The Office of Student Services (OSS) embraces a student-centered philosophy in all its direct services to students, while encouraging, challenging and supporting students to become self-actualized leaders who realize their full potential through education, training, student development, applied research and a wide range of student experiences.
Further, the Office of Student Services:
- encourages and promotes the development of appropriate values, attitudes and conduct for a communal academic community;
- facilitates and encourages cultural, spiritual, and intellectual co-curricular enrichment opportunities within the Morehouse community;
- provides opportunities for faculty, student and staff interaction that enhances community development and brotherhood;
- provides living and learning environments, as well as recreational and social opportunities, to promote a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle.
The OSS is committed to Morehouse College’s institutional values. The OSS embraces the core values of excellence, innovation, leadership, and social justice that inform and direct its decisions, services, and programs. The OSS has overall responsibility for student conduct and for maintaining a high quality of student life.
The quality of the undergraduate experience at Morehouse depends on a wide range of co-curricular programming and services provided by the departments that operate under the auspices of the OSS. The following departments exist under the umbrella of the OSS:
- Bonner Office of Community Service
- Career Development and Engagement
- Housing and Residential Education
- International Student Services
- Morehouse College Police Department
- Samuel H. Archer Hall Student Recreation and Fitness Center
- Student Counseling and Accessibility Services
- Student Activities and New Student Orientation
- Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability
Bonner Office of Community Service
Mission
Morehouse College is committed to developing leaders who will be positive role models and make significant contributions to society. The Bonner Office of Community Service (BOCS) utilizes its resources to develop and encourage volunteerism. The BOCS promotes a culture of service that strengthens students’ resolve to be accountable as leaders with the desire to be stewards of positive social change. Through the efforts of the BOCS, the College better fulfills its mission of “developing men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.”
Services
The BOCS supports and facilitates the involvement of Morehouse students, faculty, staff and administrators in community service work through a variety of programs and opportunities, both on and off campus, which require commitments ranging from just a few hours each semester to several hours each week.
Although a good number of students engage in community service on a volunteer basis, the BOCS offers limited scholarships or stipends for eligible students. The BOCS currently sponsors or co-sponsors the Bonner Scholarship Program, the Emma and Joe Adams Scholarship Program and the Federal Work Study Community Service Program.
Career Development and Engagement
Mission
To assist all students in securing the most suitable career position, whether this means immediate employment after graduation or further graduate/professional school study. This mission is aligned with the overall Morehouse College mission to ‘develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.’
Services
The Department of Career Development and Engagement (DCDE) serves as the primary conduit in supporting Morehouse College students and graduates to become proficient in the following areas:
- Developing self-knowledge related to career choice and work performance by identifying, assessing and understanding individual competencies, interests, values and personal characteristics;
- Obtaining educational and occupational information to aid career and educational planning and to develop an understanding of the world of work;
- Selecting personally suitable academic programs and experiential opportunities that optimize future educational and employment options;
- Taking responsibility for developing career decisions, graduate/professional school plans, employment plans, and/or job-search competencies;
- Preparing to seek out suitable employment by developing job-search skills, effective candidate presentation skills, and an understanding of the fit between their competencies and both occupational and job requirements;
- Gaining experience through student activities, community service, student employment, research projects, cooperative education, internships, international exposure and other opportunities;
- Linking with alumni, employers, professional organizations and others who will provide opportunities to develop professional interests and competencies, integrate academic learning with work and explore future career possibilities;
- Seeking a desired employment opportunity or entry into an appropriate educational, graduate or professional program;
- Utilization of technology as a means to pursue professional opportunities and as a means to perform at a high level of proficiency in a chosen career field and or during post-graduate education; and
- Helping students to prepare to manage their careers after graduation.
Housing and Residential Education
Mission
The mission of the Department of Housing and Residential Education (DHRE) is to provide a living environment that promotes learning and development in the broadest sense, with an emphasis on supporting the academic mission of the institution.
Houses
There are twelve (12) residential houses at Morehouse College that vary in capacity from 40 to 360 residents. Generally, the houses are categorized for freshman and upperclassman students. There are also special themes associated with each freshman house.
Each house is managed by a professional staff member, who will be responsible for managing the student staff, consisting of Resident Advisors (RA), who will have direct day-to-day contact with residential students.
Residential Education Staff
The staff of each house consists of:
- Community Director, who is a live-in professional supervising the student staff and supporting students through programming and intervention services; and
- Resident Advisor (RA), who is an upperclassman student serving as a peer-mentor and assists students with their concerns.
The staff works to create and promote an environment that supports respect, integrity, civility, accountability and compassion among all residents. They also perform day-to-day administrative duties, provide leadership in the houses and conduct educational, cultural, social, personal and career development programs for the residential community.
Two (2) -Year Live-On Commitment for Traditional Students
The two-year live-on commitment is an agreement between the men of Morehouse and DHRE to enhance the students’ experience and success outcomes. This commitment sets the expectation for students to live on campus and have a meal plan for two years, depending on the house and student classification.
Morehouse College believes that students who live on campus are more likely to remain enrolled, graduate on time and feel connected to the campus community. Research shows that living on campus has several positive outcomes that help students developmentally, including higher retention, more co-curricular involvement, deeper personal growth and development, stronger interpersonal relationships, more faculty interaction and positive feelings about campus experiences.
The two-year live-on commitment is fulfilled by completing two full years of attendance (accompanied by on-campus residency) at Morehouse College or another accredited post-secondary institution. For example, a transfer student who has attended another accredited institution for at least three years and lived on campus is exempt from the live-on requirement.
Experience must be at an institution of higher education and does not include high school or boarding school experience. If the student is legally married or in a legal civil union, the College requires a notarized copy of the official marriage or civil union documentation.
Petition for Release from Two-Year Live-On Commitment for Traditional Students
Students may petition to be released from the two-year live-on commitment and the housing contract based upon the following criteria - the student:
- lives at home with parents or legal guardians whose permanent address is within 25 miles (driving distance) of the campus of Morehouse College;
- has been approved for a medical accommodation; or
- is facing financial duress.
To apply for release, a student must complete the exemption petition located on the housing website.
International Student Services
Morehouse College extends a global invitation to men from other countries to join the community as regular, full-time students or as exchange students. Special services are offered to address their needs or concerns. The Department of International Student Services (DISS) is the central resource and liaison for the international student community at Morehouse.
Mission
The mission of DISS is to facilitate programming and the delivery of immigration services that are inclusive and in compliance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations as well as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Services
The DISS provides a host of services that include:
- Immigration counseling
- Pre-arrival and orientation information
- Transfer of schools
- Issuance of Forms I-20 (initial and continuing)
- Employment (Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training)
- Change of status/reinstatement of status
- Cross-cultural activities and communications
- Tax information
Morehouse College Police Deparment
Mission
The Morehouse College Police Department (MCPD) is committed to excellence in public safety and is dedicated to the people, traditions, and diversity of the campus community. To protect life and property, prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime, provide strong public safety role models and enforce law with practical goals and visions, we provide service with understanding, response with compassion, performance with integrity and law enforcement with vision.
Vision
The MCPD, in partnership with the greater Morehouse community, endeavors to achieve its mission by:
- Focusing on the prevention of crime and enhancement of safety;
- Adopting a department culture that is consistent with the College’s values;
- Combining both efficiency and effectiveness, while leveraging technologies that support campus policing operations.
Core Values
Integrity
Be people of integrity who hold themselves to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. They are committed to fair and ethical investigations, while openly collaborating in pursuit of the truth. There is no tolerance for politics, hidden agendas or passive-aggressive behavior.
Respect
Treat each other and all members of the public with dignity and respect. They will be fair and respectful to all those involved in the justice system and the community being served.
Accountability
Do what we say we’re going to do. If something happens to prevent that, determine the new course and communicate quickly.
Servanthood
Serve others; they work hard every day at what they do and put the interests of the community and the public first.
Services
MCPD operates Monday through Sunday, 24 hours per day in the Joseph T. Robert Hall Annex. MCPD can be contacted via the following means:
E-mail Address: mcpd@morehouse.edu
Phone Number (Emergencies): (404) 215-2666
Anonymous Tip Line: (404) 653-7777
During a Loss of Power: (404) 427-7396
Samuel H. Archer Hall Student Recreation and Fitness Center
Recreation
Quality education includes both classroom and co-curricular opportunities. Morehouse College provides these opportunities through the Samuel H. Archer Hall Student Recreation and Fitness Center.
Inside the 53,808 square-foot facility, students have access to a swimming pool, gymnasium, locker rooms, television lounge, cardiovascular room, weight room, video gaming room, traditional game room and conference rooms.
Within Archer Hall, fitness, wellness, intramural and recreational programs and activities are provided for the students, alumni, faculty, staff as well as their spouses and children. The Center offers a unique environment for students to interact with other members of the broader Morehouse community.
Hours of Operation (Academic Year):
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 Noon to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Intramural Sports
The intramural program provides physical and recreational activities to all members of the Morehouse community. While certain sports (basketball, flag football, tennis, etc.) form the core of the program, it is designed to meet the varying needs and interests of students, faculty, staff and alumni, alike.
Students interested in learning more about the following sports should contact the administrative office of Archer Hall:
- Basketball
- Fishing
- Golf
- Indoor Soccer
- Officials Clinic
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Polo
Fitness and Wellness
Archer Hall offers a comprehensive variety of fitness services and opportunities ranging from group fitness classes to individual wellness programs. The goal is to help community members to achieve their wellness goals while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Students interested in learning more about the following fitness services should contact the administrative office of Archer Hall:
- Aerobics
- Bodybuilding
- Cardio & Strength Circuit Training
- Capoeira
- Fishing Club
- Health Seminars
- Learn to Swim Class
- Water Aerobics
- Yoga
Sports Clubs
Sports clubs provide additional opportunities for members of the Morehouse community to learn a new sport or activity, make new friends and compete against club teams from other colleges/universities.
Students interested in learning more about the following sports clubs should contact the administrative office of Archer Hall:
- Basketball
- Billiards
- Soccer
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Wrestling
- Lacrosse
- Rugby, and more
Basketball
Archer Hall’s gymnasium offers a hardwood sports floor with three basketball courts. One full-size varsity court runs vertically, and two courts run horizontally. The courts are located in the gymnasium on the second floor of the Center.
Swimming
Archer Hall’s natatorium offers a 50-yard pool with six lanes, along with a three-meter and half-meter board for diving. The pool is located on the ground level.
Cardiovascular Training
Archer Hall’s cardiovascular training room offers the use of stationary bicycles, treadmills, rowing machines, elliptical machines, and stair steppers. The cardiovascular room is located on the third floor.
Weight Training
Nautilus and free-weight equipment are available on the first floor.
Student Counseling and Accessibility Services
Mission
The Counseling Center assists students in the accomplishment of tasks that are essential to their personal and educational development. Clinical Services are managed by the Director, Ms. Tina Thompson-Grimmett. The Center’s programming is designed to facilitate students’ overall growth and well-being, retention, and graduation. Counseling Center staff are involved in community building, prevention, and education, and thus collaborate and consult with other departments to improve the interrelationships of all areas of this urban college. To this end, the Center promotes the understanding and integration of multicultural issues and African American Psychology in all services and programs. The Center is dedicated to building a college community that permits all its members to grow and to be successful in an environment of equity, respect, and inclusion.
Counseling Services
Deciding on if/when it’s time to seek out additional support is a challenge for everyone, and deciding to meet with a “professional” can feel incredibly daunting for many. At the Morehouse College Counseling, we strive to provide a wide array of high-quality, therapeutic and psychoeducational services, inside and out of the Center itself. With a diverse staff, we are committed to the personal, growth, development and success of all Morehouse College students by providing confidential and evidenced-based treatment utilizing several modalities.
Services Offered include:
• Psychosocial assessment
• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Psychoeducational / Life Skills /Topic-Specific workshops
• Consultation to students, faculty, and staff on issues relevant to mental health
• Professional presentations to campus organizations, faculty, and staff
• Crisis intervention and response
• Student advocacy
• Referral to other campus and community resources
You may call us at (470) 639-0231. You may visit the James B. Ellison, Sr. Student Health Center in Brazeal Hall, Ground Floor on the north end of campus, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are in-person unless previously discussed with your therapist. Upon contacting the Counseling Center, you will be asked to provide your availability and be scheduled for the next available appointment.
For emergency assistance, call the Morehouse Police Department at (404) 215-2666 on-campus or 911 if off-campus. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Accessibility Services
Morehouse is committed to the lifelong development of students by providing academic and non-academic support to currently enrolled (both traditional/residential and online) students with documented disabilities by addressing limitations due to learning, physical, chronic health and/or psychological issues.
We strive for a learning community that is welcoming to all individuals - one that embraces and celebrates the diversity of the campus while being sensitive to and supportive of the individual needs of each person. Our aim is to create an inclusive, informed and accessible campus community and culture while aiming to educate and collaborate with students, faculty, staff and administrators to accomplish the vision.
Once admitted to Morehouse, students with disabilities seeking accommodations should consult the College’s website as early as possible and follow the posted instructions on the process for registering with Accessibility Services.
Accessibility accommodations include classroom accommodations, testing accommodations and assisted technology, with a variety of software and technology available for use on campus that enables students with disabilities to access information.
Services offered by Accessibility Services include:
- Recommendations for program accommodations in accordance with recent documentation, which meets the criteria established by the University System of Georgia;
- Referral to appropriate student support services on campus;
- Information and assistance with academic planning;
- Liaison activities between faculty, staff and students with disabilities;
- Referral to off-campus resources;
- Alternative testing;
- Consultation with public school administrators, rehabilitation or high school counselors, parents, and prospective students concerning Middle Georgia State services for students with disabilities.
Services NOT offered by Accessibility Services include:
- Performing psycho-educational diagnostic assessments;
- sking faculty to compromise the quality of instruction or evaluation or sacrifice course standards
Confidentiality of Accessibility Information
Information shared with Accessibility Services will be kept confidential. Records will not be shared with anyone without permission from the student.
Notification by Students of the Need for Accommodations
The student must contact Accessibility Services each semester and present their course schedule to have academic accommodations sent to their respective professors. It is strongly advised that each student make such requests during the first week of a new semester.
During this time, the student should make an appointment to review and update documentation for disability assistance.
Documentation for Accommodations
Paperwork such as IEP’s, 504 plans, and psychological evaluations over three years old are used as guides and may not be accepted as valid forms of disability documentation at the college/university level.
Please consult with Accessibility Services guidelines to furnish appropriate documentation.
Disability and The Law
Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 covers institutions receiving federal funds. This law prohibits institutions from discriminating against an “otherwise qualified” individual with disabilities. A qualified individual with a disability is a person who, with reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of a job or school curriculum. An individual with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment or is regarded as having such impairment.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) supports the same standards as Section 504, but extends to both public and private facilities, services, programs, activities, telecommunications, transportation, and other miscellaneous provisions. The ADA defines a qualified individual with a disability as an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies or practices, the removal of architectural communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by a public entity.
Student Activities and New Student Orientation
Mission
The Department of Student Activities and New Student Orientation (DSANSO) is responsible for providing leadership in holistic student learning and guides students and their families with their transition into the campus community. The DSANSO is responsible for the development and implementation of orientation and transition programming grounded in student learning outcomes. The department focuses on developing students who are self-aware, culturally competent, ethical and civically engaged.
Services
Emphasis is placed on empowering students to be successful professionals in a vibrant, diverse, and global workforce. Also of importance is providing opportunities, programming, and major events to ensure students will have an exciting collegiate experience and student morale remains positive.
The DSANSO supports student development by providing administrative support to the Campus Alliance for Student Activities (CASA), which is the programming arm of the student experience.
Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability
Student Accountability to Laws and Code of Conduct
All students at Morehouse College are responsible adults. Therefore, each student shall be held accountable for any behavior they exhibit.
The College expects all students to learn and obey local, state and federal laws. Also, students are expected to observe and adhere to the Student Code of Conduct.
Responsibility to Know the Morehouse College Student Handbook Policies and Procedures
Morehouse students are responsible for reading, knowing and observing all policies and procedures related to their in-class behavior (virtual or in-person) and their on- and off-campus conduct.
Information regarding these policies and procedures can be found in the Morehouse College Student Handbook and online.
A student’s lack of awareness of any Morehouse College policies or procedures shall not constitute grounds to be absolved from violations of such policies.
Student Rights
Freedom to Assemble and Freedom of Speech
Morehouse College fully supports the right of students to assemble peacefully and express themselves in an orderly manner.
Freedom to Learn
Morehouse College believes that all students shall be responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that helps to enhance an environment of learning in which the rights, dignity, worth and freedom of each member of the academic community are respected.
Participation in College Governance
Morehouse College encourages students to become involved in governance activities by serving on the various committees, councils, and task forces charged with contributing to decision-making.
Student Grievances
Students who have disputes with Morehouse faculty or staff members should seek to resolve the conflict through direct dialogue with that faculty or staff member.
If this first step does not lead to resolution, students should report their grievance to the faculty or staff member’s immediate supervisor.
If resolution does not happen at the supervisory level, students can pursue the grievance further at higher levels, including deans and senior administrators.
Student Code of Conduct
Students of Morehouse are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with life at an academic institution. The Code of Conduct, intended to reinforce this policy, is published in the Morehouse College Student Handbook and online.
Jurisdiction for Student Code of Conduct
The Student Code of Conduct and the processes for its administration and enforcement exist for the protection and advancement of the Morehouse community. Generally, College jurisdiction and discipline shall apply to conduct that occurs on College premises and at College-sponsored events and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the College community or the pursuit of its objectives.
Each student shall be responsible for exhibited conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree, including times before classes begin, after classes end and between terms of actual enrollment.
The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from the institution while a disciplinary matter is pending.
The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to individual students and College-affiliated student organizations.
In many instances, a violation of federal, state or local laws also may be treated as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and College regulations.
The Vice President for Student Services and Dean of the College and/or Associate Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students shall decide on a case-by-case basis whether the Student Code of Conduct applies to conduct occurring off campus.
Addressing Possible Violation(s) of Student Code of Conduct
Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability will provide a fair hearing for all parties involved in an incident involving a possible violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Any students subject to the student conduct process will have their violation(s) reviewed by the following:
- Honor and Conduct Review Board;
- College Judiciary Committee;
- dministrator, as deemed appropriate.
All students shall be presented with their alleged violation(s) in written form.
A time shall be set for a conduct hearing, not less than five (5) nor more than 15 calendar days after the student has been notified. Maximum time limits for scheduling of hearings may be extended at the discretion of the Director of Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability.
Students who are in alleged violations of the Code of Conduct are entitled to be heard through a conference and have a hearing to refute alleged violations against them.
Students who have been found responsible for violating the Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action recommended either by their peers of the Honor and Conduct Review Board (HCRB) or by faculty, staff and students of the College Judiciary Committee (CJC) and/or the Director of Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability. The Director of Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability may choose the method by which the hearing is to be conducted.
Appealing Suspension or Dismissal
Students subject to suspension or dismissal may submit a written appeal to the Director of Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability within four (4) business days after they have been notified of the decision and sanction imposed.
Student Disciplinary Records
All records concerning the Student Code of Conduct violation hearings shall be held in the Department of Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability. Disciplinary records are confidential and will not be released outside the College without the student’s written permission or by order of a court of law. Exceptions are noted below:
A copy of disciplinary case materials will stay in a student’s file until approximately seven (7) years after graduation, at which time it will be purged.
Student disciplinary records are maintained in the Department of Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability. All student records shall be protected according to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.
Notification of Student Conduct Action
Notification of student conduct action is made on a “need-to-know” basis and may include notification to the following:
- the Department of Athletics, in cases involving student-athletes;
- the Department of Music, in cases involving members of the Glee Club as well as Jazz and Marching Bands;
- the Department of Housing and Residential Education, in cases involving residential students and para-professional staff;
- victims of violent crimes, involving student perpetrators.
Copies of all student conduct sanction letters are sent to the Director of Student Conduct, Advocacy and Accountability and the Associate Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students (or designee).
In the case of a suspension or expulsion, notification is sent to the following:
- the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of the College,
- the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs,
- the Director of Admissions and Recruitment,
- the Registrar,
- the Chief of Police,
- Director of Housing and Residential Education, and
- the student.
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