Activities Fee
Full-time undergraduates pay an activities fee of $75 per semester, while part-time pay $6 per credit hour. These fees fund a wide variety of recreational and co–curricular activities, listed under “Students Services-Recreational”.
Allocation of Student Fees
Recognized student clubs and organizations that are open to all interested full-time undergraduate students and that are beneficial to the education mission of Eastern Mennonite University may apply to receive funds from the comprehensive student fee. Requests for allocations are considered by the SGA Finance Committee, which is chaired by the SGA treasurer. Regular members of the committee include the SGA executive officers and the vice president for student life as advisor.
The SGA Finance Committee conducts annual budget meetings in the spring of each year for the purpose of allocating funds for the following year. The recommendation of the committee is taken to the Senate for preliminary approval and to the President’s Cabinet for final approval. The Finance Committee has the responsibility of reviewing the financial status of the bodies to which it has given funding.
The following guidelines are used by the Finance Committee in evaluating requests:
- Only organizations or committees with full recognition status will be considered for allocations.
- Requests for funding must be submitted in writing to the SGA Finance Committee at least 24 hours before the date of the review. A representative of the organization must be available to meet with the Finance Committee to clarify any items in the request.
- An organization may request funds for operating expenses by presenting an itemized budget proposal.
- Requests for funds involving programming must be specific (for example, the name of the film and the current catalog cost). Only program activities providing benefits both to members and to persons outside the sponsoring group itself are eligible for funding.
- Equipment needs must be submitted as separate one-time requests and must not be included in the annual operating budget request.
- An organization that has overspent the budget in the previous year may be denied that amount in the following year’s allocation.
- The following are not normally funded from the comprehensive student fee:
- Organizations that are politically or denominationally affiliated or represent partisan interests.
- Clubs directly related to academic majors, which tend to be exclusive in membership.
- Gifts or contributions to third party charities or causes. (Student fees are for use by students in the on-campus co-curricular program only.)
Funds allocated to student organizations from the comprehensive fee must be retained in a Business Office account. Regular procedures for requesting the expenditure of institutional funds must be followed.
In order to keep the comprehensive student fee as reasonable as possible for all students, organizations are encouraged to consider various methods of funding: membership dues, user fees, gifts and contributions, and fundraising projects.
Campus Ministries
Campus Pastors
The Campus Pastors are a spiritual resource available to students, faculty and staff for conversation, counseling, support and prayer. The pastors offer pastoral care, invite and nurture leadership, and coordinate programs for spiritual formation and growth including university chapel services, faith formation groups, Bible studies and spiritual retreats. The Campus Ministries Offices are located in the University Commons, 2nd floor, Student Life Suite.
Campus Pastors
Brian Martin Burkholder, University Campus Pastor/Director, 540-432-4115, brian.burkholder@emu.edu
Lana Miller, Undergraduate Campus Pastor, 540-432-4273, lana.miller@emu.edu
Chapel (University Chapel)
The chapel experience at EMU reflects God among us in the context of a Christian (Mennonite) liberal arts university. University chapel nurtures members of the campus community in faith, hope and love as disciples of Jesus Christ. A community gathering place for worship and forum, university chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective as well as the diverse gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith.
University Chapel is held every Wednesday and Friday from 10-10:30 a.m. in the Lehman Auditorium. Chapel Gathering is held regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 11 a.m. in Martin Chapel (Seminary building).
Chapel Attendance Policy
All offices and departments, other than essential services, are closed during university chapel period in order to allow the community to attend and support chapel.
All undergraduate students, faculty and staff are expected to regularly participate in chapel experiences at Eastern Mennonite University. Students, faculty and staff are expected to attend at least one chapel each week.
Chapel schedule and podcasts
The schedule for university chapel is posted in the events box of the myEMU (portal). It is found at this link: http//www.my.emu.edu/ics. Podcasts of input from university chapel and chapel gathering services are posted at this link: http://emu.edu/blog/podcast/.
Ministry assistants and pastoral assistants
Ministry assistants (MAs) are students who have been called and equipped to serve as spiritual resources on the residence hall floors. Their ministry includes facilitating Bible studies and small groups and being available for conversation, peer support and prayer. Training and support is offered to all MAs through class, retreats and ministry accountability groups led by pastoral assistants.
Pastoral Assistants (PAs) are mature student leaders who assist the campus pastors in planning and leading chapels, mentoring and training MAs and with ministry-related events on campus.
Journey Conversation Groups and Small Groups
Journey conversation groups, groups of 2-3 students matched with a faculty or staff member, meet regularly for mutual personal, spiritual, and faith formation. Assistance and support in forming other small group ministries is provided. Any student desiring to lead a specific type of small group is encouraged to discuss it with a campus pastor or pastoral assistant.
Retreats and Adventures
Periodic faith and spiritual growth retreats are offered through campus ministries. One-day and overnight retreats, focusing on exploring one’s vocation and Christ’s call for one’s life, are offered in the fall and spring. Other options include quiet prayerful retreats, spiritual disciplines retreats, and outdoor adventures.
Spiritual Direction/Companion
Campus pastors will assist students in finding a seminary student spiritual companion and provide spiritual direction themselves as available. Use this form to request a spiritual companion: http://emu.edu/studentlife/campus-ministries/forms/request-for-a-spiritual-companion/
Spiritual Renewal and Spiritual Life Weeks
Each semester, additional emphasis is given to spiritual awakening and renewal on campus. Christian leaders are invited to provide input and special activities are planned by campus pastors, pastoral assistants and interested students.
Co-curricular Organizations and Activities
Co-curricular programs are planned for the purpose of reinforcement of classroom instruction and academic learning, social interaction, group cooperation, development of leadership skills, service to the community and profitable use of leisure time.
Please contact the associate dean of students: student engagement, student programs, and orientation, (540) 432-4133, for information on how to develop a new student organization or become involved with existing ones.
All organizations are expected to honor university policies for student life in the same spirit of shared responsibility as are individual students. Misconduct by organization members may result in a sanction against the organization if the organization fails to fulfill its responsibilities or if the misconduct occurs in conjunction with activities planned by the organization.
Athletics (Intercollegiate)
EMU fields varsity teams for men in soccer, cross-country, basketball, baseball, golf, track and field, and volleyball. Women’s sports include field hockey, golf, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, softball, soccer, and track and field with women's lacrosse starting in 2019-20. There are developmental teams in some sports.
Both men and women compete as members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Men’s volleyball, competes in the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC).
The EMU Royals have been competitive in the Conferences and have participated in national post-season tournaments in both team and individual sports. Individuals and teams have won numerous athletic and academic honors at conference, regional and national levels. For more information on any phase of the athletic program, contact the Director of Athletics (ext. 4646) or check our website at www.emuroyals.com
Athletic Admission Fees
- EMU Game Admission: Students, Faculty, and Staff with ID are FREE
- Admission fees are charged for ODAC, CVC, and NCAA tournament events.
Intercollegiate athletics are an integral part of life at Eastern Mennonite University. At EMU, Christian values, goals and standards are the foundation for all athletic activities. The athletic program provides men and women with opportunities to experience personal growth in leadership, athletic skills, wholesome attitudes and spiritual understanding. An emphasis is placed on a balance between academic achievement and athletic excellence.
The dynamics of interpersonal relationships are an important consideration of the athletic program. Coaches stress teamwork, interpersonal communication and self-sacrifice. As athletes interact with others and are challenged to develop their talents, they learn about themselves in ways not possible in the classroom. EMU athletics provides everyone the opportunity to learn about self, others, and God and how those three intersect and interact.
Athletics also builds campus identity. Athletic events provide entertainment and opportunity for socialization and growth experiences for the entire community.
Music Ensembles
For current, up-to-date information on music department ensembles, involvement and events, please visit:
https://emu.edu/music/ensemble/
Recreational Sports
Students and faculty are provided an opportunity to participate in positive recreational activities that appeal to a wide variety of people. Events are conducted tournament style or operated on a league basis. The leagues that are currently offered include volleyball, floor hockey, basketball, kickball, tennis, football, dodgeball and outdoor and indoor soccer. Tournaments are offered on the weekends and include billiards, volleyball, table tennis, sand volleyball, disc golf, and 3-on-3 basketball.
Students, faculty, staff, and their spouses are welcome to participate in the various events. Interested persons should form teams and register at www.imleagues.com or contact the coordinator of recreational sports, (540) 432-4655. Financial responsibility for the treatment of any injury incurred while participating in a recreational activity belongs to the participant.
Student Clubs and Organizations
For current, up-to-date information on student clubs and organizations, please visit:
https://emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/
Student Publications
The Weather Vane (student run newspaper)
http://weathervaneemu.wixsite.com/theweathervane
The Phoenix (student literary and visual art journal)
https://emu.edu/language-and-literature/phoenix/
Theater of EMU
For current, up-to-date information on theater activities, involvement and events, please visit: https://emu.edu/theater/
Orientation
A key opportunity for introduction to the EMU experience is participation in the undergraduate orientation program which is designated to help new students (first-year and transfer) make connections and adjust to the university.
An important aspect of orientation for first year students is participation in small groups led by returning students. These groups provide an excellent opportunity to build relationships and learn more about the EMU community.
New students receive detailed information about orientation in August (January for spring semester entrants). Contact the student life office at (540) 432-4135. For more information go to: www.emu.edu/studentlife/orientation