The friendly Wartburg spirit, easy to catch and impossible to forget, characterizes campus life. As a residential college, Wartburg offers a wide range of programs, activities, and services. Students participate in more than 100 campus clubs and organizations, 20 men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic programs, club sports and intramurals, and a number of music groups.
The college’s emphasis on leadership and service is reflected in campus life, where students provide leadership for campus organizations and student government and get involved in a variety of service projects. Ethics and values shape the life of the community, and the living/learning environment supports a tradition of academic excellence.
Residential Life
Residential life is an important part of the total educational program at Wartburg College. More than 80 percent of the student body lives on campus. Unless students reside at home, are married, have dependent children, or are over the age of 23, all students are required to live on campus.
Living on campus enhances classroom learning by providing an opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and others. Residential options include Hebron Hall (men); Vollmer Hall (women), Centennial Hall (coed by floor); Clinton Hall (coed by wing); The Residence (service-based housing, coed by suite), Löhe Hall (special-interest housing, coed by suite); Founders Hall (coed by floor); Afton and Waverly Manors (coed by floor); and Knights Village (townhouse apartments for seniors). First-year students live in the Complex (Hebron, Centennial, and Vollmer Halls) or in Clinton Hall.
Depending on building assignment and class year, students may choose from three- or four-person rooms, double-occupancy rooms, suite-style arrangements, townhouse living, and a limited number of single rooms. Professional and peer advisers assist students in achieving a living environment that complements the classroom experience, encourages positive, healthy relationships, and promotes personal growth.
Residence halls close during major college vacation periods. Students whose homes are 500 or more miles from campus may remain on campus with permission and/or by paying a small fee.
Dining
Dining Services is self-operated by Wartburg College. Students who live on campus have a board plan that gives them access to the Mensa, an all-you-care-to-eat dining facility, as well as options elsewhere on campus. Board plan options vary based on academic status and housing location. Other locations to eat at Wartburg include: the Den, a quick-service restaurant with convenience store items; the Konditorei, a coffee house and light meal restaurant; and the Zesty Orange which offers beverages, snacks, and meals. In addition to ordering on-site, food can be ordered from the three restaurants using GET online ordering, so the food is ready when the guest arrives. Students appreciate having fresh food with no wait!
More than 200 students are employed by Dining Services (30 of them are supervisors of other students, and there is a long-term business management internship program). Students serving students, combined with everyone dining together, helps to create a friendly, close-knit community.
Student Health
Wartburg College and the Waverly Health Center work together to provide health care to students in the Noah Campus Health Clinic in the Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center, located on the Wartburg College campus.
The Noah Campus Health Clinic is a comprehensive outpatient clinic that offers a wide variety of illness, injury, and wellness services. Three exam rooms along with laboratory and office space provide a comfortable, professional environment for patient care. A certified physician assistant directs and coordinates health consultation and education, treatment, referrals, when necessary, to appropriate services. All records are confidential as specified by HIPAA regulations.
The clinic is open five days per week when the college is in session. For after hours emergency assistance, contact Campus Security or Area Coordinators. For life-threatening emergencies at any time, call 911.
The Noah Campus Health Clinic is available to registered students who submit a completed Wartburg health record, which includes verification of immunity to communicable diseases. New students must submit this record prior to moving into the residence halls. Treatments, procedures, and other needed services and supplies will be submitted to your health insurance company, or payment options are available. Students are responsible for all charges incurred at the campus health clinic. Co-pays must be paid at the time of the visit.
It is strongly encouraged that all students have health insurance. Students are also encouraged to review their family’s plan or to purchase a supplementary policy to protect them while at college. To access all required health forms for new and returning students, including student athletes, visit https://waverlyhealthcenter.org/clinics/family-practice/noah-campus-health-clinic/.
Counseling Services
The Wartburg campus community affords a wide variety of resources to help students adjust to college life. Counseling Services, located in the Pathways Center, provides psychological support as students pursue their academic and personal goals. Professionally trained counselors offer a supportive environment, where students can talk openly and confidentially about personal issues. This office also facilitates the college’s substance abuse education program and organizes support groups and psychoeducational workshops as needed. When warranted, Counseling Services provides referrals for off-campus counseling. The office also advises student-led A.W.A.R.E. (Alcohol Wisdom and Real Education) and S.M.A.R.T. (Sexual Misconduct and Resource Team).
Alcohol and Other Illegal Drug Policies
The Drug-Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Public Law 101- 226, requires that the college notify students and employees about campus policies, legal sanctions, and programs. Wartburg College students are expected to be positive, contributing members of the campus community. The possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs contradicts that commitment to community. Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia are not permitted on the Wartburg campus. The college will cooperate with law enforcement agencies to enforce those laws. Violations of this college policy are considered serious, and sanctions can include dismissal from the college. Students who have attained the legal drinking age of 21 may possess or consume alcoholic beverages in their private living quarters, if their quarters are in buildings where alcohol is allowed. Alcohol may not be provided to students or guests under the age of 21. Those in need of alcohol/drug evaluation or treatment beyond the scope of the College will be referred to the appropriate agency for care.
Motor Vehicles
Students may have motor vehicles, but the vehicles must be registered with the Security Office and parked in assigned college lots.
For further information about standards of conduct, legal sanctions, educational programs, or counseling and treatment opportunities, contact the Student Life Office, visit the Student Life webiste, or consult the Wartburg College Student Handbook.
Responsibilities of Students
Students are expected to assume responsibility for their conduct and for making full use of educational opportunities. They are expected to observe established standards for scholarship, conduct, and campus life. Some standards exist because the college is part of a larger community governed by federal and state legislation. Other standards are unique to Wartburg and support an environment conducive to the learning and nurturing of Christian values. It is especially important that students observe academic honesty and integrity as described in the Wartburg College Honor Code.
The Wartburg College Honor Code
Students, faculty, and staff of Wartburg College are expected to demonstrate integrity in all endeavors. Students are expected to adhere to four essential principles:
- Submit only original work and properly cite ideas of others, including fellow students.
- Refrain from giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations and assignments.
- Report any act that violates these principles.
- Ask for clarification if uncertain about the expectations on a particular assignment.
Students are responsible for abiding by these guidelines and opposing academic dishonesty in all academic endeavors.
When evidence of dishonesty is discovered, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. The Wartburg College Student Handbook outlines standards of conduct and regulations governing student life. Copies are available from the Student Life Office.
Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry
As a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wartburg is an inclusive Christian college. Its mission is based on the theological and biblical understanding that the spiritual dimension of life is crucial to human questions of meaning, faith, vocation, and values. In this context, the division of Spriritual Life and Campus Ministry (SLCM) coordinates faith opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. It is also charged with support for student learning and spiritual formation as it relates to all areas of their lives, including their personal exploration of vocation and meaning.
Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry’s purpose statement, a statement developed by a task force of students, faculty, and staff during the 2015-2016 academic year states, “As part of God’s mission, Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry is the body of Christ on the Wartburg campus, formed as disciples by the Holy Spirit, and sent to embody God’s active persistent love within all creation.”
From the heart of the Lutheran theological and spritual heritage, the division of Spritual Life and Campus ministry celebrates and engages students in faith exploration regardless of their faith or non-faith commitments. It especially works to provide students the opportunity to gather, explore, and connect their religions and non-religious perspectives to their daily work, their relationships, and their futures. Its work includes support and leadership for the Interfaith Leaders program and for individuals and groups of students whose religious practice is non-Christian. SLCM also coordinates the use of the multi-faith Reflection Room (Lillu Reflection Room) in the Saemann Student Center.
SLCM Christian formation work includes opportunities for on-campus worship and learning and conversations and activities that connect faith, leadership, learning and service to one another. Some of these opportunities include MWF Weekday chapel - a scheduled and protected pause (25 minutes) in the campus schedule where students, faculty, and staff can participate in a time of reflection and worship, Sunday Morning Worship during the academic year, and Sanctuary - a Wednesday night, informal student-led worship opportunity held in the lounge area of the Chapel Commons (lower level of the chapel building). At least once a month, sometimes more with Senior Interfaith chapels, there is a Weekday Interfaith Chapel where voices of non-Christian traditions share a message about their faith practice.
Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry’s Service and Leadership Team (SALT) is comprised of students who lead ministry groups on campus and those who serve in ministry through the chapel program. It meets once monthly during the school year and explores the ways in which students see and hear God at work on campus. Ministry groups include Adopt-a-Grandparent, Psalm 149 (dance group), Catholic Knights, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Faith and Life small groups that meet in the residence halls and other parts of campus.
Two ELCA ordained pastors serve as leaders for Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry providing leadership for campus worship, pastoral counseling, vocation exploration, spiritual direction, and leadership education from the perspective of faith. The Dean of the Chapel, Moehlmann Chaplaincy Chair position includes the expectation of the regular teaching of classes each semester, lead position for the Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry program and its staff, oversight of the Wartburg Chapel and its use, service to the college as director of the annual Graven Award and, as requested by the president, service on college committees and initiatives. The Campus Pastor position serves as lead for the division’s Christian formation programs, service on college task forces and initiatives, and if applicable to the gifts of the person serving and the needs of the college, teaching as an instructor when requested.
Both campus pastors are called to provide pastoral care to the campus community, support for the regular exploration of vocation, and in partnership with students offer programs to foster student success as through an exploration of students’ spiritual journey, and the growth of their spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being.
Activities
Student groups, with the assistance of professional staff, offer a wide variety of social activities. Comedy and variety entertainers, musicians, magicians, hypnotists, mentalist, social activities, and special events that include Homecoming and Outfly are scheduled throughout the year.
Student Organizations
Student organizations offer a variety of involvement opportunities through formal groups focusing on academic/professional goals, broadcasting/publication, spiritual life/campus ministry, honor societies, performing arts, service/interests and sports/recreation. Students can explore new interests, find their passion or create their own organization. For more information on over 100 student organizations offered at Wartburg College, visit www.wartburg.edu/orgs.
Student Media
The opportunity to get hands-on experience in award-winning media is open to all students through several campus groups.
KWAR-Student-operated stereo FM radio station, 89.9 mhz, broadcasting to a 30-mile listening radius locally and on the World Wide Web.
CEDAR VALLEY TODAY-Student-produced programming telecast to the college and community via cable access channel 8 and online through Knight Vision.
THE CASTLE-Student-produced literary magazine.
THE WARTBURG TRUMPET-Weekly newspaper written and edited by a student staff.
THE CIRCUIT-A multimedia news website run by students that provides stories, photos and video about campus events.
Music Organizations
Music is an integral part of campus life at Wartburg, and the college is known for the quality of its performing groups. The Wartburg Choir, Castle Singers, and Wind Ensemble make annual concert tours in the United States and travel abroad every three years during May Term.
CASTLE SINGERS perform a variety of choral chamber literature (madrigals through contemporary pop); selected by audition; next international tour in 2021.
GOSPEL CHOIR performs traditional and contemporary gospel music on campus and in the area.
HANDBELL CHOIR provides experience for students with handbells.
KAMMERSTREICHER (“chamber strings”) performs eclectic repertoire from a wide range of musical eras, from Bach and Rachmanifoff to bebop and Radiohead; the group is open to any Wartburg string players by audtion, typically includes 15-20 musicians, and tours in conjuction with the Castle Singers.
KANTOREI provides leadership for campus worship.
KNIGHTLITERS JAZZ BAND presents concerts on campus and in the Waverly area.
PEP BAND performs at athletic events; led by a student director.
RITTERCHOR performs men’s choral literature.
ST. ELIZABETH CHORALE performs women’s choral literature.
SYMPHONIC BAND performs standard classical and contemporary band literature.
WARTBURG CHOIR sings a cappella standard classical and contemporary choral music; selected by audition; has appeared twice at New York City’s Carnegie Hall; next international tour in 2023.
WARTBURG COMMUNITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is a semi-professional orchestra which presents a four-concert season; comprised of Wartburg students from all majors, Wartburg faculty and staff, and community and professional musicians from the Cedar Valley region, the WCSO holds auditions during the first week of classes each fall.
WIND ENSEMBLE performs standard classical and contemporary concert band literature; selected by audition; has performed in Carnegie Hall and on the Great Wall of China; next international tour in 2022.
Recreation, Athletics
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES-The Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center offers fitness and recreational facilities for students and the community, including an indoor aquatics center, the Schuldt Natatorium.
Near campus, students enjoy biking and jogging along Cedar Lane and the Waverly Rail Trail, hiking the trails of Three Rivers Pond and Cedar Bend Park, and boating, canoeing, fishing, and water skiing on the Cedar River. Waverly has an outdoor swimming pool, two 18-hole golf courses, a golf driving range, a bowling alley, and a three-screen movie theatre.
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS-Wartburg competes in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC). Other colleges in the conference are Buena Vista, Central, Coe, Cornell, Dubuque, Loras, Luther, Simpson and Nebraska Wesleyan. As a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division III, Wartburg does not award athletic
scholarships. Men compete in intercollegiate baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and wrestling. Women compete in intercollegiate basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, lacrosse, and volleyball. The Wartburg wrestling team won the NCAA Division III national championship in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012. The women’s track and field team won the NCAA Division III national outdoor championship in 2005, 2009, and 2012 and the NCAA Division III national indoor championship in 2009, 2010, and 2012. Wartburg has won the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All Sports Championship for seven consecutive years. Intercollegiate athletics are supported through the Lowell Walker Endowed Athletic Directorship.
INTRAMURAL ATHLETICS-Students, faculty, and staff can participate in competitive and non-competitive sports and activities through Wartburg’s intramural program. The Assistant Director for Community Recreation works with students and the Athletic Department to plan a wide variety of programs and special events. Activities coordinated by the Intramural Office include basketball, bowling, dodgeball, flag football, racquetball, softball, and volleyball.
RECREATIONAL GROUPS-Students also are involved in special-interest recreational groups that include Cheerleading, Ultimate Frisbee Club, and Dance Team.
Student Life Services
Multicultural Cultural Student Services
Wartburg is committed to enrolling and graduating American-ethnic students. The Multicultural Student Services Office promotes multicultural programming and activities that lead to an understanding and appreciation of differences.
The Multicultural Student Services Office is dedicated to meeting the needs of the American-ethnic students at Wartburg College. The director provides leadership through the development of programs and services that enhance the transition, retention, and graduatiojn of American-ethnic students. The director also serves as adviser to the Black Student Union and the DVK Hip Hop Dance team. The organizations promote cultural diversity on campus by sponsoring social events, educational forums, and community service projects.
The nearby Waterloo metropolitan area has the largest American-ethnic population of any city in Iowa, offering opportunities for interaction between Wartburg students and Waterloo groups. American-ethnic students also receive support from alumni. A Diversity National Advisory Board meets on campus to maintain rapport with students and respond to their needs. The committee works to improve recruitment and retention of minority faculty and administrative staff, who serve as role models for students.
International Student Programs
Wartburg’s international student enrollment is approximately 135 students, from more than 50 different countries. The International Student Services Office provides services to international students and seeks to promote global understanding through campus, intercollegiate, and community outreach. The primary role of the International Student Services Office is to provide excellent immigration advising for our international students and compliance operations for Wartburg College. The office also provides a new international student orientation, material support, and advising on employment, Social Security, health insurance, and cross-cultural communication. Additionally, the Office coordinates the Friendship Family program, which pairs local families with international students, and advises Global Connections, a student-led peer-mentoring program, and more.
The Director of International Student Services serves as the advisor for the International Club and assists in coordinating Wartburg’s annual Culture Week. The International Club promotes cross-cultural awareness and understanding among both U.S. and international students. With more than 50 countries represented on the Wartburg campus, International Club members strive to learn more about each other and showcase their cultures through campus and community events. All students are invited to participate in the club.
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