Student Life offers students a wide variety of services and learning experiences outside the formal classroom setting. Included in the area of Student Life are the departments of Campus Recreation and Intramural Services, Minority Affairs, Residence Life and Dining Services, Student Judicial and Ethical Programs, Student Leadership and Involvement, and the University Center. The Office of Student Life also serves as liaison with the campus religious centers and as advisor to the Student Government Association. Information may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Students, room 359 University Center.

Adult and Commuter Student Services

Adult and Commuter Student Services, 243 University Center, serves adult students who are beginning or returning to school after some time in the workplace or home, and traditional and non-traditional age commuter students.

Located in the University Center, Adult and Commuter Student Services maintains the Adult Information Center, a resource area where services and special programming for this student population is posted regularly. Information on the Adult Scholarship program is also available.

The Adult Student Association, a student organization geared toward the social needs of the returning student is maintained through Adult and Commuter Student Services. This organization provides an informal way for students to receive support during their educational experience and to express concern about any particular issues that may arise. “Lifelong Learning with Friends” is the motto of the Adult Student Association, which serves as a network for the returning student.

Child Development Center Childcare services are available for the University of Memphis students. Space is available on a first come/first serve basis. The center accepts children between the ages of 30 months and 12 years.

During the fall and spring semesters, the center's hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The summer semester operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hours of operation may vary due to enrollment. For additional information, come to the Child Development Center located at 3875 Tiger Paw South (Northeast of the Central Avenue Parking Lot-adjacent to the University town-home community).

Emerging Leaders This student development program consists of academic courses, structured activities, and experiences that are designed to develop and refine participants’ leadership abilities. While all students are eligible to apply for participation in the program, participation is mandatory for students who have Emerging Leadership Scholarships.

Emerging Leaders are required to take leadership courses for credit, hold offices in diverse student organizations, serve as mentors for underclassman students, and remain active in volunteer service. Upon completion of the program, students receive official documentation on leadership transcripts, which confirm extensive involvement and instruction in the program.

General Fraternities and Sororities Thirteen international fraternities and eleven international sororities are active on the University of Memphis campus. The University strives to maintain a strong Greek community through coordination of Greek activities provided by the Office of Greek Affairs in areas of social service, scholarship, spiritual life, social development, and sense of leadership.

Fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Alpha Psi, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Sororities: Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Gamma, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sigma Kappa, and Zeta Phi Beta.

Campus Recreation and Intramural Services (CRIS) The Campus Recreation and Intramural Services (CRIS) program is designed to fulfill a vital educational function and provide students, faculty, staff, and other members of the University community the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities for personal enjoyment and satisfaction.

CRIS supervises recreation at the Student Recreational and Fitness Center, which provides for the use of tennis courts, racquetball/handball courts, fields, gymnasiums, pools, fitness rooms, and other play areas; organizes intramural tournaments; coordinates a sports club program; and sponsors leisure course activities, clinics, and special events. The Student Recreation and Fitness Center provides excellent facilities for instructional, intramural, and sports and fitness programs. These programs, both individual and group, offer a wide variety of choices, and are offered at all levels of play. The student oriented CRIS staff gives personal attention to the needs of all individual participants.

Student Judicial and Ethical Programs The Office of Student Judicial and Ethical Programs is responsible for the administration and coordination of student disciplinary actions involving both social and academic misconduct under the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The office is also a resource for the interpretation of policies that affect students and for programs on ethics and academic integrity. The Office of Student Judicial and Ethical Programs is located in room 105, University Center.

Dining Services The University has dining facilities, vending areas, and coffee bars open to all students.

Minority Affairs The Office of Minority Affairs advises minority students with regard to their academic, social, personal, and financial concerns, and helps students to adjust to living and functioning in an urban university setting. The office also assists minority organizations with program planning and management.

In addition to advising students, the office is the home to the Black Student Association, Black Scholars Unlimited, Hispanic Student Association, and the NAACP. The office is also responsible for coordinating events in conjunction with Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Religious Affairs Several religious organizations provide activities and communities that focus on the religious or spiritual development of University students. Many of these organizations have ministry facilities close to campus or utilize University facilities for their programs. Organized religious groups include: Baptist Student Union, Barth House (Episcopal), University Catholic Center, Christian Student Center (Church of Christ), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gospel Choir, Jewish Student Union, Muslim Student Association, RUF (Reformed University Fellowship), River's Edge (United Methodist), River’s Edge (Presbyterian USA), and Tiger Christian Fellowship.

Residence Life Residence Life, located in room 011, Richardson Towers, is the administrative office for the University of Memphis residence halls. Residential communities provide an environment to enhance individual growth and development through the implementation of educational, cultural, social, and recreational programs that encourage interaction among residents, faculty, and staff. Building accommodations and rental charges for each residence hall can be found in the Expenses section of this Catalog.

Michael D. Rose Theatre and Lecture Hall The Michael D. Rose Theatre and Lecture Hall features a 938-seat theatre with sound and lighting as well as a large movie screen with surround sound. The main lobby can be used as a meeting, reception, display, or dining area. The entertainment lobby can be used for smaller group gatherings. Further amenities include a large concession area, student ticket office, and dressing room for entertainers.

Student Activities Council The Student Activities Council is the principal programming body for the University community. It is composed primarily of student volunteers for the purpose of providing social, cultural, recreational and educational activities, and events that appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Concerts, fashion shows, coffee house entertainment, movies, speakers and cultural events are just a few of the many activities planned and facilitated by the Student Activities Council (SAC).

Student Government The Student Government Association (SGA) of the University of Memphis is a unique organization of students who work together and are committed to improving the University community. SGA represents all students, graduate and undergraduate, and strives to bring each student’s interest to the forefront.

The University of Memphis SGA consists of the Executive members, the Senate, the Student Court, and the Freshmen Council. The SGA office is located in room 411, University Center.

Student Organizations Over 150 student organizations are registered with the University. Student organizations represent a broad range of endeavors including academic, social, spiritual, cultural, service, recreational, and special interest. For information, contact the Office of Student Activities, room 425, University Center.

Volunteerism and Service-Learning The Office of Student Activities promotes and supports service efforts by the University of Memphis students and works with local community agencies to engage students in a variety of meaningful service activities. The office serves as a resource center for community service programming in order to help students expand their understanding of social/community issues, develop leadership skills, and work on solutions to real life problems. For more information on these initiatives, contact the Office of Students Activities, room 425, University Center.

University Center The University Center is the focal point for activities and events in the University community. Along with its many programs and activities, the center provides conveniences and services such as food service, catering, automatic banking, discount tickets for community events, University post office and 3,800 mail boxes, rental lockers, television, lost and found, vending, public phones, ballroom, meeting rooms, electronic news and advertising display, rider-driver board, information desk and central scheduling for University Center, Alumni Mall and student plaza. The Center is an organization with programs designed to encourage students and other members of the University community to meet and share interests and talents in an action-learning setting.