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
Student Success 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
vice president for student services 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 vice president for student services.
Mobility-impaired students should contact the vice
president for academic affairs concerning accessibility of scheduled
classrooms. Once officially notified, the vice president for academic
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 Vice President for Student Services.
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 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 several large databases with access to
approximately 10,000 full-text and abstract versions of numerous
journals. Other media include audio and videotapes, DVDs and journals
on microform. The Education/Children's Resource Collection is also
housed in the Library.
The library is home to the College's Student Success Center, two
computer labs (Mac and PC) and a G5 Mac lab for digital film editing
-- all creating a "one-stop shop" meeting tudents' learning,
tutoring and technology needs.
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
the other 58 member academic libraries in Missouri. Students can
view the online catalogs of other member libraries, borrow books
directly online or review their own list of checked out materials
and renew items themselves if so desired. Arthur is available at
http://arthur.missouri.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, social studies, business, psychology,
and computer technology. Special facilities in Louise Dudley Hall
include a large art history collection of 35,000 slides, records,
CDs and videos. This specialized library is used as a teaching aid
in art, art history 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 Vice President of Student Services, Office of Residence Life
and the spacious Windsor Lounge.
The John and Mary Silverthorne
Arena is equipped for NAIA 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 invited to be a part of the Honors House Plan, which is
a specialized living and learning environment, will be living in
a designated area in Pillsbury Hall. 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.
