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 educational experience at Wartburg College. More than 80 percent of the student body lives on campus and it is in this environment that students develop a high degree of self-growth, responsibility, and consideration for the rights of others. 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.
Residential options include Hebron Hall, Vollmer Hall, Slife Hall, The Residence (service-based housing), Löhe Hall, Grossmann Hall, Afton and Waverly Manors, and Knights Village (townhouse apartments for seniors). First-year students live in the Ubuntu Complex (Slife and Vollmer Halls), Clinton Hall, or Founders Hall. Gender inclusive housing is available in Knights Village, The Residence, and Waverly Manors. All other buildings are co-ed by suite, floor, or wing.
Depending on the building assignment and class year, students may select 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 academic experience, encourages positive, healthy relationships, and promotes personal growth.
Residence halls are closed during most college break/vacation periods. Students whose homes are 500 or more miles from campus may remain on campus with permission and/or by paying a modest fee.
Dining
Residential students are required to have a board plan that provides 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 dining locations 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, meals can be ordered from the three restaurants using GET online ordering.
More than 200 students are employed by Dining Services which includes thirty student supervisors. Student employees have the opportunity to participate in 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
A collaborative relationship with the Waverly Health Center offers students access to the Noah Campus Health Clinic located in the Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center. The clinic is open Monday through Friday when classes are in session. For after-hour emergency assistance, contact Campus Security or Area Coordinators. For life-threatening emergencies at any time, call 911.
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, and referrals when necessary. The clinic is available to all enrolled students who submit a 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 the student’s 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.
All students are encouraged to have health insurance coverage. Students are advised to review their family’s health and accident plans and/or enroll in a supplementary plan to ensure protection 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
Counseling Services, located on the third floor of the Vogel Library, 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 campus resource also has leadership for the College’s substance abuse education program and organizes support groups and psychoeducational workshops as needed. When warranted, this department provides referrals for off-campus counselling. 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.
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 (Lily 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).
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.
The 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. A variety of entertainers including comedians, musicians, magicians, hypnotists, mentalists, as well as social activities, and unique 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..
THE CASTLE - Student-produced literary magazine.
KNIGHT VISION NEWS - Student produced news programs available online through Knight Vision on Knight Wire.
KNIGHT WIRE - A multimedia news website produced by students to cover campus, local, regional, and national events.
KWAR - Student-operated stereo FM radio station, 89.9 mhz, broadcasting to a 30-mile listening radius locally and on the World Wide Web.
THE WARTBURG TRUMPET - Weekly newspaper written and edited by a student staff.
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 2024.
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 2025.
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, and a golf driving range.
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
The Multicultural Student Service (MSS) department is committed to empowering multicultural students to take full advantage of the Wartburg College experience by supporting their personal and academic development.
Multicultural Student Services will:
- provide support services that facilitate the transition, retention, persistence, and graduation of Wartburg College multicultural students.
- develop and maintain relationships with campus partners in order to advocate and support Wartburg’s multicultural student population, and utilize those relationships to serve as a resource regarding multicultural student success.
- continue to strive for an inclusive campus environment where Wartburg College multicultural students and all students have a sense of belonging and connection.
International Student Programs
Wartburg’s international student enrollment is approximately 120 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.
Student Success Center
Options for Exploring Majors
Student Life professional and student staff members’ help students identify and make connections between majors and career possibilities. The Student Success Center helps with interpreting self-assessment data on interests, personality traits, values, and skills, as well as navigating the college catalog. Staff answer questions about scheduling basics and facilitate work with faculty advisers.
Graduate and Professional School Advising
Student Success Center staff assist students in accessing information on preparing for, applying to, and being accepted into graduate or professional schools.
Mentoring
The Student Success Center offers a variety of resources to help students, alumni, staff, and faculty form strong mentoring relationships. Additionally, the Student Success Center administers two mentoring programs for students and staff. The igKnight Mentoring Program is a peer mentoring program for students that focuses on helping students meet their academic, personal, and professional goals. The Staff Mentoring Program, in collaboration with Human Resources & Payroll, partners experienced staff with new staff members to help introduce newcomers to Wartburg College. Members of the Wartburg community are invited to participate in formal mentoring programs and relationships in an effort to help them grow and understand the value of mentoring.
First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience program supports students in their first year at Wartburg by providing opportunities to enhance their academic and interpersonal abilities as they make the transition to college and join the community of Wartburg Knights.
ORIENTATION AND EARLY TRANSITION ACTIVITIES
- Summer Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) Day Programs for students and parents
- Fall Orientation facilitated by students trained in student development
- Team-building experiences for new students
- Mentoring of new students by first-year seminar faculty mentors, student Orientation Leaders and Peer Mentors in the igKnight Mentoring program
ONGOING SOCIAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES
- First-year residence halls with programming to meet first-year student needs
- A first-year seminar curriculum that supports the student transition to and through the first year
- Finals Week study breaks
COMMUNICATIONS
- Resources on Student Success Center and Residential Life web pages
- New student and advising newsletters
- Communications with parents of first-year students
- First-year listserv
ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION
- Early identification of students needing academic assistance and individual academic counseling
- Workshops and one-on-one assistance to help students develop good time-management skills, test-taking strategies, and effective note-taking methods
- Resources on college reading, writing, and other strategies to promote college success
- Integration of content relevant to making the transition to college and a liberal arts education into the first-year curriculum: EN 115 College Composition , IS 101 Asking Questions, Making Choices , and SCH 101 First-Year Scholars Seminar
- Advisers trained in student development and first-year student needs
- First-year honor society to recognize academic accomplishments of new students
Career Services
Wartburg maintains a strong commitment to career planning and vocational discernment. Career Services helps students assess their personal interests, skills, and values. Matching these assessments with academic interests and workplace outlook helps students plan realistic career and life goals.
To assist students in self-assessment and skill identification, Career Services provides a variety of interest and personality assessments, major and career exploration assistance, seminars, and individual counseling.
After students can articulate career-related values and skills, the staff helps them focus on specificinternships, jobs and careers.
Career Services also works with academic departments to assist students in gaining practical exposure to the world of work via field experiences, internships, or participation in one of our two urban studies programs in Des Moines, Iowa or Denver, Colorado. Student Success peers and professional staff help students prepare résumés and application letters and develop effective interviewing skills.
Career Services is the home base for exploring career options, job searching, interviewing, negotiating, and finding internships. All these resources are available to Wartburg students, employers hiring Knights, and Wartburg alumni.
Vocation
Vocation lives at the heart of a Wartburg education, which is why Wartburg is dedicated to helping individuals discover and claim their callings. The Student Success Center, in partnership with several other campus offices, offers a variety of resources and opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to explore their faith, values, work, and life. Individuals are encouraged to engage in informal discussion groups, reflection, retreats, speakers, professional development events, and other programs related to vocational exploration.
Service Trips
Wartburg College Service Trips offer alternative break options during Fall and Winter Break as well as Tour Week. The Service Trips are student led, focused on a social justice issue, and funded with students’ application fees and fundraising. The Wartburg College Service Trips program has been sending students to the 48 continuous states since the mid-1990’s and consistently ranks in the top five of percentage of student body participation from in the National Ranking of Break Away, an alternative break site bank and training organization.
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