Student Affairs

Assumption, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption and rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, strives to form graduates known for critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and compassionate service. Student Affairs staff support that mission throughout the residential and co-curricular aspects of student life on campus. We plan and implement programs around a core set of principles to help Assumption students achieve their full personal and academic potential. The bell tower in front of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit has five bells that ring clearly across campus. Our five principles do the same. As a Catholic University, we are very clear about our identity. We are catholic in our approach and believe that each student should be encouraged to explore and understand his or her personal faith tradition. 

• Principle 1 – Community - Assumption University seeks to foster friendships among students that help individuals grow, and become better family members, thoughtful citizens, participants in communities of faith, and stewards of the earth.
• Principle 2 – Contemplation - Assumption University provides opportunities for students to open their minds, reflect thoughtfully on their experiences, and grow in the spirit of gratitude and generosity.
• Principle 3 - Longing for God - Assumption University encourages the development of a more fully formed conscience that will enable our graduates to lead a virtuous life, recognizing that conscience formation and the pursuit of truth occur over the course of a lifetime.
• Principle 4 – Vocation - Assumption University works with students to help them identify their personal vocations and make thoughtful life choices.
• Principle 5 – Mission to Serve -Assumption University encourages students to take bold action that reflects a generous heart and compassion for others.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services (SHS) provides confidential episodic, and urgent health care, along with health education, for full-time undergraduate and eligible full-time graduate students enrolled at Assumption University. Licensed and certified nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and treat student health problems, illnesses, and injuries, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications utilizing e-prescribe so prescriptions can be sent right to the pharmacy of choice. Our highly qualified staff also encourage and educate students to make healthy lifestyle choices and to become advocates for their own healthcare. Health Services visits are by appointment only and are covered by student tuition and fees. There are no added per visit fees or co-pays associated with these services. While the school's health insurance plan does not need to be purchased in order to receive care at Health Services, health insurance is mandatory for all students. and a student health insurance plan is available through Student Financial Services. A student’s insurance plan may incur charges for additional medical services, including but not limited to lab tests, radiology tests, prescription medications, and ambulance transportation. Clinic services are available by appointment Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, when classes are in session. Appointments are scheduled by calling SHS so that health issues can be triaged appropriately for urgency, provider, visit length, and possible pre-visit testing. Most appointment requests are accommodated on the same day or within one business day.

Counseling Services

Assumption University Counseling Services provides confidential, short-term mental health support to assist students in navigating personal, emotional, and social challenges that may arise during their college experience and impact academic progress. Services include individual counseling, crisis support, consultation, and referrals to community-based or specialized care when appropriate. Counseling Services also supports student well-being through psychoeducational programs, workshops, and collaboration with student groups and campus partners on mental health and wellness initiatives. Counseling Services is staffed by licensed clinicians with a range of clinical experience and expertise. Services are included in the cost of tuition and are available to all full-time undergraduate students. In accordance with Massachusetts law and professional ethical standards, information shared with Counseling Services is confidential, with limited exceptions as required by law.

Alcohol, Drug and Wellness Education

Assumption University provides support and response to alcohol and other drug-related concerns of students by providing education, consultation, assessment, and referral to other constituents when necessary. Through educational workshops and programs, the University facilitates campus-wide awareness for sexual assault prevention and alcohol and other drug related issues. All first-year and transfer students are required to complete AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, two online educational programs. Additionally, our student peer education group PAWS (Peers Advocating Wellness for Students), provide wellness programs for students that address alcohol/drug concerns as well as a myriad of other health and wellness topics.

Cross-Cultural Center

The Cross-Cultural Center (CCC) promotes multicultural awareness and provides educational programming for the Assumption community to support and complement the University’s commitment and mission for diversity. The Center serves as a resource for students, staff and faculty, and is an inclusive and safe space for students to come and explore their sense of self and to learn about various races, cultures, religions, and identities. The Cross-Cultural Center staff supports, advises, and advocates for Assumption’s ALANA (African, Latino/Hispanic, Asian, and Native-American) student population as well as first-generation and international students, as they transition to and through their University experience. The Center staff work in partnership with students, faculty, and staff to develop programs that enhance cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, and emphasize human dignity, solidarity, and the importance of working for justice for all people.

Residential Life

The Office of Residential Life is responsible for overseeing the daily operations and activities within the residential areas, which houses more than 1500 students in sixteen residence halls, suites, apartments, and townhouse complexes. The staff is comprised of the Assistant Dean of Residential Life and Community Standards, the Assistant Director of Residential Life, and six Resident Directors (full-time professionals responsible for the supervision of the area), and fifty-seven Resident Assistants (students who assist the resident directors in their responsibilities). Together they work to ensure that on-campus living will be an enjoyable, safe, inclusive, and educational experience. The Office provides a variety of administrative, referral, and programming functions. Residential Life works to create a community-oriented environment that maximizes a person’s potential for academic and co-curricular development. The Office looks to students to provide the enthusiasm and commitment to help us achieve a positive learning atmosphere within our University community. In collaboration with Campus Ministry, the Office of Residential Life administers the Peer Ministry program, which provides an opportunity for student leaders to participate in the work of faith development among our students and to grow in their own faith. The Office of Residential Life is located on the first floor of Salisbury Hall. Additional housing options include:

Honors Housing

This alternate housing option provides students in the Honors Program with a community that fully supports the attainment of academic excellence. The mission of the Honors Housing is to provide students with a seamless educational environment in a smaller residential setting.

Civic Friendship Housing

This alternate housing option provides students in the Civic Friendship Program with a community that fully supports the core commitment of “seeking truth in the company of friends”. The purpose of civic friendship is to prepare students to flourish as thoughtful citizens with a strong dedication to the common good.

Office of Community Standards

The Office of Community Standards enforces the University Conduct Code and administers the student conduct process. The goal of the office is to establish a safe educational environment that fosters individual responsibility, integrity, and respect. The Office of Community Standards strives to attain that goal by promoting responsible decision-making, educating students about University policies, holding students accountable for their actions, and helping them learn from their mistakes. The conduct process is designed to be educational, transformative, transparent, fair, expedient, and respectful of students’ rights. The Office of Community Standards uses an operation philosophy of Restorative Justice to assess the hurt done to the community or individual(s) during a given incident. The conduct process is therefore an instrument by which the hurt done to the community or individual(s) can be repaired.

Campus Policies

In any academic community, policies are necessary to maintain order and an atmosphere conducive to academic and co-curricular success. They are based on the premise of responsible freedom, a principle that helps to shape the mature citizen of tomorrow. Assumption University expects the members of this voluntary community to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values that are the foundation of our Catholic institution. Written policies serve as guidelines toward reasoned action. These policies are recorded and described in detail in the Student Handbook and supplemental bulletins. Attendance at Assumption University represents acceptance of these policies and a commitment to abide by them. The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for most areas of student life outside of the classroom. Various advisory boards, which include student representatives, serve to recommend, formulate, and update policy.