Student Life

Student life at Concordia is full of opportunities for the students to find and express themselves in their own way. Indeed, the whole educational venture is directed toward and dependent upon the individual student. What happens in the classroom, in the residence halls, and in the community is what a Concordia education is all about.

This may be accomplished in many ways. Students may elect to be a part of student leadership structure and serve on one of the student activity committees. They may decide to develop skills in the performing and creative arts and take part in some of the many dramatic, musical, artistic, and literary pursuits available on campus. They may want to participate in intercollegiate or intramural athletics, religious or service activities, and social programs.

The co-curricular program at Concordia is designed to help explore many avenues.

Christian Service and Worship

Concordia, in its Christian service and worship program, endeavors to give the students a real purpose in life, to believe more firmly in the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ, and to learn to live their lives more fully and more understandingly as constrained by the love of Jesus Christ.

Chapel services are held on both campuses Monday through Friday, as well as a Sunday morning worship service at Concordia University Wisconsin. Staff, faculty and students participate in these services through songs and messages, chancel dramas and other special presentations, along with guest speakers who have broad backgrounds in Christian service.

Devotions are held in the residence halls and personal Bible study is encouraged. In the classroom environment, faculty members seek to conduct classes emphasizing Christian growth and maturity along with the attainment of academic goals. Numerous opportunities exist on and off campus for students who seek to serve the University and its larger community.

A variety of Christian service opportunities help individuals to express service through such related activities as tutoring fellow students, sharing the problems of the aged in area rest homes or joining with local churches in evangelism outreaches.

Co-Curricular Activities

The co-curricular activities of the University are under the supervision of the Vice President for Student Success. Faculty advisors and/or student leaders in the areas of Spiritual Life and Student Success do most of the planning for co-curricular activities.

Even though co-curricular activities are on a voluntary basis and no college credit is granted, except for specific music activities, students who do participate are afforded the opportunity to explore their leadership potential and learn basic skills of organization, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Co-curricular activities include lectures, concerts, dances, exhibits, forums, and other social functions. Campus organizations and clubs include religious, music, dramatic, business, nursing and recreational.

Drama is an exciting area of campus life. Productions have included musicals, children’s theatre, one-act plays and a variety of other dramatic offerings.

The Concordia student has a wide range of musical activities to choose from. The student can audition for a role in a musical drama and participate in a full range of musical activity in choral, handbell, or instrumental ensembles.

Intramurals

A healthy balance between mental and physical activity is at the root of Concordia’s intramural offerings. Exercise and competition can also help men and women grow and mature, whether possessing many athletic talents or very few. The important result of participation will be fun.

To help make maximum use of leisure time, Concordia provides extensive intramural opportunities through a program of leagues, tournaments, and recreational free play.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Concordia University offers a wide variety of intercollegiate level athletic options for students. Concordia University Wisconsin competes in NCAA Division III athletics and Concordia University Ann Arbor complete in NAIA athletics. Please see our websites for a full listing by campus.  

Being a Concordia athlete isn’t just about out-scoring competitors in the athletic arena. It’s about developing as an individual, both in and out of the game. Dedicated coaches and staff put in the time to see that you walk away from your Concordia experience as a better athlete, a stronger Christian, and a champion of character.

Professional Counseling

At Concordia University every student receives personal consideration and attention.  The Counseling Center is staffed with professional counselors who are available to our students for counseling concerns that they may have.  Currently, there is no fee for counseling services.  Students are referred to agencies in the community as individual needs warrant and where there are costs for service.

Computer Labs

Concordia University has several computer labs available for general use. In addition, computer lab, e-mail, and software access are accessible to all Concordia University students who fill out the Appropriate Use Agreement and agree to abide by the university’s ethical use guidelines. Printing is free of charge for all students.

PC’s and Mac’s are available for student use in several labs on both campuses. Some labs are open to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, Concordia University computers provide a variety of software applications.

Bookstore

The CU Bookstore is located on the Mequon Campus. Textbooks, supplies, clothing, and gift items can be purchased in the CUW Bookstore. Textbooks for the CUAA and CUW campuses are available to purchase online at cuwshop.com or via the CU Portal ==> Student Tab ==> My Books. Some titles are available on a rental basis - ideal for students who want to save some money and don't want to keep the book after the class is complete. Head to the campus store website as soon as you know your courses and section numbers to view the materials. This way you'll be most likely to snag a used copy, and you can sign up for an email alert for anything not yet available. You can choose to ship the materials to any address or have them reserved and waiting for you to pick up in the Bookstore for free.  It is also a good idea to check for your books on the Bookstore website because even if the Bookstore does not have an in-store copy, there may be one in another location that can ship to your Bookstore for free pickup. The Bookstore works every angle to provide students with the best prices - from partnering with faculty to choose the most cost-efficient items - to offering used or rental books. The Bookstore also have Care Packages on our website (cuwshop.com); parents and/or students can order Care Packages to be shipped to the Bookstore for free pickup or to a student's home address. At the end of each term (or whenever you no longer need the book), the Bookstore will buy back books based on the book's current market value. If you're not in the area, visit cuwhop.com and sell your textbook(s) online. 

For a listing of hours, questions, or additional information, contact the CUW Bookstore at 262-243-4349.

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides free services, programs and supports for undergraduate, graduate and online students. The Academic Resource Center is located on the Mequon & Ann Arbor campuses. For more information email Mequon campus at arc-as@cuw.edu or Ann Arbor campus at arc-as@cuaa.edu.

Tutoring - Tutoring is available for frequently requested traditional courses offered at CUW. The ARC's trained tutors help students understand course objectives, review material, prepare for quizzes and tests, and identify study techniques necessary to succeed in class. Students are typically matched with tutors who have taken the same class and instructor the prior year. Depending upon individual needs, either peer-to-peer or small group tutoring can be arranged.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) - SI is a peer-facilitated, large group study session for courses that are historically difficult. SI leaders will collaborate with students and compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. It’s all about insider information. Supplemental Instruction sessions are led by students who’ve successfully completed your course — with the same professor. Simply put: they’ve been there!

The Writing Center - The Writing Center serves undergraduate and graduate students in all academic disciplines. Writing Consultants are available to help with all aspects of writing, including: generating ideas, conducting research, organization, editing, revising, and more. In person and online consultations are available for individual students or small groups. Students have two options to utilize the Writing Center: they can make in-person appointments at the Mequon campus and/or they can submit their work online through the Online Writing Lab (OWL). For information on how to make an appointment or submit work online, contact the ARC for more information.

Math Drop-In Desk - The Math Drop-In Desk offers free tutoring for most 100-200 level and some 300-400 level math courses at CUW. Students may seek assistance with math questions in relation to a math course, finance/business course, or even a science course, by just dropping by. Tutoring takes place on a first-come first-served basis, in short 30-minute sessions. 

Online Tutoring - Free online tutoring service staffed by trained online instructors who can tutor students in the general undergraduate subject areas of Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus), Science (General and Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy, Physiology), Business (Introduction to Accounting, Economics, Statistics, Finance), Spanish, and Writing. This service is available for students on both campuses. 

Peer Academic Coaches/Mentors (PACs) - PACs mentor their fellow students to develop the executive functioning skills necessary for success in college, such as time management, note-taking, test prep, understanding your syllabus, talking to your professor, and goal setting. PACs may also connect students to other campus support services/resources. Students who are off-site and unable to travel to either campus should contact the ARC to access online workshops, videos and other resources.

For more information on these services, contact the ARC.

Accessibility Support Services

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is home to Accessibility Services. Our office collaborates with the CUW and CUAA communities to coordinate support services and programs for students with disabilities. The ARC assists students with obtaining and implementing reasonable accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA). Any CUW/CUAA enrolled student with a disability who requires accessible accommodations in order to obtain equal access to an education and university life and accessible educational environments, can visit our website to get registered and request accommodations: www.cuw.edu/arc or www.cuaa.edu/arc. The ARC – Accessibility Services office is committed to students with disabilities and ensuring academic and campus life accessibility needs.

Academic Advising

Academic Advising bolsters the holistic development of Concordia students by providing comprehensive academic support toward the development, implementation, and fulfillment of academic and vocational goals.  We operate form a learning-centered paradigm; in essence, through your advising experience you will learn several skills with complement your academic preparation.  We recognize God created you on purpose, for purpose and thus strive to learn about your many talents, interests, and aspirations. Our goal is to help you develop an awareness of what makes you uncommon so harness those gifts to fully engage with meaningful learning opportunities in the classroom, in the community and in the workforce.  As with your academic experience, the ultimate responsibility is upon you—the learner—to fully engage in your educational and career pursuits. We will be with you every step of the way and simply ask that you keep us informed of questions, concerns, and changes to your plans as they arise, so we may best assist you along you journey.

Career Engagement & Industry Relations (CEIR)

“The Office of Career Engagement & Industry Relations (CEIR) is designed to build a vibrant culture that blends and strengthens academic/professional development and industry relations both in and out of the classroom. This vision guides our efforts to develop access and opportunity for all students to extend their academic studies/service and connect with and learn from alumni, industry leaders, and potential employers in an intentional way.

On campus, the Career Engagement Studio is the beacon for career education and management programming and offers exceptional interactive resources and career coaching in areas of identifying God-given uniqueness, career and vocational exploration, and connecting students with workforce readiness and professional development opportunities. Moreover, the Career Engagement team and ambassadors are committed to helping all students and alumni assess key aspects of their aspirational design that will impact career choices; explore and reality test career options; make career decisions and develop action plans; prepare for their chosen career; make the transition from college to career or grad school successful; and, effectively induct into their first career destination as well as subsequent jobs. The success of the Career Engagement Studio, in collaboration with other factors in the University such as committed faculty, exists to equip our students to discern and obtain work that is a calling, empowering them to steward their strengths and confidence for service to Christ in the Church and the world.”

Housing

Residence halls at Concordia are in a real sense living/learning centers. We have mini-communities largely directed and managed by students serving in the capacities of Resident Assistants. 

All rooms are suite style, one resident to a room. The University provides a desk, chair, wardrobe, and bed. The resident must furnish his/her own desk lamp, blankets, linens, pillows, towels, and toilet articles. All residential students are required to have a meal plan.  Students who desire to stay in University housing should obtain further information from the Office of Residence Life. Each resident must submit an application and sign a housing a food contract before receiving a room assignment. 

Center for Academic Advising & Career Engagement (CAACE) 

The Center for Academic Advising & Career Engagement (CAACE) bolsters the holistic development of Concordia students and alumni by providing comprehensive academic and career support toward the development, implementation, and fulfillment of academic, career, and vocational goals.  This mission is enhanced by the myriad of partnerships we have built both on campus and in the extended Concordia community.  By connecting with alumni and community partners throughout their academic and career journey, students complement their classroom learning with experiential learning.  These opportunities help student gain valuable experiences to enhance their resume and refine their networking abilities; two critical components in their career toolbox.  

Departmental Structure

The CAACE team is comprised of staff who serve in varying capacities of academic and career advising. On the CUW campus, some advisors serve students as Academic & Career Advisors, primarily serving students in their first two years of their undergraduate program. Some Academic & Career Advisors primarily serve post-traditional students, both undergraduate and graduate, throughout the duration of their academic program.

Residence Life

Concordia University seeks to provide a quality, caring residential community for students which supports their academic goals and personal development. Living on campus provides a meaningful compliment to the classroom experience and shapes our learning community in ways that encourage holistic development. In line with this concept, Concordia University requires all full-time first-year and second-year, degree-seeking students to live in university residence halls. Research across the United States over the last 30 years has provided compelling evidence that students who live in university-provided housing perform better academically, and enjoy a higher degree of satisfaction with their college experience, than students who live off-campus or commute.

Specifically, the housing policy applies to students who are first-year and second-year traditional undergraduate AND are 20 years of age or younger as of the first day of classes of the academic year in question.

A student is eligible to request an exemption from the residency requirement if:

• The student is married or getting married before the start of the semester;
• The student, because of a disability, provides the University with appropriate documentation for reasonable accommodations that the University is unable to provide;
• The student resides within 20 miles, measured by driving distance, of the campus with their parents (father, mother, or stepparent) or an immediate family member (grandparent, or a sibling who is 22 years of age or older);
• The student has extreme financial hardship condition based on similar guidelines for Financial Aid;
• The student is a parent or primary care-giver to a child.

Students living in Concordia’s residence halls are held accountable for the Code of Student Conduct and all Concordia residence hall procedures, and policies stated in the Academic Catalog, and added to them in the future. Any student approved for a housing exemption based on residing within the proximity of the campus with parents or an immediate family member, but is later found to be residing elsewhere, will be subject to the requirement to move back on campus with applicable room and board charges and for violating the Code of Student Conduct.  Students whose Residence Hall and Food Service Agreement is terminated by the University due to violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct are responsible for payment of all housing costs associated for the entire academic year in which the violation(s) took place.

Residency Policy Exemption Applications must be completed and approved. Students can find the Exemption Application on the StarRez Housing Portal. Exemptions to the residency requirement are not guaranteed and will be examined according to housing capacity needs and documentation provided. All exemptions are made at the sole discretion of the Housing Appeals Committee. The University reserves the right to deny housing to any applicant. These policies apply to all prospective students beginning in the fall of 2025 and moving forward.

Housing placement decisions are made based on student answers to the roommate questionnaire, hall preference (and availability), student gender and age, and roommate request(s). CUWAA makes every effort to house students with roommates of similar interests and lifestyle; however, the Director of Residence Life reserve the right to deny a student’s hall, room, or roommate(s) request when circumstances dictate.

CUW has 8 different residence halls, each with its own unique characteristics. There are singles, doubles, triples, quads and suite-style rooms. The University provides a desk, chair, wardrobe, and bed for every student. All residential students are required to have a meal plan. Each student is required to sign an annual room and board contract and submit a one-time housing deposit of $300. Students can find further information by contacting Residence Life by email at residence.life@cuw.edu or by calling 262-243-4328.

Library Services

The Rincker Memorial Library has the primary goal of meeting the information needs of CUW students as they participate in the University’s programs of study in pursuit of Christian education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Library works together with the faculty and administration to select, acquire, and make available materials and resources consistent with fulfilling the University’s mission of providing excellence in Christian education.

Student Wellness

The mission of student wellness is to foster the well-being of mind, body, and spirit for all our students. Through Student Wellness, students have access to our on-campus Student Wellness, Health, and Counseling centers for any health needs students may experience at CUW. Student Wellness is the place to start when looking for mental health and wellness support for students. 

Student Health Center at CUW

The Student Health Center (SHC) is a convenient, efficient, confidential and affordable health care clinic right on campus, located in the Student Life corridor. Staffed by nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, the SHC strives to work in partnership with students to meet student's health care needs while on campus.

We offer many services, including:

• Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of illness/injury
• Complete physical exam for program of study, athletic requirement and annual physical
• Diagnostic testing (strep, mono, influenza, COVID, UTI, STI, ECG, drug screens, etc.)
• Immunizations, over-the-counter medications, prescriptions
• Wellness education and support, nutritional counseling
• TB screening & testing
• Pre-travel assessments & immunizations
• Referrals to and collaboration with CUW's counseling center and local medical and mental health professionals as needed

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Appointments are required. There is no office visit charge and no limited number of appointments per semester. Minimal charges for diagnostic testing, medication and complete physical exams are billed to student's CUW account after discussion and consent from patient.

Every CUW student is encouraged to carry adequate health insurance that provides coverage in Southeastern Wisconsin. There is a voluntary WPS student health insurance plan available to interested students. For information regarding coverage, rates and application, please visit www.wpshealth.com/waicu/

Appointments may be made by calling the Student Health Center at 262-243-4574. Please reach out with any concerns/questions/needs and the staff of the SHC will be happy to assist.