Chapter 18: Campus Life
Santa Clara students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities as part of their total development. The primary educational objective in supporting student activities and organizations is to foster a community that is enriched by men and women of diverse backgrounds, wherein freedom of inquiry and expression enjoys high priority.
The following sections describe various aspects of student life and services.
Campus Ministry
The Office of Campus Ministry supports the faith and spirituality of all students at Santa Clara University. Because the University is grounded in the Catholic and Jesuit traditions, we welcome people of all faiths - those seeking a deeper relationship with God through their own faiths, as well as people seeking meaning and connection in their lives. The professional ministry staff members are committed to building a campus community and supporting the full humanity of all people by fostering spirituality, wellness, and belonging. In addition to six full-time campus ministers, the office includes student ministry interns, spirituality facilitators in the residence halls, and desk assistants who foster hospitality. Our stance in Campus Ministry reflects our shared Jesuit that our faith comes alive when we work for justice in the world.
What does Campus Ministry have to offer?
- Worship: During the academic year, we sponsor three Sunday liturgies in the Mission Church, daily noon Mass, and annual Masses celebrating the University’s Catholic and Jesuit traditions. Throughout the year, the campus community is invited to participate in Misas en Español, the sacrament of reconciliation, and prayer services across campus to mark holidays both religious and secular across all faith denominations.
- Intercultural Ministry: Campus Ministry staff support a wide variety of cultural identity and faith-based student-led organizations. We also have intercultural celebrations in observance of events such as Día de los Muertos, Simbang Gabi, Las Posadas, la Virgen de Guadalupe, and Lunar New Year, as well as intercultural liturgies for heritage months. In addition, Campus Ministry facilitates and participates in Mosaic events, which are multicultural and multifaith gatherings of students. Mosaic gatherings include monthly dinners, wellness events, campus-wide socials, and sacred space tours.
- Retreats: Santa Clara students are offered a number of retreat experiences over the course of the academic year.
- Spirituality and reflection groups: Campus Ministry organizes Ignatian Life Communities are opportunities for students to explore spiritual practice and identity in small groups of their peers. Other opportunities include Mosaic Dinner Discussions, weekly Breaking Open the Word (reflection on the lectionary readings), and a multifaith meditation group. Individuals and groups seeking support to form reflection groups are encouraged to come to Campus Ministry for assistance.
- LGBTQ+ Ministry: The Office of Campus Ministry models respect and support for students of all identities and orientations through its programming and its hospitality. Specific support includes sponsoring an annual delegation of students to attend IgnatianQ, a conference for LGBTQ+ students from Jesuit universities to “create community, develop spirituality, and build humanity.” This conference has inspired the Ignatian Life Community Spiritual Queeries, a small group for queer students who are curious about the mysteries of the universe.
- Social justice awareness and action: Campus Ministry provides students with a variety of opportunities to live out a faith that does justice. Some key focus areas include participation in the annual Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice, and community service at a local school.
- Faith-based clubs: In partnership with the Center for Student Involvement, Campus Ministry aids in the mentoring and support of all faith-based registered student organizations, including, for example, the Muslim Student Association, Students for Life, the Jewish Student Union, College Catholics, and the Sikh Student Association.
- Sacred spaces: Throughout campus, there are spaces for prayer, meditation, and reflection, such as the Mission Church, the Multifaith Sanctuary in St. Joseph’s Hall, and the Meditation Room in Benson. All are welcome to find a place of rest in these sacred spaces.
Is Campus Ministry for everyone?
Yes! Student years are a particularly rich time for learning about ourselves and our world and practicing what it means to live our commitments of faith and value more justly in the world. Campus Ministry welcomes all SCU community members to deepen their spiritual practice, faith, and identity, regardless of their tradition or personal stance.
“The real measure of a Jesuit education is who our students become. Tomorrow’s ‘whole person’ cannot be whole without well-educated solidarity…the whole person in solidarity for the real world.” - Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Superior of the Society of Jesuits, speaking at Santa Clara University, October 2000.
Our only focus is to support SCU community members to explore the connection between their commitments and their actions - to practice living faith and values more authentically ‘to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.’
Student Resources and Services
The Cowell Center promotes a holistic approach to students’ physical, emotional, psychological, and interpersonal well-being. The Center’s counseling and medical staff are available when students believe that their well-being is being compromised in any way. Through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Services (SHS), Santa Clara University Emergency Medical Services (SCU EMS), and Student Health Insurance, the Cowell Center has a wealth of health and wellness resources to support students as they navigate the academic rigors at Santa Clara University.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is staffed with a diverse team of licensed therapists, graduate-level psychological trainees, and mental health professionals dedicated to promoting students’ well-being through short-term therapy, crisis support, groups & workshops, and more. The multidisciplinary team is committed to the values of multiculturalism and social justice and is dedicated to providing mental health services that are open to and accepting of every student we serve.
CAPS providers strive to promote, enhance, and support students’ emotional and interpersonal well-being through a range of mental health services offered within a safe and confidential environment. In counseling, students work on a wide range of psychosocial and developmental issues such as depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems, disturbed sleep, eating behaviors, identity development, acculturation, academic motivation, homesickness, family concerns, intimacy, and sexuality. CAPS appointments are free of charge. Psychological services are also available 24/7/365. Services include a support line, therapy, and more. Students can call 408-554-5220 at any time to get support.
Student Health Services
Student Health Services (SHS) is staffed with a physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and medical assistants. A registered dietitian is available on a part-time basis. SHS provides high-quality on-site medical care including diagnosis and treatment of illness and injuries, a limited in-house medication dispensary, and medical referrals to specialists when needed. Medical visits to the Cowell Center’s Student Health Services range from $10 to $50 per visit for all students. Visit fees are in addition to all other nominal associated fees, such as the cost of medications, lab/blood tests, and supplies. For further information, see the Cowell Center website. When SHS is closed during the academic year, an advice nurse is available by phone for students at 408-554-4880. A volunteer student emergency medical group, SCU Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is also available after hours for medical emergencies on campus during the academic year. SHS is closed from mid-June to mid-August.
SCU Emergency Medical Services
SCU Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a student-run organization that is based out of the Cowell Center. These students are known as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and offer emergency medical services to SCU students from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. during fall, winter, and spring quarters.
Student Health Insurance
All students are required to maintain health insurance coverage while enrolled at the University. Students will be charged for University health insurance unless they complete an online waiver verifying their own comparable insurance each academic year. Additional information can be found at scu.edu/cowell/insurance.