Activities and Programs
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Student Life’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives seek to support the immediate and long-term success of Furman’s historically underrepresented students using current research on belonging, well-being, and career engagement while also inviting all students to critically consider issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in order to develop leaders with research-based competencies for a global community. Staff collaborate with a variety of administrative units on campus to intentionally design a comprehensive, university-wide approach to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Trone Student Center
The Trone Student Center is the focal point for students to become involved in campus life providing extensive recreational and extracurricular activities for students. In addition to meeting rooms and student gathering spaces, the Trone Student Center is home to a large variety of student organizations, The PalaDen Food Court, Paddock Restaurant, Print & Post Express (P2X), the Bell Tower Bookstore and Cafe, and an information center. Also in the Trone Student Center are the offices of the Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Students, Student Involvement Heller Service Corps, Malone Center for Career Engagement, Shucker Center for Leadership Development, and the Center for Engaged Learning.
Spiritual Life
The Office of Spiritual Life (OSL) engages the heart and spirit of students, faculty, and staff by embodying a value for sacred mystery, nurturing mature spiritual formation and the pursuit of ultimate meaning and purpose. We seek to develop moral courage and justice, fostering multi-faith education and relationship and supporting a rich diversity of spiritual communities.
The chaplains work with students, faculty and staff from all or no religious traditions to coordinate spiritual life at Furman, overseeing religious specific programs, spiritual and moral dialogue, and pastoral care and counseling. The OSL also leads ecumenical and interfaith community worship opportunities throughout the year.
Furman encourages an ecumenical spirit that affirms the diversity of religious traditions represented on campus. Complementing the leadership of the university chaplains, campus ministers offer leadership to individual groups and are available for pastoral care and counseling. The Religious Council, composed of representatives from each religious organization promote mutual understanding and cooperation among the various groups.
Athletics
Intercollegiate Athletics
Furman’s intercollegiate athletic department sponsors 18 varsity programs at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Paladin’s athletic program consists of ten women’s sports: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball and eight men’s sports: basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field. Additionally, the department also sponsors the cheerleading program.
Furman is a member of the Southern Conference (Big South Conference for women’s lacrosse) and has a longstanding national reputation for both its academic and competitive excellence.
Herman Lay Physical Activities Center (PAC)
Overseen by Campus Recreation staff, Furman has exceptional facilities for physical activities which include a swimming pool, a gym for basketball or volleyball, a dance studio, and a fitness center with a variety of exercise options. The fitness center has over 70 cardio machines including adaptive motion trainers (AMT), elliptical trainers, treadmills, stationary bicycles and rowing ergometers. In addition, there are eight squat racks, numerous free weights, and a variety of other strength-training machines.
Cultural Opportunities
Through the combined facilities of the university and the Greenville community, students may attend lectures, plays, concerts, recitals, art exhibits and other cultural programs.
Exhibits of works by Furman art students and faculty and touring exhibits are displayed in the Thompson Gallery located in the Thomas Anderson Roe Art Building.
Multiple plays a year, ranging from classical to modern, musical to mystery thriller, are presented in the Furman Theatre Playhouse and Furman Amphitheater.
The Furman music department sponsors more than 200 concerts which are open to the public each year in a number of on-campus venues including McAlister Auditorium, Daniel Recital Hall, Furman Amphitheater, and the Daniel Memorial Chapel. This wide array of opportunities to experience high quality live music includes presentations by ensembles of all shapes and sizes, such as major choral and orchestral concerts, faculty recitals, chamber music programs, student recitals, and guest artist recitals. In addition, there is an active series of concerts in the community which include the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and the Greenville Chorale.
Student Services
Malone Center for Career Engagement
The Malone Center for Career Engagement supports students in developing and achieving career goals that lead to meaningful lives. Services include career advising appointments on career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, job search strategies and the graduate school application process. In addition, the Malone Center hosts a variety of online resources and programming to connect students to employers, graduate programs, and alumni in their field of interest including career fairs, alumni panels, industry networking nights and career treks.
Built on a model of academic department partnerships, our process of professional preparation is designed to connect students with both resources and individuals who can inform and guide students through the process of career planning. Our ultimate goal is to ensure a successful transition to top-tier employment opportunities and graduate education.
Counseling Center
The Trone Center for Mental Fitness (TCMF) offers an evidence-based comprehensive and integrated mental health stepped care model which includes a range of treatment interventions and options from the least to the most intensive based on students’ mental health concerns. Counselors strive to empower students to maximize and manage their own mental health well-being to achieve academic and interpersonal success in a rigorous and transformative campus environment.
In addition to concerns pertaining to adjustment to university life, such as stress, homesickness, grief, as well as cultural and identity difference, other common concerns include anxiety, depression, disordered eating and substance abuse.
A rapid and flexible access to an array of mental health treatment options may include a 24-hour crisis line and online self-help solutions. Counseling sessions, limited psychiatric consultations and nutritionists’ services are available during business hours. TCMF provides integrated case management and community referrals for individuals whose symptoms require specialized or intensive treatment.
TCMF provides a safe and welcoming supportive space for students of all backgrounds, opinions, and concerns. Services are confidential.
Dining Services
Missed meals may not be made up. Students who have an extraordinary situation that requires them to miss meals regularly during the term should consult with the food service director to discuss their options. Meal plans and identification cards are non-transferable. Students may not pass, loan or sell their meal plan or identification card to anyone. Transfer of a meal card may result in disciplinary action as addressed in the Student Handbook.
The dining hall is open throughout the academic year except during university breaks.
Student Office for Accessibility Resources
The mission of the Student Office for Accessibility Resources is to create an accessible, inclusive, sustainable learning environment, where disability is recognized as an aspect of diversity that is integral to the campus community and to society. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2009 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 our primary objective is to provide equal access to campus programs and activities for all students. Information about accommodations can be found at furman.edu/soar. Students requesting services should visit the website or contact soar@furman.edu for more information.
Student Health Center
The Earle Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. when the University is open. The Center is operated by Prisma Health, which is the largest health care system in the Greenville area and as such brings with it the largest network of health care practitioners and specialists to serve Furman’s student body. The Center is managed by a physician as medical director who oversees two nurse practitioners and the complete nursing and administrative staff.
The Center provides acute care, chronic disease management (including intermittent exacerbations), travel medicine, immunization, allergy injections, TB testing, Women’s health, contraceptive care, and STI testing. Referrals to specialists or hospitals are made by physicians and nurse practitioners. If hospitalization is required, the provider will make the necessary arrangements. Families will be notified in case of serious illness or accident.
Students should bring their health insurance card with them when visiting the Center.
When campus housing is closed, medical needs are the responsibility of the individual student. A listing of options for after- hours care is available on the Health Center web site.
For emergencies, call the University Police at 864-294-2111.
International Student Support and Engagement
At Furman University we take a comprehensive approach to supporting the success and wellbeing of international students. In collaboration with partners on-and-off campus, The Center for Inclusive Communities leads University initiatives that foster international student belonging, wellbeing, and success at Furman and beyond.
Prior to arrival at Furman, our services include advising and guidance on student visa application processes, preparation for arrival to Furman, early arrival planning and coordination for access to on-campus housing and meals, and airport transportation.
While at Furman, our services include a comprehensive orientation program designed for new international students, assistance with opening a US bank account, acquiring mobile phone service, access to shopping, and community orientation.
Throughout an international student’s enrollment at Furman, we provide guidance on student visa regulations and benefits and ensure compliance with U.S. government regulations, assist with transitioning to college and the surrounding area, advise students on processes related to employment and internship opportunities and provide the required approvals and supporting documents, guide and facilitate access to resources for complying with the annual tax filing requirements, coordinate and man- age enrollment in the mandatory medical insurance program, facilitate and manage access to store your belongings on-campus during summer breaks and when participating in study away programs, offer guidance and supporting documents related to ap- plications for a US social security number, a South Carolina driver’s license or state identification card.
Our support regarding student visa regulations, benefits, and compliance reporting continues beyond student’s enrollment at Furman while they engage in post-degree-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and/or apply for STEM OPT extensions.
In addition, we lead, support, and ensure University’s compliance with government regulations pertaining to admitting and enrolling international students.
Veterans’ Affairs
Eligible veterans, dependents and active-duty students may certify their enrollment to use educational benefits at Furman University through Enrollment Services.
Student Rights and Regulations
An institution, like an individual, has a character developed out of its accumulated experience and expressed in its purpose, goals and values. Furman’s character is reflected in part in the policies and regulations which govern its students. Elements which have helped shape those regulations include the size of the university, its co-educational status, the diversity of its student body, the liberal arts tradition, and our commitment to academic excellence.
Students who enroll at Furman must understand that they are part of a learning environment where they should respect the rights of all members of the university community. Furman expects that students will act in a manner that is respectful of the rights and privileges of others. The university has a responsibility to provide an environment which is conducive to the freedom to learn on the part of its students. In order to provide such conditions, Furman has developed policies and procedures designed to safeguard this freedom.
Responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the community rests with each individual member. Only if every member assumes responsibility for personal and group integrity and civility will the community best meet the developmental needs of its members. Each person must examine, evaluate and regulate his or her own behavior to be consistent with the expectations of the Furman community. The university maintains in its Student Conduct Code policies that reflect behavioral expectations for all Furman students. Furman students are required to be honest in their academic work and to obey all university policies and regulations.
Furman is not a sanctuary where students may escape the responsibilities imposed by law upon all citizens. The university does not condone the violation or attempted violation of federal, state or local laws. Alleged violations may be referred to appropriate local, state or federal law enforcement and the appropriate university official or through the student conduct process.
Regulations governing student conduct at Furman are ultimately the responsibility of the Vice President for Student Life. Students are expected to follow the rules set forth in this catalog and in Furman’s Student Handbook. Violators of university regulations are subject to penalties which range from a reprimand to suspension or expulsion.
Furman’s student conduct system is educational but does not condone inappropriate or illegal behavior. Irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed so that students understand the reasons for our policies and how their actions may adversely affect themselves and others.
Since Furman is a private institution, it reserves the right to refuse re-enrollment to a student whose personal or academic adjustment has been unsatisfactory. Acceptance for one term does not necessarily imply acceptance for succeeding terms. The university reserves the right to amend its rules, policies and procedures at any time.
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