The Office of Residential Life and Student Conduct is located on the second floor of the Campus Center, Suite 206, and handles on-campus housing programs and services as well as all aspects of the Student Conduct Process.

Residential Life

The Office of Residential Life strives to enhance the development of our students by providing a supportive and safe living-learning environment within our residence halls. We, along with our residential students, share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a positive community that is conducive to student success.

At the end of each semester, students must move out of the residence halls 24 hours after their last final exam. During break periods, students may request to stay on campus. All break housing requests are subject to the Break Housing Policy, including the break housing fee. No student may remain on campus for winter break.

The Residential Life Office can be reached at (585) 385-8281, reslife@sjfc.edu, or www.sjfc.edu/student-life/residential-life/.

Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct creates and supports a culture of responsibility, accountability, and community. We consider the student conduct process to be educational in nature and seek to provide a learning experience to all those involved in the process while maintaining fairness in all parts of the process

The Student Code of Conduct and all related College policies, procedures, and information are available at: Student Conduct Policies and Procedures.

The Student Conduct Office can be reached at (585) 385-8007 or studentconduct@sjfc.edu.

The Office of Safety and Security, located in Haffey Hall, is responsible for campus safety and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security officers are responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local laws, as well as College policies and regulations. Although security officers do not make arrests, the department works closely with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in investigating and reporting criminal activity on our campus. The department will make timely reports to the campus community of incidents that represent a threat to students and employees. The Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education.

The Office of Safety and Security can be contacted at (585) 385-8025 or for an emergency at (585) 385-8111.

Note: All calls to the College switchboard and the Office of Safety and Security are recorded.

ID Cards

The Office of Safety and Security issues identification cards to all faculty, staff, and students. All members must produce ID upon request from a College official.

Parking Permits

Parking and operating a motor vehicle on the St. John Fisher College campus is a privilege. All vehicles on the Fisher campus including Park & Ride (Lot S) must be registered with the Office of Safety and Security and display a valid parking permit or pass on the vehicle.

Learn more about Parking Regulations and Fines.

Lost and Found

Lost and found articles, including books and clothing, may be taken to and claimed at the Office of Safety and Security.

Security of and Access to Campus Buildings

Safety and security officers conduct regular foot, bicycle, and car patrols of all campus buildings, grounds, and parking areas. Access to the residence halls is controlled either by locked entrance doors or the card access system. Residence halls are patrolled and monitored 24 hours a day by security officers or resident assistants. All other campus facilities are locked and unlocked daily according to established schedules. No pets—except service animals—are allowed in any campus building, stadiums or areas of assembly..

Campus Escort Services

The Office of Safety and Security offers a campus escort service available for on-campus use by all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Reporting Criminal Activity

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are urged to report all campus criminal activity and emergencies immediately to the Office of Safety and Security

Campus Sexual Misconduct Policy

St. John Fisher College fully supports and enforces all College policies as well as federal, state and local laws governing rape and sexual assault.

Sexual misconduct in any setting is prohibited at St. John Fisher College. For the purposes of this policy, sexual misconduct includes sex discrimination, intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation.

Please Note: St. John Fisher College recognizes that sexual misconduct effects individuals of all genders, gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations and does not discriminate by racial, social, or economic background.

Alleged violations of College policy will be subject to the Student Conduct Process for situations involving students or the process and procedures applicable to College employees for situations involving College employees. All St. John Fisher College students, faculty, staff, visitors, and guests are expected to comply with federal, state, or local laws.

The College recognizes its responsibility to develop and implement educational programs to help its students and employees to recognize and address sexual misconduct and/or remedy the effects of sexual misconduct and is committed to the prevention and/or reoccurrence of sexual misconduct in the College community.

Confidential Support After a Sexual Assault

For more information regarding support after a sexual assault, visit the Health and Wellness Center’s Sexual Assault page.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct

For more information, please refer to Reporting Options for Sexual Misconduct.

Crime Prevention

Crime prevention is the responsibility of all members of the Fisher community. In order to develop crime prevention awareness within the College community, the Office of Safety and Security, the Office of Residential Life, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office provide crime prevention information and training by means of residence hall floor meetings, department briefings, campus newspaper articles, safety brochures, flyers, and electronic mail..

Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, and Hate Crimes

Physical, psychological, or verbal harassment or discrimination and Hate Crimes are prohibited at St. John Fisher College.

Alleged violations of College policy will be subject to the Student Conduct Process for situations involving students or the process and procedures applicable to College employees for situations involving College employees. All St. John Fisher College students, faculty, staff, visitors and guests are expected to comply with federal, state, or local laws as well as College policies.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs has the primary responsibility of promoting and maintaining a campus atmosphere that supports the fundamental educational mission of the College and has overall responsibility for non-academic aspects of student life. The vice president, in collaboration with faculty and administrative colleagues, supports, plans for and helps implement a broad range of social and cultural activities for the College community. In conjunction with other College officials, the vice president assists in promoting the intellectual, social, cultural, spiritual, and physical development of all students. The vice president acts as an informal advisor to the Student Government Association, representing and advocating for students’ needs, and is responsible for providing educational experiences and challenges that will allow student leaders to develop. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is located on the second floor of the Campus Center, Room 210, and can be reached at (585) 385-8229.

The College recognizes the importance of balancing academics with healthy athletic competition, physical fitness, and year-round recreation and thus offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports-related activities.

Fisher athletes face challenging National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III competition each season. Along with the NCAA, Fisher teams compete in the Empire 8, Eastern College Athletic Conference, and the Liberty League (for men’s and women’s rowing). On the intercollegiate level, men compete in twelve varsity sports: basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, football, cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, rowing, lacrosse and volleyball. Women compete in twelve varsity sports: basketball, soccer, tennis, softball, volleyball, golf, cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, field hockey, rowing, and lacrosse. Cheerleading is also considered a varsity sport and open to men and women.

Participation in intramural athletics is open to current students not competing in the same sports at the varsity or junior varsity level. Intramural competition is available each semester. Fall activities include: flag football, co-ed soccer, and co-ed volleyball. Spring semester activities include: basketball (men’s, women’s, and co-ed), indoor soccer, co-ed volleyball, and floor hockey. We are always considering new leagues please let us know if you would like us to consider adding a new program. Look for intramural information on the intramural bulletin board located in the lobby of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center.

The Athletic Center houses a 30,000-square-foot open-span, multipurpose field house which hosts all the indoor intramural leagues, student recreational activities, and varsity team practices throughout the school year. The center also houses a two-tier fitness room with flat-screen TVs, and a weight room, all of which are open to the entire campus community. The fitness room offers numerous cardio machines, a complete cable system circuit, and lightweight dumbbells. The weight room is now focused on free weights and power lifting.

The Polisseni Track and Field Complex, which opened in fall 2011, sits adjacent to Growney Stadium. The complex features a grandstand that seats over 1,000 fans, team locker rooms, public restrooms, and a press box. The lighted complex has an eight-lane, 400-meter competition track, which surrounds a natural grass multipurpose playing field.

A 19,000-square-foot addition to the Athletic Center houses varsity locker rooms, a training room, and fitness facilities. An all-weather, lighted, artificial-turf stadium allows for all-season and night-time play for intercollegiate contests, practices, and intramural activities. On the south campus is Dugan Yard, one of the finest collegiate baseball facilities in New York State; a softball field; Track & Field throws space; and two new grass fields, providing opportunities for intramural leagues, recreation, and practices.

Campus Life compliments the academic experience through diverse campus activities and empowers students to develop as effective members of our community. Service areas focus on: transition, leadership, student engagement, activities, and promotion of traditions.

The Office of Campus Life complements academic programs through development of, exposure to, and participation in social, cultural, intellectual, recreational, and governance programs. The college experience is enhanced through a well-planned and diverse array of campus activities.

The Office of Campus Life supports more than 70 student organizations by providing leadership and advisement. In an effort to enhance the Fisher community, the Campus Life staff coordinates various committees that challenge and support the needs of students. The staff also coordinates programs that assist students to more fully develop life and leadership skills. The Office of Campus Life is located in the Campus Center, Suite 210, and can be reached by phone, (585) 385-8005, or email, campuslife@sjfc.edu. Information about the programs and services offered through the Office of Campus Life is also available at https://www.sjfc.edu.

Academic advising support for adult students is provided through the coordinator of adult student services in the Center for Academic Advising Support Services, located in Kearney Hall.

Activities

Orientation

All new traditional undergraduate students to take part in a three day academic and social orientation program which takes place over Labor Day weekend. The program is designed for new students to meet each other, interact with faculty and staff, become acclimated to the Fisher campus and resources, and to make a successful transition from high school to college. Transfer students are encouraged to participate in an abbreviated orientation program.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA), with offices on the first floor of the Campus Center, offers a variety of services designed to accommodate students. The Student Government Association provides a means for expressing student views; sponsors programs to improve the cultural, social, and physical welfare of students; and provides a form of government for the supervision of student activities. All registered undergraduate students of the College are members of the Student Government Association and pay a mandated student activities fee, which is part of the comprehensive fee. The fee is used to support the diversified program of student activities sponsored by the Student Government Association. More than 60 clubs and organizations receive funding from the SGA.

Officers who are elected annually in the spring by students carry out the executive and administrative functions of the SGA. The director of Campus Life is the official College advisor to the Student Government Association.

Through the structure of the Student Government Association, the students at Fisher have a high degree of autonomy in conducting student affairs. Participation in the activities of the Student Government Association offers valuable educational and social opportunities, and students are encouraged to participate. For additional information contact SGA at sga@sjfc.edu.

Class Officers

Every Fisher student is a member of the class with which he or she enters. Class officers provide opportunities for unity building and support networks. The students in a particular class are the people with whom common bonds are held, which continue beyond the Fisher experience and stay with alumni of the College. Class officers, elected by their respective classes, provide leadership for attaining a common goal. Class members have a responsibility for contributing to this goal.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Fisher is proud of its more than 70 student organizations! Students will find many opportunities to pursue their interests, and new organizations form as students have the desire to create them. Membership and participation in all student organizations are open to everyone.

An updated listing of recognized organizations may be found at https://www.sjfc.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations/. Questions may be directed to the Office of Campus Life, The Student Government Association or by emailing the organization directly.

In addition, many academic departments of the College sponsor clubs whose programs are designed to provide social and educational experiences related to their particular academic areas. Club sports and membership in Honor Societies are also available. Students are encouraged to participate in these activities.

Drawing from the outstanding example of our patron and the rich Catholic heritage of our founding fathers, St. John Fisher College Campus Ministry seeks to capture the religious imagination of students and to engage them in a dynamic pursuit of the Truth, challenging and equipping them to live vibrant, fully integrated lives of intellectual and spiritual excellence.

Campus Ministry offers diverse opportunities for the spiritual growth of the College community: adult Bible study; lively fellowship; worship and prayer events; one-on-one, honest conversations about spiritual matters; opportunities for service; special events and outings; retreats; and so much more.

An initiative of Campus Ministry is Oasis511, from Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up.” Oasis511 is a spiritual life resource center which utilizes the arts (music, word, print, etc.) to provide speakers, concerts, services, articles, programs, and other spiritually grounded events for faith enrichment. Oasis511 is located in the Campus Center and offers a place where individuals can come and gather for prayer and support. Oasis511 works with various departments and clubs to further the dialogue regarding spirituality and matters of faith on campus. Oasis511 hopes to continue to help the College understand and live out what it means to be a college that recognizes its Catholic heritage.

Our campus chapel, the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great is located next to Kearney Hall. The celebration of the Holy Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 10 a.m. and at 9 p.m. during the academic year. During Summer, Mass is offered at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday at 10 a.m. Students of other faiths or traditions who wish to worship within their own tradition can find on-campus and off-campus information through the Office of Campus Ministry.

Someone is always available in the Office of Campus Ministry to offer a listening ear and to be a source of counsel and support. We are located on the second floor of the Campus Center and welcome all.

Policy on Students, Faculty, and Staff and Religious Observance

To extend protection to students, faculty, and staff when their religious observances or “holidays of conscience” (to include the official observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday) may conflict with academic and work responsibilities and to reasonably accommodate individuals’ religious obligations and practices without penalty, based on good faith of all persons concerned, St. John Fisher College has established the following policy and procedures:

• No student, faculty, or staff member will be dismissed from or refused admission or employment at St. John Fisher College because he or she is unable to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements because of his or her religious obligations and practices.
• St. John Fisher College will accept the responsibility of making available to each student who is absent from school because of his or her religious obligations and practices an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or academic work requirements that may have been missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees will be charged to the students for costs incurred by the College’s provisions of special classes, examinations, or academic work requirements.
• Faculty members who miss classes because of their religious obligations and practices will work with their department chairs to assure that the classes will be conducted and the coursework carried on during such absence on any particular day or days. Staff members will use a vacation day or days for such absence.
• In effecting the provisions of this policy, the College’s administration and faculty agree to exercise the fullest measure of good faith and agree that no adverse or prejudicial effects will result to any student, faculty, or staff member who avails himself or herself of the institution’s policy on religious observances.
• St. John Fisher College requires students to notify their instructors and faculty to notify their chairs, in writing, no later than the fifteenth day after the first day of the semester of each class scheduled for a day on which the student or faculty member will be absent. Staff members will follow the normal procedure for notifying their supervisors when they will be absent because of their religious obligations and practices.
• St. John Fisher College will annually publish this policy on students, faculty, and staff members and religious observance in the College Catalog, and in the Employee Handbook, and the dates for notification in writing mentioned in the above paragraph will be printed in the semester academic calendar.