A campus community is a broad vision for campus life that allows all groups and individuals to learn, grow and develop to their best potential in a challenging, yet safe environment. The student center is the central gathering place for a college, serving students, faculty and staff members, alumni and guests.
The Kent Student Center serves as the location for several university and student organization offices, dining venues, the University Bookstore, the Student Multicultural Center and a campus post office. It also provides services such as event-planning assistance, university scheduling and audio/visual technical support.
According to the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), the student union/center is an integral part of the educational mission of a college. The ACUI lists the following as the benefits of a student union/center (Source: www.acui.org):
- As the center of the college community life, the union complements the academic experience through an extensive variety of cultural, educational, social and recreational programs. These programs provide the opportunity to balance coursework and free time as cooperative factors in education.
- The union is a student-centered organization that values participatory decision-making. Through volunteerism, its boards, committees and student employment, the union offers first-hand experience in citizenship and educates students in leadership, social responsibility, and values.
- In its policies and processes, the union encourages self-directed activity, giving maximum opportunity for self-realization and for growth in individual social competency and group effectiveness.
The Kent Student Center supports the overall university mission by enhancing the out-of-classroom experience for students through various programs and services. The Kent Student Center serves as the “living room” of the Kent Campus and is the gathering place for members of the university community.
The student center’s goal is to assist with educational, personal and leadership development. It serves as a unifying force that honors each individual and values diversity. The goal of the Kent Student Center is to foster a sense of community that encourages engagement and a connection to the university.
For more information about the Kent Student Center, visit www.kent.edu/studentcenter.