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A vital part of any learning experience is the practical application of classroom theory. Franciscan University offers a wide variety of organizations where practical skills can be tested and refined. Directing and participating in an organization yields many tools beneficial to professional and personal success. In addition, we also have three fraternities and three sororities on campus.

Franciscan University Student Association (FUSA)

Franciscan University Student Association is composed of representatives of every organization and class. Serving as a liaison between the University and the student community, FUSA represents student interests to the administration and faculty. It also organizes and engages student body participation in important spiritual, practical, and social issues and serves as a constant resource to the University community. FUSA is at the heart of active student participation in our way of life.

Student Activities Board (SAB)

One of the largest committees within FUSA is the Student Activities Board. This committee is responsible for providing social, cultural, educational, and recreational programs and opportunities for the student community.

Student Publications

Four publications are currently authorized for campus-wide circulation: The Troubadour, the weekly student newspaper; The San Damiano, the student yearbook; Soundings, an annual journal of student writings; and Life Matters, a publication produced by Human Life Concerns. These publications promote the way of life at Franciscan University and serve as communication vehicles for the student body. These publications are student-run with guidance from advisors.

Intramural Sports

The intramural program is thriving at Franciscan University. Most of our students are involved in intramural sports and events throughout the year. The major intramural sports are ultimate frisbee, flag football, volleyball, and basketball. Other events and tournaments include racquetball, walleyball, table tennis, cross country, basketball, billiards, tennis, volleyball, and aerobics.

Club Sports

In addition to intramural sports, Franciscan University offers the challenge of club sports. Club baseball, women's volleyball, and men's and women's soccer are exciting additions to athletics at the University, offering the opportunity for students to compete with teams from other colleges and universities.

Special Interest Clubs and Social Organizations

Many special interest organizations are flourishing under FUSA's umbrella, and avenues for creating further clubs are available. The range of interests represented in these clubs include the International Students' Organization, SENT (Student Evangelization Networking Team), Human Life Concerns, and fraternal organizations.

International Students' Organization (ISO)

ISO fosters greater support to and promotion of all international students. ISO actively promotes the richness of all cultures by sharing the unique contributions of international students with the University family and by organizing meetings, social functions, and cultural activities.

Human Life Concerns (HLC)

Human Life Concerns meets weekly to intercede for the unborn and other concerns related to reverence for life. HLC sponsors an annual weekend conference, highlighting national speakers active in human life issues.

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Education is a bridge to professional life. To promote the spirit of community among majors and to bring together students and professional men and women in a student's chosen field, many departments have associations and societies to further extracurricular activities. They also provide speakers, films, and field trips that are of interest to the entire University community.

Accounting/Business Association

Founded in 1950, this association seeks to stimulate interest in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and economics. Lectures are given by business professionals interested in sharing their experiences with our students.

American Chemical Society

The University has an authorized chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society. Through technical and social activities, the members are acquainted with the professional life of the scientist.

Computer Science Club

The Computer Science Club was founded in 1983 to further the professional development of computer scientists. The group plans several tours and socials each year.

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

The IEEE is the world's largest engineering society with over 310,000 members. Engineering science majors can join the local student chapter of IEEE.

Fraternidad Hispaña

The Fraternidad Hispaña was formed by and for students who are interested in exploring the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. The club is open to native speakers and others. Members participate in activities that include Masses in Spanish, meetings, socials, and trips to the surrounding area where both American and Latin American culture can be experienced.

French Club

The French Club is organized to introduce students to French ideology and culture. It also helps students develop their critical abilities. To reach this goal, the French Club presents films with subtitles followed by discussions between an interdisciplinary panel of professors and students.

The Gemelli Society

The Gemelli Society was founded in 1964 to assist psychology, mental health and human services, sociology, and social work majors in their development in these human sciences. The society provides programs with visiting academicians, addresses by professional human services personnel, and films for its members. The group is named in honor of the Franciscan friar physician, philosopher, theologian, and psychologist, Agostino Gemelli.

Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi is a national educational honor society. The Tau Upsilon Chapter was chartered on March 13, 1994. Outstanding undergraduate and graduate students are invited to join at the end of each semester. A one-semester pledge period is required before initiation to full membership. Members engage in activities and learning seminars to enhance their education major.

Mathematics Club

The Mathematics Club, a student chapter of the Mathematical Association of America, was founded to unify students interested in mathematics within an academic and social setting. The club often hosts guest speakers and is actively involved in National Math Awareness Week each year
in April.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology. Membership in Psi Chi recognizes high scholastic achievement and interest in psychology. Undergraduates who are elected to Psi Chi are psychology majors who rank in the highest 35 percent of their class and who have demonstrated exceptional ability to conduct independent psychological research.

Political Science and Pre-Law Association

The Political Science and Pre-Law Association enables interested students to probe and discuss political issues outside the classroom, to learn about career possibilities in politics, government, and law, and to build camaraderie among students in political science and pre-law. Activities include lectures, career nights, panels, discussions on current issues, trends, and philosophical questions about politics, as well as social gatherings and trips to visit governmental and legal institutions. Membership is open to all students interested in politics and law regardless of major.

Sigma Beta Mu: The Society of Biology Majors

The purpose of the Biology Club is to nurture and promote interest in the life sciences. This club supports members in the study of science and service to the University. Activities include outside speaker presentations, movies, field trips, and biological projects. Membership is open to persons interested in broadening their perspectives within the subdisciplines of biology as well as those interested in the health professions, conservation, and wildlife. Meetings are held twice a month, usually in one of the biology laboratories.

Sigma Tau Delta

The Ømicron Iota Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, National English Honorary Society, is open to students who meet the criteria of this prestigious organization. Membership is for English majors, but associate status can be given to those in other majors. Members participate in activities such as poetry readings, literary discussions, writings, and other literary events. Scholarships are available through this society, and several composition contests are annual, national events.

Students in Free Enterprise

Students in Free Enterprise is a national organization devoted to the support of the free enterprise system on college campuses. Each year students from Franciscan University of Steubenville compete with students from other colleges and universities in Ohio on the basis of programs they have developed for a better understanding of the free enterprise system. The programs are judged each spring by business leaders, and the winning teams participate in a national competition.

Thucydideans

The Thucydideans foster a greater interest in history within the student body and meet to analyze and discuss current events. This organization takes its name from Thucydides (471-369 BC).

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The Student Life Office oversees the rhythm of campus life through residence directors, resident assistants, professional counseling services, and the guidance of student activities. Regular teaching and leadership formation programs are sponsored by Student Life personnel. An international student advisor enables the University to care for a growing international student population.

Chapel Ministry

As a Catholic university, the liturgy is central to our life and mission:

"The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the fount from which all her power flows." (Sacrosanctum Consilium)

The University offers extensive opportunities for students to grow in their understanding and appreciation of the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church through participation in a variety of worship experiences: daily Mass and confession, Holy Hours, Morning Prayer, and Vespers. Students are invited and encouraged to participate in a variety of liturgical ministries as lectors, servers, or sacristans, or in music, drama, and dance. Opportunities are also provided for students to advance in the spiritual life through participation in retreats, workshops, and catechetical sessions.

Households

Since 1974 the University has followed a singular path of development in building its entire campus life on a solid spiritual foundation. At the heart of our faith environment are small student groups known as households. While it is not mandatory for students to participate in households, the University highly recommends that students do so.

A household is made up of male or female students who usually live in the same wing or floor of a residence hall, or who live off campus. Households provide opportunities for ongoing personal, social, and spiritual development in the midst of a Christian faith environment. Households have a pattern of living that includes group prayer, teaching, fellowship, and sharing within a small group setting. Many households enthusiastically participate in intramural sports and other events such as liturgies, service projects, and social events.

Some of the basic elements of our household system are:

• Coordinator - A student leader of the household responsible for its life together.
• Advisor - A person outside of the student body who assists, supports, and guides the life of the household. Advisors are trained to provide personal support to the members of the household, be models and examples, teach, and give ongoing direction.
• Household Agreement - The basic commitment and goals designed by the members of a household during an academic year.
• Share Groups - Smaller groups within a household that facilitate personal support.

Student Outreach

An essential dimension of the University academic experience is witnessing to the gospel through outreach to the poor and others in need. The University offers a variety of opportunities to do this through its work with the elderly, the mentally handicapped, the imprisoned, and in youth evangelization and the pro-life movement.

Student Leadership Development

Franciscan University encourages the development of leadership character and skills as an important component in a well-rounded, Catholic education. Through the Leadership Project, students learn concepts and develop skills that they will need to lead the church and world in the next century. The Leadership Project consists of a weekend seminar, follow-up sessions, and an optional mentoring relationship with a faculty or staff member. The program is open to all students.

Office of Director of International Students

Currently the University has about 150 students from nations outside the United States. The Director of International Students helps these students adjust to education and life in the United States. The director also works with the entire University campus and the local community to foster Christian inculturation in every aspect of life.

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