Student Services
Campus Life
Students will find that there are many cultural, social, and educational events to attend and many activities in which they may participate.
Students can further develop their leadership skills by being an active member in one of over 140 clubs and organizations on campus.
Undergraduate Student Government
The Undergraduate Student Government, representing the University of St. Thomas undergraduate student body, is dedicated to advocating student concerns by working with faculty, staff, the administration, community leaders, and fellow students to promote positive change while staying true to the Catholic identity of this institution.
USG operations are financed by an activity fee assessed each full- and part-time undergraduate student each semester.
The Undergraduate Student Government is comprised of 40 representatives who act as the voice of the students at the University of St. Thomas. Members of the USG serve their constituents by working with faculty, staff, administration, and other students to promote positive change and foster tradition in an effort to provide students with an exceptional college experience both inside and outside of the classroom. Membership in the Undergraduate Student Government consists of seven executive officers, two neighborhood and two residential senators, one legislative affairs and one commuter senator, two student athlete representatives, one commuter representative, one elections and credentials chair, one transfer student senator, one Residence Hall Association representative, the class president and two representatives from each class, one International Student representative, one STAR representative, one St. John Vianney representative, one student organization’s representative, one Student Alumni Council representative, one student diversity relations representative, one student spirituality representative, one sustainability representative, and advisers, including the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of Campus Life.
The USG functions in an advisory capacity to administrative decision making.
Participation in Faculty Committees
Students of the undergraduate program work cooperatively with the faculty and administration on seven committees: the Student Life Committee, the Grievance Committee, the Committee on Discipline, the Undergraduate Planning and Policy Committee, the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee, and the Budget Advisory Committee.
The function and authority of these committees may be found in the Student Policy Book.
Student Organizations and Clubs
There are approximately 140 clubs and organizations at the University of St. Thomas. Clubs and organizations are available in a range of interests, including academics, sports, honors and service. Choosing to be involved is a great way to develop and build relationships with your peers and the university community. Most importantly, getting involved at St. Thomas is an excellent way to enhance social, interpersonal, problem solving, leadership and other important skills.
The Undergraduate Student Government and the Department of Campus Life oversee all student organization recognition and funding processes. Some of these clubs are organized around the career objectives of their members or according to their major field of interest; others are organized according to common interests. Some professional, service, and social fraternities have chapters on campus.
A description of all the clubs, organizations, and other types of involvement on campus is available online. An Activities Fair is held at the beginning of each semester to allow interested students to learn more about the clubs.
Intercollegiate Athletics
The intercollegiate athletic program includes twenty-one varsity sports.
Men’s varsity sports are soccer, cross country, football, hockey, basketball, swimming, baseball, golf, and indoor and outdoor track and field.
Women’s varsity sports are volleyball, hockey, cross country, basketball, swimming, soccer, softball, tennis, golf, and indoor and outdoor track and field.
Intramural Activities
Numerous intramural activities are offered throughout the academic year for men and women. All leagues are open to students, faculty and staff.
During the fall semester activities include: touch football, whiffle ball, 4-on-4 basketball, racquetball, coed soccer, tennis, and volleyball.
During the spring semester the offerings include 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 basketball, floor hockey, sand volleyball, dodgeball, and kickball.
Aerobic classes are also offered and students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the recreational facilities for leisure enjoyment.
Student Publications
Each student publication has a faculty adviser or advisers, or a managing editor, but the university delegates editorial freedom and responsibility to the editors, giving them latitude to carry out editorial responsibilities. The university is the official publisher of all student publications.
TommieMedia
TommieMedia is the student produced on-line news source at St. Thomas. Its primary purpose is to serve as a voice of the St. Thomas community.
Students produce stories using a variety of digital formats, including video, slideshows, audio and text, social media are emphasized to build an audience of community members throughout the university. TommieMedia is a member of the Associated Press and its stories are available to all AP members. Applications are available on-line at tommiemedia.com.
The Aquinas
The Aquinas is the university digital yearbook, and its student staff captures the school year’s events through words, pictures, videos, and graphic theme. View and search past yearbooks, is available online throughout the year.
Summit Avenue Review
Summit Avenue Review is the literary and visual arts magazine at St. Thomas. Designed and edited by students, the magazine publishes poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, photography, and other visual art from the St. Thomas community. Work on the magazine begins in early fall, with a first submissions deadline in December and an April publication date. Inquiries should be sent to the Department of English. Visit the Summit Avenue Review website for more details.
Musical Organizations
Student music ensembles appear regularly in concerts on campus, perform in a variety of venues in the Twin Cities area, and tour nationally and internationally.
Instrumentalists and vocalists can choose from a diverse selection of large and small ensembles – bands, orchestra, choirs, jazz ensembles (both vocal and instrumental), ensembles for pianos, guitars, woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and new and popular music. Membership in most ensembles is by audition. For details consult the Music Department.
Dean of Students Office
The Dean of Students Office assists and supports students in achieving their academic and personal goals. Staff are available to answer questions, to help resolve issues or concerns, and to refer students to the appropriate department, office or community resource.
The Dean of Students Office provides a variety of programs and services for undergraduate and graduate students. These include new student orientation, student advocacy services, students’ rights and responsibilities information, the student conduct process, and parent liaison services, emergency loans, off-campus student life and student policies.
Contact the Dean of Students Office at (651) 962-6050, Room 241 Anderson Student Center, or Visit Dean of Students Site.
Student Policies
All University of St. Thomas students are expected to be familiar with and to comply with the university’s mission, convictions, university policies, and applicable law. We call these our “community standards.” Policies applicable to students and related information and procedures may be found at Dean of Students Policies as well as in the University Policy Repository.
Anderson Student Center
The Anderson Student Center is the campus gathering space that provides an exceptional environment and opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and neighbors to participate in and contribute to the activities of the University community. Tommie Central, located on the first floor of the ASC, is your one stop shop for campus information, resources, tickets to campus and community events and equipment rental. The ASC is home to create[space], complete with 3D printers and sewing machines, Bowling, gaming areas, and Dance, there is always something to do in the Anderson Student Center.
Center for Ministry
The Center for Ministry believes that the depth of our faith powerfully affects the way we live and who we become. It is because of this that the Center for Ministry invites students, faculty and staff of all faiths and religious traditions to explore their faith more fully through the many worship, service and personal growth opportunities offered here.
In addition to eight full-time professionals, the Center for Ministry employs peer ministers and over twenty-eight student employees. The staff coordinates the religious life of the campus and offers a variety of programs.
Numerous worship opportunities are available, including daily, Sunday and special community Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Adoration, morning prayer, and ecumenical services. Students may participate in worship through the Liturgical Ministers Program, Schola Cantorum, and the Liturgical Choir.
The Center for Ministry also provides opportunities to serve the broader community through the Volunteers in Action program and VISION J-term and spring break volunteer service trips.
To inspire personal growth, the Center for Ministry has a number of programs including prayer groups, retreats, pastoral counseling and referral, marriage preparation, crisis intervention, and special groups for support.
The Center for Ministry also offers the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) to those who are preparing for Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church.
The Center for Ministry is located in Suite 207 of the Anderson Student Center.
Center for Well-Being
The Center for Well-Being provides compassionate care, expertise, education, and resources to help members of our community thrive in and out of the classroom. The Center provides a full array of health, mental health, and well-being services in an integrated model. By integrating our services, we can better support students, faculty, and staff from a single location.
Our partner areas include:
- Health Services
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- Health Promotion, Resilience, and Violence Prevention
Located in mid-campus, 200 steps from the arches on Finn Street South.
Health Services
The Center for Well-Being Health Services provides high-quality, patient-centered health care that promotes the health and well-being of the entire St. Thomas community.
Our health staff includes primary care physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physical therapists, certified medical assistants, a registered dietitian, and a health case manager. Our services include Primary Care, Psychiatric Care, Preventative Care, Women's Health, Physical Therapy, Travel Clinic, Urgent Care and Wellness Services. We work closely with Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Promotion and Athletics.
All visits and personal information are confidential. All medical records are confidential and can only be released with your written permission.
Health Insurance
Domestic students: St. Thomas does not offer a University-sponsored student health insurance plan for domestic students. Health insurance resources are available for those in need of coverage.
International students: F-1 and J-1 international students on a St. Thomas I-20 or DS-2019 are billed each semester for the UST-sponsored international student health insurance plan.
F-1 students with comparable health insurance coverage may submit a request to waive the St. Thomas-sponsored plan. See F1 Waiver Requirements and Instructions for additional information.
J-1 students are not eligible to waive the UST-sponsored plan.
Additional Health Records
The state of Minnesota requires that students be immunized against diphtheria and tetanus (TD), and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and provide their vaccination dates. See Immunization Requirements for additional information and instructions.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services is available to help students deal with a wide variety of concerns from the concerns of daily living to problems of a more serious nature. Counseling provides individual counseling, groups, workshops, seminars and consulting services on a variety of topics. Crisis Drop-in are available every day. After Hour Phone Counseling is available weekdays after 4:30 pm, weekends, and during school breaks. Complete confidentiality is maintained in accordance with legal requirements and the professional code of ethics.
Health Promotion, Resilience and Violence Prevention
Through collaboration and education, Health Promotion, Resilience, & Violence Prevention supports students in healthy decision-making to foster individual and community well-being and thrive at the University of St. Thomas.
Health Promotion, Resilience, & Violence Prevention uses evidence-based and best practices to address alcohol and other drugs, mental health and resilience education, physical wellness (nutrition, sleep, and disease prevention), and violence prevention for our undergraduate and graduate students.
We provide opportunities for students to improve their health and well-being through four modes of change:
- EDUCATION — Promote the development of effective lifelong healthy behaviors through student education, awareness, programming, and marketing strategies.
- PREVENTION — Provide evidence-based prevention strategies to mitigate impediments to student success (e.g., flu shots, bystander training, sleep screening, etc.)
- INTERVENTION — Deliver coordinated, affordable, and accessible student health and mental health intervention and referral services (e.g., Mindfulness programming, wellness coaching, sleep management, etc.)
- MIND-BODY SPACE — A dedicated space for students that encourages relaxation, meditation & contemplation to foster the connection between the mind and body.
Career Development Center
www.stthomas.edu/career-development/
Career Development Center helps students and alumni launch and explore careers in a way that makes sense for them. Career exploration is supported by connections with employers and alumni, integration of career conversations and curriculum across the university, and opportunities for continuous learning and upskilling.
Individual career advising, workshops/webinars, employer events, and a variety of online resources are offered. Topics include:
- Career assessments
- Researching majors and career options
- Searching for internships, full-time, part-time and summer employment
- Connecting with employers and alumni
- Employer research tools
- Networking face to face and via social media during the job and internship search
- Evaluating job offers and negotiating salary
It's never too early to start thinking about your career plans. Wherever you are in your journey, the Career Development Center is here to help. Visit the Career Development website to access resources, learn more about our services, access Handshake to view job and internship listings, and connect with alumni on St. Thomas Connect.
Off-Campus Student Life (OCSL)
Off-Campus Student Life provides hospitality, information, programs, resources, and services to all students with an emphasis on students living off campus including commuters, non-traditional students, and students that live in the immediate neighborhood. Programs and services include: Commuter Mentors and Neighborhood Student Advisors, off campus housing listings, renter education materials, e-mail updates, bus route information, and a resource room with a refrigerator, microwave, computers and a printer for student use. The OCSL resource room is located on the second floor of the Anderson Student Center, room 218. Phone: 651-962-6138
Veterans Resource Center
The Veterans Resource Center offers student veterans the resources they need to succeed academically, the community they need to find connections, and the career support they need to thrive as alumni. Located in MHC LL 03, the center serves as a central location for student veterans, fielding their questions and supporting their success at St. Thomas.
Student Diversity and Inclusion Services
Student Diversity & Inclusion Services
Student Diversity and Inclusion Services (SDIS) exists to enhance the campus climate and holds deep commitment in developing and sustaining an inclusive campus community in the broadest sense including identities of gender, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin, and ability through programs, events, and initiatives designed for St. Thomas students.
Our work is based on four pillars: Education, Leadership, Advocacy, and Community.
Student Diversity and Inclusion Services seeks to provide experiences for St. Thomas students that facilitate growth and development of their knowledge and understanding of 1) how they and others experience the world; 2) the positive personal, professional and societal outcomes that can result from doing such work; and 3) the negative outcomes that can result from failing to do so.
Facebook: facebook.com/UofStThomasSDIS
Instagram: UofStThomasSDIS
Office of International Students & Scholars
The Office of International Students & Scholars recruits, serves and cultivates lifelong relationships with international students and scholars. OISS aspires to drive a comprehensive internationalization of the campus community by engaging in partnerships, supporting intercultural competence, and fostering a culturally responsive campus.
The Office of International Students & Scholars provides the following services and programs:
- Week-long and extended orientation program for new international students, including International Orientation Leaders, about academic, cultural, legal, and practical life at the University of St. Thomas.
- Immigration advising for all F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant students, and international faculty and staff.
- Counseling and advising on academic, cultural, financial, health, practical and personal matters.
- Weekly event emails and monthly newsletters.
- Cultural and educational programming such as the Global Tommies excursion, Thanksgiving and Friendship Family programs.
- Career and job-search workshops in cooperation with the Career Development Center.
- VITA site for non-resident tax returns through student volunteers.
Tommie Central
Tommie Central is the information desk and hub of the Anderson Student Center (ASC). At Tommie Central, members of the university community can reserve bowling lanes, ASC lockers, recreational equipment for use in the ASC, and purchase tickets to many St. Thomas campus-sponsored events as well as discounted tickets to many local Twin Cities cultural, theatrical and athletic events. A sampling of tickets includes museums, athletic events, movie theaters, and specialty entertainment.
Tommie Central also offers rental of a wide variety of outdoor camping, sporting and athletic equipment for a minimal fee.
Housing
www.stthomas.edu/residence-life/
The University of St. Thomas houses approximately 2,500 2,800 students in its residence halls.
Living on campus provides students with an inclusive and supportive educational living environment. Students will participate in the First-Year Experience (FYE) and many will choose to meet their Learning Community Requirement by choosing the Living Learning Community (LLC) option. LLCs are specialized living environments that help connect students in and out of the classroom. Students will also experience the “Tommie Advantage,” which is a campus-wide initiative that brings an intentional focus on student learning outside of the classroom. In the second year, students will participate in our Second-Year Experience Program and some will choose to live in our Second-Year Interest Housing Communities. All residential students will engage in The Tommie Advantage focusing on the following learning goals; Self-Understanding, Connecting, Embracing Our Differences, Practicing Holistic Wellbeing, and Acting Wisely.
The University has a Two-Year Residency Requirement where all first-year and second-year students live on campus. Information and policies for residence life are found in the Student Residence Agreement and the Resident Student Handbook. Both are available on the residence life website.
Visit Residence Life for additional and updated information about living on campus.
Dining Facilities
All food locations accept Dining Dollars or Express dollars, cash and credit cards.
The Anderson Student Center offers several dining options to meet the needs of our guests.
T’s restaurant, on the first floor, is a dining experience that includes B & W coffee and breakfast made to order. Sandwich with our natural meats and cheeses, now with a toasted option are also available. Practically Plated grab and go items, beverages and snacks round out the offerings in this venue.
Summit Marketplace, also on the first floor, is a convenience store concept with a focus on healthy food choices such as fresh fruit, salads made fresh daily, and Practically Plated gourmet sandwiches. Fresh brewed B & W coffee is available as well as a large assortment of bottled Pepsi products. Need a pencil, batteries, or cough syrup? This is the place to find them, as well as an assortment of chips, cookies and candy.
The View, on the second floor, is available to anyone who enjoys an all you care to eat environment. The View is an exciting and on-trend dining destination so named for its beautiful overlook of the football stadium and quad, featuring many new and diverse serving lines. B & W coffee is also available to guests dining in The View.
The Loft, on the third floor, is the place to get coffee, specialty drinks, tap Kombucha, Nitro Coffee and smoothies while enjoying a great view overlooking the atrium. It is a great place to start the day, enjoy a mid-morning snack or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Stacks Café, located in the library on the St. Paul campus offers B & W coffee, espresso and other drinks along with daily fresh baked assorted muffins, cinnamon rolls and cookies. Practically Plated grab and go snack packs, salads and gourmet sandwiches made fresh daily are available.
Beakers is located on the second floor in the Owens Science building. It features B & W specialty coffee and espresso, Practically Plated sandwiches, and various snack and beverage items.
Located on the first floor of Tommie North, our new resident hall on campus is the Northsider. This destination is for anyone who enjoys an all you care to eat environment. The Northsider is another exciting and on-trend dining destination featuring many new and diverse food stations featuring menu items exclusive to this location.
Minneapolis campus
The Cornerstone Kitchen dining facility is located on the second floor of the 1000 LaSalle building, Terrance Murphy Hall, offering several different food stations in another one of our all you care to eat locations.
Campus Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety operates seven days a week 24 hours a day, on both the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses.
The primary focus of the department is the care and safety of the students, employees, and guests of the University. Some of the services that are provided to the community are: immediate response to medical emergencies, responding to crimes in progress or suspicious persons, providing escorts, assisting with vehicle lockouts, doing jumpstarts, and conducting safety inspections and operations of the University’s lost and found. The department is also responsible for the campus wide emergency notification system. Students and employees are encouraged to sign up for this notification.
The Public Safety officers are professionals, well trained in first aid, crisis management, emergency response, investigation, general safety, crime prevention and application of policies and laws.
For any on-campus emergency call 651-962-5555. For an off campus emergency please call 9-1-1. For all other matters related to Public Safety please call 651-962-5100. Students and employees are encouraged to program these numbers in their cell phones.
Public Safety Offices
The Public Safety Office on the St. Paul campus is located on the first floor of Morrison Hall. Please use the north door for entrance. On the Minneapolis Campus, public safety and parking information can be obtained at the second floor skyway of the Law School (MSL 252).
The Public Safety Department maintains “The Campus Security and Fire Report.” The report is required by the Higher Education Act and includes a listing of crimes and fires within the campus boundaries.
Parking and Transportation
The Parking and Transportation Services Office, a division of the Public Safety department, is located in the lower-level of Murray-Herrick (MHC) on the St. Paul campus. This office handles all parking questions, issues parking permits, sells Metro Transit bus passes, and processes UST parking tickets and appeals. These same services are available at MSL 252 on the Minneapolis campus.
Parking permits are required to park in all parking lots on the St. Paul Campus. On the Minneapolis Campus, only ramp and very limited surface parking is available. These parking contracts are only available for full-time employees and students.
Resident students are required to enter a permit lottery in order to be eligible to purchase a parking permit. Resident students are notified of the lottery process from Residence Life Office and the Bulletin.
Visitors to the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Campus may park in the Anderson Parking Facility, entrance off of Grand and Cretin or at parking meters.
For the Minneapolis Campus, visitors, evening and part-time students, and others who do not have a Minneapolis Campus permit may park at the City of Minneapolis Ramp, 11th Street and Harmon Place. There is a reduced rate for parking in the evening. This ramp also connects to UST and downtown skyway system.
In order to purchase a parking permit, a current UST identification card is required and the purchasers are required to provide an accurate license plate number of the car.
Please consult parking and transportation services for more details.
The university also offers a free shuttle bus service between the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses. This is available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. with limited services on Saturday when classes are in session during Fall and Spring semesters. Check current schedule information.