Lenoir-Rhyne University offers students a wide variety of curricular and co-curricular opportunities for realizing their personal growth and learning goals. Students are encouraged to view their college years as a time to develop their unique talents through a holistic approach which includes an appropriate balance of curricular and co-curricular activities. The Office of Student Life assists students in their personal development through a number of services that help them make better use of their decision-making skills and foster growth and self-understanding. Offices found within student life include residence life, intramurals, co-curricular programs, student activities, The Lohr Learning Commons, career and professional development, personal counseling, disability services and the Student Health Center (Hickory campus only.)Through the Office of Student Life, a conscious effort is made to provide many types of academic, social and spiritual opportunity necessary to meet the individual needs that exist among all facets of the student body. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to maintain an environment in which students may experience acceptance as unique individuals and an environment consistent with the educational, cultural, and social values of the University.
Through the Office of Student Life, a conscious effort is made to provide many types of academic, social and spiritual opportunities necessary to meet the individual needs that exist among all facets of the student body. Lenoir-Rhyne seeks to maintain an environment in which students may experience acceptance as unique individuals and an environment consistent with the educational, cultural and social values of the university.
Office of Student Life
Community Service
The university encourages and recognizes students who become involved in volunteerism and service to the community outside of Lenoir-Rhyne University. Students interested in participating in volunteer programs and activities should contact the career and community relations coordinator in the Alex Lee Career and Professional Development Center.
Disability Services
The university is committed to promoting and maintaining an accessible and inclusive environment for students with disabilities. We strive to eliminate academic barriers and to provide equal access in a manner that does not compromise essential elements of the University and its academic programs. The Office of Disability Services is the university office designated to determine reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. We work to ensure programs, services and the overall campus are accessible in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the ADA Amendment Act.
Students with disabilities may request disability-related accommodations in classes, housing and other university programs from the Office of Disability Services (located in Rudisill Library Room 202). It is the responsibility of the student with a disability to disclose the disability and to request accommodations and to provide appropriate documentation of the impairment to the director of disability services in a timely manner. After a request for an accommodation has been made, the documentation and the request will be carefully reviewed. If there is insufficient information within the student’s documentation to support the request, the director may request additional documentation. All decisions regarding disability-related accommodations are made through an interactive process and determined on a case-by-case basis after taking into consideration the type and severity of the individual’s disability and the impact of the accommodation on the institution’s policies and programs.All disability-related documentation must be from a qualified professional, clearly state a diagnosis and illustrate the current functional limitations of the disabling condition and how the limitation will affect the individual in an educational setting. Complete documentation guidelines are available on the Office of Disability Services website at https://www.lr.edu/student-life/health-wellness/disability-services
All disability-related documentation must be from a qualified professional, clearly state a diagnosis and illustrate the current functional limitations of the disabling condition and how the limitation will affect the individual in an educational setting. Complete documentation guidelines are available on the Office of Disability Services website at https://www.lr.edu/student-life/health-wellness/disability-services
Depending on the nature and type of disability, examples of accommodations include but are not limited to:
- Extended testing time
- Separate testing area
- Note takers/notetaking software for classes
- Assistance in obtaining textbooks in alternate formats
- Accessible housing
- Accessible classrooms
For students with physical disabilities who wish to reside on campus, there are accessible residence hall rooms available. For more information about disability related housing accommodations, please contact the director of disability services at 828-328-7296 or the director of residence life at 828-328-7249.
While Lenoir-Rhyne will make reasonable accommodations in policies, procedures and programs for students with disabilities, the university does not provide personal assistance services (such as personal attendants), personal devices (such as wheelchairs or shower stools) or prescriptive devices (such as eyeglasses or hearing aids). Furthermore, class attendance is not determined by the Office of Disability Services. The course instructor determines the attendance policy for each course, and it is listed in the course syllabus. If the documented disability impacts attendance, a request for accommodation should be discussed with the director of disability services to determine a reasonable accommodation.
TTo establish services or for more information about accommodations at Lenoir-Rhyne, contact the Office of Disability Services, Rudisill Library Room 202 or call 828-328-7296 or email the director at Sherry.Proctor@lr.edu.
Grievance Policy and Procedures
Lenoir-Rhyne University takes seriously the concerns and grievances of its students. Lenoir-Rhyne will provide a prompt response to all written complaints, including those complaints alleging discrimination or harassment based on race, age, religion, physical or emotional disability or sex (which includes gender discrimination, sexual orientation, sexual harassment and sexual violence). Lenoir-Rhyne will work to resolve grievances as quickly as possible through the appropriate means whether that be through informal resolution or through our Student Conduct Council, Committee on Equity, or through the Title IX Office; however, the time period for resolution will depend largely on the nature of the grievance and the response required. It is the goal of Lenoir-Rhyne that written grievances will be resolved within a period not to exceed 60 days; however, the time period for resolving grievances will depend largely on the facts and circumstances at issue and may be expanded where necessary and appropriate to reach a resolution.
For more information on academic integrity policies and procedures, please refer to The Lenoir-Rhyne University Student Handbook online at http://www.lr.edu/student-life/student-handbook and in this catalog in the Academic Regulations section. All such matters will be handled in accordance with those policies and procedures.
Health Services
The Student Health Center, located in the Cornerstone House in Hickory, provides services to help undergraduate students reach optimum wellness. This is done through two modes:
- Wellness Management focuses on healthy lifestyle choices, and
- Illness and Injury Management focuses on acute illnesses and injury.
A physician assistant (PA) is available Monday through Friday for consultation to promote healthy lifestyle choices and evaluation of illnesses or injury. Services through the Student Health Center are available to all undergraduate students.
NOTE: Students are financially responsible for medical treatments that are received off campus. Lenoir-Rhyne has many healthcare treatment partners in the community. The physician assistant at the Student Health Center will make referrals to off-campus healthcare services as needed.
All students who plan to use the student health center are required to have a medical health record on file at the center. Failure to comply may void use of services.
The Student Health Center is open during posted hours only (https://www.lr.edu/student-life/cornerstone). The Student Health Center is closed on weekends, school breaks, holidays and summer break.
In addition to the Student Health Center, Lenoir-Rhyne has partnered with TimelyCare to provide telehealth and tele-therapy options for all students. These services are available to students 24/7. Lenoir-Rhyne students may enroll at anytime at https://timelycare.com/lr.
Immunizations
All Lenoir-Rhyne University students must adhere to immunization laws which apply to their respective campuses. Specifically for the Hickory campus, all undergraduate and graduate residential students, full-time commuter day students and part-time commuter day students taking more than 4 credit hours must have the required immunizations on file at the Lenoir-Rhyne Student Health Service. Records must be on file before registration takes place, or according to NC Law (G.S. 130A-155.1), you will be withdrawn from classes without credit. Registration for classes will be delayed if immunization records are not current.
Required immunizations are listed on the Lenoir-Rhyne Student Health Record, which is available online at http://www.lr.edu/student-life/cornerstone in the Student Health Center. Additional vaccines or titers may be required by particular health-related majors. Please consult the specific academic programs or the athletics programs for their requirements.
Acceptable record of your immunizations may be requested and obtained from a variety of sources, including: some high school transcripts; family physician; personal immunization records; military records or World Health Organization documents; or previous college or university. Immunization records do not automatically transfer from previous educational institutions and must be requested by the student. All immunization records must include dates of vaccine administration, be in black ink and include clinician signature or clinic stamp. Records will be questioned if dates do not meet NC Law (G.S. 130A-155.1) or FDA License Approval.
Questions regarding immunization requirements may be directed to the Ddrector of Student Health Services at 828-328-7959.
Intercollegiate Athletics
Lenoir-Rhyne University has a strong, broadly based intercollegiate athletic program. Lenoir-Rhyne teams are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the South Atlantic Conference (SAC).
The university fields intercollegiate teams in football, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball, baseball, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s swimming, women’s triathlon, and men’s and women’s golf. Additionally, Lenoir-Rhyne offers club level sports in spirit/dance, men’s and women’s triathlon, and men’s and women’s weightlifting. Scholarship aid for deserving student-athletes is available in all sports.
Judicial System
Policies and regulations have been established at Lenoir-Rhyne University to support and encourage its educational mission. As elsewhere in society, these policies and regulations are founded on the mutually accepted concepts of freedom and responsibility and are based on the assumption that members of the Lenoir-Rhyne community are interdependent. It is each student’s duty to protect the rights of other students, to fulfill their educational objectives and to maintain high standards of personal conduct. However, when a student’s conduct does not meet these standards, the university employs the judicial system to redirect the behavior into acceptable patterns. The judicial system seeks to protect the rights of the student while maintaining conduct that is acceptable for an academic community. Please see The Lenoir-Rhyne University Student Handbook for more specifics at http://www.lr.edu/studentlife/student-handbook
Leadership Development
The university recognizes that leadership development is an important component in the overall development of individuals. Programs are specially designed to enhance the discovery and utilization of students’ leadership styles. There are multiple opportunities for students to exercise leadership ability through campus organizations, classroom and volunteer experiences, spiritual settings and clubs. Lenoir-Rhyne University endeavors to provide an enriching environment in which students may explore, discover and develop their own potential for leadership and service within their communities.
Libraries
Lenoir-Rhyne University library services all three campuses. The Carl A. Rudisill Library on the Hickory Campus and the Lineberger Memorial Library on the Columbia Campus provide a wealth of information resources and services to support student learning and development. The libraries provide spaces for quiet study, relaxed group collaboration, formal classroom instruction, accommodated testing and focused research. Wireless network access is available throughout the buildings. Librarians work with students and faculty to assist in the development of information seeking and management skills that support academic success and lifelong learning. For more information, including hours of operation, please visit the library services web page: https://www.lr.edu/library
Lohr Learning Commons
The Lohr Learning Commons, on the Hickory campus, includes a variety of academic services, offices and resources that help students reach their educational and academic goals. Conveniently located on the second floor of the Carl A. Rudisill Library, the learning space includes an open collaborative study area; individual study nooks; computer labs; group tutoring spaces as well as academic coaching and tutoring services; Writing Center; Math and Computing Science Lab; Speech Preparation Lab; Advising Center; Disability Services; and BEAR Central
Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University aspires to create a diverse community that welcomes people of different races, cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientations, religions, socioeconomic levels, political perspectives, abilities, opinions, values and experiences. Lenoir-Rhyne will strive to reflect these differences in its decisions, curriculum, programs and actions. We will also strive to create an environment that brings out the best in all people that leads to positive contributions to the Lenoir-Rhyne community. The university will seek to ensure that underrepresented groups have equal access to the education and resource opportunities available at the university. Policy and procedures will create and sustain an inclusive and productive environment for faculty, staff and students.
Organizations
More than 50 clubs, societies and organizations invite students, faculty and staff to become involved in a variety of co-curricular activities. Additionally, Lenoir-Rhyne has eight nationally-affiliated fraternities and sororities. Lenoir-Rhyne also hosts a variety of religious and other activities which are recognized by and operate under the auspices of the university pastor. Finally, more than sixteen honor societies recognize excellence in scholarship and curricular areas. Students interested in becoming involved in a club or organization should contact their student services office on their corresponding campus.
Personal Counseling
While students are in college, they are continuing the developmental process of moving from adolescence into young adulthood. This can be a challenging and constantly changing time for a student, and as a result the counseling services strive to provide quality mental health treatment and support to students in times of need. All full and part time undergraduate students enrolled in the university are eligible for counseling services. The university offers several options for undergraduate students.
Undergraduate students have access to in-person counseling through Lenoir-Rhyne Counseling Services. The focus is on short-term, solution-based therapy. Students can receive up to ten sessions per academic year. Another in-person option is available through The Counseling Group, a Hickory-based counseling agency within walking distance of the campus. Students receive ten free sessions per academic year.
Lenoir-Rhyne counseling services and The Counseling Group also offer telehealth services. An additional telehealth service is available through TimelyCare. Using your Lenoir-Rhyne email address, you may set up an account by visiting https://timelycare.com/lr. Through this platform, students have unlimited access to the Talk Now function, which is built around 20-30 minute conversations, which provide coping mechanisms for immediate issue. Students can also seek counseling and receive up to 12 free sessions.
Enrolled graduate students on all campuses have access to the services provided through TimelyCare and The Counseling Group. For more information about any of these services, please call 828-328-7373. Services provided may include individual, couples and group counseling.
Students may choose to request a referral to a local provider at the student’s expense. Resource information regarding services provided in the community are also available through counseling services, as well as referrals to area psychiatrists and specialized mental health providers.
Counselors, as well as other appropriate staff or community resources, assist students in times of crisis or other emotional difficulties. If you are in need of an appointment, contact the office during regular office hours at (828) 328-7959. If you are in crisis, contact Catawba County Mental Health’s Mobile Crisis Unit at (877)327-2593, Smokey Mountain Center in Asheville at (800) 849-6127, or United Way 211 in Columbia at (866) 892-9211.
All counseling services are confidential. State laws and professional ethical codes dictate that the information discussed during the counseling session will be strictly confidential if you are 18 years of age or older. The counseling records are not kept as part of your academic or administrative records. Furthermore, the fact that you have used our services and the information that you share in counseling will not be disclosed to university officials, faculty, staff, parents, outside agencies or anyone else without your written permission.
Residence Life
With a commitment to the total development of its students, Lenoir-Rhyne University provides a structured, growth-directed and community-oriented residential housing program. Emphasizing personal maturity and development in a much-valued group living environment, the Residence Life program complements the academic experience of the undergraduate student.
Each residence area is supervised by a highly qualified staff of professionals and paraprofessionals. Residence area staff assist students through promoting student involvement in campus issues, personal crisis intervention and counseling, event planning and acting as a general campus resource.
There are several living options for undergraduate students in Hickory. First-year students have the opportunity to live in a traditional residential hall to take full advantage of the shared first-year experience. Upper-class students choose their own housing assignments based on class seniority and space availability. Both traditional residence halls and the suite- style rooms and apartments are available on campus. Basic furniture is provided by the university with provisions for individual room personalization and decorating.
Student housing at Lenoir-Rhyne is more than allotting space and providing the basic living environment. It is a valuable out-of-class experience which is essential to the total development of the student as a whole person.
Lenoir-Rhyne offers residence hall rooms that are accessible both to deaf and hard-of-hearing students as well as students with physical disabilities. For more information, please contact the residence life office.
Residence Requirement
Lenoir-Rhyne University requires all full-time first-, second- and third-year undergraduate students to live in campus housing unless they are:
- 22 years of age or older
- Living with parents/legal guardians within 25 miles of the campus (proof of residency required)
- Married
- Independent of all parental financial support for tax purposes
- Parents
Lenoir-Rhyne reserves the right to require any student not meeting at least one of the above criteria to live in campus housing. All students residing on campus are required to purchase a board plan.
University Publications
Lenoir-Rhyne has a variety of official publications. For the students on the Hickory campus there are two official publications which contain the conditions and terms to which students agree when they enroll. These are the Undergraduate Catalog and The Lenoir-Rhyne University Student Handbook. All students can access the publications on the university website at www.lr.edu. The Undergraduate Catalog contains academic information. The Lenoir-Rhyne Student Handbook contains guidelines for campus citizenship and gives important information concerning campus resources and activities. Other special publications are developed by various groups and provide information specifically related to the activities of these groups. New commuter students should pick up a copy of The Activities Calendar from the Student Life Office in The Cromer Center. All students can access the handbook on the Lenoir-Rhyne website at http://www.lr.edu/student-life/student-handbook.
Vehicles - Hickory Campus
All students, faculty and staff of the university who operate a motor vehicle on the campus are required to register the vehicle with the Security Office. Parking an unregistered vehicle on campus will result in a $50 fine. All motor vehicles parked on Lenoir-Rhyne property must be kept in working condition. Disabled vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. The security staff publishes a brochure that outlines the regulations pertaining to use of vehicles on campus. This information is also on Lenoir-Rhyne’s website, http://www.lr.edu/student-life/vehicle-registration-parking.
Students may also keep bicycles on campus as long as they are properly registered and stored in appropriate areas. There is a fee for registering automobiles and motorcycles; however, bicycles and mopeds are free to register.
Worship Services and Devotional Life
Given Lenoir-Rhyne’s connection with the ELCA and because of the importance of supporting the spiritual development of students, Lenoir-Rhyne offers weekly worship services on the Hickory and Columbia campuses.
On the Hickory campus, chapel is held at 10 a.m. every Wednesday in Grace Chapel. A brief service of Holy Communion is held each Monday at 10:10 A.m. A Bible study led by the university pastor is offered Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Additional devotional, faith-sharing and Bible study opportunities are offered by religious organizations and the university’s pastor’s office.
A Muslim prayer room is available in the International House.
The Meditation Chapel in the Cromer Center lobby is open for personal prayer and meditation during regular Cromer Center hours. Additionally, the university pastor’s office provides information regarding worship opportunities in Hickory area congregations.
The Columbia campus and LTSS have Chapel services that are held daily when the seminary is in session. Specifically, daily worship begins at 11:30 AM (Eucharist on Wednesdays), and 7:00 PM evening Eucharists are scheduled periodically during the year. Please see the chapel calendar for more information.
BEAR Central
BEAR central on the Hickory campus and online includes The Advising Center, Academic Support and Student Success Services. Each of the offices provide resources that help students reach their educational and academic goals. Conveniently located on the second floor of the Carl A. Rudisill Library, the learning space includes an open collaborative study area; individual study nooks; computer labs; group tutoring spaces as well as academic coaching and tutoring services. Writing and Speaking Services are available to assist with feedvback and support toward a wide range of areas such as student writing and speech-based assignments. Online services are also available to students in online degree programs and students on other off-campus instructional sites.
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