Student Life and Services

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, student support and outreach, counseling and wellness (includes student health services on the Hickory campus and personal counseling), student involvement and leadership (includes co-curricular programs, student activities, intramural, and fraternity and sorority life), and the spiritual life. 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..

Office of Student Life

Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation and Purpose

The Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation and Purpose (CLC) supports students and the greater LR community in creating lives of meaning and purpose. Established in 2018 through LR’s Quality Enhancement Plan and endowed in 2023 by LR alumni, Rev. Palmer and Cynthia Long Clemmer, the CLC provides a physical gathering space of welcome in the center  of LR’s Hickory campus (Rhyne 158) and hosts programs throughout the academic year to foster vocational exploration and discernment.

Anchored in the Lutheran theological perspective that each person is gifted and called in unique ways, LR strives to foster in individuals a sense of purpose supported by their values, driven by their passions, and aligned with the needs of the world.  As such, the Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation and Purpose facilitates opportunities for LR community members to develop as “whole persons” while discovering and embracing their unique talents.  The CLC promotes the lifelong process of discerning and employing one’s talents and gifts in service to the world.

To support students in this process, the CLC works within both academic and co-curricular settings to help students connect their various learning experiences with their life goals and purpose. 

Please direct questions to the center’s director, Mrs. Debbie Tonnesen, at Debbie.Tonnesen@lr.edu or 828.328.7855. The CLC’s web page can be found at: Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation and Purpose | Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Code of Student Conduct

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 student code of conduct to redirect the behavior into acceptable patterns. The student code of conduct seeks to protect the rights of the student while maintaining conduct that is acceptable for an academic community. Please see   Lenoir Rhyne’s Code of Student Conductfor more specifics at  https://www.lr.edu/student-life/dean-of-students/code-student-conduct.

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 accommodation 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 accommodation 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 to disclose the disability, to request accommodation and to provide appropriate documentation of the impairment to the director of disability services in a timely manner. After a request for 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 with 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 with 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 taking 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 reasonable accommodation.

To 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 Deborah.Mitchell@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 period for resolution will depend largely on the nature of 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 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 students reach optimum wellness. This is done through two modes:

• Illness and Injury Management focuses on acute illness and injury, and 
• Wellness Management focuses on healthy lifestyle choices.

A physician assistant (PA) is available Monday through Friday for consultation to promote evaluation of illness or injury and healthy lifestyle choices. Services through the Student Health Center are available to all degree-seeking students at no charge; costs associated with utilizing student health services is already included in the student fees.  

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. 

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, and holidays. 

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 any time at https://timelycare.com/lr by signing up with your student email.

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 Lenoir-Rhyne University. 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 North Carolina Health and Human Services website found here: https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/immunization/schools. Additional vaccines or titers may be required by health-related majors or for international students. Please consult your specific academic program information, academic advisor, or the Director of International and Special Projects for specific requirements.

Acceptable records 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 Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Services at 828-328-7959.

Institute for Faith and Learning

The Lenoir-Rhyne Institute for Faith and Learning was created in 2011 as an outgrowth of the strategic plan of Lenoir-Rhyne and the findings of the Lenoir-Rhyne Task Force for the Future. Aimed to inspire and enlighten people of all faith traditions, we feature speakers and host events each term with the goal of learning how to use scholarship and careful deliberation to face a range of complex and important matters facing the world today.

Furthermore, the Institute endeavors to provide programming that will contribute to and enrich “a culture of the intellect” by bringing in a wide variety of speakers including artists, musicians, clergy, activists, and theologians to appeal to those communities both in and outside of the campus of Lenoir Rhyne. Further information about the Institute may be obtained by contacting the director, Dr. Tripp York via email: Tripp.York@lr.edu.

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.

Intraumural Sports

Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a comprehensive intramural sports program designed to promote student engagement, wellness, and community through recreational competition. Intramural sports provide students with the opportunity to participate in a variety of team and individual activities in a structured, inclusive, and fun environment. These programs emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal development while allowing students of all skill levels to compete.

A wide range of sports and activities are offered throughout the academic year, which may include flag football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, esports, and other recreational tournaments and special events. Intramural sports are open to all currently enrolled students, with opportunities to participate as individuals or as part of a team.

Through participation in intramurals, students are able to build connections, develop leadership skills, relieve stress, and enhance their overall college experience. Students interested in participating in intramural sports or learning more about available offerings should contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership.

Student Code of Conduct 

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 student code of conduct to redirect the behavior into acceptable patterns. The student code of conduct 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

Traditions and Signature Events

Additional events such as the Student Life Awards recognize outstanding student leaders, organizations, and contributions to campus life, while late-night and end-of-semester programs offer students opportunities to relax, celebrate accomplishments, and connect with peers in a safe and engaging environment.

These traditions play a vital role in shaping the Lenoir-Rhyne experience by creating shared moments, strengthening campus culture, and promoting active student involvement. Students are encouraged to participate in these events and contribute to the ongoing legacy of campus traditions. For more information, students should contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership.

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. Students who are interested in learning more about leadership development should make contact with the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership.

Libraries

Lenoir-Rhyne University libraries service both campuses. The Carl A. Rudisill Library, which includes the Lineberger Memorial Collection, on the Hickory Campus provides a wealth of information resources and services to support student learning and development both in-person and remotely. The library provides spaces for quiet study, group collaboration, formal classroom instruction, and focused research. Wireless network access is available throughout the buildings. Computers are available for use along with laptops that can be checked out for mobility. 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/academics/library

Multicultural Affairs

The Office of Multicultural Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University aspires to create a welcoming community that embraces 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 all have equal access to the education and resource opportunities available at the university. 

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 several 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 the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership on the Hickory campus.

Personal Counseling

During college years, students are navigating the exciting yet sometimes daunting transition from adolescence to young adulthood. This period can be filled with challenges and moments of uncertainty, which is why our counseling services are dedicated to offering high-quality mental health support whenever students need it.

All undergraduate students, whether full-time or part-time, are welcome to take advantage of these services. The university provides a variety of options tailored to meet diverse needs, ensuring every student can find the support they seek.

Both in-person and virtual counseling are available through the Lenoir-Rhyne Counseling Center, focusing on short-term, solution-based therapy. Students can receive up to twelve sessions per academic year with our full-time counselors or counseling interns.

Additionally, The Counseling Group, a nearby Hickory-based agency, offers both in-person and virtual options with ten free sessions per academic year. To book an appointment, simply call and identify yourself as a Lenoir-Rhyne student.

Students can access an additional telehealth service through TimelyCare by signing up with their Lenoir-Rhyne email at timelycare.com/lr. This platform offers unlimited access to the Talk Now feature for 20-30 minute conversations (24/7) for in the moment support and up to twelve free scheduled counseling sessions.

For more information about these services, call 828-328-7959. We provide individual, couples, and group counseling, noting that couples counseling is only available if both parties are Lenoir-Rhyne students.

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. Crisis hours are held daily at 11 am and 3 pm in the Health and Wellness Center by walk-in. If you are in need of a scheduled appointment, contact the office during regular office hours at (828) 328-7959. If you are in crisis outside of office hours, contact Catawba County’s Mobile Crisis Unit at (828) 695-2511, Smokey Mountain Center in Asheville at (800) 849-6127, or United Way 211 in Columbia at (803) 733-5400.

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.

Graduate Housing and Meal Plan Information

Graduate students at Lenoir-Rhyne University have the opportunity to live in university-operated housing in limited designated residential locations. Graduate housing is not guaranteed and is offered based on availability, completion of housing application and housing contract, and housing priorities established by the Office of Residence Life.

Graduate housing assignments are typically offered on an academic year basis and are not guaranteed for the duration of a student’s graduate program. Students who wish to continue living on campus in future academic years must reapply through the housing application process and are assigned housing based on availability.

Graduate students living on campus are not required to purchase a residential meal plan. However, graduate students may voluntarily purchase a meal plan by coordinating directly with Dining Services.

Graduate housing assignments are made on space available basis and may be limited to specific apartment or residential communities designated for graduate and non-traditional students. The University reserves the right to assign graduate students to available spaces and to adjust housing assignments as needed to meet university housing needs.

Graduate housing is designed for student occupancy only. Lenoir-Rhyne does not offer family housing, and additional occupants, including spouses, partners, or children, are not permitted to reside in university housing.

Student Support and Outreach

The Office of Student Support and Outreach assists students in overcoming obstacles by connecting them with the resources and services that support their long-term success. The Office of Student Support and Outreach oversees the Student Care Referral Form, which allows Lenoir-Rhyne University faculty,staff, and students to show their commitment of care for students. Through partnerships with academic affairs, athletics, student accounts, financial aid, health and wellness, and other offices, we help to address a broad range of issues that may affect a student’s progress to graduation. 

The Student Care Referral is available to all members of the Lenoir-Rhyne University community who wish to refer any student need in the following areas:  

• Academic success, e.g., excessive absences or grade issues. 

• Financial issues. 

• Food or housing insecurity. 

• Personal health and well-being, social connection, etc.  

To learn more about the services offered by the Office of Student Support and Outreach, Lenoir-Rhyne’s Student Care Referral process and to refer a student, please click on the following link: https://www.lr.edu/student-life/student-support-and-outreach.  

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, The Student Code of Conduct, The Residence Life Community Living Guide 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, The Student Code of Conduct and The Residence Life Community Living Guide contain 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. All students can access the handbook, code of conduct and community living guide 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 Public Safety Department. Parking an unregistered vehicle on campus will result in a $75 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 public safety 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.

LTSS have Chapel services that are held daily when seminary is in session. LTSS Chapel Services are held in Grace Chapel and are provided via live stream. Please see the chapel calendar for more information.

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.

BEAR Central

BEAR Central 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 and Speaking Services; The Advising Center; and Disability Services..