Campus Life and Student Services

Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center (ASC) located in the Norrington Center on the Parkville Campus, offers many services to Park University students, all free of charge to Park students.

The Center also monitors the academic progress of students who are admitted on probation, or who become academically “at risk” after admission, or are placed on academic probation. Academic counseling is provided to assist the student in regaining good academic standing. Visit www.park.edu/academic-success-center or call (816) 584-6330 for more information.

 Free Tutoring

Tutors are available for many academic subjects, including writing, math, accounting, computer science, and others. Most tutoring is done in the ASC during operating hours Monday - Saturday. Some appointments are available outside our regular hours with tutors who work on-call. In addition to tutoring in the ASC, online writing help and virtual tutoring are available through the Canvas course “Park Tutoring Help,” in addition to online tutoring through Tutor.com.

 Disability Services

The Assistant Director of Academic Support Services coordinates services and accommodations for qualifying students with disabilities. Students must identify themselves by submitting a Request for Disability Services form and by providing adequate and appropriate documentation to the Assistant Director of Academic Support Services. Park University policy on disability services may be found in this catalog, and at www.park.edu/terms-and-regulations.

 Testing Center

The Testing Center, located in the Mabee Learning Center, administers CLEP, DSST, MoGEA, and final exams for online courses by appointment only. Students may schedule and pay for fee-based tests online. The Testing Center also handles most testing for disabled students approved for testing accommodations. The Testing Center administers residual ACT (for Park University students only). At the request of the instructor, the staff may also proctor exams for students who have missed classroom tests. Most tests must be arranged by appointment. CLEP, DSST, ACT and MoGEA tests require an administration fee of $25 in addition to the cost for the exam. Call the Testing Center, (816) 584-6887, for more information. Check the website for more information about the tests, and for current days and times of Testing Center services. Visit www.park.edu/testing-center for additional information.

NOTE: Park University does NOT administer GRE, TOEFL, Missouri Content Assessment, GMAT, LSAT or other tests. Most of these tests have websites that have more complete information and the location of testing sites.

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center (CDC) assists students in all stages of career development including skills assessment, resume and cover letter preparation, interview coaching, and internship and job search strategies, all to insure successful attainment of a career upon graduation. The CDC develops and offers workshops and events—on the Parkville Campus, at our Campus Centers nationwide, and online to prepare our students for launching and advancing their careers and in making successful career connections. For a comprehensive listing of services and events visit the eRecruiting system accessed through our website at www.park.edu/career or contact the CDC staff at (816) 584-6402 or careerdevelopment@park.edu.

Counseling

The Counseling Center supports student mental health and wellness through limited individual counseling services, consultation and referral services. Located in Dearing Hall on the Parkville campus, the Counseling Center also houses a resource library with self-help and wellness materials. For students in need of intensive services or specialized care, Licensed Professional Counselors on staff can help connect students with mental health facilities and providers in the community. For more information, contact counselingappointments@park.edu or visit www.park.edu/counseling.

Park University Library

The Park University Library supports the research and information needs of a diverse faculty, staff, and student body while cultivating student research skills and information literacy. We are the University’s physical, virtual, and intellectual hub of academic pursuit as we foster inclusion and academic opportunity through spaces, collections, and services. 

 Collections

The library’s collections include books, ebooks, streaming videos, journal articles, newspapers, and databases - and over 95% of our collection is available online at library.park.edu. Additional materials can be obtained via interlibrary loan with local and regional libraries. Students who request a physical book can have it mailed to them, postage-paid both ways. 

 Services

Librarians are available to help students with research online via phone, email, and live 24/7 chat as well as in-person at the Norrington Center. Visit us at library.park.edu to find out more. The library also provides workshops, events, and activities every month.

 Parkville Campus

The physical library, located in the Norrington Center, provides a comfortable environment to study, including individual and group study rooms. Computers, and a network printer/copier/scanner are also available for use. 

 Special Collections and Campanella Gallery

The library also administers the Fishburn Archives, located in the Academic Underground, documenting the founding and history of Park University and Parkville, Missouri. It is available by appointment, by contacting archives@park.edu. The library also houses the Campanella Gallery, which features art exhibits from Park students and faculty and local artists. 

 Library hours

Hours during Fall and Spring terms are CST/ CDT (Hours are subject to change.)

Librarians available 24/7 via our chat service: library.park.edu.

Pirate Fitness Center and Wellness Programs

All Parkville campus students have access to the on-site facilities of the Pirate Fitness Center. Our Pirate Fitness Center has three branches: Intramural Fieldhouse (Labor Hall), Copley-Quad Fitness Center, and Chesnut Hall Fitness Center. The Copley Quad and Chesnut Hall Branches of the Pirate Fitness Center are open 24 hours and utilized for Residential Students. Current hours of the Intramural Field House facility can be found on our Crew page. These facilities include free weights, dumbbells, machine weights, exercise balls, resistance bands, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, and treadmills. Contact the Fitness Center staff by e-mail at piratefitness@park.edu, for a complete schedule of classes, wellness programs, and details on the facility. 

Publications and Broadcast Venues

Park University students have the opportunity to work on student-run publications: the student newspaper, the student literary magazine, the campus radio station, and student telecasts. For more information, please call (816) 584-6327 or (816) 584-6263.

The Stylus, Park’s award-winning newspaper, is operated and managed by students. It provides an invaluable laboratory for news writing, feature writing, editing, digital composition, and photography. Its staff is not limited to journalism students, staff members and editors come from all corners of the campus. The Stylus is focused on news, features and sports that are relevant to the Park University commity and serves as a forum for student opinion. It is also available online at www.stylusonline.org. Please direct all inquiries to stylus@park.edu.

The Scribe is Park’s student-edited literary and art magazine, which contains fiction, drama, poetry, essays, and visual art created by Park University students.

Educational radio station KGSP-FM, 90.5 FM is student operated and broadcasts at 100 watts to the Kansas City area and streams live online. The TV Production Studio on the Parkville Daytime Campus Center serves both as a teaching facility for TV students and as the facility for production of the Pirate News broadcast. Students produce programs with both studio and digital field equipment.

Students assume a wide range of responsibilities in both audio and video productions. Park’s hands-on emphasis ensures that students will build professional portfolios that qualify them for professional employment. Interested students should call (816) 584-6321.

Pirate News is the video news show staffed, edited, produced and published by students. Pirate News focuses on campus events, athletics and area news of interest to Park University.

Students at Park University, particularly those majoring in Multimedia Journalism and Public Relations, B.A. , and Communication, B.A. , are encouraged to experience all of these hands-on outlets to develop well-rounded career preparation and to find exciting venues for self expression.

Students assume a wide range of responsibilities in both audio and video productions. Park’s hands-on emphasis ensures that students will build professional portfolios that qualify them for professional employment. Interested students should call (816) 584-6321.

Residence Life

Park University believes in providing the opportunity for students to develop in all areas of their lives. The residence hall experience in Parkville is intended to enhance the student’s classroom experiences and provide opportunities for students to develop the whole person. Please visit www.park.edu/life-park/parkville/residence-life to learn more about our programs. There are options to live in university-rented apartments on the Gilbert campus, as well. Park University has no responsibility to find or assist a student in finding housing at any of the campuses.

Additionally, every effort is made to encourage students to assume responsibility for their own behavior, while at the same time developing respect for the rights of others. This total student development, requires that certain policies and procedures be established for residence life. These policies and procedures are contained in the Residence Life and Education Handbook and are available at www.park.edu/life-park/parkville/residence-life. 

 Vaccinations

Park University vaccination requirements can be found at https://www.park.edu/life-park/parkville/residence-life/resident-requirements/

Student Activities and Clubs

There are a number of cultural and social activities for students at Park University, including celebrations, lectures, dances, concerts, athletic events, and other forms of entertainment and education. There are traditional events such as Fright Night, Spring Fling, Homecoming, and International Education Week. The Park Student Activities Board (PSAB) holds co-curriculur events for the Kansas City Area. Some events, such as International Talk Like a Pirate Day, are celebrated at all the Park University campuses. Many events are open to all Campus Centers. For more information, please call (816) 584-6377 or check the online Activities Calendar, available through the Student Life home page at: www.park.edu/student-life.

Students typically spend 85% of their time outside of the classroom. It is partly because of this large block of unstructured time we encourage students to explore the involvement opportunities here at Park University. In addition to filling time and meeting people with similar interests, involvement on campus has many benefits.

There are personal, academic, and professional benefits to becoming involved at Park University. Students who are involved acquire a wide variety of benefits including earning better grades, becoming more likely to graduate and are simply more marketable when job searching or applying for graduate school. To learn more about the student organizations Park University offers, please visit: www.park.edu/student-life.

If there is not an organization that currently piques your interest, then we encourage you to start a new student organization. All you need to be a recognized organization is 5 members, an organization constitution, full-time faculty or staff advisor and a completed Park University certification form. Stop by the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement for assistance, call staff at (816) 584-6377, or check the website at: www.park.edu/student-life.

Student Government

All students enrolled at Park University are considered members of the Park Student Government Association (PSGA) and are welcome to attend PSGA meetings. The Student Senate consists of the Executive Board and the Senate. Members of the Executive Board are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Business Manager. Members of the Senate include students representing both the residential and commuter population. The PSGA assists Park University in its commitment as an institution of higher learning; acting as a means of communication between students, faculty and administration; while addressing the needs of the campus and serving as the comptroller of the student life fee funds. For specific information about PSGA, please check the website at: www.park.edu/clubs.

Student Leadership and Engagement

Staff in Student Life provide a comprehensive Student Leadership program to equip both emerging and experienced student leaders with skills and experiences that will benefit them during their time at Park University, in their careers, and in the community. There are also many opportunities for Student Engagement, offering students a chance to understand their leadership style and become civically engaged with their campus, local, and global community. For more information about these programs and events, orientation, or to utilize the Student Leadership and Engagement resources, please check the website at: www.park.edu/student-life.

Student Life

Student Life encompasses several areas of the campus that provide outside-the-classroom support, services and programs for all students at all campus centers. Areas within Student Life include Residence Life, Student Leadership and Engagement, Student Activities and Orientation, Counseling Center, Student Clubs and Organizations, Pirate Fitness, Park Student Government Association, Summer Conferences, Student Conduct and Dining Services. Please check the website at www.park.edu/student-life or call (816) 584-6377 for more information. Many special events and programs provided by staff are offered on evenings and weekends.

Student Success Center

Student Success Coaches optimize the student experience by helping students navigate their academic plan, review their degree audit, enroll in courses, and understand their payment options. Parkville Daytime Students can meet with their Student Success Coach face-to-face in Herr House, by phone at (816) 746-2526, or by e-mail at parkvillesuccess@park.edu. Distance Students should contact Virtual Student Success Coaches by calling (888) 947-5988 or e-mailing advising@park.edu. Visit www.park.edu/enrollment-services for additional information. Students attending a campus center are able to contact their location directly. www.park.edu/campus-centers/index.html

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday
thru Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday CST

Varsity Athletics

Park University has a highly successful varsity athletic program offering 15 varsity sports that compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Varsity sports include men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, men’s baseball, women’s softball and women’s golf. Park is a member of the American Midwest Conference (AMC), the Mid American Men’s Volleyball Intercollegiate Conference (MAMVIC) and is a NAIA Division I Independent in men’s and women’s basketball. Varsity student-athletes are required to comply with eligibility guidelines established by Park University, the NAIA, and the AMC.

Continuing Athletic Eligibility for Undergraduate and Graduate Students Policy

Prior to representing Park in athletic competition, student-athletes are required to have an eligible decision from the NAIA’s Eligibility Center. Athletes must provide all official high school and/or college transcripts and ACT/SAT scores (if needed to establish eligibility) to Park University prior to competing. Additionally, prior to each semester of participation in each sport, athletes must be certified as eligible by Park University and appear on a Certificate of Eligibility. 

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate student-athletes must meet all minimum eligibility requirements as outlined by the NAIA, including but not limited to full time enrollment and fulfillment of the 24 hour and progress rules. Park University requires second year students (those in their 3rd full time term of attendance or beyond, regardless of academic classification) to have a minimum cumulative Park grade point average of 2.0. 

Graduate Students

Student-athletes who have completed a baccalaureate degree and have remaining eligibility may continue to compete as graduate students. Graduate programs include master and education specialist degrees, as well as postbaccalaureate (graduate) certificates. Postbaccalaureate certificates require students to have earned a bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment. (Undergraduate certificates are not applicable.) 

To remain eligible, graduate students must 1) maintain full-time enrollment status and 2) meet the academic standards expected of graduate students. Academic progress is reviewed at least twice annually, at the end of each semester. For continuing eligibility, graduate students must: 

1. Maintain a full-time course load (a minimum of 6 graduate credits per semester).

2. Fulfill all requirements of conditional (or probationary) admission, if applicable.

3. Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative, graduate GPA.

4. Pass each graduate course with a minimum B grade.* 

5. Be in good academic standing. 

Graduate students whose academic performance results in academic probation or suspension, who do not meet the terms of conditional admission, or who earn any grade lower than C (D, F, WF or other non-passing or non-degree applicable grade) are not eligible to compete the following semester. 

Graduate student athletes who are academically ineligible can regain eligibility by meeting the minimum requirements at the end of the next semester. Graduate students can repeat courses for grade improvement, but only one repeated class can apply toward the full-time course load for the semester. (Refer to the Graduate Academic Standing Policy  for more information.)

*If a graduate student satisfies all conditions above except #4 (earns a grade of C), but maintains the minimum 3.0 cumulative, graduate GPA, the student may retain eligibility as long as the student has no more than two C grades total in graduate courses.