Student Life
Commitment to community standards
A spirit of hospitality
Goshen College is dedicated to fostering a spirit of hospitality on our campus,
including all students, faculty and staff and college guests, as part of maintaining
a healthy living and learning community. We welcome all students as God’s
creation regardless of color, gender, religion, ethnicity or nationality, sexual
orientation and social or economic class. In order for a diverse community to
thrive, we must recognize our differences and seek understanding and integrity
in our relationships. Students and faculty at Goshen College are expected to
support an environment of mutual respect and accountability, to care for the
personal dignity of others and to have integrity in their conduct and communication.
The spirit of respect and hospitality at Goshen College reflects our character
as a Mennonite-Anabaptist liberal arts community of scholarship, teaching, learning
and service. We believe that the expression of hospitality is best understood
in the life and character of Jesus Christ, who welcomed the Gentile and the
Jew, women and men, the poor and the wealthy, the slave and the free, the sick
and the healthy. The Mennonite Church promotes a community founded on love and
justice in which all persons possess inherent dignity as children of God. Our
search for truth and our understanding of complex modern challenges is informed
and transformed by the life and teachings of Jesus and the tradition of Anabaptist
Christians to be accountable to each other in the context of the church.
Invitation to Christian community
Goshen College is committed to encouraging students in intellectual, social,
moral and spiritual growth. Students are invited to engage in a dynamic and
life-giving community here and to mature as individuals through respectful relationships
in the classroom, the local community, in the broader Christian church and among
other cultures. All are expected to demonstrate sensitivity and concern for
others’ convictions, perspectives and struggles. Within the context of
a Christ-centered community, we seek to become passionate learners, global citizens,
servant leaders and compassionate peacemakers.
Expectations
Members of the Goshen College community are expected to demonstrate individual
responsibility in showing consideration for the beliefs and feelings of others;
abiding by federal, state and local laws; and demonstrating exemplary conduct.
When a student’s behavior has direct implications for others and/or
the well-being of the campus community, there is cause for community involvement,
regardless of where the situation occurs (e.g. home or abroad.)
Academic honesty
As an academic community that expects integrity, we seek for truth and knowledge
by requiring intellectual and personal honesty in learning, teaching, research
and service. As an academic community of integrity, we uphold personal accountability
and take action against wrongdoing. For policy details, see academic integrity
in the Academic Policies section of the catalog.
Alcohol and illegal drug use
Goshen College considers the use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs
detrimental to individual and community health. The use of alcohol is illegal
for minors, and alcohol and illegal drugs also may create dependencies, invite
an unhealthy escapism, waste money and abuse health and take lives, as well
as generate behavior offensive to other people. Goshen College does not consider
it possible to have a wholesome campus community if alcoholic beverages and
illegal drugs are used. Abstinence may be an effective witness against these
practices, which are so widely and indiscriminately condoned in our culture.
For these reasons, Goshen College recommends non-use as the most appropriate
lifestyle choice. Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are prohibited from
the campus and all college-related functions. Students will be held responsible
for any alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia found in their presence.
Firearms-fireworks
The possession or use of firearms or fireworks is prohibited on campus.
Fire and safety equipment
Tampering with any fire and safety equipment on campus is unacceptable.
Fraud and theft
Students are expected to respect the identity and property of others. Examples
of fraud or theft include, but are not all inclusive of, the following: dishonesty
on timecards, theft of and other misuse of personal or college property.
Racism
Goshen College creates a social and academic environment where students
develop awareness of issues of race, sensitivity to minority populations and
intercultural understanding. The campus reflects God’s world: multicultural,
multiracial and multiethnic. We believe that racist attitudes and actions
do not exemplify the love of Christ, and violate the inclusive intention of
the mission of Goshen College.
Racism is a set of attitudes or beliefs that hold particular racial or ethnic
groups superior to others, often resulting in justification of discriminatory
treatment or other racist acts. Racism denies the humanity of others and denies
the truth that all human beings are made in the image and likeness of God.
As an institution of the Mennonite Church, Goshen College believes that racism
is contrary to Christian theology and is inconsistent with the life and teachings
of Christ. Therefore, we will resist the pervasive racism of our society by
identifying and confronting its evidence.
Sexuality
We believe that sexuality is an integral part of our personalities, reflecting
who we are as individuals. To care for another person includes honoring and
respecting that person as a sexual being. Sexuality cannot be separated from
the other dimensions of our lives.
Sexual discrimination, coercion, exploitation and abuse are detrimental
to both relationships and to individual self-esteem; these are also destructive
behaviors that violate the caring nature of our community. Goshen College
is firmly opposed to sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation
and sexual abuse. We believe the clear intent of New Testament Scripture is
to place sexual intercourse within the covenant of marriage.
The goal of confrontation in these matters, as in all others, will be for
well-being, reconciliation, correction, forgiveness and redemption. Our counseling
and health-service personnel are available to students wishing to discuss
issues regarding sexuality or sexual behavior. These conversations will be
held in strict confidence.
Tobacco use
The use of tobacco imposes a serious and unnecessary burden upon the health
of the user and community. It also constitutes a fire hazard in some cases.
Use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on campus or at any off-campus official
college activity and strongly discouraged elsewhere.
Threats of violence
The threat of violence against another individual, whether verbal or physical,
is unacceptable.
Vandalism
Any vandalism on campus will be considered offensive behavior. Responsibility
for restitution will be expected.
Serious intent
While it is difficult to determine a framework of community standards that completely
matches the ideals of each individual, clear expression of commonly held expectations
is vital to productive, positive life and work together in a diverse campus
setting. Every Goshen College student is expected to show serious intent to
live according to these standards. Information regarding the disciplinary process
is located at www.goshen.edu/aboutgc/community.php and is published in the student handbook distributed each fall.
Housing
As a primarily residential campus fostering learning and leadership outside
the classroom, policies are in place to encourage single students not living
with a family member to join the Goshen College community through on-campus
residential programs. All full time students enrolled at GC must live in campus
housing unless they meet any of these requirements:
- Have at least 112 credit hours posted on their transcript
- Turn 23 years of age during a given semester
- Live with parents or an immediate family member
Goshen offers a variety of housing options for students who are single,
married or have families.
- Three residence halls –Yoder, Kratz and Miller Halls are
available to single students of any classification. Each hall is coed, with
men and women on different floors. Students typically live in groups of
20-30 per living unit. Leadership is provided by student resident assistants
and a resident director.
- A senior/junior hall – In Kulp Hall, first priority is given
to single students who are seniors or at least 22 years of age. Second priority
is given to juniors or those who are 21 years old.
- Small group housing– available to single students who are
juniors, seniors or 20 years of age. Facilities are in houses on or near
campus and in small residence hall units in Kulp and Coffman halls. Units
can accommodate six to 12 students per group. Students form their own group
and apply for housing facilities.
- Apartments – New apartments designed for groups of four
to six students are available for juniors and seniors or students at least
22 years of age. Self selected groups sign up for apartments through student
life. See residence life and housing link at www.goshen.edu/oncampus.
- College-owned houses – available primarily for married students
and families; located a short walking distance from campus; size of houses
range from one to four bedrooms. Contact the physical plant office for more
information
Campus ministries
Goshen College encourages growth in faith through worship, Christian community
and service. The Campus Ministries office offers both support for students’
faith journeys and challenges to new discoveries in spiritual life. While
Goshen is a Christian college rooted in the Mennonite Church USA, we welcome
seekers and people of all faiths to attend campus spiritual life activities.
Worship opportunities include chapel services every week, a variety of worship
groups that meet throughout the week, and Sunday morning involvement in local
congregations. Worship groups meeting during the week include Voices-n-Harmony
Gospel Choir, Taizé worship and student-led contemporary worship. Christian
community sustains students through friendships and in small groups organized
by campus ministries that meet for prayer, Bible study, accountability and
sharing. Residence hall floors also plan spiritual life programming.
Service projects of many kinds allow students to reach beyond themselves
and the campus to show concern for needs of the world. Types of service include
the Big Brother/Big Sister program, tutoring, Habitat for Humanity, working
with the elderly, housing rehab and collecting supplies to be sent for world
relief. During breaks, groups of students travel to service locations. Celebrate
Service Day, held annually in September, encourages service in the local community.
Facilities that support spiritual development include:
- Labyrinth – an outdoor space for contemplative prayer, located
between East Hall and the Music Center.
- The Quiet Place– rooms for individual reflection and small group
meetings in the basement of Coffman Hall.
- Witmer Woods and College Cabin– an 18-acre arboretum of plants
native to Indiana located across Main street from the campus. The College
Cabin, adjacent to Witmer Woods, is available to students for meetings and
recreational activities. A Meditation Garden is located near the College
Cabin along the Elkhart River. It is a place for quiet reflection and contemplation.
- Brunk Cabin – a retreat facility in southern Michigan which
can house student groups accompanied by a resident assistant.
Convocations and chapels
Convocations and chapel services gather the campus community to focus on
themes that connect with our personal lives and also to the world at and beyond
Goshen College. Chapel services foster Christian worship and faith formation.
They may include guest speakers, faculty faith stories, hymn sings, or student
presentations. Convocations are educational events that promote the mission
and core values of Goshen College. They may include faculty speakers, guest
lecturers, drama or music performances, or student presentations by Study-Service
Term units or campus clubs.
Chapel and convocation services are both held in the church-chapel, which
is also the worship space for College Mennonite Church. Attendance requirements
for convocation and chapel are publicized at the beginning of each semester.
Students can monitor their attendance record online.
More Student Life programs
Academic support
The Academic Support Center promotes independent, life-long learning for
all students of Goshen College. The ASC assists students with documented disabilities
by helping them advocate for themselves and by helping coordinate reasonable
academic accommodations with teaching faculty. The ASC trains peer writing
mentors and tutors who are available to help all GC students grow as writers
and scholars. ASC staff also administers the placement and competency tests.
Alerts system
The Student Life office coordinates an alerts system to identify and provide
timely services to students who are experiencing academic problems.
Athletics
Goshen College holds memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics and the Mid-Central College Conference. Goshen men compete in baseball,
basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field. Women
compete in basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track and
field and volleyball.
Opportunities for recreational activity are available to all students through
the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center, the intramural program or outdoor
facilities. Over half the student body participates in the intramural program,
which schedules one-night tournaments, as well as longer sports seasons of
four to six weeks. The Gingerich Center is available for a wide range of walk-in
activities. The recreation-fitness staff as well as student leaders organize
these events.
Career guidance and employment
The mission of the Career Services office is to help students discover their
vocation. In collaboration with academic faculty and administrators, the office
works to enhance the professional opportunities available to students after
graduation, whether that is work, service, or graduate school. A variety of
services helps students with all facets of their career planning and post-graduation
experience, including career advising, résumé preparation, practice
interviews, job search skills, career readiness workshops, job and internship
listings, alumni mentors and more. Students who desire on-campus employment
should contact this office. An extensive online job bank for both on-campus
and off-campus jobs is available from the career services Web page. The office
is located in the Administration Building on the first floor (Ad 14), within
the Student Life offices.
Counseling and Wellness & Health Center
Located in the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center, the Wellness and
Health Center is a primary health care facility providing both preventive
and treatment services to all qualified students. The Wellness and Health
Center provides a variety of health education programs and participates in
the Campus Wellness Committee. All students are required to carry approved
hospital and medical insurance.
The counseling office, located in the Wellness and Health Center, provides
professional, short-term, on-campus counseling services to students on a free
and confidential basis. Services support students’ personal, social
and spiritual health, while increasing student’s ability to succeed
academically. The counseling office provides individual, couple and group
mental health counseling, wellness education, crisis intervention and referral
to community providers.
Privacy rights
Student Life staff members honor the national FERPA law, which protects individual
student information. See the Academic policies section for more details.
Commuter student program
A commuter student lounge with study rooms, lockers and a kitchenette is available
at the south end of the Union building. The Nontraditional/Commuter Student
Association holds regular meetings to discuss special interests and concerns
of commuting students.
Orientation and first-year colloquium
Orientation activities are offered for all new students. Fall orientation
includes special activities for international students, multicultural students,
transfer students, first-year students and parents. An abbreviated orientation
is also offered to new students in spring semester.
The fall semester colloquium program helps new first-year students adjust
to college life academically, socially and spiritually. In this program, ongoing
orientation and advising activities are attached to a regular college class.
Fall orientation includes several meetings with the colloquium professor and
classmates, sessions for parents, placement testing, a worship service and
other activities. During the first half of the fall semester, colloquium sessions
continue to address college adjustment topics, including how to choose a major.
Students do not officially declare a major until near the end of the first
semester, or later, whereupon they are assigned an adviser from their major
department. Colloquium professors serve as faculty advisers for students in
their class during the first semester. In addition, upper-class peer mentors
are assigned through Student Life to provide contact and support to first-year
students through the fall semester.
Multicultural Affairs Office
The mission of the Multicultural Affairs Office is to foster intercultural
understanding at Goshen College. Through diversity training, curriculum development,
recruiting and retention programs, the office promotes an anti-racist campus
community. Mosaic groups coordinated by the MAO office work at implementing
goals of the campus diversity plan. Special events such as the Martin Luther
King Jr. Study Day and the celebration of heritage months are designed to
increase awareness of the historical and cultural background of underrepresented
ethnic populations. Faculty advisers provide academic, social and personal
support for multicultural students on campus. Black Student Union, Latino
Student Union and International Students Club encourage underrepresented students
to negotiate the college experience, become involved in campus activities
and develop leadership skills.
Student activities
The director of student activities oversees all planning of social and recreation
events on campus and advises student organizations with the help of faculty
sponsors. The Campus Activities Council (CAC) sponsors a variety of events
that include large celebrations like the annual luau, the Kick-Off talent
competition each semester, and a number of weekly events such as coffeehouses,
Hour After (variety shows), movies and late-night activities.
Student government and clubs
The student body is represented by the Student Senate. A four-member cabinet
is elected each spring to lead the next year’s Senate of campus group
representatives and residence hall representatives. Student Senate appoints
members to campus committees where students are actually involved in making
decisions side by side with faculty and administrators. The Senate also manages
all club funds for various student clubs and organizations.
In most cases membership is open to any interested student. New clubs or organizations
may be formed with the approval of Student Senate and the student activities
office. Students who wish to start a new club or organization should discuss
their purposes and goals with the coordinator of student activities. Following
is a partial listing of groups that meet currently:
- Advocates
- AMISH (Association of Midwesterners for Ice and Street Hockey)
- ASL Club
- Black Student Union
- Business Club
- Canadian Club
- Campus Activities Council
- Campus Ministries Team
- Catholic Student Association
- Commuter/Nontraditional Student Club
- Cycling Club
- Def Campus Poetry Club
- Eco-Pax
- Environmental Science & Biology Club
- Fellowship of Rock Climbers
- Film Club
- GC Nursing Students Association
- GC Players
- Goshen Student Women’s Association (GSWA)
- International Student Club
- Knitting Club
- Latino Student Union
- Pax
- Pre-Medical Club
- Salsa Club
- Social Work Action Association
- Student Senate
- Voices-n-Harmony Gospel Choir
Withdrawal procedures
Student Life staff works closely with residential students who must withdraw
from college for medical or other reasons. See the Academic policies section
of the catalog for detailed information.