Chapter 8: Co-Curricular Life

Co-Curricular Life

At Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, you will study and grow in an international community engaged in theological inquiry, pastoral formation, and professional and spiritual renewal. We are women and men; lay and religious; Roman Catholics and persons of other religious traditions. Diverse in charism and cultural identity, we are united in our shared commitment to honor and learn from each other. As members of the Graduate Theological Union, we strive for ecumenical and interfaith understanding along with our fellow schools in the consortium. As a graduate school of Santa Clara University, we explore the intersection of theology with other disciplines and participate fully in the life of the University.

Your academic pursuits at JST-SCU will be accompanied by a diversely rich offering of co-curricular formation in which you are invited to engage. As well, the JST provides student services that enhance your lived experience and support your well-being.

The Office of Student and Community Life

The JST-SCU Office of Student and Community Life is the hub for co-curricular activity in support of student learning and school-wide community building. Our efforts focus on supporting the full student experience, fostering a vital, stimulating environment of care and respect in which all our students may deepen their formation through encounter and relationship with others.

The Student and Community Life Office attends to student welfare, providing “cura personalis” to students and ensuring delivery of student support services that enhance physical/mental health and well-being. Through active coordination and engagement with SCU Mission Campus offices and departments, you will be provided with access to resources and support throughout your academic career. For information and resources, please email [e-mail].

Student Support Services

The JST-SCU Student and Community Life office is the liaison with numerous SCU offices and departments that provide supports to students, including: Bursar/Financial Services, International Students and Scholars (supports international students), Office of Accessible Education, Student Medical Services, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Title IX Office, Campus Ministry, Career Services and the ACCESS office (issues SCU Student ID cards). Student Housing is managed by the JST-SCU Housing Office (see below).

Community Life at JST-SCU

JST-SCU cultivates a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community with the purpose of offering formational moments that bring our diverse members together outside the classroom setting. The staff of Student and Community Life plan and organize special celebrations throughout the year, such as our Mass of the Holy Spirit Welcome BBQ, Feast of Guadalupe Fiesta, Lunar New Year Dinner, and our Annual Talent Show. Community Nights are hosted by this office and are times when our entire community comes together to pray, share a meal, and engage with programming that enlivens theological reflection. All of these shared moments provide a backdrop upon which our students, staff and faculty develop collegial friendships that connect our widely diverse and cross-cultural JST-SCU family.

The Office of Student and Community Life publishes the MAGIS, a weekly e-newsletter whose purpose is to provide details on the happenings at JST-SCU and the wider community. Other items of interest are posted on school bulletin boards. Students are encouraged to participate fully in the imagining and implementation of opportunities that can bring our theological life to fullness within our campus community and the world.

Student Leadership and Student Groups

Opportunities for student leadership at JST-SCU are avenues for student voices and perspectives.

• Academic Council - serving as the student representative for one’s degree program on this council that focuses particularly on academic and curricular issues, as well as the overall life of the school;

• JST-SCU Board of Directors - serving as a student representative on one of the sub-committees of the Board;

• New Horizons: JST Student Theological Journal -serving as the editorial board or as an author of this well-regarded journal of thought;

• Liturgy Committee - serving on the committee to plan and assess the liturgical life of the school

• Student Affinity Groups - Students often form and organize according to interest and affiliation. Such as the Women's Faith Sharing Group, Contemplative Walks, and many others, depending on the interest and passion of our student community.

JST-SCU Housing

The JST Housing Office oversees three university-owned and operated apartment-style residence halls, including the Jean Donovan Lay Intentional Community. Our residence halls are located at 2600 Virginia Street, 2564 Virginia Street, and 2466 Virginia Street. Each individual apartment comes fully furnished, and our rental prices include utilities. On-site parking is not available to our residents, but a residential parking permit can be purchased for on-street parking from the City of Berkeley, or a monthly parking permit can be purchased for the Pacific School of Religion’s parking lot, which is open to all GTU member schools.

Each residence hall has a live-in student staff member, Building Resident Manager (BRM), who contributes to the hospitality, safety, and security of each building. The BRMs serve on an on-call duty rotation during evenings, weekends, and breaks throughout the academic year. The BRMs report to the Manager of Academic Building and Housing Operations.

To apply for housing with the Jesuit School of Theology, you can submit a JST-SCU Housing application through the Santa Clara University Housing Portal. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and housing assignments are made if space is available at the time of the application. A $500 prepayment deposit is required when submitting the application. More information can be found on the JST Housing’s website, or you can contact JST-SCU Housing Office through email: [e-mail] or call [phone].