Considering the enormous amount of time students spend outside the classroom, it’s no wonder Union has such a strong commitment to student development. And, over the past five years, that commitment has grown stronger.

When freshmen come to Union, most expect to receive a top-rate education. However, student life research shows that education extends beyond the classroom. Students spend as much as 90 percent of their time in college outside of the classroom, according to Kimberly Thornbury, Union's Dean of Students. That time may be spent in residence complexes, with various student organizations, on the intramural fields, or in one of many ministry opportunities.

Recognizing that reality, Union's Office of Student Services and the Office of Campus Ministries have made a commitment to provide opportunities to have fun, to grow, and to be a part of the community.

Jay Ridenhour, Director of Discipleship Ministries, discusses the challenges of
leadership with students attending one of the Leading U workshops.

Developing leaders
Student Services is responsible for planning activities and programs for Union students. Many changes have taken place, including several new staff members. In fact, over 80 percent of the staff have been employed since 1996. That staff, under the leadership of Thornbury, continues to actively create a strong vision for shaping students while at Union.

"I'm proud of the team we've developed,” says Thornbury. “You could not find a group more committed to working with and developing students.”

Planning events is just one focus for Student Services. One of the most successful events is Family Weekend. Coming up on its fourth year this October, Family Weekend provides an opportunity for families to visit, relax and have a little fun on campus.

Concerts, intramural sports, a wellness center, and other special events also give students a break from their studies.

The university has also implemented programs to get students involved, keep them connected, and add convenience. The Dawg Tag and Sic'Em Card are two new additions. The Dawg Tag is a student identification card with debit feature that came online in 1999. Students use their Dawg Tags in all of the usual ways. However, this new system also allows them to scan the card for chapel credit and use the debit feature in the cafeteria, the Lexington Inn, and the bookstore. In the future, vending machines could even be equipped to read the card.

When students arrived on campus this fall, they found Mascot.com. Mascot is an internet site specifically for Union students. With an announcement board, online groups, and e-mail features, students can find out what is happening on campus and connect with those of similar interests.

The goal of Student Services, however, extends beyond providing basic services.

“As a university we want to equip and empower students to be leaders when they leave here,” explains Stephanie Lee, director of student leadership development. “We want students to be comfortable dealing with time management, conflict resolution, communication issues, and the many other situations that occur in the workplace.”

It was out of that vision that Leading U was developed to take a proactive role in training students. Over 200 student leaders were invited to participate during the fall. The juniors and seniors selected were already in leadership positions with student government, in residence life, as student ambassadors, as Life

Group leaders, and in many other campus organizations.

The support from all the faculty and staff made the program a success, according to Lee. Dr. Dockery talked with the group about grace-filled leadership and making wise decisions. Many other faculty and administrators participated in roundtable discussions and made presentations.

“Students need to know that they are appreciated and that as a university we support the development of their leadership skills,” says Lee. “Sometimes students feel disconnected with the administration. Programs like Leading U help bridge that gap and provide positive role models for students.”

Union senior and former student government president Joshua Trent agrees. “Programs like Leading U provide an opportunity for students to talk openly and honestly with administrators, faculty and staff about the daily challenges of leadership. The emphasis on student leadership benefits the entire university community.”

That commitment to being involved in students' lives can be seen from the top level of the administration.

“Dr. Dockery really sets the tone for the commitment to student development,” says Thornbury. “He is at ballgames, intramural games, and knows students by name when he sees them in the hall. That is a true blessing to Union's students.”

The residence complex commons areas have become the center of residential life.

More than a place to sleep
“On average, a college student will spend 18 hours in the classroom which leaves 150 hours each week to be spent each week outside of the classroom,” said Kathy Southall, director of residence life.

“Researchers in student development confirm that the majority of growth in college students takes place where the students 'hang their hats,' which is in residence life.”

Most Union students begin and end each day in the residence complexes. They sleep, eat, laugh, cry, play and even study in their little home away from home. The residence life staff sees this time as an opportunity to help students develop values and apply the principles being taught throughout the university.

“The residence directors, residence staff advisors, and resident advisors could be called translators,” says Southall. “We want students to learn that faith cannot be compartmentalized. The things they are learning in the classroom or chapel should be lived out in daily life. Residence life provides an environment for students to practice what they learn.”

With a combined 22 years of experience in student development and three master's degrees, the professional staff has transformed residence life over the past five years. In addition to Southall, the staff consists of three residence directors, six students serving as residence staff advisors, and 27 student resident advisors. The staff is actively involved in planning activities and spending time with the residents.

“The commons area used to just be a place to watch television. Now students are using the areas for planned activities and building relationships,” explains Southall.

Watterstock was a standing room only event held in the Watters complex. Several of Union's student bands performed while hundreds of students sipped on Cappuccinos and consumed an unthinkable amount of pizza for almost seven hours.

When a Clue game was held in the commons, several faculty and staff members – including Dr. Dockery – dressed up as the infamous board game characters to provide students with clues. Based on the traditional mystery game, each building had to gather the clues to figure out the guilty culprit. From having to sing the alma mater to finding chocolate bribes, getting the clues were sometimes easier said than done.

“It is great to see faculty and staff involved with residence life,” says Southall. “Most of the time students see these people in their typical 8-to-5 roles. Activities like Clue are a great opportunity for students to connect with faculty and staff.”

“We want students to learn responsibility,” says Southall. “Instead of giving students a long list of don'ts we ask students to follow five university-wide community values. Those values include worth of self, self-discipline, academic and personal integrity, respect for property and the environment, and respect for the community authority.”

A heart for ministry
“We judge success by how well students are living and acting Christianly, not how many are participating in various programs,” says Todd Brady, Minister to the University.

The desire to meet students where they are is the foundation for the Office of Campus Ministries. Integrating campus ministries with overall campus life focuses on three areas: worship, discipleship and service.

Worship takes place in many ways, but none is more prominent on campus than chapel. The approach to chapel has shifted to give students more opportunities to lead. Chapels are held every Monday and Friday. Mondays are usually more traditional. The sound of a praise band fills the Friday chapel as students lead the time of worship.

Union students are also taking active roles in the area of discipleship. Union students Kristen Wicker and Autumn Alcott had a vision for a young ladies ministry. It was out of their vision that Klemata was started. The student-initiated, student-lead Bible study that meets weekly involves a large number of young women on campus.

“Autumn and I had a strong desire to start a ministry for young women on this campus,” explained Wicker. “The administration was so supportive and encouraged us to turn our vision into reality.”

Discipleship, however, goes beyond Bible study. In 1997, a peer-mentoring program called LIFE Groups was started. The program places freshmen into small groups led by two upperclassmen. Each group focuses strongly on character development, success strategies, and adjustment to college life. Over 90 percent of freshman join a LIFE Group, which is a voluntary program.

“The LIFE Groups have had a positive impact on the university, including retention,” says Brady. “Freshmen develop relationships from the beginning of the college experience. The support system established through the groups helps them to adjust to the challenges and opportunities of college life.”

As with Life Groups, participation in other campus ministries has increased dramatically. The number of students involved in Global Opportunities (GO) trips has doubled over the last five years. The number of sites for the mission trips has also increased including international destinations such as Honduras, Costa Rico, Poland, Morocco, Spain, Israel and Egypt.

“We are finding that students are hungry to be Christians and want to learn more,” says Brady. “As a university, we want to provide opportunities for our students to grow and learn to integrate their faith with every aspect of life.”