Student Life
Capital University offers opportunities for engagement with faculty, staff and students outside the classroom experience. Student Affairs provides numerous programs, services, student engagement opportunities, and campus organizations that contribute to the intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual growth and development of students. Our goal in Student Affairs is to provide an accepting, encouraging and supportive environment for student success. We encourage students to create their own individual experience to become actively engaged in the Capital University community. Under the umbrella of Student Life, students learn and develop as leaders, serve the community, enhance interpersonal and professional skills, and develop friendships that place them on their path to success at Capital University and beyond.
Students are encouraged to call or visit any Student Affairs office when in need of assistance of any type. Our goal is to partner with you to ensure that your Capital University experience is a rich and rewarding time in your life. The following are some of the programs and services we encourage students to utilize during their time at Capital.
Center for Health and Wellness (University Counseling and Health Services)
The Center for Health and Wellness (CHW) located in the Kline Building, 2311 E. Main Street, offers free medical, counseling, and disability services to all students who are enrolled at Capital University.
- Medical Services - The CHW physician and certified nurse practitioners test for and treat a variety of illnesses, including but not limited to, strep throat, bronchitis, influenza, ear infections, skin rashes, and urinary tract infections. They offer gynecological exams and birth control, blood draws, physicals, and health promotion and disease prevention materials and brochures. Additionally, on-site testing, including sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, urinalysis and TB, are available at a nominal fee. Walk-in hours and scheduled appointments are available Monday-Friday.
- Counseling Services - Capital University students who are enrolled in at least one Capital University course are eligible for free counseling sessions during that semester. The Center is staffed by a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors. The Center provides individual, relational, and group counseling. In addition to outreach programming and consultation services, crisis counseling hours are available from 9-10 am Monday through Friday.
- Disability Services is no longer within Center for Health and Wellness. It is a stand alone department within Student Affairs.
Career Development
The Career Development Office, located on the second floor of Blackmore Library, assists Capital students (first-year students through seniors) and Capital alumni in the development and implementation of career goals. Students receive help with:
- choosing and changing majors
- assessing interests and career values
- locating and applying for internships, part-time jobs and summer positions
- researching career and employment options
- writing resumes and cover letters
- finding full-time positions
- interviewing
- applying to graduate and professional schools
Students can make appointments to see the assistant director or the director of Career Development; they can also meet with Peer Career Advisers (PCAs). PCAs are current students who, after completing a Career Development training sequence, assist their peers with writing resumes and cover letters and finding appropriate resources.
Citizenship / Community Expectations
Capital University has established expectations that are designed to protect individual freedoms and build a strong collaborative, ethical and just community of learners. All Capital students assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University’s function as an educational community. We also understand that living and learning in a community is not without difficult dialogues, personal challenges, differences of opinions and perspectives and that often we need support, opportunities to reflect and guidance. Student Affairs is charged with helping all learners live in community that is civil and promotes effective citizenship.
All Capital students, faculty and staff have a responsibility to understand the Student Code of Conduct, the Academic Integrity Policy, as well as policies, practices and procedures identified in the Student Handbook. Whether in the classroom, outside of the classroom, in an off-campus residence, on a Capital or student organization sponsored trip or in the Bexley community, all students are obligated to know the Code and abide by community standards of integrity, responsibility, respect, fairness and community.
Department of Public Safety
Capital University recognizes the need to provide safety and security for the campus community. To ensure timely response to unlawful acts, as well as the ability to provide proactive preventative measures, the University has established and maintains as a division of the Capital University Department of Public Safety, a certified campus police force, hereinafter known as the Division of Police.
“The mission of Public Safety is to provide a safe and secure environment for the university community by enforcing the laws of the United State of America, the State of Ohio, the City of Bexley and the rules and regulations of Capital University.”
Capital Dining Facilities
Food plays an important role in daily campus life. Capital Dining Services understands that fact and embraces it! We want to help you create lifelong memories whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, a prospective student or one of our treasured alumni. Menu variety and quality are integral to that success and we hope to display that variety in our locations on campus.
The Capital Court Dining Room is located in the Harry C. Moores Student Union and is our all-you-care-to-eat dining location. Enjoy access to everything from your favorite comfort foods to ultimate culinary delights from around the globe. Enjoy the Cru Brew Café in Saylor-Ackerman Lobby where you surf the internet, meet with friends, or study while enjoying some delicious pastries and your favorite specialty coffee beverage! The One Main Café also offers a unique environment for an additional late-night destination with a menu to match its décor.
Meal Plans
Dining plans are required of all students living in traditional residence halls; Capital Commons, Capital University Apartments, and Sheridan Avenue Apartments and House residents can purchase an optional plan.
All First Year students and Transfer (those with 15 or fewer hours) students living on campus will be enrolled in the All-Access 7 plan for fall semester. Since you are new to life at Capital, we don’t want you to worry about eating. Whenever you are hungry, you can go to Capital Court Dining Room and get something, whether it is a snack or meal.
Upper-class students can choose between the block plans offer a set number of all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester to be used by the meal plan participant.
For more information on Capital Dining Services, hours of operation and meal plans, please visit the Capital Website, at http://www.capital.edu/Dining/.
Capital Dining Disclosure
All funds and plans purchased for use in the Capital Dining program are for the personal use of the account owner and are non-transferable. Unused meal plans, including their associated Cap Bucks, expire at the end of each semester. Student Cap Bucks purchased above and beyond those associated with meal plans expire at the end of each academic year (last day of spring term).
All meal plan and student Cap Bucks purchases are non-refundable. All purchases are considered final. Exceptions will be made for processing errors. All refunds for processing errors will be refunded to the credit card used for the purchase. Contact Aramark for processing error issues.
For students who withdraw from the university, meal plans will be refunded on a pro-rated basis as determined by the Residential and Commuter Life Office and in accordance with the University’s policies.
Housing
The Residential and Commuter Life program is an integral part of the educational experience at Capital University. Undergraduate students who are officially enrolled full-time in classes at Capital University are required to live in university residence halls, apartments, or houses managed through the Residential and Commuter Life Office, unless they have received an approved released from the housing requirement. The Residence Life staff works collaboratively with students to create a living and learning environment that supports academic and personal development. Students are responsible for becoming familiar with the policies and procedures as outlined in the Capital University Student Handbook.
For residency purposes, a Commuter is defined as any student who has an approved release from the housing requirement, per the criteria listed below. A Resident is defined as any student who is or will be living in the Capital University residence halls, apartments, or houses managed through the Residential and Commuter Life Office.
Capital University recognizes that some students may live within the area or have other circumstances that may make them eligible to apply to reside off-campus. The following is a list of those eligibility requirements:
- Age 22 or above
- Completed 60 credit hours by the start of next semester
- Married (marriage certificate required)
- Live with parents/court appointed guardians in permanent residency within 30 miles of the campus (This information will be verified with the Office of Admission/Registrar). Please note, the 30 mile requirement for release becomes effective with students who entered Capital University during the Fall 2012 semester.
- Special Accommodations: Diagnosis of an ongoing health-related issue requiring special living accommodations that University housing cannot reasonably provide (supporting documentation and registration with the Office of Disability Services required).
- Extenuating Circumstances: Change in Financial Status which demonstrates a hardship if the student is required to live on campus.
Housing Release Process:
Students who desire to live off-campus for the Fall semester must complete and submit an On-Line Housing Release Request on or before June 15. Students who desire to live off-campus for the Spring semester must complete and submit an On-Line Housing Release Request on or before December 1. If there is a change in residency status, students must request a Financial Aid Estimator through the Office of Financial Aid. Please note that applications from resident students requesting a Spring Release will only be considered for those students who have documented extenuating circumstances which demonstrate a possible risk or hardship if the student is required to live on campus.
Requests will be evaluated and students will receive written notification of their release status. Students are strongly cautioned against signing a lease before receiving official notification that they have been released from the Residency Requirement. Those who fail to meet University criteria for residing off-campus will be assigned to the University room and board plan and billed accordingly, whether or not they select to physically reside or eat on campus.
Please note - Battelle Scholars, Brockman Scholars, Capital Scholars, Collegiate Fellows, Global Ambassadors and Transfer Fellowship winners are required to live in university housing and maintain campus residency. If a student decides to move off campus, the student will forfeit their scholarship, and their financial aid award will revert to what it was before the award.
Identification Cards
Current students are eligible to receive a Capital University Identification card (ID). New incoming students should check with their enrollment unit to obtain information for acquiring their own ID. A current identification card:
- identifies students as someone authorized to be on campus,
- serves as a student’s meal pass,
- admits students to most campus events (sometimes at a discount),
- serves as a student’s library card,
- grants students access to some campus buildings,
- may be used to obtain student discounts where offered.
Never bend, break, or punch a hole in your ID card. Protect and secure your ID card like your social security card. If your ID card is stolen or lost, you should report the loss as soon as possible to the office of Public Safety. There is a $15 replacement fee to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged ID card. The fee must be paid in the Finance Office in Yochum Hall. You will be issued a receipt that you should take to the IT Service Desk located in Blackmore Library. Non-functioning cards that are not visibly damaged will be replaced free of charge, provided the old card is returned. ID card service is available Monday-Friday, 8:30-6:00 PM. Special arrangements can be made for ID services after 6:00 PM on a case-by-case basis. For more information, contact IT via e-mail: servicedesk@capital.edu, telephone: 614-236-6508, or by visiting www.capital.edu/IT.
International Students
International students are an important part of Capital University. Capital is aware that international students will make significant contributions in countries around the world. While they are on campus, they provide an important perspective to the education of U.S. students. Capital has students from more than 35 countries.
International students pay the same fees and must meet most of the same admission criteria as American students. In addition, international students need a TOEFL score of at least 500-paper based, 61 on the IBT TOEFL with specific sub scores, to ensure that they can experience success in the classroom.
International students and their dependents on Capital’s I-20 or DS-2019 designation must meet the university’s health insurance requirements, which minimally require major medical coverage of U.S. $100,000 with no daily caps on hospitalization; medical evacuation coverage of U.S. $50,000 and repatriation of remains at U.S. $25,000. Capital University works with a specific insurance provider each year to provide coverage. Requests for waivers must be approved by the Center for Global Education.
The Center for Global Education offers support services to students such as personal counseling, advice about immigration regulations, tutoring help, vocational counseling and workshops. In addition, each student has an academic adviser who assists him or her with decisions affecting course work.
Undergraduate, international students whose TOEFL score is below ibT 76 or pbT 540 are required to take UNIV 101 Academic Reading and Writing for International Students and UNIV 102 Spoken Communication for International Students .
The International Student Association provides peer support and social activities to students from abroad and sponsors educational events, such as an international fair for the entire campus. U.S. students also are encouraged to join and participate.
Capital’s ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) program offers intensive instruction of up to 24 classroom hours per week at different levels for non-native speakers of English to prepare them for university study. The basic skill areas are covered: reading, writing, grammar, listening and speaking. American culture and study skills are incorporated in the coursework. Individualized experiences are provided in the conversation partner program and in tutorials. After achieving the necessary language proficiency in the ESL program, students may choose to apply to Capital University.
Motor Vehicles
All vehicles parking on university property must be registered with the university and display a university parking permit (F, S, D, O, W) in a clearly visible and easily readable location of the front windshield. All student permits must now be paid online. Payment will no longer be accepted in the Public Safety office. After completing the online purchase procedure the student should print out two receipts, one to keep for their records and one to be turned in at the time of application in the public safety office. Public Safety is located at 661 College Avenue, and business hours are 8:00 a.m. until midnight weekdays, closed weekends. Visitors and guests of the University must get a visitor pass at no charge from Public Safety. It is their host’s responsibility to see that they have one.
All first-year resident students and some second-year resident students are limited to the O-lot, or off-campus parking lot, located two blocks from main campus Nelson Road and Richard Street. O-lot permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. If your request is to be put on back-order, that means your name will be placed on a waiting list and you will be contacted if and when a space becomes available. Students can get to and from the O-lot aboard the campus shuttle. Weather permitting, the shuttle runs its assigned route-which includes the O-lot- every weekday from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from the O-lot back to the main campus from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., so returning students can re-park their vehicles and return to campus. Students returning after shuttle hours may park in a main campus student lot until 8:00 a.m. the next class day. The student shuttle pickup is located at the NW front door of Schaaf Hall on College Avenue.
For additional regulations, see current edition of “Motor Vehicle Regulations.”
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, located on the first floor of the Harry C. Moores Student Union, has two primary emphases: 1) university-wide implementation of diversity initiatives; and 2) student programming and support services. The director of Diversity of Inclusion works with university administration, staff and faculty to provide programming, training and input in policy making to provide an environment that is reflective of the diverse population within the university community and one that is welcoming and comfortable for everyone. Services of the office include offering resources, support and leadership development for student organizations and hosting cultural-specific programming.
Other services provided through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion include:
- Academic and personal support services
- Student advocacy
- Peer Mentor Program
- Smooth Transitions, a pre-orientation program
Office of Student and Community Engagement
The Office of Student and Community Engagement (SCE) is located on the first floor of the Harry C. Moores Student Union. Guided by Capital University’s mission to transform lives through higher education, “the Office of Student Community Engagement serves as the clearinghouse of extra and co-curricular learning experiences for students. The SCE provides an inclusive environment for growth and development through comprehensive programming, both on campus and in the community. By providing a place to be and do, the SCE helps students find their home at Capital.
The functional areas within the Office of Student and Community Engagement are Activity Management and Programming (AMP), Community Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Leadership Development, Student Government, Student Organizations, Parent and Family Programs, and Transition Programs
Activity Management and Programming (AMP)
AMP sponsors a wide range of quality social, cultural, and educational programs on campus, including nationally known comedians and music performers, and week night entertainment events. In addition, AMP sponsors annual special events such as Back to Cap Week, Homecoming, and Family Weekend.
Community Engagement
Becoming involved in the local community is a trademark of most Capital students. The SCE is committed to providing students a variety of outlets for community engagement. From on campus events and Awareness campaigns, to our Annual Crusader Day of Service, Capital students are engaged in contributing to their communities, finding causes and issues that matter to them, and working towards creating a better community for all who share it. The SCE works with faculty and a variety of community partners to provide community-engaged learning opportunities.
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Capital University’s fraternity and sorority community continues its proud 60-year history. This established community offers a wide variety of opportunities that are different than other student organizations. Students involved in fraternity and sorority life live their fraternal and personal values every day for the betterment of themselves, others, and their communities. Members traditionally exceed the all undergraduate campus GPA and are involved with other student organizations and the community. The University is home to twelve social fraternities and sororities that are affiliated with the Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Conference, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Leadership Development
Leadership Development gives students the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in their organization or life after college. The different areas in Leadership are the LEAD Program, Spring Leadership Conference, Leadership Awards Ceremony, and the Distinguished Senior Leader Awards. Each program focuses on the development, success, and recognition of student leadership.
Parent and Family Programs
Parent and Family Programs assists parents and families of Capital students by providing continuing communication and support. Monthly, parents and family members receive an e-newsletter with important dates, helpful campus updates, and interesting student news. Special programming is also provided at Summer Orientation. Additionally, family@capital.edu is available to all parents - family members for questions, concerns, and suggestions.
Student Government
Student Government serves as the chief liaison between the student body, administration, and faculty. The mission of Student Government is to respond to the needs of the campus community and to remain fully engaged in the issues that affect the university. Members of Student Government are elected by the student body every spring. During these elections, a President and Vice President ticket is chosen and 30 student representatives are elected to the Student Senate.
Student Organizations
Capital University is home to over 90 student organizations, each with different purposes, values, and ideals to cater to different student backgrounds, vocations, majors, and more. Each organization was created for educational purposes that support the vision and goals of the institution. Additionally, they provide students the opportunity for personal growth, leadership development, and building lifelong friendships!
Transition Programs
Transition programs are designed to help students successfully transition to Capital. Transition programs prepare students for the Capital experience and give them the opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, fellow new students, and current Capital students. Summer Orientation happens throughout the summer leading up to a student’s first-semester. Welcome Weekend assists students with move-in and provides educational and social programs for students. There is also a Winter Welcome Program for all new students starting their Capital journey in the spring.
Student Records Policy
Capital University complies with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act as amended. A copy of the university’s student records policy may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office or in the Student Handbook.
Study Abroad
Capital provides several opportunities for students to study overseas. Many students have found that studying in another country not only enhances their intellectual and social skills, but also makes them more attractive to prospective employers. The minimum requirements to participate in study abroad are: completion of at least a term at Capital University, a 2.50 GPA (some programs may have higher requirements) and a positive disciplinary record at the university. Study abroad selections should not be in a country where there is a U.S. State Department travel warning http://www.travel.state.gov/. Capital’s programs include, but are not limited to:
- Capital University in Hungary program. This study-abroad program is offered at the Kodály Institute and is available to junior and senior music majors. All classes are taught in English. This program is offered in the fall.
- Capital University offers an exchange program for music majors at the Hochschale fϋr Musik Carl Maria von Weber. This program is available to junior or senior level students who meet a German language proficiency requirement. Instruction is in German.
- International Study in Nursing offers a study-abroad exchange program during the fall term of the senior year. Current offerings include an observational clinical in community health and psychiatric health in Sweden and Scotland. The student’s academic adviser will be prepared to counsel the nursing student on how to apply to this program. The nursing department also offers a short-term exchange program in China and a service learning program in the Dominican Republic. These programs are offered alternative years.
- Capital University Intercultural Student Teaching Program allows education majors to meet part of their senior student teaching requirements in one of seventeen different countries.
- International Study in Social Work offers an exchange program in Sweden during the fall term of the senior year. Current offerings provide an internship program that meets degree requirements for the program.
- Each year different faculty offer short-term study abroad programs in different locations.
- There are many opportunities to study in programs that are not run by Capital University. Popular options can be found at http://www.capital.edu/Study-Abroad.
- The Central College Program. These opportunities are geared to students who want to intensify their language skills. Programs are offered for a semester or a year in France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
- American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). The American Institute for Foreign Study provides study locations in Australia, Austria, Great Britain, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Russia for a semester or year. Shorter summer traveling programs in economics, political science and the humanities also are available.
The international office contains information about many additional semester, yearlong and summer study abroad opportunities.
Students should meet with the study abroad adviser to understand and comply with the study abroad procedures. A Study Abroad course approval form must be completed and returned to the Office of International Education the semester before enrollment. The deadline to return Course Approval Forms and the Budget Worksheet is November 1 for spring semester programs and April 1 for fall and summer programs.
All students who study abroad must have health insurance that will cover them overseas and a policy to cover medical evaluation and repatriation of remains. Students who need help finding those coverage requirements should consult with the International Education office.
The Harry C. Moores Student Union
The Harry C. Moores Student Union offers a variety of services and facilities for the campus and is a major focal point for university activities. The Student Union houses lounge areas, computers, Dining Service, the Cabaret Theatre, the Mezz, One Main Cafe, the University Bookstore, Campus Mail Services, Student Government and AMP offices, conference and meeting rooms, Conference Services Office, and many Student Affair offices.
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