2020-2021 Academic Catalog

Student Life

Student Life Departments

Mission of Student Life

The mission of the Division of Student Life is to support and challenge students, within the context of living in community, to experience intentional student learning outside of the classroom that inspires the development of leadership skills and service to others.

Residential Life and Housing

Residential Life and Housing staff assists students in learning how to live in community on a residential campus. The friendships and life experiences developed by living on campus provide students with many unexpected benefits that positively impact the academic, occupational, recreational, spiritual, mental and emotional maturity of students. Students learn by daily practice how to develop healthy eating, sleeping, study and social habits. For these reasons, students are required to live in college housing for their first two years of college and are encouraged to live all four years in college housing.

To promote a positive living and learning environment, Residential Life and Housing is responsible for educational programming, group activity advising, leadership development, student conduct, peer counseling, housing administration and resource referral. A Resident Assistant (RA), a student paraprofessional trained to address the needs of students, lives on each residence hall floor. In each area, one RA also serves as a Senior Resident Assistant (SRA). The Senior Resident Assistant serves alongside the professional staff in the Senior Staff On Call rotation and provides additional administrative support for the area. An Area Coordinator is a professional staff member, trained in hall administration, community development and staff supervision. The Area Coordinators oversee and support the residence halls and the campus apartments.

Counseling Services

Counseling Services assist students by promoting their emotional, social, and behavioral growth in order to help them achieve their academic and personal goals. Individual counseling and workshops are utilized to address issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, peer pressures, and life decisions. Students learn how to develop action plans to address developmental issues or personal goals. Services are free and confidential.

Counseling services can be a helpful resource to college students who may be facing issues involving transitions in their life including starting college, living away from home, exploring personal relationships or struggling with value clarification. It is important for students and their families to understand that the counseling offered at Carroll College is short-term and cannot replace or substitute as a service for long-term counseling, psychiatric services or the treatment of mental health issues with medication. Referrals to mental health care professionals in the Helena community can be provided. As with all referrals to health care professionals, billing for services are handled by the health care professional with insurance providers.

Health Services

Health Services staff assist students in providing direct services to support their health and wellness, and in educating students on personal health care. Students learn about their health from the two registered nurses on staff, and from the nurse practitioner who has weekly clinic hours at the Health Center. Immunizations, flu shots, consultations or referrals, simple laboratory procedures and regular clinic hours for non-emergency care are provided through the Carroll College Health Center. All records are confidential unless a waiver form is signed by the student to release information to others. Health services also include the loan of crutches, vaporizers and ice bags, etc.

Fees for supplies, labs and procedures are nominal. Helena Medical Laboratory provides lab services for the Carroll College Health Center at a reduced fee for students. Payment or billing arrangements are required at the time of service for all immunizations and services. The Health Center does not submit to insurance for payment, however students/parents can submit for reimbursement from their insurance companies.

Each student is required to have a completed health form and validated immunization record on file in the Health Center. Students are strongly encouraged to receive the required immunizations prior to coming to Carroll. However, staff can administer needed immunizations if necessary.

Hunthausen Activity Center

The Hunthausen Activity Center provides students with the opportunity to engage in recreation, fitness, intramurals and outdoor programming. The facility consists of a climbing tower, bouldering wall, outdoor recreation center, multi-purpose exercise rooms, gymnasium, cardiovascular equipment and weight equipment. The purpose of the center is to promote the health and wellness of Carroll College students and employees.

Hunthausen Activity Center staff will provide leadership opportunities for student employees to supervise facilities and programming. Building managers, desk workers, fitness instructors, intramural officials and Carroll Adventures and Mountaineering Program (CAMP) leaders will gain valuable employment experience in the operation of the Hunthausen Activity Center. Students will benefit from educational programming on outdoor recreation which will be supplemented by CAMP hiking, backpacking, and camping trips.

Carroll employees, spouses and dependents over the age of 18 have the opportunity to use the Hunthausen Activity Center. The intent is to promote the sense of community between Carroll College students, staff and faculty through the use of a common recreation and fitness facility.

The rules, policies and procedures for the building can be found on the Hunthausen Activity Center web page. It is expectation that all who use the building are familiar with the policies and procedures outlined at https://www.carroll.edu/hunthausen-activity-center/policies-procedures.

Student Activities, Recreation, and Leadership

Student Activities and Leadership staff offer students a wide range of programs and activities that reflect the social, cultural, intellectual, recreational and self-governance needs of students within the context of the mission and vision statement of Carroll College. Carroll provides a full range of opportunities through organizations, student government, outdoor recreation, clubs, and volunteer programs. Through participating in these activities students learn valuable social and leadership skills which will positively impact their lives now and in to the future.

With over forty recognized campus programs and organizations, Carroll College offers students a wide range of interest groups to explore. Examples include: The Prospector, the campus newspaper; Colors, the college literary magazine; Carroll Adventure and Mountaineering Programs (CAMP); and the Associated Students of Carroll College (ASCC), Carroll’s student government.

Other opportunities for students to have fun, get involved, and strengthen leadership skills include but are not limited to, intramurals, academic clubs, special interest groups, campus programming, concerts, entertainers, speakers, dances, river rafting, backpacking, Homecoming, and coffeehouse nights. All these events provide students with an opportunity to engage in activities outside of the classroom.

Division of Student Life/Office of the Dean of Students & Retention

The Dean of Students and Retention serves as the supervisor for the directors of Residential Life and Housing, Student Activities, Recreation and Leadership, and the Wellness Center (Health Services and Counseling Services). The position also collaborates in supervising contracted partnerships that operate the college’s Dining Service and Campus Safety & Security. In matters of student conduct, the Dean of Students and Retention serves as the final authority in adjudicating student conduct cases and handling all appeals based on the criteria established in the Carroll Code of Student Conduct.The Dean of Students and Retention also serves as the college's Title IX Co-Coordinator. 

The Dean of Students and Retention represents the needs of Student Life departments in the college’s strategic planning, budgeting, development of student services, and enhancement of out-of-classroom needs of students. The position works closely with the college president, the senior administration of the college, and the student president of the Associated Students of Carroll College to support the needs of students.

Student Life Partners

Athletics

Athletics staff, coaches and trainers offer students the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate sports in the Frontier Conference of the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics. Carroll College offers competition in football (men), volleyball (women), golf (men and women), basketball (men and women), cross country (men and women), track and field (men and women), soccer (men and women), and softball (women). Student athletes learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, character development, leadership and role modeling as visible representatives of Carroll College.

To be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics, a student must: be of approved physical condition as evidenced by certification from a physician; meet requirements for classification as a full-time student in good standing; and be eligible to play the designated game according to the rules, policies and approved practices of Carroll College, the Frontier and Cascade Conferences and the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics. Carroll College expects full compliance with the letter and spirit of all athletic policies.

Campus Events and Conference Services

Campus Events and Conference Services staff assist students and recognized student organizations in reserving rooms and discussing logistical needs for student and campus events. Staff help students identify the appropriate space for an event based on expected number of participants; need for seating and/or tables; need for a podium, staging or sound equipment; need for technology; and availability of college buildings, rooms, or grounds. Campus Events and Conference Services staff will consult with the Director of Student Activities, Recreation and Leadership as well as the Dean of Students and Retention on questions regarding the appropriateness of the proposed event given the college’s mission and values. Advanced planning can help students or recognized student organizations recognize any additional expenses for security, sound systems or technology not available through the college.

In addition, Campus Events and Conference Services staff assist both internal and external users of the college to host summer conferences, sports camps, workshops, business meetings and special events. Coordination of room reservations, housing in the residence halls, meal and hospitality needs from Sodexo, and insurance paperwork are services offered to ensure a successful event. Conference and Events staff hire students as employees to help with event check-in and check-out as well as staff the front desk in the residence hall to provide information and hospitality for our guests.

Campus Ministry

The mission of Campus Ministry is the development of the spiritual life of all the members of the campus community in order to serve Christ in all walks of life and to live in communion as the Body of Christ. The academic life of campus seeks an understanding of the world and each person’s responsibility to work for justice. Campus Ministry at Carroll College encourages all members of the campus community to integrate in their decisions a personal discernment of God’s will for their life. At the heart of our programs and events is the discernment of how God is calling each person to live their own life in union with Christ’s gift of His life and share in both ministry and service. Especially through the celebration of the Eucharist, our campus community seeks to know God’s will and live according to God’s will.

Carroll’s Campus Ministry team includes the chaplain/director of Campus Ministry, one associate director and one assistant director of campus ministry programs, student interns, and peer ministers. The Campus Ministry team is committed to respect all as their brother or sister in Christ. This means an ecumenical ministry that respects the real communion between all Christians and all who sincerely seek God as well as respects the religious liberty of all.

Dining Services/Sodexo

The Carroll College Dining Services is a contracted service through Sodexo responsible for providing campus dining, food retail, concessions and catering services for the college. All students who live in campus housing must be on a meal plan. During the academic year, the St. Thomas Aquinas Commons (STAC) offers meal times between 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m. on weekdays and brunch and dinner hours on weekends. Students with special needs or diet considerations should contact the General Manager of Sodexo for accommodation. For retail options, Sodexo manages the Jazzman’s Café and Bakery, Tres Habeneros restaurant, Simply To Go food cart in the Corrette Library and concessions in Nelson Stadium and the PE Center. Catering services are offered to college community members as well as to Helena community members hosting an event on campus.

Campus Safety and Security

Campus Safety & Security is managed by a Director of Campus Safety and staffed through patrol officers contracted through Securitas. Safety patrol is provided 24/7 on weekdays and from 3 p.m.–7 a.m. on weekends during the academic year. During the summer, patrols are scheduled from 3 p.m.–7 a.m. each day. Daily Incident Logs are filed with Student Life and the Dean of Students and Retention to review for incidents involving safety or conduct issues. Carroll College also utilizes the services of Helena Police, Helena Fire and Emergency Services (ambulance).

Student Life Expectations

Carroll Code of Student Conduct

The Carroll Code of Student Conduct outlines the written expectations for student behaviors and student conduct procedures for students enrolled at Carroll College. Specifically, the Carroll Code provides the definitions, authority, jurisdiction, interaction with law enforcement, expectations for student conduct, student conduct procedures, sanctions, appeals and interpretation and revision of the code.

The Carroll Code has been established to reflect the mission, vision and values of Carroll College as a Catholic, diocesan, residential and liberal arts college with pre-professional and graduate programs. The Carroll Code further seeks to develop parameters for student conduct within the contexts of living in a community and learning in and out of the classroom.

The Carroll Code promotes responsible and healthy decisions by students that support the development of the individual and their responsibility to the community. Failure to comply with the Carroll Code may result In sanctions including separation of the student from the college.

New Student Orientation

Students are required to attend New Student Orientation in their first semester of attendance at Carroll College. New Student Orientation programs are held at the beginning of each semester for the purpose of connecting new students to the programs, resources and community of Carroll College.

New Student Orientation for the fall semester is a multi-day program that includes academic convocations, academic advising, meetings with faculty and staff, social events, parent programs, residence hall activities, and opportunities for outdoor excursions activities. New Student Orientation for the spring semester is conducted in one day and focuses on mid-year transitions to college and academic life.

Housing and Meal Requirement

Living on campus is an integral part of the education experience at Carroll College. All unmarried students are required to live on campus for the first two years and are encouraged to live on campus all four years. The only exceptions are for extreme financial hardship as evidenced from the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) report, a medical condition that Carroll College is not able to accommodate evidenced by the medical case file and a letter from a physician, or if the student delayed enrollment in college by three or more years beyond high school graduation. All students residing at the campus must also have a meal plan at the college. The choice of meal plans is determined by year in school and residence hall. 

Student Qualification for Student Offices and Honors

Student government officers, class officers, managers, editors, resident assistants, and students in any other positions of responsibility in any campus organization or activity must: be enrolled for at least ten (10) semester hours of credit; demonstrate a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the time of their application or announcement of candidacy; and must not be on disciplinary probation, residence hall expulsion, or subject to any other disciplinary action inconsistent with the office or honor in question.