Student Development and Activities

At Palm Beach Atlantic University, Student Development is designed to support the academic mission of the University, foster student learning inside the classroom and outside the classroom, and develop the student holistically. We provide programs, services, and activities that help students grow and develop intellectually, spiritually, physically, and socially within the context of a Christian community. Student Development includes the Office of Career Development, Center for Campus Connections, Health & Wellness, Residence Life, Student Accountability, Student Success Center, University Counseling Center and Workship.

Athletics

Affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a Division II member, Palm Beach Atlantic University offers opportunities for both men and women to participate in intercollegiate sports. The sports offered for men include baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, and tennis. Women’s sports include basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, golf, tennis, and volleyball. PBA also offers opportunities in cheerleading. Cheerleaders, and Sailfish Jack and Jill (mascots) perform at many athletic events. The Athletics Department is located on the first floor of the Greene Complex for Sports & Recreation.

Campus Ministries and Missions

Campus Ministries and Missions exists to invite this generation of students to worship and become fully surrendered followers of Jesus Christ, proclaiming His love to others in our community and throughout the world.

Campus Ministries and Missions focuses on the development of Christ-centered student ministry teams that serve the PBA community and beyond. Student leaders are chosen through an application process which enables them to clarify their vision, passion and area of service. Student leaders have special opportunities to enhance their ministry leadership skills through training at the annual Student Leadership Retreat, access to specialized conferences and resources, and a variety of regular personal and group encouragement and accountability gatherings.

Students may serve in an existing ministry or be assisted in starting something new. a sample of recent and emerging ministries includes:

Campus Ministries tries to be fluid, flexible, faithful, and committed to ministry that is organic at its root and biblically transformative. Campus Ministries does not try to be the “local church” for students, but is here to help students develop and express their God-given vision to create ministries that are an expression of God’s Kingdom on our campus and beyond. in so doing, Campus Ministries places high value on partnering with local churches and the need for students to be connected to a local church. We provide ongoing mentoring and support for existing ministry teams as well as helping students formulate vision and catalyze new ministry start-ups.

Student Missions provides students the opportunity to connect with God’s heart for the nations and to proclaim Christ’s love throughout the world. Leadership opportunities are available to serve on the missions planning team or as a mission team leader. The desire of Campus Ministries is that through involvement in mission teams and global awareness events, the entire PBA community will draw closer to God and learn to live a missional lifestyle regardless of vocation or location.

Recent teams have served orphans and street children, built buildings with indigenous ministries, assisted in planting churches, taught conversational English to university students, assisted with medical clinics, used surfing for ministry, served as a film crew and editing team and used music/drama in outreach events. Twenty teams are now sent out annually to diverse places ranging from the Caribbean, South and Central America, Asia, Africa, S. Africa and beyond!

Special events and services are also facilitated by Campus Ministries and Missions. These include:

• Missions Emphasis Week: a week of global awareness and opportunities
• Church Connect Day: information fair with over 20 churches on campus
• Justice Emphasis Week: a week of focus on issues such as human trafficking, slave labor, the marginalized poor, etc.
• Ministry Jobs Listing: listing of paid and volunteer opportunities from local churches

Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation offers quality programs and services that enhance wellness through the promotion of healthy lifestyle and activity. Campus Recreation provides a safe environment to enhance sportsmanship, leadership, and quality of life for the campus community. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are able to take advantage of a variety of recreation activities, fitness programs, special events and fitness services. The goal of the Department of Campus Recreation is to offer quality and enjoyable recreation programs and services in a Christian environment.

Programs and Services provided by Campus Recreation include:

• Facility - Greene Complex: Inside the 65,000-square-foot Greene Complex are the Mahoney Gymnasium, Rubin Arena, Racquetball Courts, Jogging Track, Athletics Offices and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center. The Fitness Center is on the second floor of the Greene Complex for Sports and Recreation. The Greene Complex hours are available on the Campus Recreation homepage and on myPBA.
• Intramural Program: The intramural program offers fun-first competition in traditional sports. Each semester a variety of sports activities are offered for students, faculty and staff to participate. Sports vary by semester but include some of your favorites like volleyball, flag football, basketball, dodgeball, and soccer.
• Fitness Program: This program is comprised of personal training, group fitness classes, wellness programs and fitness incentives. Fitness incentives are specially designed programs to incorporate fun in fitness activities with the added benefit of prizes at the end. A full schedule of group fitness classes is available throughout the week. Group Exercise classes may include Pilates, Core Crunch, Latin Dance, Yoga and X-Fit, among many others. The schedule of classes, personal training information and services is available on myPBA and at the Green Complex informational board.
• Club Sports: Current clubs offered are Men’s Lacrosse (Ranked in the top 10 Nationally), Women’s Lacrosse (current winners over #1 UCF), PBA Spirit Squads (Cheerleading and Dance Teams) and Ultimate (new in 2013). More information on Club Sports is available on MyPBA.
• Special Events: Special events are the most anticipated activities offered each year. Events like kayaking, paddle boarding, spin cycle classes, nutrition programs, snorkeling and video game tournaments are offered at various times each semester. More information can be found at the Green Complex front desk.

Campus Recreation is PBA’s largest student employment department. Students are employed as sports officials, group exercise instructors, personal trainers, member service attendants, fitness attendant rovers and building managers. Vacancies are posted at the Greene Complex or through College Central. To apply for a position with Campus Recreation visit MyPBA for an application.

People may also find information regarding Campus Recreation on the Campus Recreation Home Page. The Campus Recreation Office is located on the first floor of the Greene Complex for Sports & Recreation. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are required to show PBA ID each time they use the facility.

Center for Campus Connections

International and Multicultural Programs

Center for Campus Connections seeks to promote, create, and sustain a community that recognizes and respects the presence of diverse groups, valuing their differences, and seeking to encourage others on campus to engage in learning more about the diverse cultures on our campus. We are dedicated to providing campus programming that is engaging, educational, and exciting. In addition we provide advising to the following multicultural student organizations: Black Student Union, Latino and Spanish Student Association, Third Culture Group, Caribbean Club, Middle Eastern Student Union, International Student Association, and more. For more information call 561-803-2550.

Student Activities Board

Student Activities Board exists to assist Palm Beach Atlantic University students in exploring, discovering, and preparing all to strengthen the Body of Christ. Student Activities Board carries out this mission with Christ-centered, educational and developmental programming using students’ God-given gifts and talents in planning events and serving students. Student Activities Board provides each student with unique programming experiences that assist in building community among students, faculty and staff by creating venues to engage the mind and foster relationship from a Christ-centered perspective. Student Activities Board includes over 80 campus-wide programs, assistance to student clubs and organizations, and  Commuter Student programming. Some Student Activities events are:

Students may choose to get involved in planning events, assisting with student organizations, promoting events or attending events. For more information contact Student Activities Board by calling 561.803.2550 or at student_activities@pba.edu. Check us out at Facebook.com/PBAEvents and follow us on Twitter: @PBAstudact!

Student Leadership Development

Leadership Development is an important aspect of one’s college experience.  Within the Center for Campus Connections our goal is to help students gain a complete understanding of who they are as a leader, assess and develop the leadership potential of all Palm Beach Atlantic University students, and to encourage the student leaders on campus through effective relevant training and programming through our Refresh program.  Through programs such as Impact Leadership Team (ILT) students will gain a complete understanding of Servant Leadership, a model that Jesus demonstrated and will learn to serve others before self.  To learn more about how to get connected and grow your leadership abilities contact Impact_Leadership_Team@pba.edu or call 561-803-2550.  

Welcome Desk - Lassiter Student Center 

The first floor of the Lassiter Student Center is home to the Student Game Room where students of Palm Beach Atlantic University can come and enjoy a relaxed environment with others.  The facility contains seating in a comfortable setting, a media console that includes an HDTV and built in audio, and is equipped for gaming consoles that can be checked out at the Welcome Desk.  In addition board games and other electronics may be checked out during operating hours. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 7:30am-1am, Saturday & Sunday 11am-2am

Student Organizations

Over 70 student-run organizations offer various ways for students to plug in. Listed below are some of the student organizations that prospective and current students may get involved in. For a complete list, visit myPBA -> Departments -> Center for Campus Connections -> Student Clubs and Organizations.

• A.L.I.C. (American Latino Intercultural Coalition) celebrates the Latino/Hispanic heritage.
• A.L.I.C.E. (A Live Improv Comedy Experience) promotes improvisational talents and humorous entertainment. (auditions required)
• Alpha Psi Omega is an honorary professional fraternity for those students who have excelled in theatre.
• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FSHP) prepares pharmacy students for residencies, promotes networking and clinical pharmacy in a health-system environment.
• Black Student Union celebrates African American culture and heritage.
• The Boarder Patrol supports board sports (surf, long, skim, wake, snow, etc.) among students and emphasizing Christ to shine through them as they ride. (board not required)
• Campus Justice Club (Not for Sale) devoted to raising awareness about Human Trafficking.
• Caribbean Culture Club unify students with similar backgrounds and enlighten people of the Caribbean culture.
• Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International (CPFI) promotes Christian applications within the pharmacy profession and enables students to develop spiritual, moral, and ethical principles to aid them when faced with professional dilemmas.
• Christian Pharmacy Fellowship International motivates and equips pharmacy students to practice faith in Jesus Christ in their personal and professional lives.
• C.L.I.C.K. (Computer Club) provides a venue for personal development for students with an interest in computers.
• Club S.A.I.L. supports and promotes school spirit among PBA’s men’s and women’s basketball teams
• College Democrats spark political initiative in the campus community and promote the ideals of the Democratic Party.
• College Republicans support the principles, objectives and platform of the Republican Party and work for the election of all duly nominated Republican Party candidates.
• Concert Choir is open to all students, but requires an audition.
• Delta Epsilon Chi nurtures leadership in the fields of marketing, merchandising, advertising, salesmanship, culinary arts, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, financial services and international business.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) promotes relationships with coaches and athletes to impact their commitment to Jesus Chris with integrity, service, teamwork, and excellence.
• Fish out of Water (Running Club) helping reach students’ running goals and serve at local 5k, half marathon, etc. races in the community.
• French Culture Club promotes French culture and language through movies, dining, and community events.
• Future Lawyers of America discuss law schools and create an understanding for students who wish to pursue a degree in law.
• The History Club is designed to promote interest in history, provide career information for majors and minors, and get students involved in history projects off campus.
• Impact Leadership Team (ILT) a freshman and transfer leadership organization providing opportunities for students to develop, explore, and refine their leadership skills.
• International Business Club provides support for international business students and programming.
• Jazz Ensemble is open to all students, but requires an audition.
• Kappa Delta Epsilon is an honorary professional education fraternity whose purpose is to promote the cause of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high scholastic standards, and professional ideals among its members.
• Kappa Phi Club Women’s Christian Service Club.
• Kappa Epsilon empowers its members to achieve personal and professional fulfillment by developing confidence, self-esteem, interpersonal skills, and a leadership vision.
• Kappa Psi promotes professional contacts, development of leadership opportunities, and development of philanthropy opportunities.
• Lambda Pi Eta is the honor society of the National Communication Association.
• Marine Biology Club promotes the conservation and education of marine environment.
• Mathematics Society open to all students to further the interest of math through discussions, guest speakers, and service projects.
• Middle Eastern Union introduce Middle Eastern culture to PBA students.
• Newman Club promotes understanding and fellowship among Catholic students
• Nurse’s Christian Fellowship is dedicated to helping nurses and students to demonstrate Christ to patients and to one another.
• Oratorio Chorus is open to all students, performs the choral masterworks.
• Palm Beach Atlantic Student Nursing Association allows students an opportunity to participate in professional activities and the legislative process.
• PBA Praise contemporary gospel choir.
• PBA Premedical Society unify premedical students by providing resources, speakers, discussions, volunteer experiences, etc. to grow leading Christian physicians.
• PBA Symphony is a university/community orchestra, which is open to all students but requires an audition.
• Pep Band is open to all students, but requires an audition.
• Phi Delta Chi strives to advance the science of pharmacy and its allied interest, to foster and promote a fraternal spirit among its members, and promote innovate lasting leadership skills.
• Phi Alpha Theta History honor society.
• Pi Sigma Alpha Honorary Political Science society.
• Public Relations Club seeks to advance students professionally in the PR field, while educating all students on the advantages of pursuing an education in PR.
• Pre-Dental Society unify students interested in dental school and provide information on pursuing dental school, the DAT, etc.
• Pre-Health Club provides knowledge of the medical field and how to succeed in its competitive environment.
• Pre-Pharmacy Club aids admission and entry to the Pharm.D program.
• Presidential Ambassadors is an organization of students who act as Ambassadors of goodwill for PBA. They promote ongoing, strong, and positive relationships among students, alumni, administration, faculty, staff and parents as well as the greater West Palm Beach community.
• Psi Chi Honor Society is the national honor society in psychology.
• Psychology Club provides avenues of communication for all students interested in psychological study.
• Science Club is open to all students to further the interest in science through discussions, guest speakers, and field trips. a traditional event is the “Science Club Bug Race” held during Homecoming week.
• Sigma Alpha Omega Women’s Fellowship Club.
• Sigma Beta Delta (Business Honor Society) national honor society of Business students.
• Sigma Tau Delta is a national honor society whose selected members have excelled in English and Literature.
• Symphonic Band is open to all students, but requires an audition.
• Student-Athlete Council acts as a liaison between students, student support personnel and the Department of Athletics.
• Swing Club brings people together to learn how to dance swing.
• Student Government, the representative and recognized voice of the student body of Palm Beach Atlantic University, is charged with the responsibility to coordinate and represent student interests and concerns in all areas of college life.
• Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) encourages free enterprise at Palm Beach Atlantic and in the surrounding community.
• Students Veterans Group is a group for students who are currently or have served in any armed forces unit.
• Theta Alpha Kappa is the National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology whose purpose is to encourage, recognize, and maintain excellence in such studies among students.
• To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) PBA chapter of the national organization.
• Transfer Club support club for students who have transferred form another school to PBA
• Virtues and Valors students who enjoy step dancing and perform at various athletic events as well as serving the community through various outlets.
• Welcome Week Steering Committee is the student group that organizes and leads the fall and spring orientation programs.
• Women’s Chorale is open to all female students and performs on campus and in the community.
• Women’s Studies Group provides a forum for the discussion of issues of interest and concern to women students. The group also organizes a series of educational events for the PBA community and offers an annual scholarship.

Chapel

Some ask, “Why do you have chapel at PBA?” Busy schedules coupled with the rigor of a full academic load leave many with little time to breathe, much less take another hour that might be better spent studying, working or resting. If we were just body and mind, the argument would be worth noting. The University believes, however, that God has made us body, mind and soul. Chapel deals with that “soulish” part of who we are. It is an exciting opportunity to meet with God, discover His wisdom and strength for our lives and experience His work on a personal and campus-wide level.

Each week students select from one of four chapel services. All services have the same focus and message, but three of the services highlight a contemporary worship format while one is more formal. Student participation is a hallmark of all chapel services. This participation can take many forms from “upfront roles” such as playing in the band on a praise and worship team or singing in a choir to “behind-the-scenes participation” on our creative team or prayer team, for example.

At the core of chapel is worship and spiritual formation built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and rooted in the Bible. The goal is to help the campus community experience a growing relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Chapel may be the means God uses to light a spark of spiritual interest in a student’s heart or to fan into a flame the fire that is already burning. The Chapel staff strives to keep chapel relevant, engaging and oriented in such a way as to build campus community.

All full-time (graduate and undergraduate) day students must attend chapel. Students must accumulate a minimum of 24 chapel credits during each year of enrollment. Completion of the 24 chapel credits during the year is a prerequisite for continued enrollment and graduation from PBA.

Grievance Policy (Non-Academic Complaint)

A non-academic complaint is any alleged injustice including unfair treatment, error, or behavior inconsistent with University policies, mission or values. Complaints regarding harassment or discrimination will be addressed by the Office of Human Resources.

1. The student should take his/her complaint to the staff member who oversees the program/office/department for which he/she has a complaint. Initial concerns may be communicated verbally or in writing by the student to the staff member.
2. If the resolution with the staff member proves unsatisfactory to the student, he or she may make a formal complaint in writing to the staff member’s immediate supervisor. It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate that he or she has already communicated with the staff member who oversees the program/office/department. Any complaint that has not followed he prescribed steps will be referred back to the appropriate staff member.
3. The supervisor will review the student’s complaint and provide a written acknowledgement within ten (10) business days.
4. The written complaint will be logged for internal processing; however, it will not become a part of the student’s official record.
5. If the resolution with the supervisor proves unsatisfactory to the student, he or she may take the complaint to the Director, Dean, Vice President or designee in writing. It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate that he or she has already communicated with the staff member’s immediate supervisor. Any complaint that has not followed the prescribed steps will be referred back to the appropriate staff member.
6. In the event that the complaint is directly related to the Director, non-academic Dean, Vice President or designee, the complaint will be forwarded to the Senior Vice President for Administration and Planning.
7. The Vice President or designee will review the student’s complaint and provide a final written response.
   

Workship

Workship provides an excellent opportunity to combine learning with Christian service. Workship — welding the concepts of work and worship — has been a central part of the university since its foundation. Workship allows the PBA community to step out of the classroom and into the community to help people. a primary goal of the Workship program is that students learn the intrinsic value of service through meeting the needs of those in the surrounding communities. PBA’s active participation in the community through volunteerism has given the university a very special reputation in South Florida.

All daytime full-time undergraduate students must complete 45 hours of volunteerism every academic year, working with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government agencies, churches, and academic schools in efforts to meet the needs outside the University community. Students have many choices in how and where they will complete their hours of service.

Workship Department Resources

The Workship Department helps the University community locate and connect with places of service in the following ways:

• Welcome Week Workship Project: Students are encouraged to participate in various projects throughout Palm Beach County. Transportation & lunch are included. Sign-up is not necessary for this project.
• Workship Expo: Local nonprofit organizations spend a day on campus sharing volunteer opportunities with students.
• Regional, national, and international projects: These projects allow students to participate in short term trips, during weekends and school breaks, where they gain a hands-on awareness of the needs outside the Palm Beach community. During school breaks, groups of students, faculty and staff participate in service trips to other parts of Florida and other states and countries. These group projects provide an opportunity to work with a small cluster of 10 or more students on short-term projects, which yield immediate results. Students are given the opportunity to sign up for various group projects during each semester.
• Local Group Projects: Students have opportunities to participate in local Workship projects to make a visible difference in Palm Beach County by serving in various 3-8 hour projects. Students are informed about these opportunities via Student LISTSERVs, digital signage and Chapel slides.
• Clubs and Classes: Faculty, staff and students may create their own Workship projects, often designed to their particular interest or study. With Workship approval, clubs and classes can organize and participate in community service projects and receive Workship credit. 
• Individual Assignments: Students may choose to work individually in a specific field of interest. They can choose from hundreds of nonprofit agencies, churches and schools in the local area or create their own placements in an area of their choosing. a list of local volunteer opportunities may be accessed on the Workship page of myPBA.
• Special Events: The Workship Department arranges a variety of special events during the course of the year to highlight the importance of service for the university community. These include a Welcome Week Workship project for all incoming students and MLK Challenge where students, faculty and staff participate in “mystery projects”.

Requirements

For more complete information on the Workship program and the requirements associated with the program, please visit the Navigator Student Handbook at https://my.pba.edu/ics.