Student Handbook

Student Handbook 2008-2009

President's Welcome
Mission Statement
Academic Message
SGA

Dear Student,

It is with pleasure that I welcome you and the Class of 2011. You are now a citizen of Elon University, one of the most distinctive academic communities in the nation.

I urge you to make the most of your time at Elon by applying yourself seriously to your studies. Your first and highest purpose here is academic citizenship. Your priorities must be to learn and reflect on that learning, to develop intellectually, and to uphold Elon's honor code. Through the Elon Experiences -- study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, leadership development, and volunteer service -- you will have extraordinary opportunities to connect your classroom and out-of-classroom learning. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to knowing you personally and helping you to develop to your fullest potential.

I am delighted that you have chosen Elon to further your education and pledge you my full support during your college career.

Sincerely,

Leo M. Lambert
President

Elon University Mission Statement

Rooted in the historic tradition of the United Church of Christ, Elon University embraces its founder's vision of an academic community that transforms mind, body, and spirit and encourages freedom of thought and liberty of conscience.

To fulfill this vision, Elon University acts upon these commitments: We nurture a rich intellectual community characterized by active student engagement with a faculty dedicated to excellent teaching and scholarly accomplishment.

We provide a dynamic and challenging undergraduate curriculum grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences and complemented by distinctive professional and graduate programs.

We integrate learning across the disciplines and put knowledge into practice, thus preparing students to be global citizens and informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good.

We foster respect for human differences, passion for a life of learning, personal integrity and an ethic of work and service.

Elon University Academic Message

An Elon student's highest purpose is academic citizenship: giving first attention to learning and reflection, developing intellectually, connecting knowledge and experiences, and upholding Elon's honor code.

Student Government Association

As a member of the Elon University student body, one can be a vital part of the Student Government Association (SGA). The organization was established by students to fund and support the activities that are important to student life, to ensure a diversified college education and to represent students' concerns on campus. Every full-time undergraduate Elon student is a non-voting member of the SGA, ensuring that every student has a voice. Since SGA is responsible for an annual budget in excess of $700,000, it is vital that students be concerned with their student government activities.

The SGA is composed of two branches: the executive branch and the legislative branch. SGA's executive branch includes the SGA president (also called the student body president), vice president, treasurer and secretary, each elected annually in a campus-wide election.

The executive branch also includes more than 40 students who are appointed each year by the SGA president to serve in the campus judicial system and on various student-faculty boards and committees such as the media board, student life, teacher evaluation, lyceum, religious life, athletic and library committees.

The legislative branch is the student senate, which is presided over by the vice president of the SGA. The senate has three sections: the At Large, Academic and Organization councils. The senate consists of students who are elected in a campus-wide election and who are appointed by their respective organizations. Listed are the senators who were elected in the spring, in addition to organization council representatives who were appointed in the spring. Current open positions will be filled in the fall. The senate meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public, and features two open forum sessions where students can voice their concerns and opinions.

Through both its branches, the SGA is responsible for supporting nearly every phase of student life, including representation on academic committees, homecoming, family weekend and orientation activities. In addition, SGA funds the Student Union Board (SUB) and the Liberal Arts Forum, which sponsor concerts, lectures and events to entertain and enhance the academic environment of the campus.

Involvement in SGA not only helps to ensure that Elon remains sensitive to the views of its students, it also provides learning experiences in leadership and group techniques which are valued by employers in all fields. Elon's SGA can be as powerful as the students want to make it. With the support and advice of students, SGA has been very successful in its role as student advocate. Each student's participation can help strengthen that influence. Take an active role in the SGA! For more information, come by the SGA Office, Moseley 221-A, or call ext. 7254.

The SGA website is currently under construction and will be updated once the senate convenes in early September. In the mean time, you can check our Web site at www.elon.edu/sga.

Student Role in Decision Making

Elon University firmly believes that student involvement in decisions affecting the life of the institution is essential to its vitality. Consistent with this belief, the university provides for such involvement through student participation in a wide variety of standing, ad hoc and advisory committees, which purpose is to make recommendations or guide activity related to university programs. Opportunities are also provided for student contributions through periodic meetings with the president of the university, senior staff and the board of trustees.

Students currently serve on the following standing committees with the faculty:

Athletic Committee
Curriculum Committee
Communications Media
Library Committee
Religious Life Committee
Cultural and Intellectual Programs Committee
Student Life Committee
Teacher Education Committee

In addition, students also serve on the following advisory committees and boards of the university:

Academic Appeals Committee
Hearing Board (disciplinary system for students)
Honors Program Advisory Committee
Judicial Appeals Committee
NC Teaching Fellows Advisory Committee
Women's Studies Advisory Committee
Health and Counseling Services Advisory Committee