Social Wellness

Social wellness involves the capacity for satisfying interactions with our fellow human beings. It includes the ability to form and maintain casual associations, close friendships and committed intimate loving relationships. Social wellness is expressed in the experience of comfortable and mutually enriching interactions with individuals, groups and cultures, and requires the development respect for others and, acceptance of individual and group differences and a sense of responsibility for the welfare of others.

Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

• Contact: 513 745-2050, 513 745-3904 (fax), ML 5161, Web-site www.xavier.edu/business_ethics
• Location: 605 Schott Hall
• Mission Statement: To help students and other Xavier stakeholders recognize and deal with ethical values and related issues in the workplace.
• Services: The center brings speakers to campus, along with sponsoring events in conjunction with other partners, both within and outside the University. We also conduct continuing education workshops in business ethics for the business community.

Community Service Jobs Program

• Contact: Raechel Betz, 513 745-3116, ML 2131
• Services: The community service jobs program (CSJP) allows students to provide meaningful service to the community and to be paid for their time with their federal work-study award. CSJP sites are chosen carefully to allow for a wide range of opportunities for students to positively impact the surrounding community. Xavier has also accepted the “America Reads Challenge” through CSJP, where we have Xavier students helping elementary school children to improve their reading skills. Periodically throughout each year, the CSJP students meet to process their experiences and learn from one another through reflection sessions.

Multicultural Student Concerns Committee

• Contact: For current chair information, contact the office of multicultural affairs at 513 745- 3181 or ML 2311.
• Hours: The committee meets once each month or as needed.
• Services: The MSCC will support the recruitment and retention of diverse students through:
  • Working to create a campus culture that values diversity and an environment of inclusiveness.
  • Recommending to the academic vice president and vice president for student development policies and procedures that prevent any behaviors and conducts that create a hostile and unwelcome campus environment for students.
  • Developing synergies with committees and administrative entities (the office of multicultural affairs, harassment committee, office of international student services, learning assistance center, any ad hoc diversity committees) to address diversity issues for students.
  • Providing a forum for student groups and individual students to voice concerns and share experiences.
  • Developing channels to communicate with diverse students and enabling them to voice their concerns.

Office of International Student Services/Romero International Center

• Contact: 513 745-2864, 513 745-2876 (fax), ML 2171, Web-site
• Location: The Romero international center is located on the second floor of the Gallagher Student Center.
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some evening hours for special events.
• Services: The office of international student services (OISS) provides services and programming for all students, with a special emphasis on serving international students. Services by this office include, but are not limited to:
  • Immigration advising and record keeping: The director of the OISS serves as the international student advisor for all international students and scholars. The director stays current with immigration matters and assists students with their individual immigration issues. The office prepares immigration paperwork including the I-20 (certificate of enrollment), which is necessary to obtain a F-1 student visa, and the DS-2019, which is necessary for the J-1 exchange visitor visa. Assistance is offered in the form of individual meetings and large forums.
  • Orientation: Each semester, the OISS conducts a complete orientation program for new international students and scholars. The program provides students with important information about the University, Cincinnati and issues of special concern to international students.
  • Arrival assistance: Newly arriving students and scholars may receive special assistance from this office. Current international and American students also assist new students with their needs.
  • Adjustment and personal assistance: Every new experience requires a period of adjustment. The OISS assists students as they become acquainted with their new surroundings and culture and provides support for students who may need assistance with personal matters, especially those matters related to a student’s success as an international student. Special programs, such as study skills workshops and roommate programs for international students and their American roommates are offered occasionally throughout the year.
  • Programs, trips and activities: The OISS sponsors a variety of cultural and social activities for students. These may include trips within the Cincinnati area,visits to museums and other local attractions and trips to other locations such as Washington, D.C. Intercultural programs and activities, often in cooperation with other departments, are offered throughout the academic year.
• Special programs and organizations for international students and the campus:
  • Coffee hours: A casual meeting time, every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. that allows students to meet and relax together. International students take turns providing treats from other countries. Occasionally other offices and organizations on campus sponsor coffee hours.
  • Interlink: This peer mentoring program is made up of a team of American and international students who work together to provide programming and orientation assistance for new international students. Those interested in becoming mentors should submit applications in the spring semester in order to be considered for the following academic year.
  • International Students Society: This cultural and social club for international and American students organizes parties, picnics and other activities. During the fall semester they host the international dinner and fashion show, and in the spring they host the international fair. Other programs such as film festivals and discussion groups are planned throughout the year. Students may join the club at any time during the academic year.
  • Worldquest: Spring 2002 brought the debut of this annual international trivia competition. Money raised from this event will go toward international student and study abroad grants.

Office of Multicultural Affairs

• Contact: 513 745-3181, ML 2311, Web-site
• Location: Gallagher Student Center, Room 280
• Mission Statement: The mission of the office of multicultural affairs is to academically, intellectually and culturally stimulate Xavier students. The office seeks to promote an educational environment that recognizes andcelebrates the diverse composition of the University and its surrounding communities.
• Services: The office of multicultural affairs creates cultural programs, forums and workshops in partnership with University faculty, staff and students to expose the Xavier community to diverse contributors and the American way of life via the humanities, academics and religion. We also advise, support and direct the black student association and student organization of Latinos. Through these organizations we help build strong relationships with other University departments to foster great participation of African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American and other students of color.
• Smooth Transitions: In collaboration with Manresa, Smooth Transitions is the first-year student organization program designed specifically for students of color. Incoming first-year students are given valuable information that can be put to use throughout the academic year. Teaching incoming students how to access student resources such as Health and Wellness, spiritual development and the learning center are all components of the Smooth Transitions program.
• Mentor program: As a part of the Smooth Transitions program, incoming first-year students of color (protegés) are paired with volunteer mentors. These mentors serve as role models, guidance counselors and more importantly, friends to students who are still unfamiliar with campus life atXavier. This year’s program has 44 participants-11 mentors and 33 protegés.

Office of Residence Life

• Contact: 513 745-3203, ML 2811, Web-site
• Location: 3735 Ledgewood Drive
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Services:
  • Wellness Programming. The office of residenceliferequires each resident assistant to implement programs in each of the wellness areas throughout the course of the academic year. In addition, resident assistants are required to have a community service program each semester, a diversity component once a year and an alcohol/drug program. The office of residence life strives to create an environment where wellness can be achieved through programming, discipline and peer counseling. The professional staff members in Xavier’s apartments and residence halls are all master’s-level professionals who are willing and able to present information concerning many wellness areas such as sexuality, Myers Briggs type indicator, stress management, time management, diversity issues, effective communication, date rape, alcohol and drug use, relationships, etc. Even if something is not listed here, the staff may be able to provide a program with adequate notice. Additionally, the residence life staff is knowledgeable about the resources on campus and can direct students where to go for issues or concerns.
  • Theme housing. Theme Housing is available for students who wish to live with students who share similar interests. Wellness-related housing themes may include wellness, substance-free and others. Call for current information.

Office of Student Life

• Contact: 513 745-3202, 513 745-4280 (fax), ML 2122
• Location: Gallagher Student Center, Room 320
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Availability at other times as needed or required.
• Services: Student life responds to students’ needs, issues and concerns as related to their growth and development outside the formal classroom environment. Opportunities for learning are planned andimplemented through student life. Also, student life isresponsiblefor information dissemination, programs, student services, clubs and organizations, residential living, commuter services, involvement opportunities, student discipline, student publications, student governance, event planning and inquiry response.

Office of Student Success and Retention

• Contact: 513 745-3036 or 800 344-4698, 513 745-3403 (fax), ML 3111,Web-site
• Location: Alter Hall, Room 103
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Mission Statement: The mission of the office of student success and retention is to provide a unique service as advocates to all undergraduate students, especially freshmen. The director and assistant director have an open door policy and work one-on-one with students to problem-solve an array of issues regarding social, personal and academic adjustments in college life. The focus of this office is to retain and graduate the maximum number of students from each cohort year group (class).
• Services:
  • Advocacy: The director and assistant director of student success and retention work as ombudsmen for handling problems in a direct, expeditious and friendly manner. Students can come to the office with concerns ranging from a need for academic services to family financial problems, from course load difficulties to faculty testing issues, from roommate problems to commuter parking issues, and many times just to have someone listen.
  • Enrollment services grants: The enrollment services grant program identifies and assists students, primarily rising sophomores, who have family financial problems that may inhibit them from returning to Xavier. Additional grant dollars may be awarded to assist students who have need or who are experiencing financial hardship. These grants are awarded to upperclassmen who:
    • File the FAFSA.
    • Are in good academic standing.
    • Show financial need.
    • Have unmet need after financial aid award.
    • Have a financial situation that will impact their returning to Xavier. Approximately $115,000 per year group is awarded. If the student’s need continues, the grant will continue.
  • Summer School Grants: The Xavier University summer school grant program began in 1995. It is designed to help full-time Xavier students with some financial assistance (between $100 and $500 based on the number of classes) so that they can catch up with courses they may have failed or withdrawn from, regain their lost academic scholarship due to a declining grade point average or to lighten their academic load. Students need to register for summer classes, then visit the director for student success and retention to receive the grant. The grant is designed to keep students academically aligned toward graduation and is awarded to upperclassmen who file the FAFSA and show financial need. The amount awarded is based on the number of credit hours taken. All upperclassmen and parents receive a letter making them aware of the summer grants. Faculty feedback program: This form was developed by student success and retention as a way for faculty to provide information to the director on questions concerning the freshmen in their class. This form is returned to the director of student success and retention where information onall freshmen classes is compiled to determine if a student is having difficulty during the first four to five weeks of class. Thedirectorcontacts the students who are having difficulties and assists them on an individual basis.

Peace and Justice Programs

• Contact: 513 745-3046, ML 2910
• Location: Dorothy Day House, 1619 Herald Ave. (across from Husman Hall)
• Services: Peace and justice programs at Xavier University seek to educate, empower and affirm a community interested in building a more compassionate and just world through social action and community service. Working in cooperation with all areas of campus life, the program serves the University community as a meeting point, celebrating the Jesuit call for service of faith and promotion of justice. The Dorothy Day House has become a home for many Xavier students. Several student social justice and service organizations use this place to gather, talk, make friends and relax while learning to use their gifts to bring about a better world for everyone.

Study Abroad

• Contact: 513 745-3406, ML 5184, E-mail
• Services: Xavier University students are encouraged to include a study abroad experience in their undergraduate academic programs in order to: help fulfill the mission of Xavier University, which states that “Jesuit education seeks to develop…a world view that is oriented to responsible action…”; increase knowledge and understanding of the world through first-hand experience; develop language skills; increase personal growth and self-confidence, acquire multicultural perspectives thatcomplement any field of study, and to enhance one’s career.
• Location: Summer study abroad programs include England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands and Spain. Exchange agreements are available at international universities in countries including France, Germany, Japan and Spain, where a Xavier student pays Xavier tuition and studies abroad and a student from the international university comes to Xavier.
• Fees: Contact us for the most current information.

Summer Service Internship

• Contact: 513 745-3141, ML 2131
• Location: Center for career and leadership development Gallagher Student Center, Room 310
• Services: This service-learning experience is a way for Xavier students to use their talents in the service of the Greater Cincinnati community. Recent internships have ranged from assisting children with severe developmental and/or physical disabilities to helping to maintain, promote and expand healthy integrated communities. Our students’ work experiences are augmented with weekly reflection sessions. This in-depth service experience allows interns to develop a strong bond and sense of community among each other.