Parent A to Z Guide
This guide contains information and contacts for many of the departments, areas and offices that your student will encounter at Saint Xavier. More information may be found by calling the University Information Desk at 773-298-3000. If you are unsure where to direct a question, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 773-298-3123 or deanofstudentsFREESXU.
A to Z Guide for Families
The Provost serves as the chief academic officer and is responsible for the planning, implementation and administration of the University's academic programs, which includes the College of Liberal Arts and Education and College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Business, as well as the Stump Library, the Center for International Education, the Center for Instructional Design and Academic Technology, and other related services of the University. The provost works together with the deans and the senior leadership to develop and implement the academic vision for the University. Saint Xavier offers undergraduate and graduate programs that are administered through Academic Affairs. The provost serves in place of the president in the event of his or her absence.
A-219, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3191
academicaffairsFREESXU
The Office of Admission's goal is to introduce prospective students to Saint Xavier's campus and guide applicants through the application process. Students can arrange a visit to campus through Admission at their convenience and meet with an admission counselor who can help them through the admission process.
Admission - Student Ambassadors
Student Ambassadors are a select group of exemplary students who represent the University with enthusiasm and professionalism. As Student Ambassadors, students will have the opportunity to lead campus tours to prospective students and visitors.
A-226, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3050
admissionFREESXU
Saint Xavier has made a strong commitment to help our students make healthy choices around substance use. The AODEP shows that commitment through individual services and university-wide programming. Counselors in the Counseling Center make treatment recommendations for students who may be at risk for problems with substance abuse. The AODEP Committee, comprised of professional staff, faculty and students, meets regularly to review current college trends in substance use as well as plan preventative and educational outreach programming.
Counseling Center
Driehaus Center
773-298-4045
counselingservicesFREESXU
The Office of Alumni Relations, in collaboration with the SXU National Alumni Board, welcomes graduates, parents and friends of Saint Xavier University to explore the many opportunities to become active members of the SXU community. We host many events -- networking, sports outings, wine receptions, service projects and more -- in various regions across the United States to provide a means to meet fellow alumni and friends of the University. We hope you will be able to join us at any or all of our events this academic year! For additional information, please contact us at:
O'Grady Center
11000 South Saint Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60655
773-298-3316
alumniFREESXU
Nineteen intercollegiate athletic teams represent Saint Xavier University. Our teams not only compete well on the conference and regional levels, but also on the national stage. Go to the SXU Athletics website for updated schedules and join us for some exciting Cougar action! SXU's Shannon Center is the place to be for athletic and recreational activities on campus. The Shannon Center is free to all SXU students, faculty and staff with appropriate identification. The University Bookstore and Cougar Fuel are also in the Shannon Center and are open to the public. The intramural program is structured to provide students, faculty and staff with the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitive and recreational sports activities. Intramurals feature on-campus recreation in traditional, and some not-so-traditional, sports and activities, including basketball, volleyball, dodgeball and bowling.
Room 208, Shannon Athletic Center
773-298-3597
athleticsFREESXU
SXU's Online Bookstore simplifies the textbook process for students and professors while providing them with a variety of physical and digital textbook formats. Students may visit the website to order textbooks online to be shipped to their homes while digital course material access is emailed. The bookstore also sells branded merchandise, course supplies and other items.
The Career Development Center supports students in their search for meaningful career paths through self-assessment and career planning, internship resources, alumni networking opportunities, and job-search-skills training. Programming is focused on helping students prepare for the world of work through personal career counseling and assessment, hands-on workshops, career information panels, and opportunities for students to connect with potential employers and graduate school options.
The mission of Center for Accessibility Resources at Saint Xavier University is to ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the programs, services, and activities of the University through the identification and enactment of reasonable modifications to institutional policies and procedures, the provision of effective auxiliary aids and services, and to educational services. Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations should contact the office.
L-108, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3308
disabilityservicesFREESXU
The Center for Learning and Student Support provides academic resources and services aimed at assisting students on their path to graduation. Services include:
- The SXU Writing Studio - Free one-hour consultations with a trained writing consultant. Consultants can help with any paper from any class at SXU and can assist students at any stage in the writing process: from brainstorming and researching to revising and formatting.
- Peer Academic Tutoring - Free small group tutoring is available for over 50 high-need courses each semester. Peer tutors can help with test preparation, understanding course content, and academic skills development.
- Academic Skills Coaching - Individualized meeting with knowledgeable staff on key strategies necessary to success in college, such as: time management, test-taking strategies, and organization.
Brainfuse
Brainfuse is a free online tutoring program and is especially recommended for students enrolled in online classes and for those who need help "after hours" (when SXU tutors are not available). Brainfuse has a range of subject areas they can help with, including writing, reading, math, science, business, Spanish, and nursing. Students are able to:
- Engage in live online tutoring for a range of different courses, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Schedule an appointment for a tutoring session.
- Submit a question and receive a response within two hours
- Submit an entire paper for revision and receive a detailed, personalized critique within 24 hours.
To use Brainfuse, students should go to SXU Canvas online and look for the "Brainfuse Online Tutoring" tab on the left menu.
L-108, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3956
learningcenterFREESXU
Commuter students are the majority of our student population, and all of the activities of Student Life are available to them. Additionally, Transitions peer mentors serve as a resource to first-year students throughout the year, and Saint Xavier Council hosts programs aimed at commuter students. Commuters are encouraged to take part in the life of the campus by attending student events and activities, joining student organizations and intramural teams and participating in leadership opportunities.
L-109B, Warde Academic Center
773-341-5060
studentlifeFREESXU
Counseling services are provided by licensed clinicians and include counseling for a wide variety of interpersonal and mental health issues. Free and confidential counseling services are available, as well as referral sources, to help students with issues that may interfere with academic success, such as adjusting to college life and managing stress, coping with depression and/or anxiety disorders, dealing with grief or loss issues, and fostering healthy family and peer relationships.
Driehaus Center
773-298-4045
counselingservicesFREESXU
The dean is an advocate for students and is available to help students with questions or problems related to the student conduct system, residence life, activities and leadership, student media and first-year programs. The dean is approachable and is a good person to start with when a student has a problem and is not sure where to go.
L-103, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3121
deanofstudentsFREESXU
Country House Dining Services is dedicated to providing SXU with the highest quality food and service possible. We believe in using fresh, whole ingredients and preparing our meals from scratch on-site. Dining Services is focused on promoting healthy, nutritious and most of all delicious options! We are here to work with students and any special dietary needs they may have. Students should feel free to stop by the Diner and talk to us and may schedule a visit with one of our chefs. Information about our venues and current hours may be found online.
A-106C, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3663
diningFREESXU
Financial Aid staff members assist students and families in securing the necessary financial aid resources to attend college. It is important to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year as soon as possible after it is released on October 1. The Office of Financial Aid can assist with FAFSA completion, understanding your aid eligibility and reviewing additional financing options.
A-216, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3070
finaidFREESXU
The Office of Graduate Admission's goal is to introduce prospective students to Saint Xavier's graduate programs and guide applicants through the application process.
A-209, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3053
graduateadmissionFREESXU
The Health Center offers a variety of services including minor illness and injury care, chronic illness management, physicals, well-woman examinations, immunizations and laboratory services. Programs and initiatives encourage healthy lifestyles through health promotion, risk reduction and health education initiatives. In addition to these services, the Health Center keeps immunization records on each student as required by Illinois law. Students who do not comply with this law will have their registration for subsequent semesters blocked. For more information on the required immunizations and to download the necessary forms, please see the Health Center website.
Driehaus Center
3925 W. 103rd Street
773-298-3712
healthcenterFREESXU
The Hub is the first line of defense against any University-related technology issues and to reset SXU passwords. Parents are able to work with our trained staff to troubleshoot guardian accounts, or information technology staff can assist parents with Cougar Card GET Funds for student card deposits. The HUB is also where students come for their Cougar Card ID or to purchase a replacement Cougar Card for lost Cougar Cards.
L-121, Warde Academic Center
773-298-HELP (4357)
Promoting academic integrity and lifelong learning, the Library is a student-centered space that offers 50 state-of-the-art computers, scanning stations, printers, laptops, e-readers, e-books, hard copy books and over 6,000 educational and popular videos. Selected course textbooks are available for students' use in the Library. In addition to the main Quiet Study Area, there are 10 group study rooms upstairs and three study rooms on the lower level. Students' SXU Cougar Cards allow access into the Library's world-renowned databases on the website. More than 80 databases provide valuable information on every subject in the curriculum, with full-text articles from scholarly journals not available on the World Wide Web. Librarians help students with their assignments and teach them valuable research skills, in the Library, online and in the new Library Instruction Classroom.
L-228, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3352
773-530- 2264 (SMS)
ask@sxu.libanswers.com
Services include:
- Selling envelopes and stamps
- Mailing large packages
- Notifying students who receive large packages to pick them up at the mailroom; students will be notified via email
- Receiving mail from USPS, UPS and FedEx
- Shipping mail through USPS or UPS
- Sending and receiving faxes
A-107, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3148
mailboxFREESXU
The Mercy Ministry Center includes the Office of Campus Ministry, the Office for Mission and Heritage, the Center for Religion and Public Discourse, MercyCare, collaborations with the Archdiocese of Chicago and wider outreach to our local community. The Mercy Ministry Center is committed to sustaining the Catholic identity and Mercy character of Saint Xavier University by highlighting the essential connection between faith and reason and involving all to recognize how faith informs every dimension of life -- intellectual, social, political, personal and religious.
Mercy Ministry Center
773-298-3900
campusministryFREESXU
Public Safety, in conjunction with the other service components of the University, is committed to the highest quality of protective services in order to maintain and improve our unique educational environment and quality of life. The campus is patrolled 24-hours a day by state-certified police officers with countywide jurisdiction and security officers. Public Safety also provides:
- Professional security staff in all residence halls
- Shuttle transportation, protective escort service, vehicle registration and parking enforcement
- Vehicle lockout and battery assistance
- Lost and found
CSC-100, Campus Service Center
773-298-4400 (non-emergency)
773-298-3911 (emergency)
publicsafetyFREESXU
Records and Registration services include:
- Name/Address Change
- Assistance with Registration
- Adjustments to Schedules
- Change of Major
- Intent to Minor
- Online Transcript Ordering
- Placement Testing
- Approval for Off-Campus Coursework
- Evaluation of Transfer Credit
- Verification of Enrollment
- Program Evaluation
- Veteran Services
- Auditing Classes
- Graduation Clearance
All undergraduate students are assigned a faculty or staff advisor who assists them in planning their course of study and selecting appropriate classes to reach their academic goals. Advisors can be a resource for a student who needs academic support or direction. It is the responsibility of each student to know his/her advisor's name and to contact the advisor for academic counseling.
A-203, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3501
registrarFREESXU
Student Activities works with Registered Student Organizations to provide educational and social opportunities, to encourage leadership development and, most of all, to have fun. Saint Xavier Council includes:
- Legislative Branch (Student Senate)
- Business and Finance Branch (Allocation Committee)
- Program Board
L-109B, Student Organization Center
773-298-5114
sxcFREEmymail.SXU
The Office of Residence Life accommodates students in University housing and to assists them in their transition to college and living independently. In partnership with our residents, we work to enhance the Saint Xavier experience by providing safe and supportive living communities. There are 20 resident assistants who serve as student staff and are on duty daily in the residence halls. RAs create intentional connections with and among their peers and engages them in programming which fosters healthy living, respect, academic advancement and social interaction. interaction. Residents appreciate being steps away from campus resources such as the library, classrooms, dining facilities and the fitness center. The residential experience gives students opportunities to be involved with hall council and leadership positions. Students on campus are available for study groups, club meetings, attendance at sporting events, co-curricular events and all activities hosted by the University. Stay Here. Go Far.
Room 110, Rubloff Hall
773-298-3977
reslifeFREESXU
The Office of Student Accounts handles all billing on your student account. All students must receive financial clearance each semester to ensure they have met all financial obligations. Financial clearance is needed for registration, to take out library books, to print in the computer labs and for resident students to access residence and dining halls.
Tuition billing is:
- Fall - July 15 (Due date is August 5)
- Spring - December 15 (Due date is January 5)
- Summer - April 15 (Due date is May 5)
Undergraduate Students are billed for student health insurance on their first billing and every year on the fall billing. If students carry their own or family policy the must waive every fall by a scheduled deadline date in September.
Some of the services offered by the Office of Student Accounts include:
- Online billing and in-person cash and check payments
- Payment plans setup
- Book vouchers
- Cougar Card deposits
- Student account inquiry
- Student health insurance billing and waivers
A-227, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3046
studentaccountsFREESXU
The Office of Student Activities sponsors programs and services designed to enhance student involvement in the SXU community, thus supporting their academic, social and community engagement. Student Life oversees student activities and commuter programs, new student programs and multicultural and leadership programs. Within each of these areas, Student Life provides resources, programs and services that enrich and support students educational experiences, helps them develop positive connections with peers, upper-class mentors, staff and faculty and to become active and engaged members of the SXU community. With Student Life's help, students themselves learn to create programs and services for their peers, and grow and develop as lifelong learners and leaders.
L-109B, Student Organization Center, Warde Academic Center
773- 298-5114
studentlifeFREESXU
The Student Advising Center believes advising is a shared responsibility between student and advisor. Advisors work to inspire students by building relationships, empowering self-awareness and reflection, connecting students with appropriate resources, fostering personal development, and supporting various college-to-career pathways. Although advisors provide guidance and recommendations, students are ultimately responsible for making academic decisions and satisfying degree requirements.
WAC L-208
773-298-3131
studentadvisingFREESXU
Students are encouraged to get involved on campus through various leadership opportunities. Available positions within the Division of Student Affairs include:
- Resident Assistants
- Resident Peer Ministers
- Resident Peer Academic Leaders
- Cougar Peer Educators
- Orientation Leaders
- Saint Xavier Council
- Residence Hall Association
Student leaders are a highly talented staff of students who reflect the best of Saint Xavier in academic achievement, diversity of experience and leadership ability. Applications for student leadership positions are available in February. Contact Campus Life at 773-341-5060 for more information.
SXU students run the radio station and the student newspaper. Students are encouraged
to participate as writers, editors, deejays or producers.
The Xavierite (student newspaper)
Room 102, Campus Service Center
773-298-3380
thexavierite@yahoo.com
WXAV 88.3 FM (student radio station)
Room 109, Campus Service Center
773-298-3375
wxavnews@gmail.com
TRIO is a federally funded Student Support Services Program that supports retention and
graduation of TRIO members. The TRIO staff works closely with all students to determine
their areas of need and develop strategies to meet those needs. TRIO offers numerous
services free of charge including : academic planning, financial aid advising, counseling,
laptop loans, leadership opportunities, cultural and academic activities and grant
aid awards for those who qualify. Enrolled students may apply to be in the program
and must meet one of the following criteria:
Be a first-generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor's degree)
Be from a low-income background (as determined by the federal government)
Be an individual with a documented disability
For more information and applications, please contact the TRIO office.
L-111, Warde Academic Center
773-298-3342
trioFREESXU
The purpose of the Information Desk is to assist any student, staff or visitor at SXU with any questions, directions or other information. The desk is in the Warde Academic Center at the main entrance and may be contacted at 773-298-3000. Student staff at the desk will transfer calls to the appropriate office, professor or staff member.
Most college students change significantly in their first years at the University. The pace of change may be rapid and show itself after the first week of classes or evolve slowly over an entire college career. It may be reflected in preferences for clothing, changes in academic major or assertive new positions taken on political and social issues. Strong preferences on one visit home may be replaced by equally strong, but very different preferences the next visit.
Personal struggles are a reality for most college students. Relationship issues and managing stress consume a great deal of a student's energy and can cause worry for family members. The "instant" friendships developed initially due to proximity in activities, classes and living arrangements may not withstand the test of time. There may also be a broken heart or two along the way. It is crucial to understand that these struggles are an important and natural part of your student's development. Having an understanding and sympathetic ear may be the best thing you can do to help your student. Remind your student that counseling services are available free of charge from the Counseling Center.
The undergraduate curriculum expresses the University's commitment to the values of a liberal education while providing flexibility and diversity. Liberal education at Saint Xavier has two main components: one emphasizing breadth and generality, the other emphasizing depth and specificity. The former, the general education curriculum, is designed to be foundational and exploratory, developing the critical skills of writing, speaking, reading and thinking, as well as an understanding of the methods, findings, approaches and thought processes of the liberal arts disciplines. The latter, the major or professional program, is designed to prepare students for specific careers or for specialized, advanced study in graduate school by providing thorough exposure to the origins, structures, contents and purposes of the diverse academic disciplines and professional programs. Liberal education at Saint Xavier leads students to precise expression, analytic thought, systematic inquiry, clear judgment, effective decision making, personal integrity, ethical responsibility, aesthetic sensitivity, informed citizenship and an active posture toward the examined life.
As in all communities, your student should be vigilant about safety on campus. Advise him or her to lock doors when leaving rooms, apartments, houses and cars. Check your homeowner's insurance policy to see if it covers property in your student's residence hall room or off-campus residence. If not, consider purchasing renter's insurance. Remind your student to not leave valuables in plain sight or unattended in vehicles, rooms, in the SXU Diner or at the library. Your student may use Public Safety's protective escort service, 773-298-4400, if he or she is out late at night on campus. Also, remind your student to use safe practices when using the Internet and not post personal or incriminating information or pictures on social networking websites such as Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.
Once your student has completed the academic year, changing majors may be on his or her mind. This often creates worry and concern for you and your student. It can be a good opportunity for your student to explore interests and determine what he or she really wants to study. The best way to prepare for a career is to get a sound education and gain career-related experience through internships, community service, part-time jobs and campus involvement. Encourage your student to contact the Center for SUCCESS or an academic advisor to explore the variety of available options.
Although students will interact daily with many faculty members, advisors, friends and acquaintances, when facing situations that are difficult, do not be surprised if they turn to you for support and encouragement. If this happens, it is important to remember that one of the most effective tools you have at your disposal is your ability to listen carefully. Nonjudgmental listening is one of the most important interventions a parent can make. When listening, however, take care to avoid rushing in with quick-minded solutions. Instead, ask them what solutions they have considered. You may be surprised to discover that they are much closer to resolving the matter than you may have realized.
Talk with your student ahead of time about your expectations when or if he or she returns home. Be aware that your student may be experiencing sadness over leaving new friendships and/or significant relationships at school. Independence is asserted more in the first year than in all the other previous years combined. Now is a good time to discuss expectations regarding curfew, social activities and family responsibilities. Clarity, consistency and compromise can go a long way in finding common ground. It is also an adjustment if your student chooses not to return for the summer, opting instead for an internship, summer school or other opportunities away from home. Ask your student about what was most helpful in terms of your support and communication. Be open to your student's feedback about those things that may not have been helpful as well.
By sophomore year, your student should begin to select a major, refine career options and begin defining his or her purpose. Encourage your student to participate in the many employment fairs, workshops and services sponsored by the Center for SUCCESS and in his or her school or academic department.