Castleton offers opportunities for all students to become involved in co-curricular activities. From this involvement students can realize personal growth and develop their leadership skills through out-of-class activities that complement and enhance academic coursework. Each student is urged to become involved with one or more of the clubs and organizations that are available at the university. Castleton offers more than 50 clubs and organizations, 29 varsity intercollegiate teams, intramural sports, a chorus, a wind ensemble, plays, concerts, dances, movies, and student government-that are organized and maintained by and for the students.
Castleton fields 29 intercollegiate athletic teams that compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division III, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the North Atlantic Conference (NAC). These teams are participants in regional tournaments against New England opponents and on occasion have succeeded in reaching national tournament competition. Outdoor and indoor facilities are available for student use including intramural contests or friendly scrimmages. The Student Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) facility includes two full size gymnasiums, a six-lane swimming pool, two racquetball courts, and 3000 square foot fitness center and climbing wall.
The 165-acre Castleton campus is within easy driving distance of Killington/Pico and Okemo ski resorts where Castleton students can ski for recreation. Adjoining the campus is a fine riding facility, the 2,000-acre Pond Hill Ranch with more than 70 miles of trails. Equestrian instruction is available through the Department of Health, Human Movement, & Sport. There are swimming, sailing, fishing, and golfing opportunities in the nearby Lake Bomoseen area.
New Student Programs
New students are introduced into the Castleton community through a two-part process. In May, new students receive information about summer registration. Registration for new transfer and first-year students entering in the fall occurs during the summer. During the summer registration sessions students have the opportunity to speak with a faculty advisor before choosing their courses for the fall semester.
The second part of the introduction of new students to Castleton occurs in the form of a mandatory Orientation program which occurs on the weekend just prior to the start of the fall semester. In this program, through a series of meetings, receptions, conferences, small group activities, informal gatherings and social events, students are exposed to much of what they need to know in order to have a successful beginning to their Castleton University careers. New students will have an opportunity to meet the President, the Deans, and many of the administrators, faculty, and staff who can assist students in their lives at Castleton as well as many upperclass men and women with whom the new students will be spending their year.
First-year students are also assigned first-year advisors, professors from different departments who teach the First-Year Seminar. In addition to serving as the instructor in a student's First-Year Seminar, these faculty members will serve as advisors during orientation and throughout a student's first year. After the first year, a student will be assigned an advisor in his or her major. These advisors will provide students with the support and guidance they need to succeed at the university.
For new international students entering Castleton in the fall, a mandatory international orientation program precedes the new student orientation.
For those students entering Castleton at mid-year, a registration program is held prior to the start of the spring semester. International students entering Castleton at this time will also have a mandatory orientation program.
Athletics
The athletics department is located in the Spartan Athletic Complex. Under the leadership of the associate dean for athletics and recreation, the university is committed to both intercollegiate, club, and recreational athletic opportunities.
Castleton fields 28 intercollegiate athletic teams (men's and women's alpine skiing, basketball, cross-country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, Nordic skiing, soccer, tennis, indoor/outdoor track and field; women's field hockey, women's rugby, women's softball, women's volleyball; men's baseball, men's football, men's wrestling) that compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division III, and the Little East Conference (LEC).
Club sports that compete against other schools are programs supported by both student association and individual resources. These programs change with the current interests of students. Current clubs include badminton, cheerleading, equestrian, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, men's ice hockey, and men's rugby.
Recreational sports and general fitness activities are available in the S.H.A.P.E. facility. Intramurals are organized in many sports (basketball, soccer, volleyball, floor hockey, etc.), and the Department of Health, Human Movement, & Sport offers skills courses for students to learn and/or improve their skills in particular sports.
Campus Media
The student-run radio station, WIUV (91.3 FM), is an important part of campus life. WIUV serves both the university and the local community, broadcasting varied programs of music, news, sports, and weather, as well as airing public service and education spots.
The constantly expanding music library contains a large assortment of music, rock, hip-hop, jazz, classical, and much more. Emphasis is placed on student ability to run all aspects of the station. Membership is open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community. Some students studying communication may use the station as a laboratory experience.
Video Magazine is produced biweekly by students in television production classes.
The Castleton Spartan is the university's student newspaper, which has a companion website at www.castletonspartan.com. Any student is welcome to join the club and become involved in the biweekly production of the eight-page print copy and the frequently updated website. Students can write stories, columns, reviews and editorials. They can produce videos for the website and learn to upload stories to it. They can take photographs, help with the design of the print product or seek out advertising. Communication Department credits can be earned by working on the paper if approved by the advisor.
Career Services
The Office of Career Services coordinates services and programs to enhance opportunities for career exploration, preparation, and educational offerings to students and alumni. Through a range of services and resources offered both in person and on-line, the office helps students apply their education in workplace learning experiences compatible with their career interests and goals. Staff assists students in choosing a major, exploring and identifying work experiences, career and graduate school opportunities, developing a resume and LinkedIn profile, and interviewing preparation skills. Career readiness workshops and class presentations are offered throughout the year.
The department sponsors annual events including a job and graduate school fair, part-time and mini job fairs, alumni career conversations, and networking events.
Communication from the University
Students may receive official communication from the university via campus mail, campus e-mail, or as mail to their home addresses. Each student will be assigned a Castleton e-mail address. Students are expected to monitor their university e-mail accounts since important messages from instructors and administrators are sent to those accounts. Some official correspondence will only be sent to university e-mail addresses.
Full-time matriculated undergraduate students all receive on-campus mailboxes. Students are responsible for checking their campus boxes. Some official correspondence will only be sent to campus boxes. For students who do not have campus boxes, or during breaks, mail from the university will be sent to the students' home addresses on file in Financial & Registration Services. Financial Aid information will be emailed to the student at her/his Castleton email address.
It is the student's responsibility to make sure that Financial & Registration Services has an accurate address on file. Change of Address forms are available in Financial & Registration Services.
Discipline
Students are representatives of the University and are expected to show respect for law, morality, personal honor, and the rights of others. In addition, students are bound by those statements of the university's policies, regulations and code of conduct that are found in the Catalog, the University Handbook and documents distributed as addenda or supplements to these.
Disciplinary cases are handled by the Dean of Students, the Dean's designee and/ or one of the university's duly constituted judicial bodies, in accordance with procedures found in the University Handbook. The residence hall staff, and/or the University Court may deal with minor problems in the residence halls or an incident that happens on campus.
Statements of university disciplinary and judicial procedures can be found in the University Handbook or the university website www.castleton.edu/campus/collegehandbook/index.htm and other documents available upon request from the Student Life Office.
Religious Life
Two churches are located in Castleton within walking distance of the university--Catholic and Federated (Congregational/Methodist). A Jewish Synagogue is located in Rutland, as are churches of most religious denominations. Student organizations such as Christian Fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes offer organized activities on campus through which students may develop their religious life.
Residence Life and Dining
Castleton maintains eleven residence halls. Five of the halls, Adams, Castleton, Haskell, Morrill and Wheeler are similar suite-style buildings. Each suite consists of four double occupancy bedrooms, a living room and a bathroom. Three of the halls, Ellis, Babcock, and Hoff Hall are corridor style. Each of the three houses, South, Audet, and North include six pods each containing three double occupancy bedrooms and a bathroom. Smoking is not allowed in any residence hall.
It is a condition of admission that all traditional age students in their first two years as full-time undergraduate matriculated students live in a university residence hall and eat in the university dining facilities unless they commute from their parent's or legal guardian's home. It should be noted that Residence Life contracts are binding for the entire academic year. Castleton adheres to a policy requiring first and second year students to live on campus because participation in the social, cultural and recreational opportunities of campus life enhances the formal learning that takes place within the classrooms.
The university contracts Sodexo to provide food service on campus. There are various board plans available to residential students. All residential students are required to have a meal plan. Commuter students, staff, and visitors are welcome to eat in the dining facilities either by purchasing a meal plan or by paying the regular per meal price at the door.
Student Activities
Castleton's 50-plus student organizations enable participants to gain valuable leadership experience as well as offering many activities for the campus community. Students must be in good academic standing in order to hold a leadership position in a campus organization.
Several clubs, such as the Student Education Association, Physical Education Majors, and Criminal Justice Club, to name a few, work closely with academic departments to provide co-curricular opportunities for interested students. Clubs such as the Rock Climbing Club and Outing Club take advantage of Vermont's great outdoors.
The Theater Arts Department presents several productions each year, giving students valuable acting and behind-the-scenes experience. Castleton supports an active chorus and wind ensemble. In addition, the Soundings (Introduction to Liberal Arts) program sponsors numerous cultural events each semester ranging from dance performances to distinguished guest lecturers.
Student Employment
Students who qualify for employment under the federal work-study program (that is, those who are awarded Federal Work-Study by the Financial Aid Office ) may seek part-time employment in one of approximately 30 departments/offices during regular academic terms. Eligible students may also work part-time or full-time during vacation periods and during the summer. While most jobs require that the student be eligible for federal work-study funds, a limited number of part-time jobs are available for those students who are not eligible for federal work-study. Additional information is available on the financial aid webpage: www.castleton.edu/financialaid/federalworkstudy.htm or by contacting Financial & Registration Services.
Student Government Association
Every matriculated undergraduate student is a member of the Castleton Student Government Association. The right to membership is granted whether the student lives on campus or is a commuter.
The Student Congress, the Campus Activities Board, and the University Court are the chief vehicles of student government. The Congress supervises the expenditure of over $350,000 a year collected through the annual CU Student Association Fee. This fee funds a busy schedule of music, films, comedians, special events, and club activities.
Wellness
Wellness Center
The Castleton Wellness Center supports the educational mission of Castleton by striving to encourage the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, occupational, and spiritual health of students through a comprehensive array of services. Health Services, Counseling Services, Wellness Education, and Violence Prevention and Advocacy are provided free of charge to all Castleton Students. Alcohol and Other Drug Services are also available to students for a fee.
Wellness Education
The Wellness Center offers educational opportunities and workshops on mindfulness, stress management, meditation, healthy relationships, yoga classes, substance use prevention and education, and more. For details, go to our webpage here.
Health Services
Registered nurses assess illness and injury, triage, initiate emergency protocols as needed, provide information regarding therapeutic interventions, promote wellness education, and make appropriate referrals to local primary care providers. If students require a referral to an off-campus health care provider, the student will be responsible for all expenses incurred. There are several general practice physicians in the town of Castleton as well as a variety of medical and dental specialists in nearby Rutland. Emergency medical service is available at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, and the regional ambulance service provides 24 hour service to the university community.
Students are required to have a completed medical history form, including an up-to-date immunization record, on file in the Wellness Center. Failure to provide these materials may result in cancellation of a student's class registration.
Counseling Services
Licensed counselors and masters-level interns provide short-term counseling and referral, crisis intervention, group counseling, psycho-educational workshops and presentations, and consultation to the community. Counseling services also coordinate the Student Support Network, a program that teaches Castleton students to notice signs of distress in their fellow students, respond to those students with empathy, recognize warning signs for suicide, and assist students in distress to get help on campus from any number of mental health resources.
Violence Prevention and Advocacy
The CHANGE initiative at Castleton stands for Creating, Honoring, Advocating, and Nurturing Gender Equity. The Coordinator of Advocacy, Activism, and Nonviolence Education facilitates a group of students who are the Peer Advocates for CHANGE (PAC). These students and the coordinator are trained to respond to calls and texts that involve sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and harassment. The coordinator also develops programs, projects, presentations and campaigns that address these issues.
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