The mission of the Division of Student Development, affirming the University’s mission, is to promote student growth by serving, educating, and developing students to become contributing members of the local and global community. By serving and partnering with students, the staff in this division of the University strives to represent and advocate for the needs of students, promote a community of respect to affirm the value of each individual, and provide and promote services and co-curricular activities which enhance student learning and University identified learning outcomes. The individual departments that make up this large division are described briefly below.
Athletic and Recreation Department
The Athletic and Recreation Department is responsible for the development and administration of an intercollegiate and recreational sports program that provides quality and competitive opportunities for students in a variety of fields. Avila offers intercollegiate women’s competition in basketball, cross country and track, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Intercollegiate opportunities for men’s competition include baseball, basketball, cross country and track, football, and soccer. In addition, Avila sponsors a spirit squad that includes performance and competitive dance and cheer teams.
The director of athletics and recreation, in conjunction with coaches and staff, coordinates recruitment of student athletes, promotion of athletic and recreation programs, and management of all competitive events, athletic facilities and equipment, including the Mabee Fieldhouse, the Pavilion, and the Zarda Sports Complex.
The Eagles compete within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and have a conference affiliation with the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
Avila students, faculty and staff receive free admission to all home athletic contests with a valid Avila ID card.
For more information, please call the Athletic Department at (816) 501-3634.
Athletic and Recreational Facilities
Avila has outstanding athletic and recreational facilities available to students, faculty and staff. Outdoor facilities include the Thomas R. Zarda Family Athletic Complex for baseball, football, soccer, softball and recreational use, as well as practice football fields and the Santa Fe Trail. Indoor facilities within the Mabee Fieldhouse & Pavilion include a competition practice arena for basketball and volleyball, fitness center weight room, indoor batting and golf cage, and men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Bookstore-Mailroom
The campus bookstore operates to meet the needs for course textbooks. In addition, it sells school and office supplies, logo clothing, stamps, and miscellaneous gifts and merchandise. The bookstore is located in the lower level of Marian Center. For more information, please call the bookstore at (816) 501-3630 or access the bookstore page on the Avila website.
The bookstore also operates the mailroom which all UPS, FED X, and USPS letters and packages are received and shipped out. All student mail will be picked up by R.A.’s of the various dorms and delivered to the respected student’s mailboxes. All packages are picked up by the student during open hours of the bookstore. A student ID is required for package pickup.
Campus Life Office
The Campus Life Office includes residence life, student activities and organizations, and new student programs. Drop by the Campus Life Office to arrange for a student activity van, obtain a residence hall contract, learn more about commuter meal plans, join a club, or for information on the Student Code of Conduct, parking regulations or campus crime statistics. For more information, please call (816) 501-3660.
Campus Ministries
Campus Ministries views the development and exploration of “Spiritual Values” as an important part of ongoing and comprehensive formation at Avila. Students are invited to develop their spirituality through communal celebrations, liturgies, interfaith services, social justice awareness, community service, small communities for faith sharing, retreats, pastoral counseling, community nights, and spiritual direction. Student leadership and involvement is highly encouraged in the variety of ministries offered. Each year students from different religious traditions are chosen as the Campus Ministries Team who, with the director of campus ministries & assistant director of campus ministries, comprises the leadership team. Whether on the leadership team or not, each of us is called to ministry by virtue of our faith. Although our University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, a community within the Roman Catholic tradition, we welcome all to participate as we explore our spiritual lives together. For more information please call (816) 501-2423.
Counseling & Career Services
Counseling and Career Services is staffed by mental health and career development professional and graduate interns.
Personal counseling services include:
- Personal counseling dealing with a wide range of issues including: anxiety, depression, grief/loss and adjustment
- Support for those struggling with a personal crisis
- Referrals to outside agencies, as appropriate
- Workshops, information sessions and small group sessions
Career services include:
- Major and career decision making assistance
- Advice and resources for gaining practical experience and building skills
- Job-readiness (résumé and cover letter preparation, networking, interview skills, and other aspects of the job search process)
- On-line job posting for on and off-campus part-time and full-time jobs and internships
- Career/job fairs
- Career related programs and workshops
Appointments can be scheduled by contacting 816-501-2901 or stopping by Hodes Center. Walk-in appointments are available.
Counseling services are free, confidential and available to all Avila students. Career services are free, confidential and available to all Avila students and alumni.
Disability Services
Avila University welcomes students with disabilities who can be successful learners and contributors to the Avila community. To apply for accommodations in your learning environment (curricular and co-curricular), please contact Disability Services. The Disability Services staff welcomes questions, issues and concerns. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Disability Services at (816) 501-3666, or see Web site at http://www.avila.edu/student-services/disability-services-1.
Dining Services
The University, through Great Western, provides a variety of dining services for the campus. The primary dining facility on campus is the dining hall located in Marian Center.
All resident students select a meal plan option. Currently, resident students have the choice of three meal plan options. Complete plan details are available through the Campus Life Office at (816) 501-3660.
Dining room hours are subject to change and are posted outside of the dining hall main entrance. For menu details or operating hours, contact Great Western at (816) 501-3755 or access the dining hall page on the Avila website.
Commuter students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to purchase commuter meal plans. Contracts and information for commuter student and employee plans are available through the Food Service Office.
Health Services
The nurse-directed health center is staffed by registered nurses. Services include:
- minor illness/injury assessment
- treatment with non-prescriptive medications and medical supplies
- immunizations (some with a fee)
- blood pressure/weight monitoring
- emergency care
- referrals to campus resources or appropriate community health care resources
- individual health and wellness counseling
- student health insurance information
- group health and wellness programs or presentations
Appointments can be scheduled by contacting the Hodes Center office manager at 816-501-3666, or the nurse at 816-501-3668. Walk-in appointments are available. Health services are free, confidential and available to all Avila students during the Fall and Spring semesters. Services are not available during breaks. For more information, see our website at https://www.avila.edu/student-services/health-services.
Mother’s Lounge
As part of our family-friendly environment, Avila University supports breastfeeding mothers by accommodating the mother who wishes to express breast milk during the day. The University provides a private lactation room on the lower level of Blasco Hall. The room is the Mother’s Lounge. The room is furnished with a table, two chairs, and electrical outlets. It also has a small refrigerator reserved for the specific storage of breast milk and a microwave.
Employees and students may use the Mother’s Lounge anytime during normal business hours. The room has signage for “Available” when it is not occupied, or “Occupied” when in use. The Human Resources office also maintains a key for this room. Visitors who wish to use this room to express breast milk should be directed to the Human Resources office.
International Student Services
International Student Services (ISS) assists international students with their adjustment to both Avila and the U.S. In addition, students are helped with questions regarding student visa issues and requirements. For further details, contact the ISS Department at (816) 501- 3666.
One component of the International Student Services office is the Intensive Language and Culture Program (ILCP). ILCP is an ESL program administered through the Avila School of Education in partnership with the International Student Services office. Students study twenty hours of English per week, which includes five hours in each language area: speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, grammar (structure), and writing (composition). The program features several levels of instruction and small class sizes to ensure personalized attention. Additional English practice is available through one-on-one instruction tutors. Students may register for ESL classes and courses in their major during the same semester. Upon successful completion of the ESL program, students may study for a degree full time. In addition, students learn about American culture and the university system. For further details, contact the ILCP office at (816) 501-3771.
Learning Services
To ensure academic success, Avila encourages students to meet with a member of the Learning Services staff for support and advice. Together students and staff will explore such areas as writing, time management, note and test taking, study strategies, and other academic skills.
Peer and Professional Tutors are available to work with students on writing skills and a variety of content areas and to prepare for standardized exams such as C-BASE. Tutoring sessions are available in a variety of formats including individual tutoring, study groups, and small group sessions for test preparation and review.
Tutoring is offered during regular office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in the Hodes Center and is also available various evenings each week in the library during the fall and spring semesters. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Learning Services Web site at http://www.avila.edu/student-services/learning-services. Evening and weekend appointments available if scheduled in advance by calling Learning Services at (816) 501-3666.
Orientation for New Students
New student orientation affirms the mission of Avila University by partnering with students, faculty and staff to facilitate the transition of all new students into the Avila collegiate environment with an emphasis on educational, service and social opportunities. For more information please call (816) 501-3660.
Campus Safety
The campus is supported by professional campus safety officers 365 days a year, 24-hours a day. Campus safety officers can be reached immediately at (816) 985-6079.
If the situation calls for immediate emergency response from local authorities, call 911 (Campus phones - dial 9-911).
Officers are also available for escorts on campus, completing incident reports, crime statistics, and safety education. All campus crimes or incidents must be reported to the Campus Safety Office at (816) 985-6079.
Lost and Found items may be recovered from the Campus Safety Department located in Whitfield Center.
Residence Life
As an integral part of the Campus Life Office, the residence hall program strives to complement a student’s academic program through a community living experience. Along with the convenience of living on campus, living in the residence halls allows a student to interact with students of diverse backgrounds, cultural experiences, and lifestyles.
The residence halls consist of a fully air-conditioned environment, featuring student rooms to accommodate approximately 400 students, professional live-in staff and professionally trained student staff. The residence hall complex contains Wi-Fi, TV & study lounges, kitchen facilities, & laundry facilities. Each student room comes complete with satellite television service, local telephone service if requested and high-speed wired & Wi-Fi Internet services.
Additional information about the residence halls, including the community living standards, staff contact information, and processes and procedures can be found in the Residence Life section of the Student Handbook. To find out how to become more involved in Residence Life, contact the Residence Life Office at (816) 501-2485.
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