The Division of Student and Campus Life strives to advance the mission of the University by promoting its core values and connecting its work to the University’s strategic initiatives in ways that enhance the student experience.
The Division of Student and Campus Life is intentional about planning, creating program and learning outcomes and using assessment in the development of leadership skills and intellectual abilities, identification and exploration of personal interests, and preparation of our students for roles as future professional and community leaders. We are committed to the academic experience and collaborate across the University to implement innovative and student-centered programs, practices, and services to support student engagement and student success through the co-curricular experience.
Campus services
Information on Academic Advisement is included in the Academic Policies and Procedures section. Academic Advising is part of Student Academic and Career Services, which also houses the Center for Academic Excellence and Career Development.
Alumni Association
As a USJ graduate, you are - and always will be - an important member of the USJ community. The University of Saint Joseph Alumni Association is represented on the University’s Board of Trustees and is overseen by the Alumni Council. The Council invites representatives from all programs and the current student body, in order to support the total population of the University. Interested individuals should contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 860-231-5364.
The Alumni Council works with the Alumni Relations Office to effectively represent and serve the needs of graduates while encouraging their volunteer efforts on behalf of the University.
Archives
The Sister Mary Consolata O’Connor Archives, located in the Bruyette Athenaeum, collects and makes available materials that document the history of the University of Saint Joseph. Its collections include, but are not limited to catalogs, yearbooks, student publications, photographs, and artifacts. Contact archive@usj.edu.
Art Museum
Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday - Monday
The Art Museum, located in Bruyette Athenaeum, houses a collection of more than 2,600 paintings and works of art on paper. The core of the collection consists of American paintings and prints of the early 20th century, including works by Thomas Hart Benton, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Milton Avery (the gift of Reverend Andrew J. Kelly in 1937), and European and American prints from the 15th to the early 20th centuries, including work by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, George Bellows, Mary Cassatt, and Childe Hassam (the bequest of Reverend John J. Kelley in 1966). Since 2001, the collection has more than doubled in size to include later 20th century and contemporary art. Recent acquisitions have enhanced the Museum’s growing collection of photography and strengthened its representation of contemporary art by women, African American, Latin American, and Japanese artists. The Dr. Vincent J. and Gloria Marcello Turco ‘45 Print Study Room (open by appointment) makes the collection of works on paper accessible for study and research.
The Art Museum, described as “one of the liveliest campus museums in the state” by The New York Times, presents regular exhibitions drawn from its permanent collections, as well as loan exhibitions of historic art or contemporary work by artists of national and international stature. It offers a variety of student internships and work opportunities, and its collections and exhibitions provide rich resources for teaching and research.
Athletics - The O’Connell Athletic Center
Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Interested students may take part in intercollegiate team sports. The University of Saint Joseph athletic programs have established themselves as regional and national powers since we joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1993.
The University of Saint Joseph is a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). In keeping with the University’s educational and athletic mission statement, all varsity teams compete at the Division III level. Students must be in good academic standing as determined by the University and must also maintain full-time status at USJ for eligibility on a varsity team.
The goal of athletic participation is to develop student-athletes academically, competitively, physically, and emotionally, including the development of leadership skills. The University of Saint Joseph offers varsity programs in the following sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s softball, men’s and women’s swimming/diving, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s volleyball, and women’s field hockey.
Bruyette Athenaeum
Hoffman Auditorium is open for performances, private functions, and events
Opened in 2001, the Bruyette Athenaeum hosts a year-round array of music, theater and dance performances, films, poetry readings, lectures, conferences, classes and seminars. Bruyette Athenaeum features the 364-seat Hoffman Auditorium, the Art Museum, the Winifred E. Coleman Lobby, two classrooms, several breakout rooms, the University Archives, and an art studio.
Lynch Hall features seminar rooms, classrooms, faculty offices and a lounge/study area. Linking both buildings is an outdoor sunken garden used for outdoor performances, and a patio that is a popular gathering place for students, faculty and audiences.
Bruyette Athenaeum serves both the academic needs of the University and the cultural needs of the community. Students may participate in a variety of artistic and cultural events. The center is home to student performance groups, including the Dance Ensemble, and is the home venue for several regional performing arts organizations. The Bruyette Athenaeum employees work-study students on campus, with many student ushers, ticket sellers and technicians.
Additionally, the Center features a Performing Arts Series, which includes annual events such as the 5 X 5 Dance Festival, the outdoor summer Capital Classics Shakespeare Festival and the Chapel Series concert.
Campus Store
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The campus store carries a full line of supplies, clothing, gifts, snacks, health and beauty aids, etc. Student may purchase clothing and gift items, through the store’s website: www.usj.bkstr.com. Summer hours differ.
Career Development Center
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Evening appointments are available if prearranged.
The Career Development Center provides students/alumni with the needed support to create, develop, achieve and manage professional and personal goals. The Center offers a holistic approach to counseling and coaching to encourage students and alumni to make more informed career decisions, overcome potential barriers and improve job performance. Experienced career development professionals provide guidance with writing resumes that get interviews, developing effective job search strategies and successful interviewing techniques that win the job. Additional services include: vocational and occupational interest assessment, career planning and management workshops, on-campus recruitment, career fairs, credit and non-credit internships, graduate school applications and help with selecting an academic major.
Contact us at: careercenter@usj.edu or 860.231.5893
Center for Academic Excellence
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Summer and break hours vary.
The CAE serves as a resource to foster the academic success and the growth of learners and leaders. Graduate and undergraduate writing tutors assist students with writing and revising assignments at all stages of the writing process, and support other communication needs including research documentation and oral presentation practice. Content tutors work in areas such as biology, chemistry, and nursing, and offer one-on-one and group appointments and study table sessions to help students review course content and prepare for tests and other assessments. The CAE also offers more general academic success support in areas such as time management, test-taking strategies and note-taking. Additionally, the CAE employs and trains 25-30 undergraduate tutors each semester, providing aspiring academic leaders an exceptional opportunity for personal and professional development.
Community Engagement and Spiritual Life
In keeping with the integrity and values of a Catholic institution, Community Engagement and Spiritual Life promotes the spiritual growth of students, faculty and staff of all faith traditions by providing an atmosphere where all members of the community can celebrate, explore and act on their faith. Retreats, prayer groups, guest speakers, liturgies, programming, and spiritual direction foster the exploration of faith. Community Engagement and Spiritual Life also provides opportunities for student leadership and community service experiences through social connections, mentoring various drives, engaging shelters, supporting marathons, and participating in local community events to build bridges of hope. The goal is to raise the awareness of the University community to social justice issues through hands-on involvement in outreach and service projects.
The Connor Chapel of Our Lady is open to everyone, as well as our Multifaith Prayer Room located in Mercy Hall 304. You can visit the office of Community Engagement & Spiritual Life in McGovern Hall, room 210. For more information, contact Lynnette Colón, director of Community Engagement & Spiritual Life, at lcolon@usj.edu and 860-231-5269.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Monday-Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm (with some evening hours available)
Located in McGovern Hall, 2nd Floor, Suite 204
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free, confidential counseling, assessments, and referrals to all students enrolled at the University of Saint Joseph. Services are available in person or online through a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
CAPS utilizes a brief therapy model that supports students in effectively managing specific problems, challenges, or making meaningful changes. Sessions are by appointment (except in emergencies), typically last 45-50 minutes, and are held weekly at a regularly scheduled time.
Through the University’s partnership with Hartford Healthcare, CAPS is staffed by licensed behavioral health professionals employed by Hartford Healthcare. This collaboration enhances the availability and quality of mental health support services on campus. When a student’s needs require long-term support, more intensive treatment, or specialized care beyond what CAPS offers, staff work collaboratively with the student to transition them to appropriate services within the Hartford Healthcare Behavioral Health Network.
Students may seek counseling for a variety of concerns, including but not limited to: stress, relationship issues, adjustment difficulties, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 860.231.5233, emailing CAPS@usj.edu, or using the CAPS online scheduling system at https://usj-caps.titaniumhwc.com, where students can also cancel or reschedule appointments.
The personal growth, mental health, and safety of students are priorities for the entire USJ community. Faculty, staff, and fellow students are encouraged to refer students who may benefit from counseling. CAPS also provides training, outreach, and consultation on mental health topics to students, faculty, and staff.
For additional and up-to-date information about services offered and other resources, visit the Counseling and Psychological Services page on MyUSJ.
Health Services
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Located in The Beekley Center for Student Health and Wellness on the first floor of the O’Connell Athletic Center
Student Health Services, supported by Hartford Healthcare’s Campus Care Team offers confidential medical services to support all undergraduate and graduate students. General medical services include evaluation and treatment of acute illness and injury, allergy injection continuation, prescription medications, in-office testing, urinalysis, in house blood draw and referrals for imaging, and if a specialist is needed we can refer you to one of Hartford HealthCare’s specialists. Reproductive and sexual health services include pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, emergency contraception (aka Plan B), free condoms, and more.
To make an appointment, students can schedule an appointment online via MyChart Plus. Once you have created a MyChart Plus account you will be able to obtain notes, connect with our team via messaging, enter your health insurance information and schedule your next appointment with us.
We have also partnered with Maple Pharmacy to provide a prescription delivery program. If you have a prescription from a prescriber at home you can utilize this pharmacy to deliver it to Student Health for easy pick up.
Maple Pharmacy
Address: 438 new Britain Avenue Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860.560.2000
Fax: 860.560.2004
Email: ctpharmacygroup@gmail.com
How to request delivery of a prescription:
Students must set up an account with Maple Pharmacy (by phone) to include:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Mobile number (of student)
- Home address
- Insurance information
- Name of medication
- Form of Payment
For additional up to date information about services offered, health requirements, and policies, visit the Health Services page on MyUSJ.
Information Technology
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Information Technology provides technology solutions and support for students, faculty and staff. All students, faculty and staff are given a Microsoft Office 365 account, which includes email, access to Office products, and cloud storage. The office also provides technical services for classrooms, USJ issued computers, Campus Wifi Services as well as providing access to virtual desktops and specialized software. IT manages a centralized ServiceDesk where students, faculty and staff can request technical support. The IT ServiceDesk is located in McDonough 109.
Library
Standard hours during the fall and spring semesters:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 2:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Hours vary during the year. Current hours are posted on the library website.
The Library supports the University of Saint Joseph community both on and off campus. Don’t go it alone when you have a research assignment, whether you need one article or you are compiling an annotated bibliography. A professional reference staff assists patrons in meeting their information and research needs. Librarians are available in-person, by phone, email or for online appointments. The library offers a variety of resources, including print books, electronic books, journals and databases. Interlibrary loans and course reserves supplement the collections. Visit our libguides to find links and instructions for the resources in each discipline: https://usj.libguides.com/. Located within a graceful Georgian brick building, the Library offers space for group or individual study. Also, there are networked computers and a printer. Find your favorite spaces. The Library building also houses the Center for Academic Excellence and Academic Advising.
Main Phone: 860.231.5209 Research Questions: reference@usj.edu Other Questions: circ@usj.edu
Office of Accessibility Services
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Location: McGovern Hall Student Center, Office 201
Email: accessibility@usj.edu
Phone: 860.231.5730
The services offered by the Office of Accessibility Services at USJ are designed to meet the unique educational needs of all students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities. The responsibility and purpose of this office is to facilitate the reduction or elimination of disability-related barriers encountered by students with disabilities. The University of Saint Joseph processes requests for reasonable academic and housing accommodations to eligible students through the Office of Accessibility Services.
For additional information, please explore the Accessibility Services page on the USJ website.
Public Safety
The Public Safety Department has a director and staff of 14 full-time officers. The department provides security on the West Hartford campus 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The office is on the lower level of McDonough Hall
Contact information;
- Emergency Line 860.231.5222, 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Anonymous Tip Line 860.231.5742
- Routine Calls 860.231.6766
- Director 860.231.5396, Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Teaching and Learning Center (Faculty)
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Also by appointment
The Teaching and Learning Center works with faculty to enhance and develop all aspects of pedagogy and instructional design to meet the needs of USJ’s diverse learners. It encourages the effective use of technology as a teaching and learning tool and helps faculty in scholarly pursuits and supports their professional development. The center provides support with the development, delivery, and student engagement in USJ’s traditional, hybrid, and online courses and programs. Remote and in-person consultations are available.
Contact: tlc@usj.edu 860-231-5852
Student life
Commuter Students
The University community is dedicated to serving the needs of commuter students. All University lounges are available for the comfort and convenience of commuters. Commuter students may also purchase a meal plan or individual meals in the dining commons located in McGovern Hall. University parking decals are required for student vehicles and may be purchased at the Office of Public Safety. All events and programs are open to commuter students.
Convocation and Investiture
Convocation is a University-wide event scheduled prior to the start of fall semester classes. During this ceremony new students and returning students are welcomed to the institution and the new academic year in a traditional academic ceremony.
A unique tradition at the University of Saint Joseph is Investiture, which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as the “action or ceremony of clothing in the insignia of an office.” This ceremony, usually held in October, marks the University’s recognition that juniors have achieved advanced academic standing. Students who have completed 54 credit hours by the end of the semester prior to Investiture are clothed for the first time in the cap and gown, the garb of the scholar.
Residential Life
The University of Saint Joseph strives to create an atmosphere of community within its residence halls. The University provides on-campus and off-campus living accommodations for full-time undergraduate students and graduate students. In this atmosphere, students develop life management skills and learn the art of personal choice. Residence halls are staffed by full-time professional staff members (Area Coordinator, Director) and student staff members (Resident Assistants). Hall staff members guide the students in adjusting to University life, provide them with ongoing support, and help establish and maintain a fully functional residential community.
Returning students reserve rooms during the spring semester each year at room selection. To participate in room selection, students must complete the annual housing contract. Information about this process is shared by Residential Life in January. New incoming students are assigned a room/roommate on the basis of information provided to the Residential Life Office in the housing application process. All students are notified during the summer of their residence assignment, roommates, and move in information via their USJ email.
All new students requesting to live on campus must complete and submit to Health Services all required health forms by August 1st for the fall semester and January 5th for the spring semester. Students must also ensure they do not have any Bursar, Student Financial Services, or Student and Campus Life Holds prior to their move in date. All paperwork required and holds must be taken care of before a student will be permitted to pick up keys and move into a residence hall. If students have a hold, they will receive communication via their USJ email.
The dates of occupancy and terms of occupancy vary based upon your assignment. All terms for both our Main Campus housing and Off Campus University Sponsored Housing are outlined in our Housing Contract, which is available for students to review prior to submitting their housing application. Housing applications are submitted at usj.erezlife.com. All students living on our Main Campus are required to carry a residential meal plan, but depending on their building type, may select their meal plan type. Students at our University Sponsored Housing are not required to enroll in a meal plan.
During the Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring break periods, our Main Campus residence halls are closed. Students seeking to stay on campus during the break periods may submit a break stay request on eRezLife for review. Depending on the circumstances, break stay fees may apply. Students living at the Millennium, our University Sponsored Housing off campus, sign a 12 month contract and are permitted to stay in their assignment during all break periods, including summer session.
The University assumes that students who chose to live in a residence hall agree to live within the norms established to insure the rights and responsibilities of each student. It is important, therefore that students who contract for living space on campus understand that if they chose a lifestyle not consonant with the guidelines for residential life living, they may be referred to Student Conduct.
Office of Student Activities
The Office of Student Activities programs helps students to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally through active involvement in leadership positions, group membership, and event planning. Students who participate in student activities benefit from meeting diverse people and questioning ideas, beliefs, and assumptions regarding campus-based and global issues. They also develop their interpersonal, communication, and social skills.
Student Government Association
As the representative body of the students, the Student Government Association works for effective communication among students, faculty, and administration. It channels student opinions, ideas, and concerns to the administration for consideration and action. In addition, students representing SGA sit on a number of joint faculty, administrative, and student committees. SGA encourages leadership by providing funds annually for students to attend workshops, by encouraging students to take leadership roles in organizations, and by ensuring that each student has a voice on campus.
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation (NSO) is designed to facilitate the successful transition of new students to the University of Saint Joseph through academic, social, and Core Values programming. NSO prepares students to actively engage in their USJ education, and supports students and their families in understanding the opportunities and services available to USJ students.
NSO is led by a committee of representatives from Enrollment Management, Student and Campus Life, and Academic Affairs, and is supported by a team of student orientation leaders along with staff, faculty, and administration.
All incoming undergraduate are expected to attend New Student Orientation. Orientation sessions take place in the June and August.
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