-and-white
slides and 1,000 mounted prints; and the Art History Program's collection of
more than 35,000 art history color slides and special collection of art reproductions.
Studio and practice instruments available to music students include grand pianos,
studio spinets, a two-manual neoclassic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ and a Rutkowski
and Robinette two-manual harpsichord.
Special facilities of the Department of Mass Communication in the Helis Communication
Center include KWWC-FM, a 1,250-watt radio station; a fully equipped television
studio; and a newsroom with desktop-publishing equipment.
The Department of Fashion boasts the Historical Costume Collection of
more than 12,000 garments and accessories of European and American origin.
The collection spans the years from 1750 to the present. Fully equipped drawing
and design studios are available for student use.
For a closer look at campus, visit our Campus
Tour.
