2010-2011 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Student Life and Services
Student Life
Grand Valley State University reaches far beyond the typical college activity list to make life on campus exciting and enjoyable. Students can take advantage of a great variety of clubs and organizations, including cultural organizations, performing arts groups, recreational clubs, faith-based groups, social organizations, fraternities, and sororities, professional associations, special interest groups, leadership groups, and community service organizations.
Office of Student Life
Students are in class an average of 30% of the time during a week of college life. Historically, students who are successful have developed a plan for how they will spend the other 70% of their time. Students are encouraged to MAXimize their college experience through participation in a variety of campus experiences. Employers continue to look for employees who have a broad base of experiences and are comfortable working with others.
The Office of Student Life, located in the Kirkhof Center, creates an exciting environment for students to experience unlimited opportunities to interact with other students in addition to their traditional academic classroom times. This interactive environment provides a student development experience that fosters individual student growth.
Students are encouraged to participate in student organizations, attend campus events, and become involved in leadership and service projects. The Office of Student Life annually registers more than 325 student organizations. More information is available at www.gvsu.edu/studentlife or by calling (616) 331-2345.
The Kirkhof Center, named in honor of Russell Kirkhof, is a place for students to come and enjoy an environment that offers the opportunity to gather in a formal and informal setting. The Kirkhof Center is charged with supporting the educational, cultural, social, and recreational needs of Grand Valley State University. Located within the student center are the Office of Student Life and Event Services, 2020 Information Desk, University Bookstore, Office of Multicultural Affairs, LGBT Resource Center, Women's Center, and Dining Services. The following services can also be found: food services, postal services, copy center, ATM machines, and commuter lockers.
Laker Late Night is a series of events that take place simultaneously over a five-hour period from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night in the Kirkhof Center. Laker Late Night includes live music, comedy, game tournaments, free food, arts and crafts, and much more!
Kirkhof Center Daytime Programs provide activities for students throughout the week during the lunch hour and between classes. Programming includes a live music series, arts and crafts, karaoke, among other activities.
Area 51 provides a venue for students to coordinate musical events and showcase student performers. There is also a big screen and projector to watch television or movies, or to participate in video game tournaments.
Information Desk
Located in the main lobby of the Kirkhof Center, the 2020 Information Desk provides the campus community with up-to-date information regarding campus events and what to do in West Michigan. The student staff operating the desk is there to answer questions and assist students. Contact the 2020 Information Desk staff at (616) 331-2020 or follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GVSU2020 or become a fan on Facebook, search for twentytwenty.
Campus Events Calendar
A comprehensive electronic calendar of events for Grand Valley is available online for easy reference. The calendar is a great resource for the campus community to stay current on the many events and programs scheduled. Check out the campus events calendar at www.gvsu.edu/events/.
For additional information on campus events, contact the Office of Student Life at (616) 331-2345 or athletic event information (616) 331-8800.
University Promotions
The University Promotions Office provides graphic design and advertising to assist student organizations in promoting their events. Students produce various promotional pieces to publicize upcoming campus activities. Contact (616) 331-2340 for more information.
Laker Leadership Programs
Website: www.gvsu.edu/leadership
First Year Leadership Experience
The First Year Leadership Experience program is designed to assist newer leaders to create and enhance their personal philosophy of leadership while developing basic leadership skills and learning about the leadership opportunities the GVSU community has to offer. All students, especially first-year students, are encouraged to be a part of this program, particularly those who are interested in future leadership roles. This program teaches leadership through interactive activities and discussion led by student leaders and staff from the Office of Student Life.
Intermediate Leaders Institute
Opportunities are designed for those who are eager to improve their interpersonal leadership skills, team dynamics, networking, and communication abilities. This experience will help students become leaders in groups and in the community, while developing the characteristics needed to become established members of the Grand Valley leadership community.
Community Leader Seminar
This program is for experienced leaders who desire to increase their impact as a civically engaged member of the GVSU community. The interactive program teaches advanced skills, focusing on societal and lifelong leadership development. Through this program, students realize the experiences at Grand Valley can be transferred far beyond the reaches of this campus, to affect future workplaces or communities. There is a special emphasis on civic engagement and citizenship, which will allow these advanced leaders to adapt their skills for life after college. Participants will also be asked to share the skills that they have gained, to influence other future GVSU student leaders to follow in their paths.
Additional Leadership Opportunities
Leadership Summit is a one day statewide conference that provides student leaders and faculty from throughout the state the opportunity to come together to discuss leadership topics with national and regional leaders while networking and sharing ideas. With topic areas such as Fraternities and Sororities, Student Government, Cultural Programming, Campus-wide Programming, Service-Learning, and many others, Leadership Summit is one of the largest multi-focused gatherings in the state of Michigan. Leadership Summit provides excellent networking and developmental opportunities for student leaders at any level.
Workshops on Demand is a year-round program that the Office of Student Life offers free of charge to registered student organizations and university affiliated non-formal groups. The program offers specialized leadership and service related workshops. This is a great way to provide educational workshops and community building experiences to group constituents.
Venderbush Leadership Reception recognizes Kenneth R. Venderbush who served as Vice President of Student Affairs at Grand Valley State University from 1969-1973. The event features a speaker from the community, or a past Grand Valley Alumni, sharing their experiences and inspirations on the topic of leadership and service.
Community Service Learning Center (CSLC)
TheCommunity Service Learning Center, located in the Kirkhof Center, is an outreach office that encourages the GVSU population to engage themselves in community awareness through community issues education, volunteer skill set training, campus-wide volunteer/service opportunities, and community agency partnerships. Students are encouraged to become involved in a community service activity that will enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and challenge them to be committed to a life of community service. Students can connect with opportunities by visiting the website or the CSLC.
Campus Life Night
Campus Life Night, held the Tuesday evening after Labor Day in the Fieldhouse Arena, provides students with the opportunity to find out about their extensive choices for involvement on campus. Student organizations, campus departments, volunteer agencies, and area businesses set up displays and provide information.
Traditions and Festivals
Student organizations and special committees work with professional staff in sponsoring and planning campus traditions including such events as Family Weekend, Homecoming, Renaissance Festival, Make a Difference Day, Dance Marathon, Battle of the Valleys, Intercultural Festival, Sibs and Kids Weekend, Presidents' Ball, Community Outreach Week (COW), and Relay for Life.
Asian Festival: Each February the Asian Student Union sponsors a variety of events, the most celebrated being the annual celebration honoring the Asian New Year. An authentic and diverse type of Asian food is provided to festival participants. In addition, the festival coordinators provide traditional New Year dances and songs presented by professional artists.
Black History Month: Each February the campus community offers a comprehensive series of programs to celebrate black history.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Each fall the university community celebrates Hispanic history and culture with a variety of events. Students, faculty, and staff educate on the diversity within the culture and offer campus-wide celebrations featuring traditional foods and presenting and teaching music and dance.
Intercultural Festival: Students, faculty, and staff sponsor booths showcasing cultural cuisine, traditions, and crafts specific to a culture of their choice. The campus community enjoys good food, lively entertainment, and an exchange of ideas as the world comes to Grand Valley.
Pow Wow: The annual spring event celebrates the Native American culture. The Native American Student Association, with the leadership and permission of the Ottawa Tribal Council, shares an entire day of ceremony and trade with the campus and the general public.
Student Organization Center
Located on the lower level of the Kirkhof Center, the Student Organization Center (SOC) provides an exciting environment for campus student organizations to interact and conduct their daily business. The SOC provides resources and information for students who are interested in getting involved. The SOC also features interactive spaces for the organizations to collaborate with each other. Additional resources include computers, telephones, business center, resource information, library, and meeting spaces. More than 300 student organizations are supported by this center.
Student Organizations
Academic and Professional organizations focus on academic disciplines or are related to a specific professional field.
Cultural organizations educate the campus community about non-dominant cultures in order to enhance students' worldviews. They also provide students with an avenue to explore and celebrate their own cultural heritage and provide programs and services designed to support students of various cultural heritages at the university.
Fraternities and Sororities provide life-long opportunities for leadership, service, academic achievement, and social involvement through the association with a national organization (see the Fraternity and Sorority Manual at www.gvsu.edu/greeklife/.)
Performing Arts organizations provide opportunities for involvement and exposure to the performing arts.
Faith-Based organizations serve to enhance a student's spiritual life while providing fellowship and outreach opportunities.
Service and Advocacy organizations are centered on positive student engagement and social change through community service and educational programming. These organizations hope to raise awareness on social issues.
Special Interest organizations serve to enhance student life through the co-curricular involvement of special interests and hobbies.
Sports and Recreation organizations provide opportunities for competition, personal fitness, recreational activities, and/or school spirit support.
Student Government organizations serve as governing bodies in various aspects of campus life.
Media and Entertainment organizations include two types of opportunities for students. Entertainment organizations provide campus with a variety of student sponsored entertainment events and programs. Media organizations provide an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience with student media including newspaper, television, radio, film, and video.
- The Lanthorn - The Lanthorn is an award-winning twice-weekly student newspaper that gives students an opportunity to gain experience in the production of a newspaper. The Lanthorn office is located in 0051 Kirkhof, conveniently located close to the Student Organization Center. The Lanthorn staff includes editorial, advertising, business, graphic art, staff writing, and staff photography positions. Call (616) 331-2460 to find out more information.
- GVTV - Grand Valley State University's own student run broadcasting network offers hands-on experience in technical areas of producing as well as writing, reporting, promotions, directing, and acting. The channel is non-commercial and broadcasts on cable access channel 10. GVTV's office is located next to the Student Organization Center, lower level of Kirkhof. Contact GVTV (616) 331-4888 for more information.
- WCKS - The student-run campus radio station is located on the lower level of the Kirkhof Center. Opportunities for all aspects of radio production and broadcast are available to students. Contact (616) 331-2356 for more information.
Student Senate
The Student Senate is an elected body of 50 students. The senate conveys student opinion to the Grand Valley Administration and the Board of Trustees in matters of institutional policy. The senate also provides a forum for discussion, investigation, and resolution of student ideas and concerns.
The Senate is responsible for the allocation of the Student Life Fund and for the appointment of student representatives to all university standing committees and advisory boards. Contact (616) 331-2333 for more information.
Spotlight - Campus Life Programming
Spotlight Productions, the campus entertainment board, selects and organizes large-scale concerts, big-name comedians, a series of free movies, monthly coffeehouse performers, nationally recognized speakers, aspiring artists, and many GVSU traditional events such as "Sibs and Kids" weekend. Students work together to choose and produce events while obtaining numerous event planning, marketing, and collaboration skills that will transfer into their professional lives. Contact (616) 331-2806 for more information.
Student Services
Intercollegiate Athletics
Grand Valley is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Membership in the GLIAC includes Ashland, Ferris, Findlay, Grand Valley, Hillsdale, Lake Erie College, Lake Superior, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, Northwood, Ohio Dominican, Saginaw Valley, Tiffin, and Wayne State. Grand Valley is also a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Division II).
Since the creation of the GLIAC in 1972, Grand Valley has won the President's Cup, the conference all-sports trophy, and symbol of athletic excellence, 16 times; and has won the Director's Cup, the NCAA Division II all-sports trophy, the last six consecutive years. Grand Valley's men's teams have won conference championships in football 14 times; basketball, eight; baseball, 14; wrestling, six; tennis, one; golf, four; indoor track, nine; swimming & diving, two; outdoor track, six; and cross country, eight. In women's sports, Grand Valley has won championships in basketball eight times; cross country, ten; soccer, five; softball, 11; tennis, two; volleyball, ten; swimming & diving, one; indoor track, ten; outdoor track, ten; and golf, six.
Scholarships are offered in all men's and women's sports.
GVSU competes in the following sports: Men - baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track and outdoor track. Women - basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track, outdoor track, and volleyball.
The Barbara H. Padnos International Center
Grand Valley's mission, values, and vision statement includes references to educating students in the global community beyond Michigan or the U.S.A. GVSU recognizes that a foundation to a strong university education includes an understanding of other cultures as well as a global vision. With this in mind, the mission of the Barbara H. Padnos International Center is:
To engage the university community in the development of meaningful international experiences which foster an appreciation and awareness of diverse cultures, people, and ideas.
New populations, environmental challenges, and global interdependence add to the agenda for global competency skills. Individuals, businesses, agencies, and organizations need employees who are culturally and linguistically capable. Second-language fluency and the ability to work with various cultures are critical to the future of West Michigan.
The Barbara H. Padnos International Center organizes and coordinates the university's international programs and activities, working with all academic departments, colleges, and other units. It oversees international partnership agreements, faculty-led group programs, study abroad programs, work and internship programs in other nations, international volunteer and service-learning activities. It serves as a catalyst for international curriculum development and helps make Grand Valley's international resources and expertise available to the GVSU community.
The Barbara H. Padnos International Center coordinates with Student Affairs and Admissions to recruit, admit, and advise international students. The office also works with universities, non-governmental organizations, and governmental agencies to develop and administer programs and services. In addition, it works with academic departments, Colleges, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the modern languages department to internationalize the curriculum and provide overseas study opportunities relevant to the curriculum.
International Partnership Agreements
Partnerships with overseas institutions to create meaningful opportunities for students, faculty, and staff that allow for educational and living experiences in other nations. Partnerships also increase the presence of international students and faculty at GVSU. Currently, GVSU has institution-to-institution agreements with the following institutions, which offer a variety of study abroad opportunities for students:
Australia: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Macquarie University, Sydney
China: China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing; East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai; East China Normal University, Shanghai; East China Normal University, Shanghai
England: Kingston University, Kingston-on-Thames; University of Brighton, Brighton
France: Groupe ESC Grenoble; L'Ecole Superieure Des Sciences Commerciales of Angers l'Universite Catholique de L'Ouest, Angers
Germany: Duale Hochschule Baden Wurttemberg, Mosback Padagogische Hochschule Schwabisch Gmund Fakultaet I, Schwabish Gmund
Ghana: University of Cape Coast
Hungary: University of Debrecen, Debrecen
Italy: Universita degli Studi de Perugia, Perugia; Universita per Stranieri di Perugia, Perugia.
Jamaica: University of the West Indies - Mona Campus
Japan: International Christian University, Tokyo; The Japan Center for Michigan Universities
Hikone: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu
Mexico: Universidad de las Americas-Puebla
Norway: University of Oslo
Poland: Cracow University of Economics
Taiwan: National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei
Turkey: Middle East Technical University, Ankara
Consortia Programs
Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU), Hikone, Japan
Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST), various locations
Midwest Consortium for Study Abroad (MCSA), various locations
Affiliate Programs
American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS), various locations
Australearn/Eurolearn/Asialearn, various locations
Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), various locations
Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA), various locations
Edge Hill University (EHU), Ormskirk, England
International Studies Abroad (ISA), various locations
John Cabot University (JCU), Rome, Italy
University of Deusto (CIDE), Bilbao, Spain
European Study Abroad (EUSA), various locations
Hellenic International Studies of the Arts (HISA), Paros, Greece
Semester in India, Pondicherry, India
International Student Services Program
Grand Valley recognizes the importance of international students to the campus community. Accordingly, the program serves as the organizer, promoter, and facilitator of various cross-cultural exchange activities. Also, the program provides support services that includes extensive orientation, cross cultural adjustment seminars, housing assistance, and overseas immigration regulations and work authorization.
Study Abroad
The Padnos International Center (PIC) supports the academic programs in all departments, divisions, and schools by offering and coordinating study abroad opportunities in countries around the world. Semester and year-long academic programs are available to all degree seeking students in all academic majors and minors.
Grand Valley offers various scholarship and grant opportunities--Barbara H. Padnos Study Abroad Scholarship (year long study with preference given to majors in the arts and humanities), The Mark A. and Elizabeth E. Murray Study Abroad Scholarship (related to financial need), and the PIC Study Abroad Grant (open to both graduate and undergraduate students). The Padnos International Center also maintains a roster of other scholarships and grants for study abroad.
Padnos International Center maintains a fully staffed Resource Room, where students can explore participation in overseas opportunities throughout the world. Guidance, enrollment support, financial aid coordination, and credit transfers are services offered by the Padnos International Center staff. Students are encouraged to visit the center's resource room early in their academic studies, so that appropriate planning can be undertaken.
IS 380
International Studies 380 is the special topics course in which students enroll when they study abroad. Students on study-abroad programs enroll in this "placeholder'' course until the transcript arrives from the overseas institution, at which time the course is converted to an equivalent Grand Valley course (replacing IS 380 on the transcript). In cases in which there is no comparable Grand Valley course, the original IS 380, with an appropriate subtitle, remains on the transcript. Students may enroll in 1 to 16 credits of IS 380 per academic term, if approved for study abroad through an application process administered by the Padnos International Center.
IS 680
International Studies 680 is similar to IS 380, but serves the role of placeholder for graduate credit, for Grand Valley graduate students participating in study abroad programs.
Global Programs
Students can acquire international experience through a variety of short-term Grand Valley-sponsored programs, generally led by Grand Valley faculty. Summer programs may include:
Central London, England - urbanization/geography and British culture
Egypt - Middle Eastern studies
El Salvador, Central America - social work
Guadalajara, Mexico - Spanish language and culture
Kingston, England - Art
Krakow, Poland - Polish language, culture, and economics
Nice, France - French language, culture
Shanghai, China - Eastern philosophy, language, and civilization
Sydney, Australia - public administration
Tuebingen, Germany - German language and culture
Padnos assists students with their plans and participation in these programs. It coordinates programs with the Financial Aid and Registrar's offices to ensure academic credit and financial aid for program participation. It also maintains a comprehensive file of authorized international study programs throughout the world, assists with the coordination of faculty exchanges, and provides information on opportunities for research, teaching, and working abroad.
Academic Activities
The Padnos International Center organizes various academic activities - lecture series, break roundtables, conversation series and research forums - during the fall and winter semesters. Also, PIC works with the International Club in organizing the student-led "Global Issues Forum,'' a monthly discussion of various international issues.
For further information, contact the Padnos International Center, Room 130, Lake Ontario Hall, telephone (616) 331-3898.
The Bookstore
Textbooks for classes taught at Grand Valley State University are available through University Bookstore with locations in Allendale and Grand Rapids. Students attending classes on the Allendale campus will find their textbooks and required supplies at UBS on the first floor of the Kirkhof Center. In addition, the store offers a large selection of Grand Valley State University imprinted clothing and gifts, as well as a variety of classroom supplies, and books for leisure reading. The Allendale store also provides textbooks for students who attend classes at satellite locations throughout Michigan, including Holland, Muskegon, and Traverse City. Textbooks and merchandise may be ordered on the Web at www.ubs.gvsu.edu or by phone at (866) 299-0001.
UBS Allendale is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Hours are extended the first week of the semester. Telephone (616) 331-2450.
Students who attend classes on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus may purchase their textbooks at University Bookstore adjacent to the plaza on the first floor of the Richard M. DeVos Center. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Telephone (616) 331-6602.
Campus Ministry
The interdenominational Campus Ministry Council offers a ministry to the university community through worship services, Bible study groups, speakers, retreats, discussions, service opportunities, and pastoral counseling. Weekly services include Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. and Catholic Mass at 5:30 p.m. The Campus Ministry Offices are located in the Cook-DeWitt Center. Telephone (616) 331-3111 or (616) 331-3251.
Campus Recreation
Website: www.gvsu.edu/rec
Shaping students and the university community to commit to a healthy lifestyle
The Campus Recreation department (www.gvsu.edu/rec) is committed to the well being of the university community. Our programs and services are offered through Intramural Sports and the Fitness and Wellness Center. Together we strive to be a leader on campus by developing a culture that values health and wellness as a life-long goal.
Intramural Sports (phone 331-3218)
The intramural sports program provides a quality recreational sports experience for a diverse university community. Through sport and leisure activities, the program enhances the participant's university experience by promoting student development in a safe environment. The intramural sports program offers sports in the fall, winter and spring semesters in men's, women's and co-rec divisions of play for both competitive and recreational skill levels. GVSU students, faculty, and staff are eligible to participate. The intramural sports program includes: Basketball, Flag Football, Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Golf, Racquetball, Bowling, Table Tennis, Billiards, Dodge ball, Kickball, Punt-Pass-Kick, Roller/Floor Hockey, Rowing, 5K Run/Walk, Badminton and Indoor Track and Field.
Fitness and Wellness Center (phone 331-3659)
The Fitness and Wellness Center is located on the lower level of the Recreation Center. The center offers a variety of fitness and wellness services for the university community. Services include health risk appraisals, health screenings, fitness testing, exercise programming, equipment orientations, nutrition consultation group exercise classes, cholesterol testing, personal training, and massage. The Fitness and Wellness Center sponsors various programs such as recreation clinics, health fairs, CPR training, fitness challenges, and on-campus education outreach.
Communications
WGVU-TV 35/WGVU-DT 11 and WGVK-TV 52/WGVK-DT 5, affiliated with the Public Broadcasting Service, present a variety of informative and entertaining programs including children's shows, public affairs, cultural offerings, and sports. The stations also supply educational programming for thousands of elementary and secondary school children, and produce several local programs for West Michigan.
WGVU 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Whitehall are National Public Radio stations licensed to the Grand Valley Board of Trustees. The stations broadcast jazz and news and information programs from NPR. A strong commitment to local news is emphasized.
WGVU 1480 AM Grand Rapids and 850 AM Muskegon are National Public Radio stations also licensed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees. The stations broadcast Oldies Music with NPR and local news.
For those planning careers in broadcasting or non-profit leadership, the television and radio stations offer many intern positions through which students can gain practical on-the-job training under actual broadcast conditions. Our television and radio stations also provide employment opportunities and professional experience for students, and two annual Grand Valley tuition scholarships are awarded. The offices and studios are located in the Meijer Public Broadcast Center on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids campus.
Computer Support
Over 30 classrooms/labs with Pentium Windows and Macintosh machines running over 180 student applications; ADA stations in most labs; SMART technology (computer, LCD projector, DVD, and VCR) available in all classrooms; wireless connectivity in all academic buildings and select housing locations; all classroom and student living areas networked for Internet access, email, courseware, registration, and many other student services; digital media assistance available to students and faculty; free music service to students, free anti-virus software for all campus computers including students in Grand Valley housing; and Computing & Technology Support services available to all faculty, staff and students.
Career Services
The Counseling and Career Development Center assists students in making career decisions. The center provides individual counseling sessions in which personal values, interests, abilities, and goals are assessed and then used as a basis for career exploration and decision making. Individual career counseling is available at the Allendale Campus office, the Robert C. Pew Campus in Grand Rapids, and the Meijer Campus in Holland. Call (616) 331-3266 to set up an appointment. The center also houses an extensive Career Resource Library in which up-to-date information on a wide range of careers is available. Also offered each semester are career seminars and study skills that help students plan for the future by addressing topics such as study skill techniques, planning for graduate school, and identifying potential careers. Current career information and job trends data are included in both individual career counseling sessions and career seminars through the use of numerous websites emphasizing career exploration and information. The Counseling and Career Development Center and Library are located in 204 Student Services Building. Telephone (616) 331-3266.
Internships, Cooperative Education and other Experiential Education Programs
In today's highly competitive job market, employers hire candidates who possess not only a college degree, but also career-related experience. In a survey conducted by Grand Valley Career Services, 99% of employers agreed that most students would benefit from such an experience.
The best way to gain the experience employers are looking for is to complete one or more internships. In addition to the possibility of earning college credit, other educational benefits of internships/co-ops include learning new skills and applying theory to the world of work. Career development benefits include exploring career options, developing realistic career goals and expectations, and building relationships with professionals. Employment advantages include gaining career-related experience, supplementing (or compensating for) grades, and receiving possible employment offers or recommendations for future employment.
Academic Requirements and Credits. Each academic department determines the academic requirements for internships and cooperative education experiences. Unless an academic department requires completion of an internship, it is up to the student to decide whether or not they wish to pursue receiving credit for their internship experience (occasionally, employers require interns to receive college credit for their experience). Students seeking credit are typically required to have completed 60 academic credits before signing up for internships or cooperative education experiences. Work hours normally equate to 150 hours for three academic credits. However, this may vary by department. A maximum of 15 internship/cooperative education credits may be applied toward graduation. The nature of the academic component of an internship/cooperative education experience is defined by the academic department. A student may not use a single work experience to generate both internship/cooperative education credit and other forms of credit, e.g., independent study credit.
Cooperative Education. A work-training program specified in engineering. Co-op is a specific type of work training experience in which students have at least two full-time or part-time supervised paid work experiences related to their major, each lasting at least one semester. The co-op program is specifically designated as such by the academic department.
Criteria. Internships and co-ops may be initiated by the faculty advisor, the employer, the student, or the Career Services Office. When seeking credit for the experience, a faculty advisor within each academic department is responsible for final approval of internships and co-ops to ensure that the experience meets specific departmental criteria. Students are required to comply with academic departmental GPA requirements regarding internships or co-ops. The work setting must provide an opportunity for learning that is relevant to the intern's academic field. The employer provides a field supervisor and the academic department provides a faculty member to direct the experience. Field supervisors evaluate the student's work experience while the faculty member evaluates the work submitted by the student to fulfill departmental requirements for the experience. The length of the internship/co-op is determined prior to the beginning of the internship by the employer, the faculty advisor, and the student. An internship/cooperative education experience can be terminated prior to completion by the faculty advisor, field supervisor, or student. However, permission for course withdrawal is vested exclusively in the faculty.
Internships. A supervised work experience directly related to an academic discipline taking place outside of the classroom, and directed by a field supervisor and a Grand Valley faculty member. The internship may be full-or part-time and may or may not be a paid work experience. An internship typically lasts for one semester. A student may enroll for a maximum of 15 credits of internship. The internship must be planned and approved by the academic department the semester prior to when the experience will take place. Internships are available in most Grand Valley majors.
Career Services and Post-Graduation Employment Assistance
The Career Services Office provides extensive services to students and alumni as they prepare for internship/co-op and post-graduation employment. The staff assists students and alumni with preparing written application materials, along with developing interviewing skills and job search techniques. Individual appointments can be scheduled with an advisor, in addition to attending workshops and seminars. Students and alumni may take advantage of LakerJobs, a web-based system to access current job/internship opportunities, sign up for on-campus interviews, and receive email correspondence regarding upcoming events and employment information. LakerJobs also includes a résumé database available to employers for résumé referrals. The office coordinates several career fairs each year including: Grand Valley State University Careerfest, West Michigan Career Connections and Health Career Day , Summer Job Fair, Teacher Search, and Out-of-State Teacher Fair. The Career Contact Bank is a Web-based database which contains professional contacts in various career fields that students can access to learn more about a career of interest. In addition, the office provides internship listings and assistance in locating internships for students. ((
The Career Services office has two primary locations: 206 Student Services Building (616) 331-3311, and 116B DeVos Center (616) 331-6708. Both office locations have office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. . Services are also available at the L.V. Eberhard Center and Cook-DeVos Center for Health Science in Grand Rapids, at the Meijer Campus in Holland, Muskegon Campus at Muskegon Community College, and Traverse City/Petoskey locations by appointment. Visit our website at www.gvsu.edu/careers/.
Student Employment
The Student Employment Office has a website to assist students find jobs both on and off campus. Visit www.gvsu.edu/studentjobs to view job postings, a gallery of pictures showing students working at all types of jobs on campus, the on campus wage schedule, the pay period calendar, hints for interviewing, student handbook, forms for employment, explanation of work study, and much more. The Student Employment office is located at 105 Student Services building. Telephone (616) 331-3238.
Employment Statistics for 2008-2009
The employment rate for Grand Valley graduates continues to be high. Students can enhance employment success by improving written and verbal communication skills, completing at least one internship, developing skills in areas outside of the major academic program area, and thoroughly preparing for the employment search. Assistance with preparation for the employment search is available through the Career Services Office. ((
Employment rates are affected by many factors, including the overall economy, local and national needs for people with particular skills, candidate's willingness to relocate, and individual performance. Below is breakdown of employment and graduate school attendance by college. For more specific information on individual majors, please contact the Career Services Office ([email protected] or 616-331-3311).
|
2008-2009 Major* |
Percent Employed Directly |
Percent Enrolled in Graduate School |
Accounting (master's) |
88% |
0% |
Art History |
50% |
50% |
Biology (master's) |
100% |
0% |
Bioinformatics |
100% |
0% |
Biostatistics (master's) |
100% |
0% |
Biomedical Science |
9% |
78% |
Biopsychology |
0% |
100% |
Business General (master's) |
96% |
0% |
Cell and Molecular Biology |
64% |
36% |
Cell and Molecular Biology (master's) |
0% |
100% |
Chemistry |
17% |
67% |
Clinical Laboratory Science |
100% |
0% |
Computer Information Systems (master's) |
100% |
0% |
Computer Science |
90% |
10% |
Earth Science |
100% |
0% |
Economics |
60% |
20% |
Education (master's) |
93% |
1% |
Engineering |
97% |
0% |
English (master's) |
75% |
25% |
Exercise Science |
59% |
35% |
Geology |
40% |
40% |
Health Administration (master's) |
80% |
0% |
Information Systems |
86% |
0% |
Integrated Science |
53% |
33% |
International Relations |
60% |
20% |
Medical Imaging |
89% |
11% |
Music |
55% |
27% |
Nursing |
86% |
4% |
Nursing (master's) |
100% |
0% |
Occupational Safety & Health |
100% |
0% |
Occupational Therapy (master's) |
100% |
0% |
Philosophy |
25% |
75% |
Physical Therapy (doctorate) |
95% |
5% |
Physician Assistant (master's) |
100% |
0% |
Political Science |
28% |
61% |
Reading (master's) |
75% |
6% |
Russian Studies |
0% |
100% |
Social Work |
88% |
0% |
Social Work (master's) |
94% |
0% |
Special Education/Psychology |
68% |
32% |
Special Education/Psychology (master's) |
97% |
0% |
Statistics |
0% |
90% |
Taxation (master's) |
83% |
0% |
Therapeutic Recreation |
50% |
33% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2008-2009 Major* |
Percent Employed Directly |
Percent Enrolled in Graduate School |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Accounting (master's) |
88% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Art History |
50% |
50% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Biology (master's) |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Bioinformatics |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Biostatistics (master's) |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Biomedical Science |
9% |
78% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Biopsychology |
0% |
100% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Business General (master's) |
96% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cell and Molecular Biology |
64% |
36% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cell and Molecular Biology (master's) |
0% |
100% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Chemistry |
17% |
67% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Clinical Laboratory Science |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Computer Information Systems (master's) |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Computer Science |
90% |
10% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Earth Science |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Economics |
60% |
20% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Education (master's) |
93% |
1% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Engineering |
97% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
English (master's) |
75% |
25% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Exercise Science |
59% |
35% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Geology |
40% |
40% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Health Administration (master's) |
80% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Information Systems |
86% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Integrated Science |
53% |
33% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
International Relations |
60% |
20% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medical Imaging |
89% |
11% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Music |
55% |
27% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nursing |
86% |
4% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nursing (master's) |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Occupational Safety & Health |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Occupational Therapy (master's) |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Philosophy |
25% |
75% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Physical Therapy (doctorate) |
95% |
5% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Physician Assistant (master's) |
100% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Political Science |
28% |
61% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Reading (master's) |
75% |
6% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Russian Studies |
0% |
100% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Social Work |
88% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Social Work (master's) |
94% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Special Education/Psychology |
68% |
32% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Special Education/Psychology (master's) |
97% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Statistics |
0% |
90% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Taxation (master's) |
83% |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Therapeutic Recreation |
50% |
33% |
*The departments with a rate of 80% of respondents either Directly Employed or in Graduate School (combined).
Dean of Students Office
The function of the Dean of Students Office is to maintain the quality of campus life by providing leadership and supervision for the division's staff and programs. The Dean's Office serves as an information resource and problem-solving center for students and faculty, for academic departments, and student organizations, and as an advocate for student concerns. The office provides support services for returning adult students; coordinates the university judicial system and mediation program; and represents the division to constituencies inside and outside the institution. The Dean of Students Office is located in 202 Student Services Building. Telephone: (616) 331-3585.
Mediation
Mediation is a non-judicial, confidential, and voluntary process that helps people resolve their own conflicts and design their own solutions with the assistance of a trained facilitator. Trained staff are available to help students resolve conflicts.
Returning Adult Students
The Dean of Students Office serves as a resource and referral service for returning adult students, generally defined as nontraditional students over the age of 25.
University Judiciary
The University Judiciary is responsible for informing students about their rights and responsibilities on campus. Grievance procedures and judicial referrals are available for handling students' concerns regarding university practices. Prompt and confidential investigations and resolutions of judicial cases are standard procedures. Filing a complaint does not affect a student's standing at Grand Valley.
The Student Code lists Grand Valley rules and regulations and outlines campus judicial processes. Persons attending Grand Valley automatically place themselves under the rules and regulations published in the Student Code. Infraction of these rules is dealt with by campus judiciary bodies made up of students, faculty, and staff.
Health Services
The Campus Health Center is located at 10383 A 42nd Avenue on the Allendale Campus. The center is designed to provide health care for students, faculty, staff, and their families on a walk-in basis. Services include (but are not limited to) the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and accidents, school, sports and work physicals, gynecologic exams, birth control counseling, STD screening and treatment, allergy injections, flu shots, immunizations, TB testing, lab testing, and referrals. Physician assistants and nurses staff the center Monday through Friday.
The Children's Enrichment Center
The Children's Enrichment Center enriches the lives of Grand Valley's youngest students. Located on West Campus Drive, it serves young children ages 2.5 to 12, both from the Allendale campus and the nearby community. The program is designed to help children nurture habits of intellectual growth, curiosity, and a love for learning. To learn more about enrollment or volunteer opportunities call 616. 895.4146 or visit the website at www.gvsu.edu/child/. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday year round.
Counseling Center
The staff of the Counseling and Career Development Center (CCDC) provides students with counseling on personal issues such as relationships, anxiety, depression, self-awareness, eating disorders, personal wellness, and substance abuse. The staff also works with students who have questions concerning future career direction including assessing career interests through testing, deciding on a major, exploring change of major, and gathering information on different careers. Counseling is provided to students using individual and/or group sessions at no cost to enrolled students. In addition, various seminars and workshops are offered each semester to help students make more effective decisions, develop better coping skills, and learn to handle the challenges associated with being students. Seminars and groups cover such topics as stress management, assertiveness training, relationship skills, finding a major, developing personal wellness, and building self-confidence. Seminars are held in the Counseling and Career Development Center in 204 Student Services Building and in the Residence Hall - North C (please visit www.gvsu.edu/counsel for seminar topics and times). Staff members are available for appointments from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday at the Allendale Campus office. AT the DeVos campus, staff is available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drop-in appointments are also available from 10:00 - 12:00 each morning and 3:00-4:00 in the afternoon at the Allendale campus.
The LGBT Resource Center
The LGBT Resource Center works to create an inclusive environment for all students, faculty and staff and supports the educational achievement and personal growth of lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning and intersex students and their allies. In order to celebrate and support the diversity of Grand Valley State University, the LGBT Resource Center strives to provide resources, services, education and leadership programs related to gender and sexuality. The center seeks to educate and involve anyone wishing to expand their knowledge about and/or advocate on behalf of the LGBT community. Offering a warm and welcoming environment, the LGBT Resource Center is committed to meeting the many needs of the diverse LGBT and allied community. The LGBT Resource Center is located in 1161 Kirkhof Center. Telephone: (616) 331-2530. Website www.gvsu.edu/lgbtrc, Email: [email protected]
Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is committed to building an inclusive campus that yields social harmony and learning vitality. Through diversity and multicultural education programs, OMA fosters an appreciation and respect for the history, tradition, culture and diversity of all people.
The OMA advocated for the academic success of students by creating an environment in which students can thrive and graduate. OMA is home to the four Multicultural Cohort Programs (MCP): Multicultural Business Education Cohort (MBEC), Multicultural Higher Education Cohort (MHEC), Multicultural Science Education Cohort (MSEC), and Multicultural Teacher Education Cohort (MTEC). The MCP serve as community learning centers where students who pursue similar educational interests can connect, interact, and share their educational experience. Members of the MCP also benefit from the one-on-one relationships with the program coordinator. By coordinating services with academic and student services departments, the MCP offers a comprehensive learning opportunity to students including academic support, tutoring and mentoring, professional development, intercultural competency and community service. The objective of these programs is to provide students with a positive transition to Grand Valley and to successfully retain and graduate students.
OMA administers two college-preparation programs, Wade H. McCree Incentive Program and King-Chavez-Parks GEAR UP/College Day Program, to prepare underrepresented students in selected school districts for post-secondary education.
Visit the office at 1240 Kirkhof Center or contact us at (616) 331-2177, [email protected] or through our website, www.gvsu.edu/oma/.
Women's Center
The Grand Valley Women's Center mission is to create meaning learning about women and gender and to advocate for gender justice through the education, engagement, and empowerment of students and the greater GVSU community. The center creates an environment where students increase self-awareness, connect with resources, apply skills, conduct research, and perform service learning around gender equality. The Women's Center is committed to creating an environment in which the diversity of of all students is affirmed and appreciated. In response, programs and services are offered in a variety of formats and on many topics. In addition to programs and services, the Women's Center is also a physical space that provides an area for people to relax in the lounge, complete academic work at study tables, seek resources from the information desk, host meetings, or check out books. The Women's Center is located in 1201 Kirkhof Center. Telephone (616) 331-2748, visit the website at www.gvsu.edu/women_cen, or email [email protected]/.
Housing and Residence Life and Campus Dining
Although Grand Valley does not require on-campus residency for any classification of student, the university does consider residential living to be particularly beneficial in helping all students become oriented and adjusted to college life. A university staff member for each living center, along with student Resident Assistants arranges educational, diversity, and recreational programs that serve to foster and maintain pleasant living and study conditions. Our full time staff members work in conjunction with a Graduate Assistant and student Resident Assistants. Two students are assigned to a room and, whenever possible, students are allowed to choose their roommates. The traditional-style living centers accommodate approximately 900 freshman students. Traditional-style living centers accommodate two people per room with semi-private bathrooms in the hallway for all floormates to access. Suite-style living centers accommodate 1,000 students. The centers are divided into suites consisting of two double rooms (for four students) and a shared bathroom. Apartment-style living centers provide two students with bedrooms, a private bathroom, and a small kitchen. There are approximately 1,000 apartment-style living center beds.
Room and board may be paid in full at the beginning of each semester or, for a service charge, in four installments. All room-and-board rates are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees.
Admission to Grand Valley does not guarantee housing of any kind, and students must make their own arrangements by contacting the Office of Housing and Residence Life. This should be done immediately upon acceptance for admission as living centers are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications, contracts and housing information are available at www.gvsu.edu/housing/. Approximately 3,000 spaces in the living centers are reserved for freshmen; the remaining spaces are available for upper class students. All rooms are smoke free.
Dining
Campus Dining offers meal plans to all of Grand Valley's students. There are three room-and-board plans for residents including the 10 Plus, 14 Plus, and 19 Plus. Additional plans are available for students living on and off campus. Meals are served in Kleiner, Fresh Food Company, Fuel, River Landing, Engrained and at the Plaza Café in the DeVos Center.
Kleiner:
- Marketplace: Flat Tops, Asian Kitchen, Montague's Deli, Pizza and Pasta.
- C3 Convenience Store: snacks, produce, frozen foods, breads, health and beauty items. Late night meals available daily, 10pm - 2am.
- Java City: espresso, cappuccino, specialty coffee drinks and blended drinks.
Commons:
- Fresh Food Company, upper level: a wide variety of entrée choices, from baked salmon and made-to-order pasta to steamed vegetables and Laker Bowls.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels, upper level: fresh baked bagels, gourmet breakfast sandwiches and a very tempting lunch menu.
- Fuel, lower level: four stations including: Bleecker Street, Jump Asian Cuisine, Freshens Energy Zone and Papa John's Express.
Kirkhof Center:
- River Landing, lower level: Crouton's, pizza and pastas, Zoca, Flat Tops, Subway and Sushi.
- The Lobby Shop, main level: featuring Java City Coffee and specialty drinks, Freshens Smoothie Co. and Convenience Store.
The Connection:
- Engrained: a sustainably rich restaurant with a rotation of entrees, made-to-order salads and deli.
- P.O.D.: an integrated market and c-store with many quick serve items and full coffee shop.
- Papa John's Pizza: carryout or delivery, late night hours, convenient online ordering.
Mackinac & AuSable Halls:
- C3 Express: freshly brewed coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, fresh sandwiches and many other grab 'n' go options.
DeVos Center, downtown Pew Campus:
- Gazebo Market: salads, wraps, smoothies, sushi, snacks.
- Plaza Café: Flat Tops, sushi, salad and soup.
- Starbucks: salads, sandwiches, bakery items and coffee drinks.
Meal plans and Dining Dollars are accepted at all Campus Dining locations including c-stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and C3 Express locations. Further details regarding Campus Dining are available at www.gvsufood.com/.
Apartments
Grand Valley has apartment living available on both our Allendale Campus and the Robert C. Pew Campus in Grand Rapids. The apartment complexes on the Allendale campus provide housing for students who have completed at least one full year of living on campus or have earned a minimum of 30 semester hours. There are four-bedroom, two-bedroom, one-bedroom, and efficiency apartments. A university staff member living in the complex, along with Graduate Assistants and student Resident Assistants, arranges educational, diversity, and recreational programs that foster pleasant living and study conditions.
Our apartments range from town home communities to more traditional apartment living, each providing a community building or lounge/common area. Each apartment has a stove and refrigerator, beds, dresser, desks, chairs, and a sofa. Students provide other furnishings to suit their tastes. All apartments are smoke free. Rent may be paid in full at the beginning of the semester or, for a service charge, spread out in four installments.
Apartments located on the Pew Campus range from one-, two-, three-, four-bedroom, and single/double efficiency units. Secchia Hall units are partially furnished with a couch and a chair. Winter Hall is fully furnished and offers an on-site fitness center. Students residing here may also select a meal plan at an additional cost.
Family Housing is available for eligible students and requires a three semester contract/commitment. We offer two bedroom units on our Allendale Campus and limited availability in Secchia Hall one bedroom units. Furniture is not provided in Family Housing.
All of our units resemble privately developed apartments in every way, yet are conveniently located right on campus and offer support services that are highly beneficial to residents. Students must apply for housing each year. We accept applications daily and encourage any interested student to apply for housing. Applications and Contracts are available online at www.gvsu.edu/housing/.
Housing Application Process
New students who want to live on campus should apply to the Office of Housing and Residence Life upon acceptance to GVSU. All first-year students are encouraged to apply before March 1 for the fall semester in which they plan to attend. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to be considered for on campus residency, students must submit a housing application, contract and $150 security deposit. Housing applications are accepted and encouraged at any time and are available at www.gvsu.edu/housing/.
Grand Valley offers housing options 12 months per year, with applications available for fall and winter, winter only and, spring/summer semesters. Specific building availability varies from fall/winter to summer semesters, though is offered on both campuses year round. Residents may cancel their contract with written notice and will be charged according to our cancellation breakage schedule. This schedule is available online at our website.
Other Housing
Other living accommodations near the campus-including rooms, apartments, houses, and mobile homes-are available at a wide variety of costs. Grand Valley does not involve itself in negotiations for off-campus rentals but does provide, solely as a service to students, a listing of available housing at www.gvsu.edu/housing/. The university will not knowingly list substandard housing but it does not inspect the units available, and students are advised to exercise normal caution in making rental agreements.
Department of Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety is a full-service law enforcement agency on the Allendale Campus. The department is charged with the responsibility of enforcing all state and local laws as well as university rules and regulations. Public Safety officers have full police authority and are licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Allendale Fire Rescue provides campus with medical first aid support as well as fire response. The department maintains a Lost and Found Bureau and a Parking Violations Bureau and approves drivers for operating state vehicles.
The department is located in the Service Building at the north end of campus. Telephone (616) 331-3255.
Public Safety Liaison Committee
The Grand Valley State University Public Safety Liaison Committee is an oversight committee for the Grand Valley State University Department of Public Safety, created under the authority of Act 120 of the Public Acts of 1990 of the State of Michigan.
The primary function of the committee is to consider grievances by persons with complaints related to the Department of Public Safety and its personnel. The Public Safety Liaison Committee is comprised of individuals nominated and elected by the faculty, students, and staff of Grand Valley State University as determined by the university president. The committee includes a minimum of two students, two members of faculty, and two members of staff who are neither members of faculty nor the public safety department. The director of Public Safety serves as an ex officio and nonvoting member. The committee encourages complainants to first attempt informal resolution of any dissatisfaction by working with the Grand Valley State University Department of Public Safety. For more information, please contact the Public Safety Liaison Committee at www.gvsu.edu/publicsafety/.
Parking
Approximately 8,100 parking spaces are available in 16 lots on the Allendale Campus and 3,000 spaces in 12 lots on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus for students who wish to drive their cars to Grand Valley. Anyone wishing to park on the Allendale or Pew campus must have a parking permit. Permits for resident or commuting students can be ordered electronically at www.gvsu.edu/publicsafety/. The permit cost will be charged to the student's account.
Visitors to the Allendale campus can obtain a free visitor permit from the Department of Public Safety office located in the service building on the north end of campus. When visiting the Robert C. Pew campus, free visitor permits are available from the security office in the L.V. Eberhard Center. There is also metered parking available on both campuses.
Transportation Services
Transportation between, within, and around the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus and Allendale Campus is easy and convenient with the variety of shuttle service options available. Grand Valley State University offers five separate routes for students, faculty, and staff.
Campus Connector Route
Grand Valley State University's Campus Connector provides service between Allendale and Grand Rapids with runs Monday through Friday during the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters. The Campus Connector makes round trips from the Pew Campus to the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus with stops along Lake Michigan Drive and at Mackinac Hall.
CHS Express Route
The CHS Express provides service between the main Campus Connector stop on the Pew Campus and the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (CHS). The CHS Express runs Monday through Friday during the fall, winter, spring and summer semesters. Parking for all students attending class at the Center for Health Sciences is located in Grand Valley's Seward parking ramp at the corner of Lake Michigan Drive and Seward Avenue on the Pew Campus.
North Campus Apartment Shuttle
The Off-Campus Apartment Shuttle provides service between a variety of private apartment complexes immediately adjacent to the northwest portion of the Allendale campus and the Kirkhof Center. The North Campus Apartment Shuttle runs Monday through Friday during the fall and winter semesters only.
South Apartment Shuttle
The South Campus Express provides service between a variety of private apartment complexes immediately adjacent to the southwest portion of the Allendale Campus and the Kirkhof Center. The South Campus Apartment Shuttle runs Monday through Friday during the fall and winter semesters only.
Weekend Connector
The Weekend Connector combines all four other routes - The Campus Connector, CHS Express, the North Campus Express, and the South Campus Express into one continuous loop. It also provides service to the Rapid Transit Center for easy transfers to the Rapid system. The Weekend Connector runs Friday evening to Sunday evening each weekend during the fall and winter semesters only.
Schedules and frequencies for all services are subject to change, so please review current schedules at www.gvsu.edu/trnsportation/. Please note that frequencies of service are reduced during the spring/summer semesters as well as GVSU break periods. Questions about the shuttle bus services should be directed to the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus Operations Office at (616) 331-6700 or to [email protected]/.
ACES (Alcohol Campus Education Services)
Counseling and Career Development Center
Because dangerous drinking affects us all, ACES is devoted to promoting and developing opportunities for students to increase existing knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy choices regarding alcohol and other drugs.
ACES is a multi-component and multi-disciplined program housed in the Counseling and Career Development Center. It addresses the needs of individuals who want to be informed about the facts regarding alcohol, may themselves be struggling with alcohol or other drugs issues, or are concerned or impacted by someone else's behaviors and wish to help. The program has three main areas of focus: 1) prevention and education, 2) intervention, and 3) recovery.
Our staff provides prevention and educational presentations on campus to various groups and organizations. The presentations can be tailored to specific needs and may be requested by using the contact information listed below. We also facilitate the ACE's Group, an educational session provided to students who have had their first alcohol offense and who are required to attend an educational group as a part of their sanction.
Students who are in need of substance abuse counseling, assessment, or have had two or more alcohol offenses may access counseling services at the Counseling and Career Development Center located in Student Services Building, Room 204 (616) 331-3266 www.gvsu.edu/counsel/. The Counseling Center has several staff members who specialize in outpatient substance abuse counseling. Counseling Center staff can provide referral information if more intensive services are deemed necessary. Counseling services are free for currently enrolled Grand Valley students, however, there is a fee for court-ordered evaluations (please contact the Counseling Center for the most current information).
The ACES office also coordinates on-campus 12-Step Meetings for students in recovery. These meetings are offered daily and are held at our office (10383 B 42nd Avenue). These groups are open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. The most current schedule can be found on our website www.gvsu.edu/aces/. We also keep a current listing of other local recovery services and agencies.
For more information, or to request a presentation, please contact us at (616) 331-2537 or at [email protected]/. You may also drop by our office at 10383 B 42nd Avenue, please see our website www.gvsu.edu/aces for current office hours.
Pew Student Services
The Robert C. Pew Campus Student Services office coordinates activities with academic and non-academic departments to provide a full range of services for students. The office, located in 101B DeVos Center, serves as a hub for support services and as a gateway to university information and resources. Moreover, the department seeks to identify student needs to find solutions that enhance learning and provide opportunities for involvement. It also coordinates orientation for newly admitted graduate students.
Working closely with students, faculty, and staff, including the offices of Dean of Students, Graduate Studies, Student Life, Multicultural Affairs, Women's Center and other stakeholders, our goals are to enhance learning, involve students, and help maintain a sense of community, fostering more opportunities for all students.
Within Pew Campus Student Services, students can obtain assistance in areas such as admissions, career planning and job seeking, counseling, disability support services, financial assistance, military veterans support, and study abroad programs. Additionally, undergraduate academic advising and other services are provided to business students through the Seidman College of Business Student Services department. Similar services for undeclared majors and specified programs are also available from representatives of the Advising Resource and Special Programs office.
The Advising Resource department also provides tutoring, writing, and testing services, including the
WRT 305 assessment, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and accommodated testing for students with disabilities through the Office of Academic Support.
For information regarding downtown tutoring services and hours, call (616) 331-6407; to request a
WRT 305 assessment, call (616) 331-3588; finally, downloadable CLEP registration forms are available online at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/reg.html or call (616) 331-3588.
Academic Support Services
College of Community and Public Service Advising Center
The College of Community and Public Service Advising Center provides advising assistance and information to current and prospective undergraduate students in the School of Criminal Justice (criminal justice and legal studies majors and minors), School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, School of Social Work, and Hospitality and Tourism Management department.
The center provides comprehensive, centralized services to assist students with: degree planning including general education and major or minor requirements; development and review of degree progress plans; personalized course selection assistance; dissemination of Grand Valley policies and procedures, outreach and support to students in academic jeopardy; assistance with the creation of long-term goals; and referrals to faculty mentors in the academic programs or other university resources.
The advising center is located 261C DeVos Center. There is also a satellite office in Allendale. More information is available on the Web at www.gvsu.edu/ccpsadvising/. Contact the office by telephone at (616) 331-6890 or by email at [email protected] for hours of availability or to schedule an advising appointment.
The College of Education: Student Information and Services Center
The College of Education: Student Information and Services Center provides advising and information that supports undergraduate and graduate students through a variety of transitions within the College of Education.
The center provides centralized services for: admitting students into the undergraduate and graduate schools of education; placing teacher assistants and student teachers in the field; providing informational advising at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; and teacher certification.
The College of Education: Student Information and Services Center is located at 101 Eberhard Center, (616) 331-6650.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center
The CLAS Academic Advising Center serves as a key resource for students pursuing majors and/or minors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The goal is to complement faculty advising with professional advising services and serve students by:
- Providing initial academic advising through freshman and transfer orientation;
- Assisting in the development of an achievable academic plan;
- Disseminating Grand Valley State University policies and procedures as they pertain to degree completion in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences;
- Offering a central location for students seeking information on pre-professional programs such as pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy studies and many other post-baccalaureate programs;
- Assisting students interested in attaining teacher certification through the undergraduate programs or the program, as well as current teachers seeking an additional endorsement in a CLAS-related area; and
- Providing support for non-traditional students and students returning to GVSU after an absence.
The CLAS Academic Advising Center's location is C-1-140 Mackinac Hall and can be reached by calling 616-331-8585 or via email: [email protected]/.
Additional information can also be found on the center's website: www.gvsu.edu/clasadvising/.
Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors
The Writing Center offers free peer consulting services in writing for students enrolled in classes. The center provides weekly small group activities for Writing 098 students, assistance to Writing 150 students in computerized classrooms, occasional workshops as requested by faculty, and a walk-in center available for students with papers in all GVSU classes, particularly Supplemental Writing Skills courses. Students writing papers for any course can stop by for a walk-in session to get detailed feedback on their work at any stage in the writing process. Writing Center services are provided at the Allendale, Pew, and Holland campuses. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/GVWritingCenter
Math and Science Student Support (MS3)
Math and Science Student Support is an academic assistance and enrichment program offered in the Learning Center, located in room 377 of the Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science. We offer academic support and problem-solving assistance for all students interested in the fields of mathematics and science. Our student facilitators, successful upper level students in biology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, mathematics, and physics, assist students by forming study groups, providing problem-solving assistance, and connecting students to other appropriate support services on campus. The Learning Center provides an area for both group and independent studying. The goal of MS3 is to assist students in the transition to upper-level science and mathematics courses. Additional information for the academic support program, can be found at www.gvsu.edu/clasadvising/.
Structured Learning Assistance
Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) is an academic support program within science and mathematics that is attached to historically difficult courses. It is available to all interested students. SLA features weekly study and practice workshops in which students' master course content to develop and apply specific learning strategies. The workshops are led by trained facilitators, who in collaboration with faculty, develop the workshop materials. These sessions meet from one to three hours per week throughout the semester and are optional once the student achieves a grade of C or higher in the course. The additional hours are formally attached to the student's schedule and are offered at no additional charge.
Transitions Fall Orientation: Transitions is a four day program for all first year students the weekend before school begins each fall. Transitions Leaders are Grand Valley student leaders who facilitate Grand Valley traditions, academic sessions and campus knowledge to groups of first year students. Through the program they participate in large and small groups to become acquainted with Grand Valley.
Business Advising: Seidman Undergraduate Student Services
Seidman Undergraduate Student Services' mission is "to facilitate business students' successful progress through graduation." This office provides all routine advising for program requirements and course sequencing for undergraduate business students. Students are encouraged to maintain contact with the office for support in meeting all graduation requirements. The office is located in 101B DeVos Center, and can be contacted via email at [email protected], or via telephone at (616) 331-7500. Appointments and walk-ins are accepted at the Richard M. DeVos Center. Appointments are also offered in Allendale during the fall and winter semesters.
Inclusion and Equity Division
The mission of the Inclusion and Equity Division is to provide leadership in the development and implementation of a university-wide integrated approach to enhancing diversity awareness and intercultural competency for students, faculty, and staff. The division is made up of three offices:
The Affirmative Action Office provides leadership to the campus for all facets of promoting and monitoring equal opportunity and affirmative action. It develops and monitors institutional goals and plans related to all equal opportunity compliance obligations of the university. The Affirmative Action Office works with campus community to define connections between unit plans and affirmative action goals and provides guidance and monitors the hiring activities of the university to improve recruitment and retention of under-represented groups. The office is responsible for developing training and education programs on affirmative action and equal opportunity laws, policies, and procedures, as well as issues of sexual harassment and discrimination and investigates and resolves discrimination complaints. It is also responsible for data analyses and reporting, ongoing communication, and updating of the university's Affirmative Action Plan.
Disability Support Services
Grand Valley State University is committed to providing access to programs and facilities for all students, faculty, and staff. Grand Valley promotes the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities as part of our commitment to creating a diverse, intercultural community. It is the policy of Grand Valley to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Grand Valley will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The office is in 200 Student Services Building and can be reached by calling (616) 331-2490.
Intercultural Training Office
Intercultural Training Office at Grand Valley State University is committed to creating a campus climate that is welcoming and inclusive. The office initiates, designs, delivers and evaluates training and development programs related to enhancing diversity awareness and building intercultural competency skills. It supports colleagues and departments in learning to manage diversity by utilizing best practices that align values, guiding principles, and a commitment to equal opportunity. The office also fosters an environment for open communication through public opportunities to dialogue about race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other dimensions of diversity to promote understanding between cultures.
Please visit www.gvsu.edu/inclusion for more details.