2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

CAMPUS LIFE177representatives come together for meetings of theCommunity Council, a body which provides a forum forsharing information and for discussion of commonconcerns. Students are also represented on other vitalcommittees of the College, giving them a distinctive voicein the making of college policies.Student Government Association: Virginia WesleyanCollege students are organized as the Student GovernmentAssociation (SGA). This association consists of theExecutive Council, president and vice-president, and 16student senators. The SGA makes every effort to be aresponsive voice of student concerns and to promote thegeneral welfare of students and campus organizations.Moreover, through work on many college committees,involvement in numerous social activities, sponsorship ofopen forums, participation in Community Council andspecial programs that foster informal student facultydialogue, the Student Government Association contributesin many ways to the quality of campus life.The VWC Concert Series: Crafted from a deepcommitment to develop liberally educated students withbreadth of understanding and insight, VWC offersoutstanding live musical performances through the VWCConcert Series. Here, artists connect with audiences in aspecial way. The intimate and informal setting of theEdward D. Hofheimer Theatre in the Fine Arts buildingbrings a drawing-room atmosphere to every concert, andeven back-row patrons enjoy a close connection with theperformer. With 10-12 free concerts offered each year,students have ample opportunities to enjoy vocal andinstrumental music in the styles of jazz, classical, folk, andbluegrass without ever leaving the campus.Other Cultural Opportunities: Annually, the SpecialEvents Committee brings to the campus speakers ofregional, national and international acclaim.The College’s drama department presents majorproductions in the fall and spring semesters. Several studentproductions are presented each spring.Hampton Roads, the metropolitan area in which thecollege is located, provides a rich offering of musicalconcerts, drama productions and art exhibits. ColonialWilliamsburg and other pre-Revolution sites are less thanone hour’s drive from the campus. Furthermore, theVirginia Wesleyan campus is close to other Norfolk/Virginia Beach attractions, such as Waterside—a festivalmarketplace located on Norfolk’s waterfront; Nauticus—aneducational and exciting interactive science center with amaritime theme featuring more than 150 exhibits includingcomputer and video interactives, films on a giant screen,exotic aquaria, touch pools, shark petting and the battleshipWisconsin; Virginia Aquarium and Marine ScienceCenter—offers seasonal boat trips for dolphin and whalewatching, a six-story IMAX theatre, aquarium andintriguing new animals and creative exhibits; MacArthurCenter—Hampton Roads’ newest mall hosting 140 storeslocated in downtown Norfolk; and miles of world-famousbeaches are within 20 minutes of campus.Campus Communications: Virginia Wesleyan’s studentrunradio station, WVAW, provides opportunities forstudents to gain firsthand experience in radiocommunication, broadcasting and station management.VWC offers hands-on experience in communicationsthrough The Marlin Chronicle (student newspaper), theSandpiper (yearbook), and The Outlet (literary magazine).The Marlin Chronicle seeks to disseminate news andcomments of interest to the campus community. TheSandpiper serves as a record of the year’s activities for thecollege and for members of the college community. Lastly,The Outlet provides students with the opportunity topublish their own literary and artistic work and to gainexperience in managing and publishing a literary magazine.Counseling Services: To provide confidential personalcounseling to individuals and groups, the college has aStudent Counseling Center staffed by two licensed clinicalsocial workers. Students may be referred by members ofthe faculty or staff, or they may refer themselves forcounseling. This service is available to both residential andcommuter students and includes short-term counseling oncampus as well as referral to professionals off campus. Thecollege Chaplain is also available to students seekingindividual counseling.One member of the staff, a specialist in the area ofsubstance abuse, offers education and confidentialcounseling for students who have concerns about their owndrug or alcohol use or that of another individual.Health Services: All Virginia Wesleyan students areentitled to the benefits of the Health Services Office. Firstaid and health care are provided by a registered nurseduring weekday business hours at no cost. If necessary,students may also be referred to the physician’s office sixdays a week. Students are responsible for all their ownmedical expenses. When needed, transportation will beprovided by the College.Students must submit a completed Health EvaluationForm before enrolling at Virginia Wesleyan. This formcontains important information in case of an emergency.All immunizations must be up to date.Health Services sponsors programs on campus relatingto current health issues.Spiritual Life: The Chaplain’s Office and the campusspiritual life communities offer a variety of opportunitiesfor worship, fellowship, and ecumenical faith reflection.Programs offered through the Chaplain’s Office include theSpirit 400 Sunday worship service, “Push It,” acontemporary bible study, The Listening Post, SacredShooters photography club, and Holy Fire, a student ledChristian fellowship. Information regarding the fall andspring spiritual life retreats and mission endeavors areavailable in the Chaplain’s Office. Monumental Chapel isopen and accessible for individuals seeking prayer andmeditation. Reservations for Chapel use are made throughthe Chaplain’s Office.Respecting the diversity of faith traditions representedon campus, the Chaplain of the college serves as anecumenical pastor to the campus community. TheChaplain, an ordained United Methodist pastor, is available