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Student Development Mission Statement
Our Philosophy
Lees-McRae College is a community of students in
association with one another, the administration, and faculty. Students
are encouraged to participate and lead in all areas of student life.
Spirituality
Lees-McRae College is a Presbyterian-related college
and, as such, has as its purpose the presentation of courses in a
Christian atmosphere and the invitation to be involved in the Christian
community.
There are many exciting ways to be involved in
religious life on campus. The Chaplain is available for conversation and
pastoral counseling; Christian fellowship groups meet weekly; chapel
services are held every week on campus; and many local service projects
are offered each semester.
In addition to our regular religious programs,
special events are planned throughout the academic year. These events
include supper seminars, retreats, conferences, Christian theater,
Christian music concerts, and spring break mission trips. One of the
special events offered each semester is the Staley Distinguished
Christian Scholar Lectureship, during which special programs are
presented under the leadership of an outstanding Christian Scholar.
Purpose
A purpose is an intention or a result that is aimed
at, or to propose as an aim to oneself. Answering the following
questions would assist college students in determining their purpose
here at Lees-McRae and in the future.
Often we find our purpose through opportunities to
try new things, taking risks, being challenged, learning more about
ourselves, and being exposed to many kinds of people and experiences.
Student Development is doing many things to assist
students in finding their unique purpose while at Lees-McRae College. We
offer interest inventories, personality indicators, career counseling,
job fairs, and a class on career and life planning. There is also
special programming on topics of motivation, life after graduation,
resume and interviewing, and choosing a major. Life at Lees-McRae also
offers the opportunity for challenge in the classroom, new experiences
through the volunteer opportunities, and a discovering of self through
spiritual activities as well as social activities and residence life.
Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal Relationships can be defined as any of
the many and varied relationships which exist within each individual,
and between individuals and groups of people on campus, between the
campus and the greater community, and globally. These relationships
include but are not limited to the individual's relationship with
him/herself, friendship, romantic, collegial, and community
relationships. Student Development's goal is to help strengthen and
enrich these relationships among all of the diverse individuals and
groups, which make up the LMC Community and in our relationships to the
world community in which our graduates will live.
Currently, Student Development is facilitating
interpersonal relationships in numerous ways including via personal
counseling, mentoring, residence life training and programs, supper
seminars, international programming, intramurals, diversity dialogues
and training, clubs, programming targeted to strengthen relationships
and personal growth, and community education, and service.
Responsibility
Responsibility is stressed throughout the Lees-McRae
College experience. Students experience a new level of independence in
college, but along with this independence comes the requirement that
students take responsibility for their actions and decisions.
Students will join a community at Lees-McRae College
and they must follow the policies that have been established to ensure
that this community is a safe and enjoyable learning environment. The
Student Handbook outlines the policies for living in community at
Lees-McRae College and the first responsibility of every student in to
read and become familiar with the policies outlined in the handbook.
Personal responsibility and self-control are
conducive to growth of character; each student is given as much freedom
as is consistent with the well being of the group. Discipline is viewed
as a learning experience for students and the Judicial Committee is made
up of a combination of students, staff, and faculty. The College
reserves the right to administratively withdraw any student who refuses
to adjust to these standards or who adversely influences other students.
Those who prove irresponsible in spirit, in cooperation, or in attitude
toward authority may be dismissed according to established procedures in
the Student Handbook.
Autonomy
The process of autonomy consists of three elements.
Emotional Independence: When people become
emotionally independent, they accept responsibility for themselves and
lessen the need for emotional approval from family and peers. People
come to realize that they are ultimately responsible for themselves and
that although the recognition of friends and family is important, it is
less important than what the people themselves individually, believe is
right.
Instrumental Independence: Being instrumentally
independent means that a person has become responsible for himself or
herself and that the person has control of his or her environment. This
usually involved being financially independent-employed-and having one’s
own residence.
Interdependence: The integration of emotional
independence and instrumental independence forms the third element of
interdependence, which is the realization of independence.
Student Development is doing many things to assist
students in developing autonomy while they are at Lees-McRae. We
currently offer personal and career counseling, First Year Experience
classes, and Life and Career Planning (for sophomores, juniors, and
seniors). There are also programming opportunities, in which students
can help plan and present, on various topics that allow students to
search for autonomy. Leadership opportunities are made available through
Student Government, the Chaplain’s Office and Residence Life. We offer
several different residence halls experiences to accommodate students’
desires to find the residence experience that best meets their needs
(students may contact the office of Residence Life for information on
different residential options).
Wellness
Wellness involves more than just being free of
disease or injury. Wellness integrates both the body and the mind into a
state of mental and physical health. This can be accomplished through
proper diet, exercise, and stress management. Preventive measures such
as immunizations, protection against communicable diseases, and avoiding
substance abuse help sustain wellness. Proper use of medications and
medical procedures may restore wellness. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
allows the body to achieve optimum performance, and leads to more
enjoyable and satisfying experiences.
Lees McRae’s Student Development division already
encourages a healthy environment for its students by providing nursing
care if they are sick or injured, and sponsoring programs on eating
disorders, substance abuse awareness, and sexual assault. We hold the
Stress Fest health fair, sponsor the Red Cross blood drive twice a year,
administer flu shots, advise students on birth control, and offer
counseling and information on various physical and emotional conditions.
The Broyhill Wellness Center is open to all students and is located in
the Canon Student Center. We also participate in intramural athletics,
and try to set forth a good example by our own conduct and involvement
in campus activities.
Leadership
Students who lead by example, contribute to the
campus community, initiate action, motivate themselves and/or others and
demonstrate emotional intelligence are considered leaders at Lees-McRae
College. Self-identification as a student leader, however, is all that
is currently necessary to move students into roles of leadership in
student organizations. By encouraging development of self-management
skills and additionally offering students the opportunity to learn and
practice consensus-building, teamwork, respect for others’ ideas and
styles, tenacity and flexibility, we strive to broaden the leadership
development of students.
Current programming includes training and in-service
for Residence Life staff, Student Government Association procedures and
programming, club charter requirements, the KIBO Emerging Leaders
program and the Peer Advisor program in
orientation.
Service
Lees-McRae College sees service as a necessary part
of any student’s college experience. There is a service requirement for
all freshmen as part of the First Year Experience class. Service
opportunities are provided to our students and the campus community to
build relationships beyond the campus; to immerse our students in the
local county; to reach out locally, nationally, and globally in ways
that provide basic needs, healing, and hope; to share our gifts; and to
share in a collective purpose.
Lees-McRae College is proud to be a member of the
Bonner Leaders programs. This offers students the chance to make service
to others an integral part of their learning experience here at
Lees-McRae College and to receive academic vouchers from Americorps in
recognition of their service to others. More information on the Bonner
Leaders program may be obtained from the Student Development division.
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