University Life

Under the direction of the Vice President for Student Development, a concerted effort is made to encourage the development of the whole person. Through numerous organized activities, an extensive system of counseling and guidance, a supportive residence hall program, and a well-developed system of the Associated Students and Student Council, each student is encouraged to develop his/her full potential of leadership as a well-integrated person.

Olivet provides an effective advising program, which is designed to make capable and mature advisers available to students. Each entering freshman is assigned to a faculty member who serves as an academic adviser. The adviser is generally from the department of the student’s major area of study. Faculty advisers are also assigned for students who are undeclared or undecided majors.

The Office of Student Development believes in the value of every person and exists to cultivate the full potential of our students.  We provide high quality programs, services and learning experiences that focus on holistic development.

Some of the ways we support and offer guidance to our students are through a genuine and caring residential life staff, counseling services, career services, health services, intramurals, community life, spiritual development and public safety.

Orientation for New Students

Olivet Nazarene University seeks to assist in every way possible to orient its students to the academic, social, and religious life of the University. The orientation program consists of a variety of activities, including testing, student-parent orientation sessions, and other transitional activities especially designed to assist the student in launching a successful college career. Special orientation programs for incoming students are sponsored by the University during the summer months prior to the opening of school and at the opening of the spring semester. At this time, each new student will visit the campus with his or her parents, participate in the advising program, register for the first semester of academic work, and make his or her housing selection. Special orientation sessions will be held with parents to acquaint them with the University program.

The orientation program is under the direction of the Associate Dean of Instruction and the Director of Admissions.

Resident Campus Philosophy

The administration of regulations regarding student conduct is one of the responsibilities of the Vice President for Student Development. Resident students are immediately responsible to the resident directors of the various residence halls. These persons are responsible to the Dean of Residential Life through the Vice President for Student Development and the Student Development staff for personal guidance to all students. Nonresident students are urged to seek the advice and counsel of the counselors-at-large, the Vice President for Student Development, the Associate Dean of Community Life, the Chaplain to the University, the Dean of Residential Life, and the Director of the Center for Student Success.

Policies and practices of conduct are formulated with the development of spiritual and scholastic attainments in mind. The University reserves the right to request withdrawal on the part of any student who manifests an inability or disinclination to adjust to the policies or campus life expectations.

Students are expected to observe the policies of conduct and have agreed to do so by making initial application for admission as a student. Policies of the University are in effect as long as a student is enrolled, both on campus and off, and during vacation periods. Failure to keep this commitment may result in a variety of disciplinary actions, including suspension or withdrawal from the University.

Generally, our regulations fall within three broad categories:

1. Some regulations reflect God’s moral law.
2. Some regulations reflect the civil law.
3. Some regulations involve judgments and prudence about the effects of certain practices.
   For example, we have regulations governing residence hall life and general campus behavior.

The University reserves the right to change or add to any of the regulations designed to enhance student development. These regulations are listed in detail in the University Life Handbook. It is the responsibility of each student to know and abide by the policies of the University.

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1989 and Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Amendment of 1989, Olivet Nazarene University clearly prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs, alcohol, and unlawful substances by students and employees on University property or as any part of University activities. This policy includes off-campus and in private homes, where these types of activities are taking place, and each student will be responsible whether actually participating or not.

Residence Hall Living

Residence hall living is regarded as an important aspect of the Christian academic community, which Olivet Nazarene University seeks to foster. It is for educational and developmental reasons that unmarried students under the age of 23 who are enrolled for seven hours or more per semester are required to live in University residence halls and participate in a board plan. The exception includes students living with an immediate family member or who have completed eight full time semesters of college.

Students enrolled for five or fewer hours, or who are 23 years of age or older, are not permitted to live in the residence halls, unless prior permission is granted.

Nonstudents are not normally permitted to live in residence halls and must always obtain permission from the Dean of Residential Life to do so. A board plan is optional for nonresident students. Married or previously married students are not permitted to live in University residence halls without prior permission.

Motor Vehicles

All motor vehicles owned or operated by students are to display an official University vehicle parking permit. All students are to register their vehicles with the Department of Public Safety at the time of registration or within 48 hours after securing a vehicle. Failure to register a vehicle according to these regulations may result in a fine and denial of permit for the remainder of the semester.

It is within the discretion of the University administration to disqualify any applicant or revoke a permit by reason of any one or all four of the following: (1) academic deficiency, being interpreted as falling below a grade point average of 1.75 in any grade period; (2) financial incapacity, or the inability to satisfactorily discharge financial obligations while enrolled as a student; (3) social infractions, particularly those involving the use of vehicles; and (4) excessive traffic violations. A vehicle permit may be revoked at any time by the Department of Public Safety if it is considered that the student is misusing his/her vehicle privilege. A copy of Olivet’s Public Safety Handbook is available to each student. Olivet Nazarene University is not responsible for any damage, fire, theft, vandalism, etc., to any student’s vehicle.

Vehicles used for student transportation shall be fully covered by liability and property damage insurance at all times.

Student Activities and Organizations

Religious Organizations - The Spiritual Life Organization sponsors several religious programs and activities for the purpose of fostering a vital spiritual life on the campus and providing opportunities for Christian service. Under the direction of the Chaplain’s Office and the Vice President of Spiritual Life, students are provided with opportunities to worship and serve in the local Bourbonnais area and beyond. Groups under Spiritual Life include Urban Children’s Ministries, Prayer Warriors, and Best Buddies.

Musical Organizations - The School of Music provides students with various opportunities for musical expression through its choral and instrumental organizations. Those groups are: Apollo Choir, Brass Consort, Brass Quintet, Concert Band, Concert Singers, Flute Choir, Guitar Combo, Guitar Orchestra, Handbell Choir, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Orpheus Choir, Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Sound Foundation Show Choir, University Orchestra, Proclamation Gospel Choir, and Woodwind Quintet. These ensembles, together with University-sponsored music and drama groups, provide vitally important performance experience and represent Olivet locally and on the educational region.

Intercollegiate Athletics - Olivet is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), and participates in intercollegiate athletic competition in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Leslie Parrott Convocation/Athletic Center was completed in 1990. Inside, McHie Arena has seating for 2,300 for sports events like basketball and volleyball, and 2,750 for convocations and concerts. Faculty and coaches’ offices, locker rooms, racquetball courts, a running track, a turf room, and the Tiger Grill are key elements of the 68,000-square-foot building. It is directly connected to Birchard Gymnasium and Chalfant Hall. Intercollegiate sports for men include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, swimming, and track. Intercollegiate sports for women include basketball, softball, golf, tennis, swimming, track, soccer, volleyball, and cross country. Intercollegiate athletics are considered an integral part of the total educational program of the University. Students who participate must be registered for a minimum of 12 hours and must meet all the eligibility requirements set forth by the University and the NAIA. Through athletics, the students find unique opportunities for witnessing for Christ. In order to be eligible for intercollegiate athletic competition, students must adhere to the standards adopted by the NAIA, including the following:

1. Be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours at the time of participation. (Repeat courses should be cleared with the Registrar.)
2. Accumulate at least 24 hours of credit in the two terms of attendance immediately preceding the semester of participation. (Repeat courses previously passed cannot count toward the 24-hour rule.)
3. A second-term freshman must have earned at least nine hours of credit during the first semester. In addition, student athletes must remain in satisfactory scholastic standing as defined in the Catalog, “Academic Regulations .”

Recreation Services - Olivet Nazarene University offers many recreational activities in the Perry Center. The center features four courts for basketball, volleyball, and tennis, an eight-lane, 200 meter indoor track, two swimming pools, 56-foot rock-climbing wall, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Many fitness classes are provided, including cycling, Zumba, and aerobics.

Olivet Nazarene University also sponsors a well-balanced program of intramural athletics for men and women. The intramural program is under the direction of the Office of Student Development. The purpose of the intramural program is to provide a variety of activities for men, women, and co-ed competition. All students, faculty, and staff members have opportunity to fill their leisure time with wholesome fun in individual and group activities. Active participation in intramurals can fulfill the need for exercise and social development. Intramurals takes place in the Perry Center and at Fortin Villa, ONU’s outdoor intramural facility.

Publications - Olivet sponsors two student publications: the Aurora, the University annual, and the GlimmerGlass, the University newspaper. These publications provide a channel for literary and artistic expression and add greatly to the campus environment. In addition to these, The Olivetian, a quarterly, is published by the University administration to communicate with students, parents, alumni, prospective students, and friends of the University.

Associated Student Council - The ASC consists of an executive council, which assists the student body president in executing organization by-laws and constitution, and a class council, which organizes events for each class. The Student Council of the Associated Students of Olivet Nazarene University (ASC), in conjunction with the University administrative officers, fosters wholesome social and religious activities on the campus. Under the ASC’s direction, academic and social clubs carry out various activities.

Clubs and Organizations - Biophilic (Biology Club), Black Christian Student Union, Capitol Hill Gang, Chemistry Club, Collegiate Music Educators National Conference (CMENC), Computer Science Club*, Diakonia (Social Work), Engineering Club*, Enactus (Entrepreneurial Club), Equestrian Club, Exercise Science Club, Green Room, Kappa Delta Pi (National Education Honor Society), Kappa Delta Rho (FACS Honor Society), Kappa Omicron Nu/Kappa Sigma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau* (International Nursing Honors Society), Lambda Pi Eta Theta Beta (Communication Dept. Honor Society), Math Club, Men’s Club Volleyball, MuKappa (Nat’l Chapter for Missionary Kids & Military Families serving internationally), National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), Nursing Student Association (NSA), Officers of Christian Fellowship, Olivet Geological Society (OGS), ONU Investment Club, Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society), Phi Kappa Lambda (PKL, National Music Honor Society, Pre-Law Society, Psi Chi ( Psychology Honor Society), Psychology Club, Rabbit Room (Writing Club), Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society), Social Justice Club, Spoons-4-Forks, Student Dietetic Association (SDA), Student Education Association (SEA), Student Unit of Family and Consumer Sciences (SUFACS), Student Women in Engineering (SWE), Tabletop Gaming Club.

* denotes clubs that operate outside ASC

Chapel/Convocation

Chapel is a vital part of community life at Olivet Nazarene University. It is one of the few occasions when each segment of the college community has the opportunity to join with the others for worship, instruction, and encouragement to serve. This activity is the occasion for the Olivet community to develop and clarify values and priorities, to share in musical and dramatic performances, and to find guidance relating to crucial life choices. As a Christian community, we are committed to making worship of God the central focus of our lives. Olivet Nazarene University is committed to being both a community of learning and a community of faith. Chapel services are designed to provide an opportunity to contribute to the integration of faith, learning, and living.

Chapel Times and Attendance - Chapel is held in Centennial Chapel from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. every Wednesday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. every Thursday. During special emphasis weeks, required chapels will extend to other days.

Attendance Policy - Students are allowed up to three absences per semester for sickness, medical or dental appointments, personal business, emergencies, sick children, or other circumstances of this nature. Problems inevitably surface when students choose to interpret the allowable absences as personal privileges with the expectation that emergencies, sickness, and unexpected inconveniences should be granted beyond the allowed absences. Such management of allowed absences is not compatible with the attendance policy.

Resident Students - Students living on campus, regardless of the number of class hours, are required to attend all scheduled chapels. Reasons for exemption are limited to the following: student-teaching, internships, nursing clinicals, and special academic projects pre-approved by the faculty instructor. The associate academic dean must approve all exemptions of this nature; no individual petition is necessary.

Commuter Students - Commuter students are required to attend chapel if the following applies:

taking 12 hours or more
under the age of 25
has a class that ends DIRECTLY before chapel

Commuter students are exempt from chapel if the following applies:

does not have classes on a chapel day
does not have a class DIRECTLY before chapel
over the age of 25
taking less than 12 hours

Tracking Attendance - Students are encouraged and responsible for keeping track of their attendance record. Attendance updates are generated weekly and students are notified by email once three absences have occurred. Students can track their attendance online.