Dec 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Student Life



Student Affairs Mission Statement

The Division of Student Affairs supports a seamless residential learning environment that provides critical services, develops engaging activities, and encourages meaningful connections that support the personal, intellectual, and professional development of students.

The Student Body

Heidelberg students do not spend the entire day in the classroom, nor do they find the classroom the only place for the exchange of ideas, self-development, realization of personal goals, social interaction and intellectual stimulation. Residence hall programs contribute to the development of the individual, as do community projects on a paid or voluntary basis, informal gatherings, Greek functions, faculty-student committee meetings, cultural events and numerous other programs. Heidelberg students represent about 18 states and numerous foreign countries. This is in keeping with the desire for a diversified student body. The natural exchange and assimilation of ideas, regional mores and ethnic differences help broaden a student’s knowledge and understanding of other areas, cultures and peoples.

Heidelberg University is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Out of this tradition, students of all religious and philosophical traditions are welcome. A chaplain is available to support students in their spiritual and faith development. Presentations and forums are held regularly to enhance the liberal arts.

The desire of students to present and participate in worthwhile cultural events contributes to an intellectually stimulating academic climate, all part of the effort at Heidelberg to educate the whole person.

Student Affairs Staff

The Student Affairs staff is dedicated to creating and sustaining a supportive environment where each student can learn and grow. Personal, academic, spiritual and professional facets of development are seamlessly integrated through engaging programming, entertaining events that promote fun and school spirit, and critical services that link student experiences inside and outside the classroom.

Civic Engagement

The Office of Civic Engagement develops opportunities for community service, service learning and responsible citizenship. All first-year students participate in ‘Berg Serve their first weekend of the fall semester which includes local service agencies and a Habitat for Humanity Wall Blitz Build. The campus shares in a “day on” of service for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

Service opportunities in the Tiffin-Seneca County area are made available through the Office of Civic Engagement. The Berg Service Challenge asks each student, staff and faculty member to give a minimum of 10 hours of service in a semester. Any person completing two semesters of the Berg Service Challenge is eligible for the President’s Service Award. The Office of Civic Engagement also leads voter registration efforts on campus and encourages social and political action. Assistants for Civic Engagement are students hired for 4-5 hours per week to assist with Habitat for Humanity, the Licthman-Behm Genocide Lecture Series, PACE juvenile probation academic coaches, Voter Registration, Social Justice Issues, Sexual Assault Prevention, the student Resource Center with food, winter clothing and personal hygiene, APO service organization, and Alternative Break Service Trips.

Communication

Students have the opportunity to gain writing, layout, photography, management and broadcast experience through work on the student-run newspaper, literary magazine, yearbook, and television stations.

Departmental and Student Organizations

Heidelberg University offers over 80 student organizations providing opportunities for leadership, service, and fellowship. Through the annual registration process, organizations are encouraged to provide the Office of Student Engagement with up-to-date organizational information. In return the student organization has all the benefits of an officially recognized Heidelberg University student organization.

Dining Facilities

Located in the center of campus, Hoernemann Refectory is an all-you-care-to-eat dining hall that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner until 10 PM everyday. Menu options change daily to create variety and feature seasonal flavors. Seating options vary from quiet nooks to large community tables. A meal/student I.D. card is required for each entry to the Hoernemann dining room by students, but open to the general public..

Berg Bistro 1850 is a public retail location in University Commons where students, faculty, staff and community members can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night desserts and snacks.

The HeidelBean!, our own branded coffee shop here on campus featuring house baked pastries, handcrafted specialty coffee and teas, smoothies and much more. This location is open to all students, faculty, staff, and the community. Proudly brewing Crimson Cup Coffee and Tea.

Juice & Co. (featured in the Saurwein Power Station) This newly branded concept features made to order fresh fruit juices and Polar Protein drinks, health snacks, OntheGo Salads and Sandwiches, plus those convenience items you might have forgotten before or after that practice. This location is open to all students, faculty, staff and the community.

All residential students are required to maintain a board plan provided by the University. Berg Bucks, Flex Dollars, Cash, Credit, ApplePay and GooglePay are accepted at all dining locations.

Faculty-student Committees

One of Heidelberg’s advantages as a small university is that students who are on Student Senate may serve as voting members on standard faculty committees, such as Academic Assessment Committee, Academic Policy Committee, Community Engagement Committee and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, in addition to various ad hoc committees. The Student Senate president is a full voting member of the General Faculty.

Health Services

The Stoner Health and Counseling Center provides the Heidelberg campus with a modern facility providing quality medical services. The Stoner Health and Counseling Center provides a health clinic and counseling services. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. with counseling open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with limited evening hours when classes are in session; excluding summer.

Musicianship Activities

During the year, the University brings to the campus outstanding concerts and lecture attractions. In the School of Music, weekly student recitals are presented to give experience in public performance. Faculty members and guest artists present recitals for the University and community throughout the year. Various musical organizations such as the Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, University-Community Chorus, University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Singers, Opera Theatre, Singing Collegians and others contribute to the cultural program with numerous concerts.

The Office of International Affairs and Studies

The Office of International Affairs and Studies promotes intercultural understanding and global awareness through educational, social, and intercultural programming for all members of the university. The Office provides support services such as immigration and academic counseling to assist non-immigrant students and scholars with their transition to Heidelberg University and the U.S.

The Study Abroad Office, incorporated in the Office of International Affairs and Studies, provides support and guidance in international education opportunities for all students. The Office offers individual appointments and specifically designed programs such as informational sessions, pre-departure training, and reverse culture shock workshops to facilitate the study abroad process. As a result, students are better prepared for the study abroad experience as well as to become global citizens.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs seeks to bring issues of diversity and multiculturalism to the foreground of campus conversation by sponsoring programs that celebrate cultural differences and highlight similarities that connect us to each other. It strives to create a campus culture of inclusion and a learning environment that supports educating students who will work, live and serve in a diverse nation and world. We advocate for a more inclusive and equitable multicultural community by supporting the retention, graduation, and successful placement of students of all backgrounds but especially those from marginalized communities.

Religious Life

The Office of Religious Life provides students opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership development, community-building, exploration of diverse faith traditions, and advocacy for just communities through worship, pastoral care, educational programs, sacred spaces, social action, and involvement with student and religious organizations. The campus has two chapels: Rickly and Herbster, and a Quiet Room for prayer and meditation. Special services, Bible studies/scripture studies, vocational discernment, and retreats are promoted and encouraged by the Office of Religious Life. Religious Life organizations include Berg UCC, CRU, and the Catholic Newman Club. The Chaplain, a part-time position, seeks to serve all interested students in connecting with their faith tradition, philosophical tradition and spiritual development. Chaplain’s Assistants are students hired each year to assist with religious life and work 4-5 hours per week. Current positions support Jewish Student Life, Muslim Student Life, Black Spiritual Life, Catholic Student Life, Protestant Student Life, and Interfaith Experiences.

Residential Living

Residence hall living and special interest housing options are an important aspect of the total experience at Heidelberg University. Students gain valuable social experiences through living with people who share similar experiences and values. The University aspires that the groupliving experience will be an enjoyable part of college life as well as a learning opportunity.

Within the residence halls, houses and apartment complexes, room arrangements vary from rooms for two to four students, with a limited number of single rooms. Some rooms have builtin furniture; others have movable furniture that permits flexible arrangement. Toilets and bathing facilities vary from semi-private facilities to bathrooms shared by a number of people. All residence halls, houses and apartments are tobacco free with Brown Hall, King Hall and Krieg Hall as alcohol/substance free.

Closets, desks, chairs, and beds are provided in the rooms. Personal lofts are not permitted. Free automatic washers and dryers are available in each residence hall, house and apartment complex.

Special interest housing options are also available to residential students. Upperclass student groups may apply to live in University spaces that are characterized as independent housing opportunities for groups of students with a common interest. Theme-based housing is designed to provide opportunities for students to develop initiatives and programs that they feel will enrich Heidelberg University and/or Tiffin City communities through community service and other developmental opportunities.

All full-time students, except those commuting from their legal guardian’s (parent’s) home (within 35 driving miles), those married, or single parents with dependent children, those 23 years old or older and those among the designated number of seniors with 2.75 cumulative GPAs or higher AND no conduct history, are required to live and board in the residential buildings during their time at Heidelberg.

Students living off campus should bear in mind that their conduct reflects upon the University. Should there be a breach of conduct on the part of students residing off campus, they may be subject to University discipline and denial of off-campus privileges.

Sororities and Fraternities

Approximately twenty percent of the Heidelberg campus belongs to a social greek society. These Greek organizations have played an important role in Heidelberg’s educational and social life. Recruitment of new members occurs each year in the fall and spring semester. The Heidelberg Greek community is comprised of ten Greek letter organizations. Of the ten organizations, there are five men’s fraternities, four women’s sororities, and one mixed-gender society. Each organization is characterized with unique qualities and characteristics; but provides opportunities for anyone to join. Established originally as literary societies, these sororities and fraternities have developed into organizations committed to providing opportunities for leadership development and networking opportunities. Additionally, they strive to improve scholarship and community service/philanthropic efforts within Seneca County and the Heidelberg community. Finally, these organizations understand the true meaning of friendship through their brotherhood/sisterhood bonds and opportunities to demonstrate Greek unity through activities, such as Greek Week, Greek Sing, formals, and group retreats.