The mission of the University of Valley Forge is to prepare individuals for life of service and leadership in the church and in the world. As a Christ- centered institution, UVF is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ that will be ministers of the gospel in every context of life. The Student Life Office advances this mission and commitment by creating opportunities for students to grow holistically in a Spirit-filled, loving community that makes disciples outside the classroom. The information below highlights a few aspects of UVF community life. For detailed information, including Student Life policies, see the UVF Student Handbook.

 

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES

Student Development Outcomes represent the skills and competencies students learn in the co-curricular experience by the time they graduate. They align with the Institutional Student Learning Outcomes listed under General Information above.

1. Communication – Students will practice effective communication through a variety of appropriate means in co-curricular settings.

2. Information Literacy/ Critical Thinking – Students will be able to locate and analyze information in order to solve problems and make evidence-based decisions in a variety of co-curricular settings.

3. Interpersonal Skills – Students will demonstrate respectful and responsible personal behavior, interpersonal relationships, and leadership in a variety of co-curricular settings.

4. Christian Worldview – Students will practice a Christian worldview as indicated by articulating the Gospel, abiding in God’s presence, following Jesus, and fulfilling God’s mission through a Spirit-empowered life in a variety of co-curricular settings.

5. Holistic Development – Students will practice a holistic lifestyle with attention to mental/emotional, physical, spiritual, and social dimensions of personhood in a variety of co-curricular settings.

6. Professional – Students will demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills necessary to lead in specific co-curricular settings.

 

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

UVF is dedicated to helping students grow in their relationship with God. A rich, vibrant and exuberant chapel atmosphere provides a daily opportunity for students, faculty and staff to express their faith through corporate worship and the preaching of God’s Word. Chapel services are mandatory and include community gatherings, special music services, small group chapel, and chapel electives that offer a variety of learning experiences. The university maintains a prominent missionary emphasis by promoting missions speakers, missions trips and an annual missions convention.

Students are urged to seek the advice of faculty, staff and administrators who are committed to helping students grow spiritually and personally. In addition, students are encouraged to practice daily devotions and regularly attend a local church. The Residence Life department seeks to create an on-campus living environment that fosters a spirit-filled, loving community.

 

CAMPUS LIFE

Cultural programs, special events, concerts, banquets and a variety of student activities provide a rich and varied social atmosphere for students. With close proximity to Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Lancaster County and other historic sites, a variety of off-campus activities are easily accessible.

As students interact in academic settings, community based projects, and extra-curricular activities, a sense of Christian fellowship and community will develop, thus enhancing spiritual formation.

 

RESIDENCE LIFE

UVF is primarily a residential university and believes that the residence experience makes a valuable contribution to shaping Christian character. Single students under the age of 24, unless enrolled as online students, must live in the residence halls or with their parent(s) or guardian(s). Rooms vary from multi-occupant with central bath to single-occupant with private bath.

Residence Directors (RDs) are full-time staff members of the university who supervise the residence halls. Resident Assistants are specifically selected upper-division student leaders who reside on each floor and work with the RDs to create a positive living-learning environment and provide spiritual, emotional, educational and social programming designed to assist students in their personal growth and development. Campus Directors (CDs) work closely with the Vice President of Student Life to serve students, as well as commuter and family students. CDs also provide coaching and mentoring for students working through issues that require greater support. The Housing Coordinator (HC) coordinates housing for on-campus students and serves as the liaison for facilities needs in our residence halls . You are invited to make appointments to get to know any of our Student Life staff. Additional information regarding residence life can be found in the Student Handbook.

A limited number of on-campus apartments are available to family students who are enrolled in at least twelve credit hours. Size restrictions in on-campus apartments make these accommodations unsuitable for couples with more than one child and such couples should seek off-campus housing.

 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

The Health and Wellness Center is located on-campus and a part-time nurse is available for students, faculty and staff. The hours of operation are posted and no appointments are necessary. The Health and Wellness Center provides for immediate health concerns as well as prevention education issues including routine medical evaluation and treatment, emergency care, physical examinations, nutrition counseling, doctor referrals, medical equipment, American Heart Association First Aid and CPR Training, education on health- related issues and care of emotional issues with the assistance of outside counseling services.

Students may also find out about counseling resources through the Health and Wellness Center. Counseling services are provided by contracted Christian counselors and are available to students for a fee. Some financial assistance is available. Students may find out more about counseling services and contracted counselors by visiting myValleyForge and exploring the “Counseling Services” link under the Student Life tab.

 

ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

University of Valley Forge is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and competes in the United East Conference (UEC). Varsity sports programs for women consist of basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball and volleyball. Varsity sports offered for men are baseball, basketball, cross-country, volleyball and soccer. Limited club sports are also available depending on student interest.

Athletic competition for all students is provided through intramural sports. Sports such as softball, basketball, volleyball, and golf are available . Students may also enjoy the Forge Nature Trail, a walking path that encompasses most of the campus.

 

PHYSICALLY DISABLED STUDENTS

The university attempts to make its facilities accessible to physically disabled persons. Most facilities are currently accessible to the physically disabled via ramps including the complex that houses classrooms, dining hall, the Anvil Student Center, and chapel. The Storms Research Center is a state-of-the- art facility designed to provide accessibility to library resources, programs, and services. All other facilities have only a few steps leading to the first floor. Future renovation of buildings and new construction are designed to ensure that the campus is easily accessible. For more information on accommodations for physically disabled students please reach out to the Housing Department.(housing@valleyforge.edu)

UVF welcomes hearing impaired students through our Deaf Studies Program. Interpreters are provided by the university for important meetings and events. Hearing impaired resident student rooms are equipped with the necessary safety equipment. More information on accommodations for hearing impaired students may be obtained from disabilityservices@valleyforge.edu.

 

CAMPUS SECURITY

University of Valley Forge is committed to providing a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests. Although the university has a low incidence of crime, a security staff is on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Security guards monitor the campus environment, enforce parking regulations, and assist as needed, including providing escort from parking areas to the residence halls and offices. The campus also utilizes security cameras.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the university prepares an Annual Campus Security Report that includes relevant security policies, as well as crime statistics for the previous three calendar years. The university will provide a paper copy of this report upon request.

UVF’s Annual Campus Security Report can be accessed at:

https://valleyforge.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2023/09/Annual-Security-Report-2023-for-2022.pdf

 

VEHICLE REGULATIONS

Vehicle regulations are included with the registration information each year. Students are requested to read, understand and comply with the vehicle regulations for the safety of the entire UVF community. Students must register motorized vehicles annually and obtain a parking permit. A vehicle registration fee is assessed to students with vehicles. Vehicles not displaying a current UVF parking permit are subject to fines and may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Under no circumstances can the university be held liable for damages to automobiles either on or off campus. All owners and operators will be held liable for damages caused by their vehicles. Students are encouraged to contact the Campus Security Office for additional information regarding the university’s vehicle regulations.

 

DRESS AND APPEARANCE

Clothing and appearance are expected to be neat, clean, modest, and reflective of the university and Christian values. Special attention to appearance is required in some settings: for example, when participating as a chapel worship leader, when representing the university, during some activities (formal banquets, commencement), etc. Specified attire is required for gym classes. Additional information about appearance is available in the Student Handbook.

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

The Student Handbook is available on the university website and outlines the programs, services, and expectations of the university. The university desires to promote a community environment where persons can live self-regulating and productive lives. Violations of these expectations result in disciplinary procedures that are designed to be redemptive to the individual and provide restitution to the university community where appropriate.

 

STUDENT COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES

As imperfect followers of Jesus, we know that conflict will happen, but that the process of resolving the conflict is an opportunity for us to grow. The ultimate purpose of informal or formal conflict resolution is peacemaking and restoration of relationships.

Students and employees of the University are expected to reconcile academic and nonacademic differences in a professional, respectful, and God-honoring manner. Informal reconciliation should always be attempted first, and involve discussion between the student, involved employee, and the employee’s supervisor if necessary.

When attempts at informal reconciliation are perceived to be inadequate, students may initiate an appeal. Students can contact the Vice President of Student Life (JDGale@ valleyforge.edu) for nonacademic issues and AcademicAffairs@valleyforge.edu for academic issues. After any appeals processes have been exhausted, if students believe a grievance has occurred as defined above, this formal grievance procedure may be used. This process has been developed to facilitate thoughtful and thorough evaluation in an effort to determine if an injustice has occurred. Students who decide to file a formal complaint as an academic or nonacademic grievance must follow the process detailed in the Student Grievance Policy. The institutional grievance procedure is the same for all students regardless of physical location (including distance education).

For the complete Student Grievance Policy, see the Consumer Information page of the University’s website. Student  Consumer Information – University of Valley Forge

Students who feel that they have been treated unfairly are encouraged first to take the informal approach to resolving the grievance. This process would involve going to the person or department, with whom there is an issue, and seeking a resolution. If the student feels that this informal process has not resolved the matter, the student does have the option of a formal grievance process. Please see the Grievance Policy on the Student Consumer Information page.

Individuals also have the right to go to one or more of the agencies listed below to initiate a complaint or grievance if the issue is unresolved through on-campus channels.

Students taking classes at the main campus or living in Pennsylvania: PA Student Complaints

Students enrolled in an online program or living in another state: Student Complaint Resolution by State

For FERPA or PPRA complaints or grievances:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

Phone: 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327)

Unresolved complaints may be filed with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the University’s regional accrediting agency, once all other avenues provided by the University and the State agency have been exhausted.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone: 267-284-5000

Email: info@msche.org

Spanish: españolinfo@msche.org General link: www.msche.org

 

ALUMNI SERVICES

The Alumni Association, formed in 1941 and reorganized in 1999, exists to serve the alumni of the University of Valley Forge. The association is responsible for promoting fellowship among former students, maintaining an alumni database and serving as a resource center for alumni. Through-out the year, the association plans activities, including the annual Homecoming celebration.

The Forge Report is a monthly e-newsletter sent to all friends and alumni of the university who supply their email address. It provides a glimpse into the monthly happenings of the university as well as communicates news and updates. The Alumni Association also established the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund thanks to the generous donations of UVF Alumni for future students. Affinity programs are in place for alumni and to help students transition beyond their college years.