STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
EXPERIENCE GU
www.gonzaga.edu/student-development THE PROGRAM
OUR MOTTO: LEARNING LIVED
The Division of Student Development is proud to offer numerous opportunities to Gonzaga students outside of the classroom. Students need to develop their mind, body, and spirit as they are engaging in their academic pursuits. We endeavor to help students develop through the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis, which translates from the Latin as the “care and concern for the dignity of the whole person.” A complete Gonzaga education may include a variety of vibrant experiences: times of prayer and reflection during a University Ministry retreat, the memorable performance of a theatre production, great conversations with a roommate, the rewards of giving back to a community through service, and the thrill of a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Being a student at Gonzaga is more than classroom learning and professional training – it’s an EXPERIENCE! We expect that all students engage in applying what is being learned in class with community experiences like service, student government, clubs, retreats, and campus events. The Division of Student Development partners with the entire campus community to champion the holistic learning of the Jesuit tradition embodied here at Gonzaga—an education of mind, body, and spirit.
ON-CAMPUS LIVING Gonzaga requires students to both live and dine on campus for their first two years of college, unless they are 21 or older, married, or living at home with immediate family over the age of 21. This means most freshmen and sophomores (well above 90 percent) live on campus. There is a rich variety of facilities: 40-person “house style” residence halls, mid-sized (150 residents) residence halls, and large (350+ residents) residence halls. Gonzaga offers a variety of suite-style, corridor-style, and apartment-style residence facilities, including some intentional living-and-learning communities with faculty and staff advisors. For those wishing to live in University housing for more than two years, GU offers a variety of on- and off-campus apartments, plus some houses owned by the University. Due to limited space, however,
Gonzaga does not guarantee on-campus housing to juniors and seniors One of the many aspects that students love about being at Gonzaga is the strong feeling of community. The Housing and Residence Life Department has created a Community Development Model that we feel supports this notion and enhances the work that students are doing inside the classroom. Our Community Development Model is rooted in the University’s Jesuit identity and supported by the theory and best practices of college residence life professionals nationally. Our Community Development Model is built around four pillars: • Connection: finding a sense of place • Interaction: having intentional conversations with diverse individuals • Engagement: actively participating and investing in a caring community • Reflection: making meaning of on-campus experiences
Students who live in University housing – regardless of class standing, building location, or type of residence – will find these pillars evident in their hall environment, community events, and relationships with each other and the residence life staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT The mission of the Gonzaga’s Student Body Association (GSBA) is “to support and advocate for our fellow students, while providing the opportunity for experiences which inspire Zags to live extraordinary lives as men and women for others.” Getting involved as a campus senator or committee member is one way to connect with GSBA. Or simply take advantage of the numerous programs, events, speakers, or concerts put on by GSBA and the Gonzaga Activities Board (GAB). Every week, the Crosby Student Center is home to Coffee House. Coffee Houses often feature live musical performances by Gonzaga bands and student ensembles. The music spans many genres, and the performances are always free. Slam poets, comedians, and film screenings are also scheduled for Coffee House during the year. Sometimes special guests grace the Coffee House stage, and Coffee House holds open-mic nights as well. By inviting engaging guest speakers to campus and chartering diverse clubs and organizations, GSBA often leads the student body in tackling current issues that matter to students. GSBA also has a voice in the overall operation of the University. You can find out more about GSBA at gogsba.org.