Student Affairs

The mission of the Division of Student Affairs is to support and challenge students by offering resources, services, and co-curricular opportunities to enhance critical thinking, promote the appreciation of diversity, and encourage the practice of civility, inclusion, and holistic well-being.

The Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and their staff are responsible for the following offices:

• Vice President for Student Affairs Office x6046
• Amica Center for Career Education x6090
• Counseling Services x6045
• Health Promotion x6982
• Health Services x6220
• Department of Public Safety x6001 (non-emergency); x6911 (emergency)
• Residence Life x6140
• Planning & Assessment x6278
• Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement Office x6542
• Center for Student Leadership & Involvement x6162
• Office of Student Events Services and Orientation Programs x6993
• Center for Diversity & Inclusion x6216
• Intercultural Center x6946
• Hochberg Women’s Center x6854
• Pride Center x20190
• Interfaith Center x6119

Student Affairs Administrators include:

• Inge-Lise Ameer, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator
• John Denio, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
• Robert Sloss, Associate Dean of Students, Director of Community Standards
• Mailee Kue, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Title IX Deputy Coordinator

The PwC Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) brings a team-oriented philosophy to the diversity and inclusion efforts at Bryant University.  The PwC CDI works to advance Bryant University’s commitment to developing and enhancing global perspectives by serving as a resource to empower students, staff, and faculty to be active participants in building a vibrant, diverse and collectively responsible community.  To achieve this mission, the Center is dedicated to:

• Modeling inclusive behaviors that recognize and value the unique experiences and contributions of diverse individuals;
• Building positive relationships to facilitate multicultural competence;
• Collaborating with campus partners to create a safe, supportive and empowering community for diverse perspectives; and
• Enriching the campus culture through education, outreach, and advocacy.

Pride Center

The Pride Center is a safe space for all Bryant community members to explore lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, ally, and related issues through educational and social programming and serves as a resource for information and organizations dedicated to LGBTQ+ causes.

The Pride Center, a part of the PwC Center for Diversity and Inclusion, is located on the 2^nd floor of the Fischer Student Center and is open to individuals of all identities to explore issues relating to gender and sexuality.  Our Center is proud to offer the Save Zone program to all student, faculty and staff at Bryant University to nurture a more open, affirming, and save university community for LGBTQ+ identified individuals and their allies.  Additionally, the Pride Center offers a variety of resources to both the Bryant and local community.  Please, feel free to stop by for materials or information regarding hotlines, programs, organizations, films, or literature related to gender and sexuality issues. Finally, the Pride Center works with Bryant Pride, and student organizations focused on representing and supporting the LGBTQ+ community and its allies both on the Bryant campus and beyond.

Pride Center programs and traditions include Transgender Day of Remembrance, National Coming Out Week, Coming Out Monologues, Lavender Graduation and Rainbow Awards.

Contact: Kelly Boutin – kboutin1@bryant.edu

Intercultural Center

The Intercultural Center (ICC) supports and advocates for students and groups by providing culturally enriching programs and educational workshops that focus on culture, ethnicity, and social justice.  Staff at the ICC serve as advocates for international and domestic multicultural students and are available for consultation.  The office creates programs to increase awareness of an appreciation for cultural diversity within the Bryant community.

Available to all members of the University community, the Intercultural Center is located on the second floor of the Fisher Student Center and is comprised of an inviting seating area, a kitchen, and a multimedia conference room.  The seating area serves as an informal gathering, to exchange ideas and to facilitate mutual sharing of perspectives.  The kitchen is available for individuals to share a home-cooked meal, to warm up a meal, or to make a dish together.  The conference room allows for small group meetings, teleconference communication and can be reserved for video/phone interviews or for individual video calls to home.

The Intercultural Center offers social and educational programs related to diverse traditions, self-identity, development, community building, social justice, race and ethnicity, and power and privilege. Other programs of the Center include multicultural conversations, dialogues about controversies of culture and current events, awareness/commemoration weeks, annual awards banquets, and social/food gatherings.

Intercultural Center programs include 4MILE, a unique leadership experience designed for first-year international and domestic multicultural students, MLK Celebration Week, International Education Week, Senior Awards Banquet, conversation and dialogue series, as well as cultural heritage month celebrations such as Latino Heritage, Black History, and Asian/Pacific Islander months.

Contact: Mailee Kue – mkue@bryant.edu

Hochberg Women’s Center

Available to all members of the University community, The Gertrude Meth Hochberg Women’s Center is located on the second floor of the Fisher Student Center and is comprised of an inviting seating area, and a comfortable meeting space. The seating area serves as a space for informal gatherings, to exchange ideas, and provide mutual support.  The meeting space is available and can be reserved for small group meetings, awareness programs, support groups, and confidential conversations.

The Hochberg Women’s Center is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the community of women at Bryant University by providing a forum for all students to discuss issues facing women, both on campus and in business and society.

The Center engages the campus community in meaningful discussions surrounding women’s empowerment, gender, and sexuality, and works toward full participation of women in the life of the University. Our programs, resources, and services help support the increasing number of women-identified students on campus.

A vital resource of the Center is its violence prevention and advocacy services. The Advocacy Helpline, which provides guidance, support, and empowerment to students impacted by power-based personal violence, is operated by trained first responders and is available 24/7 during the academic year.  Students can contact the helpline by dialing 401-258-4209 at any time; they can also visit the Women’s Center during office hours to speak to one of our on campus advocates.

Some of the Center’s events and programs include body positivity promotion, women’s leadership programs, ongoing self-defense education, Domestic Violence Awareness Week, Women’s HERstory Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Week, and The HERstory Awards.

Contact: Kelly Boutin – kboutin1@bryant.edu

Interfaith Center & Campus Ministry

The Ronald K. and Kati C. Machtley Interfaith Center provides a gathering place where all members of the Bryant community can explore their spirituality, practice their faith, and learn from one another.

The Interfaith Center provides experiences that build understanding and respect within our community. Through the academic year we offer services and events representative of diverse faith traditions and religions. The Interfaith Center is also a resource to students, faculty, and staff of all faiths interested in initiating programs and creating opportunities.

The Campus Ministry mission is to support and nourish the spiritual development, religious identity, and faith practice of all Bryant community members. The Campus Ministry team is dedicated to fostering understanding and cooperation for all, wherever they may find themselves on their personal journeys.

Chaplains are available to participate in programs and discussions sponsored by faculty, resident assistants, campus groups, and clubs. They also hold office hours to meet with members of the Bryant community.

The University offers a number of interfaith/ecumenical celebrations throughout the year, including Friends and Family Weekend services, the annual Festival of Lights each December, and Baccalaureate Services during Commencement weekend.

The Center for Student Leadership and Involvement (CSLI) maintains and supports a diverse array of co-curricular programming, student organizations, community service initiatives, and leadership development opportunities. These essential campus resources, along with the advisement and support from CSLI staff, promote inclusive opportunities that foster personal and professional development, innovation, and global thinking. CSLI works to create a comprehensive college experience that emphasizes the importance of linking on-campus collaborative learning environments and social development with off-campus real-world connections, community engagement, and active citizenship. CSLI strives to develop and empower students as they meet Bryant’s mission to “discover their passion and become innovative leaders with character around the world.”

The CSLI team uses patient and thoughtful advisement, industry best practices, and organizational development to successfully manage and support the above mentioned services and opportunities. Located on the 3rd floor of the Fisher Student Center, the CSLI team works to create an adaptive framework of transparent policies and procedures that allow students to explore and develop in a way that is sustainable and efficient while also remaining tailored to their individual needs or interests. Students who work with CSLI will be challenged in a way that balances their passion with critical thinking and a grounded set of systems that will help them move from concept into reality. Through the promotion of collaborative learning, inclusive practices, leadership development, and community engagement CSLI’s goal is facilitate opportunities for students to develop their many identities as individuals, team members, leaders, innovators, and professionals.

The Center for Student Leadership and Involvements main areas of focus are:
1. Student Organizations (over 100, including large scale partnering organizations like Student Government, WJMF, and the Archway).

2. Student Programming and Campus Wide Events (includes departmentally driven programming/events, oversight of major student run events, and approximately 75+ annual programs from the Student Programming Board).

3. Leadership Development Opportunities (includes special events/training, innovative partnerships, and over 300 active leadership positions).

4. Community Engagement (includes community service, campus-community partnership development, and an array of community based student organizations).

5. Fraternity and Sorority Life (include 4 Fraternities, 4 Sororities, GAMMA, Order of Omega, the Interfraternity Council, and the Panhellenic Council).

The Center for Student Leadership and Involvement offices are located on the third floor of the Fisher Student Center. They can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by searching @bryantcsli.

Contact: Andrew Jacques – ajacques2@bryant.edu

The Office of Student Events and Orientation Programs (SEOP) works with students to facilitate their transition to campus by providing programs and services to support the co-curricular needs of students and to enhance the life of Bryant community members. Some signature programs include: New Student Orientation, Welcome Weekend, September (Transfer) Orientation, Family and Friends Weekend, January (Transfer) Orientation, Senior Week, and the CliftonStrengths for Students Initiative. SEOP staff work collaboratively with many various campus departments to help students strengthen their connection to the Bryant community by welcoming and acclimating students and by providing resources, support and information to enrich their college experience. The Office of Student Events and Orientation Programs is located on the 2nd floor of the Fisher Student Center in Suite 213.

The Office of Student Events and Orientation Programs is also responsible for producing all Bryant University ID Cards. In addition to being used for identification, the Bryant ID is used throughout the campus for entry to all campus spaces, including Salmanson dining hall, the library, the residence halls, academic buildings, and the fitness center. It is encoded with information regarding meal plan information and Bulldog Bucks balance. It will allow students to ride Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) bus line and Bryant Transit (BTA) local van service for free. All community members are expected to keep University IDs updated and available for use on campus.

Contact: Jessica Raffaele – jraffaele@bryant.edu

The Amica Center for Career Education, extension 6090, at Bryant University seeks to facilitate self-assessment and career exploration, develop avenues for experiential learning, aid in the transition from academia to the professional world, provide opportunities for employment and serve as a resource to employers and faculty. The Amica Center provides a comprehensive Career Development Program (career coaching, assessments, workshops), Recruiting Program (career fairs, on-campus recruiting, and more), and an Experiential Education Program, which includes the Academic Internship Program. Information is found at https://career.bryant.edu/

Whether students are preparing for graduate school or entering the workforce directly upon graduation, they will benefit from a partnership between the Amica Center and you. The Amica Center serves both graduate and undergraduate students for both colleges – and across all class levels.  Here are some of the ways Amica Center can assist you:

Class presentations: Invite the Amica Center to your classroom to speak about a career topic of your choice that might even be related to your syllabus content. Topics might include: identifying a major, personal branding using social media, communication strategies for interview success, organizing your search, networking using LinkedIn, and more.

Employer and alumni contacts: Many employers are interested in expanding their presence and connecting with faculty. The Amica Center can assist in connecting with these employers and alumni for class presentations, projects or competitions.

Stay informed: The Amica Center distributes a faculty-oriented newsletter weekly via email. Find out which employers are recruiting Bryant students for jobs and internships. Keep in touch with the Amica Center’s latest programs, workshops and resources. Alternatively, join the Amica center’s Facebook page or follow them on Twitter for career and program updates.

Online resources: Take advantage of online resources for U.S.-based and international employers, career information, online interview preparation, and more.

Outcomes: Curious about where students go when they graduate? Refer to the graduation outcomes report or contact the Amica Center for information specific to your discipline.

Here are some of the ways you can assist the Amica Center:

Tell students: Refer students to the Amica Center’s services, programs and resources — described throughout the Amica Center’s website at https://career.bryant.edu/

Share your expertise: The Amica Center’s most successful programs are often presented in collaboration with faculty members and student associations. Past topics include: graduate school, federal employment, career presentations by field, social media and more.

Refer students to the Career Planning Course: The Amica Center offers an extended, multi-session workshop that helps students explore career plans, values, and interests – a perfect opportunity for students not sure of their major and/or career path.

Refer employer requests directly to the Amica Center: By serving as the centralized recruiting resource, the Amica Center ensures that Bryant maintains a solid recruiting and internship program for all Bryant students.

Familiarize yourself: Review the faculty guidelines and legal considerations published by the National Association of Colleges & Employers; know when and how to refer students to employers.  The Amica Center is glad to assist!

Recommend employers specific to your discipline: If you have employer contacts, the Amica Center welcomes your leads and suggestions. Contact Pat Miernicki (x6539 or pmiernic@bryant.edu), Assistant Director of Employer Outreach and Development, to discuss or suggest employers who may benefit from recruiting Bryant students.

Academic Internship Program

Bryant University offers undergraduates the opportunity to gain work experience to compliment academic study through internships and practica as credit-bearing experiences. Such opportunities recognize the value of experiential learning as an essential part of each student’s personal and professional career development, along with critical reflection to explore career options and prepare for the future.

The Academic Internship Program is facilitated by the Experiential Education Program, which is housed within the Amica Center for Career Education.

Approval and Registration Process Overview

The Academic Internship approval and registration processes are facilitated by the Amica Center. To initiate the process, students first meet with their Undergraduate Academic Advisors, who create the Academic Internship Enrollment form in Banner (if student is eligible). Students then meet with an Internship Coordinator in the Amica Center, who communicates with the student’s internship site and prepares the information required for approval by the academic Department Chair. Once the approval and registration steps have been completed, the Internship course is created by the Office of the Registrar and placed on the student’s schedule.

• Internship: Limit to one internship per major, concentration, minor area of study or as open elective in either the College of Business or College of Arts and Sciences. Limit to one internship per semester. Total of nine credit hours may be accumulated towards degree program.
• Practica: Approved as a six, nine, or twelve credit elective course by the Department Chairs in a specific area of study. Assessed by professor(s) based on syllabus or learning agreement as a group of elective courses.

Questions regarding the step-by-step process should be directed to the Amica Center.

Student Eligibility (Internship):

• Must have completed a minimum of 60 credits prior to starting an internship
• Must be in good academic standing, requiring a minimum overall GPA of 2.0

• Established a major/concentration GPA of 2.0 or better in a major/concentration area of study; establish a minor GPA of 2.0 or better in a minor area of study

• Exception: Finance and International Business departments require a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
• Meet all prerequisites for the internship as determined by the specific academic department and stated in the course description located in the course catalog (course electives listed as 391, 450, or 491)

• Transfer students must complete one full semester of study at Bryant University to establish a GPA

Academic Department Approval

Internship Coordinators in the Amica Center reach out to the internship site to obtain a description of the internship responsibilities and other relevant details. All information is forwarded to the appropriate Academic Department Chair, who will approve or deny the internship as a 3-credit elective course within a concentration, minor or degree area of study. The Department Chair will also approve the student’s Academic Internship Enrollment form in Banner as the last step in the internship registration process.

Faculty Supervisors

• If approved for academic credit, a professor within the appropriate department assesses the student’s learning based on a learning agreement he/she provides to the student, and the employer’s mid-semester and final performance evaluations completed during the internship period. A letter grade is assigned upon completion.
• Only Full time or Tenured track professors are permitted to supervise an Intern.
• Students notify the Faculty Supervisor when their Academic Internship Enrollment form in Banner is ready for the Faculty Supervisor to approve.
• Syllabi can also be uploaded into the student’s enrollment form. Professors may use a Learning Agreement (provided by the Amica Center) in lieu of a syllabus.
• The student provides the on-site internship supervisor a schedule form to determine work hours. Amica Center Internship Coordinators send mid-semester and final semester evaluations directly to internship supervisors to complete and send back at the respective times during the internship. The student uploads his/her schedule form into the Academic Internship Enrollment form in Banner. Internship Coordinators upload the mid and final semester evaluations into the student’s Academic Internship Enrollment form.

Tuition and Timelines

• Available during the fall, spring or summer semesters only
• Tuition-based:

• no additional tuition during the fall or spring for up to six courses per semester.
• summer tuition and/or program fees are charged
• Timelines established by Academic Affairs, Registrar and Amica Center for Career Education for each semester
• Summer Internship Fellowship- The Amica Center offers funding for unpaid or low paying summer internships. Formal application required and found in Banner. Application doesn’t guarantee award.

Searching for Internships

• The search for academic internship should begin AT LEAST one semester prior to doing the internship.
• Internships are posted in Bryant Career Connection (BCC) by employers seeking Bryant talent. Students are welcome to use additional resources to identify internships.
• Students can meet with a Career Coach in the Amica Center for assistance with searching, applying and interviewing for internships

SPECIAL ACADEMIC PRACTICA

The Washington D.C. Internship Practicum

Bryant University has partnered with The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars in Washington D.C. to provide supervised internships in business, government agencies, for-profit or nonprofit sectors as well as in international organizations in DC.  Internships are available in all degree programs, concentrations, and minor area of studies.  This fee-based program also includes a course selected by the student, weekly leadership speaker’s series, and a community service project. Internship placement is guaranteed, and housing is provided to students who apply and are accepted into the program.

TWC Eligibility: Must complete a minimum of 75 credits; Minimum overall G.P.A. of 2.75

Information Systems/Data Science Practicum

The Information System and Analytics (ISA) academic department offers a six month, full-time paid internship program earning 9 credits (Summer-Fall or Spring-Summer time period). Second semester sophomores and juniors may apply after meeting with the ISA Department Chair and discussing eligibility with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office.

Eligibility: Must complete a minimum of 45 credits; Minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

Non-Credit Internships

Students at any class level can apply for and engage in non-credit internships.  Non-credit internships can be found on BCC, through networking, or other resources (e.g., other job boards).  While the non-credit internship will not provide academic credit, the experience can be extremely valuable and can be listed on one’s résumé.  Working with one’s Academic Advisor and the Amica Center for Career Education to ensure the quality and applicability of such an internship is always recommended.

For details or further information, please contact:

Denise Gormley, Senior Internship Coordinator, at x 6169 or dgormley@bryant.edu or Amy Steere, Internship Coordinator, at x 6355 or asteere@bryant.edu

The Office of Counseling Services provides Bryant students a place to address personal issues and concerns. The college years typically present a myriad of developmental challenges. While the result is usually one of growth, the experience can be stressful and overwhelming. Counseling allows an individual to gain some perspective and insight, and often leads to identifying goals that can increase success and satisfaction in life.

As a faculty member, you may engage in conversations with your students that make you aware of aspects of your student’s lives that may be concerning, or creating undue distress. Let your students know that at Bryant University, Counseling Services are free of charge, not connected to educational university records, and that the office adheres to federal and state regulations regarding confidentiality and privacy. As Faculty, you may also take advantage of the consultation services, should you have a student for whom you would like guidance.  If you would like a counselor to visit your class for a brief dialogue about services or stress, please reach out.

The Office is located on the second floor of the Unistructure, near the post office, in the small hallway that houses Faculty Suite H. Counseling Services is open Monday-Friday from 8:30-4:30 for in-person or telehealth counseling sessions. It is best to call ahead for an appointment at x6045, or email us at bcs@bryant.edu.

The University maintains a Health Services Center to which full time students may go for acute illness or injuries (not for primary care).  Faculty and Staff may also be seen but for limited services. Health Services visits are by appointment. It is a Nurse Practitioner run clinic located in Barrington House (6220). The hours are 8:30 AM  to 4:30 PM Monday-Friday.

Residential living is an integral part of a student’s development and provides an extension of and enhancement for the formal classroom experience. The Office of Residence Life is committed to providing not only a safe and comfortable living area for the students, but fostering an environment conducive to intellectual, social and personal growth  through programming, providing support and counseling and promoting student responsibility, accountability and leadership experiences.

The Office performs the following functions:

• Supervise the Resident Assistant staff (64 total students ranging from sophomores to seniors)
• Match roommates and assign students to several housing options
• Address student conduct issues
• Provide educational, cultural and social programs and events
• Handle crisis and emergency response, roommate issues and building management

Over 2,900 beds are available in the residence halls and townhouses (85+% of the student population). There are 17 residence halls and 107 townhouses for students. First year students live in Warren, Bristol, and Barrington Houses. Sophomores and juniors live in the Suite Village. The majority of seniors reside in the townhouses.

There are a total of seven (6) Area/Resident Directors who live on-campus and supervise the residence halls and townhouses. Each is a full-time, master’s level professional.

Please contact the office at x6140 or visit them in the ground level of Exeter House if you have a question or concern regarding one of your students.