Student life
Student Activities, Programs and Organizations
The value of a liberal arts education reaches far beyond the classroom. While academics are a priority, co-curricular activities also provide opportunities for growth and play a significant role in producing a well-rounded graduate. Participation in campus activities and events can develop and strengthen leadership, creativity, talents, self-expression and refinement of lifelong skills.
Students are encouraged to take part in the nearly 70 student organizations and diverse social, cultural, athletic and spiritual events on campus. Students are also free to create new clubs and interest groups.
- New Student Orientation
- Greek Life
- International Students Office
- Student Activities
- Student Art, Music, and Publications
- Religious Groups / Chaplain’s Office / Multi-Faith Center
- Student Government
- Athletics
- Leadership Opportunities
- Volunteer Center
- The Office of Residential Life
- Student Services
- College Regulations
- Medical Services
- Personal Property Insurance
- Privacy Act
New Student Orientation
The primary goal of the orientation program is to acclimate new students to all aspects of Albright’s campus. The program offers pre-orientation events throughout the summer for new students to begin making connections. Orientation programs introduce new students to available resources that will aid in their transition to college academics, residential living, athletics, and other student involvement initiatives. Post-orientation programs are offered to engage new students in the campus culture. The overall purpose of the orientation program is to inspire confidence so that new students can balance new challenges and successfully adjust to college life.
Greek Life
There are four national social fraternities on campus: Alpha Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Kappa Delta Phi. There are three national sororities: Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Mu and Sigma Kappa. Alpha Phi Omega is a coeducational service fraternity.
The Greek social organizations are led, governed and inspired by the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council respectively, and they are advised by the director of student activities. The councils work with the organizations to promote brother/sisterhood on campus. Representatives of the councils provide annual leadership training and character-building workshops for their membership.
In addition to enhancing the social life of Albright’s campus, the IFC and Panhellenic Councils ensure that the Greek organizations contribute positively to the welfare of the community, campus and individual members. The various groups participate in numerous volunteer and value-oriented programs throughout the year. Each fraternity and sorority is expected to encourage high academic standards. Each organization plans, finances and enjoys semiformals each semester. Greeks at Albright College contribute to the campus as well as to the surrounding community.
To join a Greek-letter organization a student must complete three courses and have a 2.50 grade point average for sororities and a 2.25 grade point average for fraternities.
International Students Office
The International Students Office (ISO) is committed to supporting, promoting and celebrating individuals in an inter-cultural environment. The primary goal is to embrace all cultures, respect and appreciate diverse backgrounds, and fully integrate our international students into the Albright community. We encourage personal and cultural development, and advocate for international and cross-cultural experiences, perspectives and initiatives.
Albright offers a diverse selection of student organizations, including club sports, program councils and special interest organizations.
Most campus-wide social activities and entertainment are planned by the Albright Campus Center Board (AC2). Funded by the Student Government Association (SGA), the board sponsors a variety of events, including a film series, concerts, game shows and events with acoustic musicians, comedians and other performers.
Other sponsored events include special seasonal dances and other activities. Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of campus social life.
Student Art, Music and Publications
There are several student-run musical organizations on campus for students wishing to perform outside of credited ensembles.
The Albright student radio station, WXAC, broadcasts on an FM channel and serves the Reading community as well as the campus. Its progressive programming style fosters and provides outlets for individual student ideas and input.
The College newspaper, The Albrightian, is published for and by the students of the College. The College yearbook, The Cue, and the literary magazine, AGON, are coordinated by students with an interest in those areas.
Religious Groups/Chaplain’s Office/Multi-Faith Center
Albright College, a United Methodist-related school, supports and encourages the exploration of religion, faith and moral values as part of becoming liberally educated. The cardinal virtues of respect, openness and tolerance are considered essential ingredients in any dialogue about the meaning and significance of the various religious traditions.
Through the Chaplain’s Office, the College seeks to provide opportunities in which students can reflect upon religious and moral questions and issues. In addition to the work of the Chaplain’s Office, student religious groups representing the Jewish, Muslim and Christian (both Protestant and Catholic) traditions offer a variety of means through which students can explore personal and social issues of faith. Weekly Protestant and Catholic worship services are offered on campus for students and other members of the College community. The Chaplain also is available for student counseling on personal and religious concerns.
The Student Government Association (SGA) promotes the interests of students consistent with its perception of the best interests of the College.
The Student Government Association is empowered to regulate the student activities fee and determine the allocation of collected funds, appoint students to College committees, supervise elections for organizations on request and represent the views of students to other constituencies of the College.
Resident and commuter groups also exist to help students share in directing campus social life. The Resident Students’ Association promotes conditions conducive to better living and higher scholarship; fosters a well-balanced social program; and provides those facilities necessary for the comfort and recreation of all residents.
The Day Students’ Association represents all non-resident students; coordinates social and recreational events; and provides opportunities for all non-resident students to participate in sports and other college activities.
Intercollegiate competition for men includes football, cross-country, basketball, swimming, baseball, soccer, track and field (indoor and outdoor), tennis, lacrosse and golf. Intercollegiate competition for women includes field hockey, basketball, tennis, softball, track and field (indoor and outdoor), cross-country, volleyball, swimming, soccer, lacrosse and golf.
Albright College is a member of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation, the Commonwealth Conference, the Eastern College Athletic Conference and Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Scholl LifeSports Center is open seven days a week for individual recreation, and a comprehensive program of intramurals is available for all students.
Albright offers numerous opportunities for students to become more effective leaders. Leadership training opportunities for student organizations, presented throughout the year, address issues and skills that benefit both the organization and the individual student. Sample topics include decision-making, delegation, time management, how to run meetings and values clarification. These workshops encourage students to become more independent and creative, as well as better managers.
The Volunteer Center serves as a repository for community service activities and projects and acts as a liaison to establish connections for interested students and agencies. The Volunteer Center hosts an annual Volunteer Fair in the fall semester and sponsors several group projects.
The Office of Residential Life
Mission Statement
The Office of Residential Life seeks to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive residential community that
fosters the success and personal growth of each resident.
Residential Life Programming
Our professional and student staff intentionally interact with residents and create programs to provide
engagement and education opportunities for residents. We have particular focus on citizenship, selfgovernance,
resident-staff partnerships, student employment opportunities, and resident accountability.
Through participation in various aspects of residential life programming, students will have numerous
opportunities to be involved at Albright College and develop many valuable life skills.
Academic Support
Academic support is accomplished by promoting a residential climate conducive to learning, enhanced
student-faculty interaction, and strong partnerships with other campus departments. Living-learning
communities and directed programming efforts are established in our residential areas to strengthen our
commitment to students’ academic success.
Inclusion
Through programming, interactions, and student engagement, the Office of Residential Life seeks to foster
a residential environment supportive of all members of our community. Albright College has a diverse
student and faculty population and we celebrate each person’s right for individuality and expression. We
encourage students to welcome all persons in their community. Please see our Community Living
Standards and Expectations for further information about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Sustainability
In partnership with the Sustainability House, our office envisions a community of members actively
engaged in planning, implementing, participating, and living sustainably with the environment in mind.
Sustainability includes the actions that are taken in order to promote the health and well-being of not only
the earth, but of humans and lifeforms both present and future. There are resources on campus for
members of the Albright community to get involved environmentally: the Sustainability House, the
Albright Community Garden, and ECO club (Environmental Campus Outreach). Through these
programs, students are able to connect and network to achieve a more environmentally friendly life,
campus, and world.
The Counseling Center provides services to help students grow as individuals and become more effective in their daily lives. These services include:
• Individual and relationship counseling
• Consultation for students, faculty and staff
• Limited psychological screening for students
• Referrals to community providers
Professional counselors are available to discuss personal issues and emotional concerns regarding family, relationships, substance misuse, depression, stress, loss, and eating problems, among others.
Services are free and confidential, and are available to all full-time students. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
All first-year and second-year students, except those who live with their families or relatives in the area, are required to reside on campus and must utilize a meal plan. Upperclass students may choose to live on- or off-campus.
Only in an environment that combines individual freedom and responsibility can conditions be established which contribute to a true liberal arts education. Albright students are expected to exercise self-discipline and responsibility and to demonstrate respect for themselves and others as well as for the property and functions of the College.
In the particular areas outlined below, Albright has established standards with which all members of the community are expected to comply. Violation of these standards may lead to disciplinary action.
Sexual assault, harassment and relationship violence cannot be tolerated within the academic and residential environment of a caring community. Albright College will not tolerate violence toward or abuse of any member of the student community by another student. Such violence and/or abuse includes relationship violence, sexual harassment, rape and other forms of sexual assault perpetrated against any student, faculty member, staff member or other persons in the Albright College community.
Any student charged with such an offense is subject to the judicial action outlined in the student handbook. Persons charged with such offenses also may be prosecuted under Pennsylvania criminal statutes.
Albright College encourages thoughtful decision-making regarding the use of alcoholic beverages and strongly supports those persons who decide to abstain from such use. In light of present knowledge about the destructive effect of alcohol on the lives of abusers, Albright does not condone any form of use of alcoholic beverages. The College is committed to an aggressive program of education about responsible use of alcoholic beverages.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania limits involvement with alcoholic beverages to persons 21 years of age or older. While the College is not an enforcement agent for Commonwealth law, neither is it a sanctuary. Persons who violate such laws subject themselves to prosecution by the Commonwealth.
Albright strongly supports the rights of students to privacy and to live in an atmosphere conducive to and supportive of the academic nature of this community. Accordingly, students who abuse these rights or whose behavior is abusive of the person or property of others will be subject to disciplinary procedures. Special attention is given to such abuses where alcoholic beverages are involved.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to the confines of the students’ rooms. The president, dean of students and appropriate student and faculty groups maintain procedures for implementation of these guidelines.
Such procedural statements include a description of expected student behavior and the disciplinary actions consequent to deviation from those expectations as a result of alcohol abuse.
The possession or distribution of narcotics, dangerous drugs or certain controlled substances is strictly prohibited by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Albright College does not provide a sanctuary from the laws of the larger community. Drugs have no legitimate place within a community dedicated to academic excellence; they can only be detrimental. Therefore, violation of this regulation subjects a student to summary dismissal and possible criminal prosecution.
Fair treatment for all students is guaranteed through a judicial system which operates under the authority of the president of the College. In case of suspension and/or expulsion the student is responsible for all tuition, housing charges, meal plan charges and related charges due, and no refunds of any payments will be made.
Medical services are provided to students through the Gable Health Center. If a medical emergency occurs when the Health Center is closed, the Office of Public Safety will arrange for transportation to a local hospital.
Before arrival on campus, every student must submit a health history and physical on forms provided by the College. The physical component must be completed by a home physician.
Students are required to have primary medical insurance coverage. Each year, students are required to submit a health insurance form listing their primary medical insurance.
The College does not carry insurance on personal property of students and is not responsible for loss or damage to such property. Students are encouraged to provide their own personal property coverage through their parents’ home owners’ insurance policy or their own personal property insurance.
Privacy Act
Albright College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 regarding confidentiality of student records. Any questions about the availability of student records or the release of such records should be addressed to the Registrar’s Office. Students are informed annually of current applications of the act by means of the student handbook, during orientation and through other written communications from the dean of students and registrar.