Academic Opportunities and Support
Academic Advising
An important part of a liberal arts education at the University of Richmond is the relationship between a student and his or her academic advisor. All full-time faculty members in the undergraduate schools and some experienced staff members serve as advisors. While some professors advise only majors in their programs, most advise both majors and students who have not yet declared a major. The ratio of students per advisor is intentionally kept low so students can benefit from personal attention as they plan their academic program.
While the University believes that the responsibility for decisions and actions resides with each individual, advisors are available to answer questions about the curriculum and choosing courses and to help students navigate their years at Richmond. They can assist students along the path to choosing a major, examining career choices, and deciding on research studies or internships. Many graduates report that their advisor was a highly valuable resource to them, and many advisees and advisors remain in touch after the student has left the University.
In addition, the Academic Advising Resource Center (AARC) is available to assist both advisors and advisees with any questions or concerns. For more information about academic advising, contact the AARC at advising.richmond.edu.
Academic Support Centers
Academic Skills Center
The Academic Skills Center, located in the administrative wing in Boatwright Library, provides academic skills support to University of Richmond students. Operating from a holistic vantage point, the Center incorporates counseling and study skills techniques (including test-taking, note-taking, information processing, concentration, and time management), which address the academic performance of students and their social adjustment to the University environment. The center offers free tutoring in a variety of subjects to students through its Peer Academic Skills Tutoring program. Both individual and group tutoring options are available. For information, call (804) 289-8626 or visit the center to schedule an appointment.
Weinstein-Jecklin Speech Center
Practice and preparation can make the difference between a satisfactory speech and a memorable one. Videorecording, review, and peer consultation are available at the speech center to assist students in the development of their oral presentations. Administrators, faculty, and staff rely on the speech center as well to prepare for workshops and to record small group discussions for classroom purposes. The student consultant staff assists client peers with mock interviews, symposia presentations, and conference panel practice sessions at the student's request.
Faculty and trained undergraduate students conduct consultations daily at the speech center; practice sessions are available evenings and weekends by appointment. To reserve a practice time, students may go to the appointment page on the speech center's Web site at speech.richmond.edu. From this site, prospective clients can reserve the most convenient time to brainstorm and/or practice. The speech center is located on the fourth floor of Weinstein Hall between the departments of rhetoric and communication studies and journalism.
Writing Center
The Writing Center offers assistance to students writing papers and reports as well as to those making applications to graduate and professional schools and preparing résumés. Beginning about the third week of each semester, the Writing Center is open on a regular basis and staffed with student tutors. Students may make an appointment using the center's online calendar. The Writing Center also offers typing instruction and special tutoring for international students. The Center is located in the Boatwright Library's Administrative Wing, under the bell tower to the right of the library's main entrance. Many of the center's materials and other information can be found at writing.richmond.edu.
Honor Societies
Many honor and professional societies have chapters at the University of Richmond.
Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest undergraduate honor society in the United States. The Richmond chapter, Epsilon of Virginia, was founded in 1929. Phi Beta Kappa members are selected from the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Leadership based upon academic achievement.Beta Gamma Sigma is the national honor society for business students. The University of Richmond chapter was founded in 1965. Faculty members select students for membership based on distinguished academic record.
Omicron Delta Kappa is the national leadership honor society. Chartered in 1921, Richmond's ODK chapter recognizes academic achievement, leadership, and membership positions
Golden Key National Honour Society recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement. Richmond's chapter was chartered in 1990 and provides academic recognition, leadership and community service opportunities, and educational programs for its members.
Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for distinguished scholarship, leadership, and service. Membership is open to rising seniors by invitation.
In addition to these campus-wide honor societies, many departments sponsor campus chapters of national honor societies in their disciplines. Information regarding departmental honor societies can be obtained from individual departments.
WILL Program (Women Involved in Living and Learning)
Established in 1980, Women Involved in Living and Learning (WILL) is a national, award-winning program that actively develops the intellectual and leadership skills of women undergraduates by enabling them to excel in their chosen fields and realize their full potential. Through courses, programs and a student-run organization, WILL students explore the influence of women and gender across disciplines and cultures and within their own lives. They also examine how gender intersects with other forms of social identity, including race, class, and sexuality.
All WILL students complete a minor in women, gender, and sexuality studies, which serves as the cornerstone of the WILL program and provides a historical and theoretical framework for the examination of gender roles, societal institutions and the wide range of women's struggles and achievements. The required WILL internship affords students the opportunity to put theory into practice for a real-world understanding of classroom concepts. WILL students combine their minor in women, gender, and sexuality studies with a wide range of majors, including business, leadership, and the sciences.
As members of the WILL student organization, WILL women gain valuable leadership experience through student committees, an elected board, and activism in the community. Students have organized successful statewide conferences, educational campaigns, and social action projects.
Through lectures, performances, and other events, WILL students hear from prominent women and men who are involved in a variety of gender-related issues. WILL students also have the opportunity to interact with invited guests one on one. These events and discussions bring coursework, women's issues, and students' own beliefs and aspirations into much sharper focus. Just as important, they provide first-hand knowledge that one person can make a difference in the lives of many.
Information, including an application, is sent to all incoming first-year and transfer women in the summer. Applications are accepted during the summer and in the fall of a student's first year at the University of Richmond. Subject to space availability, second-year women also may apply. For further information, visit WILL's Web site at oncampus.richmond.edu/WILL and the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program section of this catalog.
Sophomore Scholars-in-Residence
Beginning August 2009, the University will offer several unique living and learning communities designed to enhance student learning beyond traditional methods. Sophomore students will be invited to live in special learning communities in Lakeview Residence Hall that revolve around a central theme. Residents take a credit-bearing class together that meets in a classroom/kitchen area located on the first floor of Lakeview Hall. Students are actively involved in experiential and social activities outside of class time with the professor. Themes may include politics, foreign language, outdoor adventures, civic engagement, and literature. Questions can be directed to the vice president for student development.