woman typing on a computer

Student Summit

This page serves to keep students informed, provide resources and answers and collect anonymous feedback bringing your concerns to the forefront and improving your educational experience.

Regis Rangers,

The last few weeks on campus have been charged with a mixture of angst and excitement, frustration and hope as students have called for greater engagement with Regis leaders. The Student Affairs Team extends our gratitude to everyone who participated in the October 5th Student Summit or followed up with ideas and suggestions on how to strengthen our institution and enrich the experiences of our community members. The purpose of the summit was to share the results of the Higher Education Data-Sharing consortium (HEDS) Student Satisfaction survey administered last spring; welcome your insight, ideas, feedback and concerns regarding the findings; learn more about your Regis experience; and explore opportunities to become better informed about the needs of all our students. The first step toward becoming a student-centric institution is to listen to our students. Your voices are important to us.

As promised, we met with RUSGA representatives to review the questions that were raised during the summit and submitted afterward and developed this website to post responses. Recognizing that many of your questions and concerns pertain to departments and services that are not in Student Affairs, we reached out to Cabinet members and invited their input. We in Student Affairs will continue to gather students’ questions, and comments, as well as feedback from our colleagues to improve our institutional processes and programs. We will update the website on a bi-monthly basis throughout the academic year.

We invite you to take some time to review and reflect on the information that has been gathered. We have categorized the questions and comments into emerging priorities or desired outcomes:

  • Transparency and shared governance based on mutual trust
  • Creating an inclusive and welcoming campus community
  • Sustainability and care for our common home
  • Improved campus services
View Student Satisfaction Survey Submit Anonymous Feedback

In addition to posting information here, we will continue to consult with RUSGA administration and attend their town halls. The President's Cabinet also will schedule opportunities to work with RUSGA and other student leaders to ensure that we keep channels of communication open. We welcome your partnership in sharing, in listening, in learning and implementing the strategies that will make Regis truly student focused.

Dr. Barbara J Wilcots
Vice President for Student Affairs

 

Many updates and messages originate from Constant Contact; if you are not receiving messages, please add studact@regis.edu and studentaffairs@regis.edu to your contact list and/or favorites list.

Q&A

Transparency and shared governance based on mutual trust

Student government organizations are the formal liaisons between the student body and the institutional governing bodies. Regis University Student Government Association (RUSGA) also welcomes your input and engagement. You can email the student body president, Madelaine Johnson (she/hers) at rusgaprs@regis.edu. Students can engage their senate representatives in addressing concerns and advocating on their behalf. You may share your feedback on your engagement with the Title IX/Equal Opportunity Coordinator at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/create/?sm=6_2Fmgu6LCOieXvVzoSdmCf8TXcx4ifZOb02a_2BCsEoSuQ_3D&tbyb_collect=true.

To give general feedback regarding your Regis experience, you can access the EmailMe Form - Student Feedback which has an option for anonymous submissions. Additionally, Interim President Teets hosts individual, unstructured conversations on Fridays. To sign up, email president@regis.edu and use the subject line “Voices of Regis.” You also can participate in the HEDS Student Satisfaction Survey that will be administered each spring. Please look for updates on the survey at the start of spring term. Students also are welcome to contact university leadership directly. The names and roles of senior leaders can be found here: University Leadership | Regis University.

It is never easy to stand up or speak out. Those who report incidents and/or concerns are expected to be free from retaliation. The first step in reporting is making sure you reach out to the appropriate person who has the authority to receive the complaint or take action. To help students navigate this process, students can report to the Dean of Students Office using the sponsored account dos@regis.edu, and someone will be happy to respond and schedule time to assist or connect students to the appropriate person.

If a person feels they are being retaliated against, they can file an on-line report on the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Website: Discrimination and Bias Incident Report Form (maxient.com). They also report by phone at 303-964-6435 or by emailing titleix@regis.edu. The report will be reviewed, and the appropriate action will be taken to address the concern. For more on retaliation please see the policy below which is also outlined in the Student Handbook.

We recognize that students may wish to be anonymous in their reporting of concerns. This may be appropriate in some instances of reporting; however, certain concerns or complaints do not allow for students to remain anonymous as it would not allow for the proper investigation and follow-up needed to substantiate claims of misconduct. Students can choose to speak to someone within the academic department or operations office regarding their specific concerns, or they can contact Human Resources for support and assistance in filing a complaint.

All reports received will be handled with privacy and only involve individuals who are named in the complaint or may have direct knowledge regarding the complaint. Regis will try to protect the identity of reporting parties when addressing concerns as best as possible. If the complaint involves bias, discrimination and or sexual misconduct, students are encouraged to report through the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity. Reports can be completed on the Student Affairs webpage.

The Regis Nondiscrimination policy requires all faculty/staff, except confidential resources, to report all instances of sexual misconduct or discrimination to the Title IX/EO Coordinator. Confidential Resources who are exempted from reporting include the Victim Advocate, Office of Counseling and Personal Development, Center for Counseling and Family Therapy, Student Health Services, and University Ministry and Jesuits. For more information,  see the University’s Non-discrimination, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation Policy.

For issues other than sexual misconduct, discrimination, or suspected child abuse or neglect, faculty, staff, and student employees are not required to report their experiences. However, students may make other complaints via the process outlined in the complaints policy at https://www.regis.edu/policies/student-complaints.

The Student Summit was conceived as an opportunity to present the findings of the Student Life survey that was conducted in the spring of 2022 to the student body. The goal was to create a space where students could speak to the results of the survey; how their experience was represented in those results, what resonated with them, and what was missing.

Dialogue, which is a central value of our community, in this case would not have let as many students express themselves, pose as many questions or cover as much ground as this listening format did. We will continue to provide opportunities for students to ask questions and share their concerns, and we will provide responses in a manner intended to reach students regardless of their ability to be physically present.

Yes. RUSGA plans to hold bimonthly town halls, and Student Affairs will host a spring summit. The next RUSGA Town Hall is scheduled for October 27, 2022, 4:30—6:00 p.m. in Walker’s Pub. Announcements will be made regarding the spring Student Satisfaction Survey and DEI Climate Survey at the start of spring term.

The event was scheduled in the late afternoon, after most day classes had concluded but before evening classes started. The location was chosen to accommodate the expected turnout. Fewer than 40 students attended the last summit, and fewer than 70 students RSVPed for this one. We were happy to see the large turnout—more than 150 students and a few faculty and staff—and will hold the next meeting in a larger venue in anticipation of continued interest.

Regis University’s leadership is committed to hearing students and engaging with integrity and as much transparency as possible. Building a culture of trust is a mutual endeavor that requires open communication, honesty, respectful interaction that honors the dignity of all persons, following through on promises, and being committed to building and maintaining a relationship over time.

We look forward to engaging with students at the RUSGA bimonthly town halls and the Student Affairs spring summit and finding additional ways to continue open and honest dialogue.

Student Affairs will continue to welcome students’ questions and respond via this website.

Of every dollar spent, sixty-two cents pays for teaching and student support activities. Thirty-eight cents pays for the operating costs of the university. Operating costs include utilities, insurance, technology, custodial, landscaping, maintenance, and repairs.

Recent increases helped pay for additional student financial aid, faculty and staff salary increases, and increases in the university's operating costs.

Typically, fees fund a basket of services that meet the needs of students, i.e., the wellness fee. Some fees cover the cost of specific student services, i.e., student health insurance. Some fees provide funding for student government, i.e., the student activity fee. Fees are adjusted to cover underlying increases in the cost of the services offered to students.

 

Traditionally, campus events and activities have strong administrator, faculty and staff attendance: however, Regis employees also take great care not to encroach on student spaces. University leaders, faculty and staff welcome invitations to student events so they have a better understanding of the specific events in which you’d like to see greater Regis community involvement.

It also is important to note that Regis is committed to cura personalis for all community members which means supporting a work-life balance for its employees. At times, this means employees may forgo student events because of personal commitments.

The academic deans’ and faculty discussed this topic after the last incident. Consistent with our Jesuit values, we all agreed that we want to provide grace to students following incidents or traumatic events. Academic deans will be engaging with faculty to ensure that this occurs throughout the university.

This could include, quiet times for reflection at the beginning of class, time for discussion and/or modifications in class assignments or schedules. Decisions regarding cancelling classes would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Rather than adding the cost of maintaining parking lots on campus to tuition and fees, parking permits were instituted. For reasons of equity, any employee, whether faculty or staff, who parks on campus is required to purchase a permit.

Yes. Student Affairs was authorized this week (Oct 18) to post the position. The job description is being updated and the position will be posted soon.

In order to work toward a faculty that mirrors the compositional diversity of our student body, we created a university-wide Inclusive Hiring Committee (IHC). This group of faculty created an Inclusive Hiring Handbook of the most effective practices for search committees to recruit, evaluate, and interview candidates for faculty positions.

n addition, the IHC and/or vice provost participate on hiring committees throughout the university. In our first full year of this, Regis College hired a total of 6 tenure-track faculty, with 5 of them identifying as faculty of color, mostly Latinx/o/a. In addition, retention of our faculty of color (as well as staff of color) is a priority of our three colleges. Academic leaders, including the Provost, Academic Deans, School Deans and Department Chairs, are dedicated to these efforts and are exploring other options as well. This is a priority.

Creating an inclusive and welcoming campus community

Creating and sustaining a culture of care on campus only happens through strategic planning and buy-in from the entire campus community. Health and wellbeing must be an institutional norm and a key component of all campus life. Our first step was to create a Care team model to identify and support student needs and to shift from a punitive approach to restorative and educational strategies in addressing conduct matters.

As a community of care, we seek to support students in their overall well-being and work to foster a community that promotes cura personalis. Our next step is to invite key campus stakeholders and to begin the strategic planning process to cultivate an ethos of care. Students are an integral part of the planning, implementation, and improvement process. When the planning process begins, we will invite student participation.

We will use the American College Health Association (ACHA) Healthy Campus Framework 2030, along with current campus data to assess our current culture on campus. This will be an organic process and requires dedicated leadership and commitment for it to be successful.

The Regis Website, www.regis.edu is a wonderful resource for finding out what is available on campus. Other useful websites include the following:

Currently there are two Regis events calendars that students can navigate to for information on upcoming activities:

In addition, traditional undergraduate students receive a weekly student life email from the director of Student Engagement and Leadership. We also anticipate launching an event and activities app in the spring of 2023 through a platform called Campus Groups. This app is designed to present students with a one-stop location for upcoming events sponsored by Recognized Student Organizations, RUSGA, Student Affairs departments, and other campus entities sponsoring campus events.

Traditional undergraduate students that commute to campus have access to the same resources that traditional undergraduate residential students are afforded—access to the fitness center, personal counseling, career and professional development, university ministry, outdoor adventure, intramurals, and much more.

Regis is always looking for ways to assist commuter students in connecting with one another and the community. Increased commuter engagement is a work in progress and remains a priority for Student Affairs. Current efforts include the hiring of commuter assistant student staff who are available during the day in Walkers Pub, the addition of a commuter peer minister through University Ministry, and a commuter student representative in Student Senate.

All programs, campus speakers, outdoor trips, and recreation activities are open to all students; however, there currently are no specific programmatic offerings exclusively for 2nd-4th year students.

New Student Orientation and the First Year Experience are specifically resourced to help our new students make the transition to college, develop a sense of connection to the community, build relationships and help them navigate campus; whereas 2nd-4th year students generally have made these connections. One great way to continue to grow your network is to join one of the many student organizations or engage with RUSGA. The recent reorganization of student senate to include student senators from each class, with budget for events and activities for each, is one strategy for building up programs and activities for 2nd-4th year students.

Redeveloping a senior life program – which coordinates specific events/activities for 4th year students in Walkers, with Career Services, a senior discernment retreat and end of year celebration – would be a second strategy. You also might consider applying for work for the New Student Orientation and assist incoming students in building community at Regis.

There are several campus resources that create spaces for students and staff to explore these important aspects of the human experience. Among them are the Queer Resource Alliance (an organization of faculty, students and staff) and the Queer Student Alliance (a recognized student organization).

Though there are many campus departments that support these organizations and this work, of particular note would be the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence and the Women and Gender studies program. Student organizations, such as QSA, are open to all students, not just traditional undergraduates.

If you are interested in starting a new club, please complete the Proposed Student Organization Form.

Students who identify within the Queer community may find support through the Queer Student Alliance (QSA) or reach out to members of the Queer Resource Alliance (QRA) which is comprised of Faculty, Staff and some students.

Both QRA and QSA provide trainings, programs and events on campus to help foster and promote an inclusive community. QRA has recorded over 300 Regis community members that have voluntarily completed the Brave Space training. QRA also supports students seeking name changes, or updating personal information and assist in navigating that process with students.

The Title IX process is captured in the Non-Discrimination Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation Policy and Procedure. All matters are handled on a case-by-case basis, and the length of the process is predominately determined by the willingness of all parties to participate. Informal resolutions can normally resolve relatively quickly, while it is our goal to resolve formal resolutions within 60 days. If you have a concern about the length of your case, you can discuss your concern directly with the Title IX Coordinator.

Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance | Regis University

The Title IX Coordinator is the primary resource for Title IX information on campus. Regis’ Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator is Kassandra Alberico. She is located in Main Hall 133. Her hours are 8:30am to 5pm. She can be reached by phone at 303-964-6435, and by email at kalberico@regis.edu.

You can find more resources, including additional Confidential and Non-Confidential Resources at https://www.regis.edu/life-at-regis/student-resources/campus-safety/equal-opportunity-and-title-ix-compliance.

The new assistant director of VAVP, Shanese McGregor, will join Regis on December 7, 2022. In the interim The Director of Community Standards and Care is overseeing the Violence Prevention Educators (student staff), to provide support and direction on the programming efforts through the VAVP office. The Director of Community Standards and Care is not a confidential resource, and students are encouraged to seek confidential support through the resources listed below:

Confidential:

University Ministry professional staff, Office of Counseling & Personal Development staff, Jesuits, and Student Health Services. Lori Maes has also been identified as a confidential resource and has graciously volunteered to meet with survivors/students in the interim. Lori can be contacted at ltrujillo004@regis.edu

There are also several off-campus resources that students can utilize that do not report to Regis and have 24/7 hotlines:

  • Blue Bench: 303-322-7273
  • SafeHouse Denver: 303-318-9989
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
  • National Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233

Non-Confidential

Community Standards and Care; Housing Staff (if residential); Title IX; Campus Safety; other university officials, faculty and staff (unless specified as confidential above).

For issues of sexual misconduct and discrimination involving individuals affiliated with Regis University, all employees at Regis with the exception of the Confidential Resources listed above are “Responsible Employees.” This means staff, faculty, and student employees when acting in the scope of their employment, but excluding Confidential Resources, are mandated reporters under Regis policy and must report any EO or Title IX disclosures to the Title IX Coordinator.

All Regis staff, faculty, and student employees when acting in the scope of their employment, including those who are otherwise considered confidential resources such as counselors, medical professionals, and clergy, are required by Colorado Law 19-3-304 to report suspected child abuse and neglect to 911 in case of emergency, or to 1-844-CO-4-KIDS.

For issues other than sexual misconduct, discrimination, or suspected child abuse or neglect, faculty, staff, and student employees are not required to make reports. However, students may make other complaints via the process outlined in the complaints policy at https://www.regis.edu/policies/student-complaints.

Sustainability and care for our common home

Once a work order is submitted via the housing portal or via email to reslife@regis.edu it is reviewed and resubmitted to the responsible party as listed;

  • All furniture repairs are handled in house or via contracted repair company - i.e. desk, bed, tables, chairs, furniture, closets dressers
  • All utility issues such as heat, water, air will be handed via the Physical Plant personnel
  • All key, lock, and/ or access door issues will be addressed by the Housing the Residential Engagement office and with assistance from the Physical Plant Lock shop
  • All pest issues will be checked by Housing the Residential Engagement staff then forwarded to Physical Plant
  • All structural & cleaning issues, walls, paint, carpet, lighting, bathroom issues reported to and completed by Physical Plant personnel in partnership with our vendors
  • All appliance issues, i.e micro fridge, fridge, microwave, stove, oven, dishwashers are handled by Housing the Residential Engagement staff and our contracted repair company
  • All washer and dryer issues are handed through Housing the Residential Engagement staff and their contracted repair company.

If you have any questions about your work order please call us at 303-458-4991 or email us at reslife@regis.edu.

It is also helpful to contact the Assistant Director of your area:

  • Area 1 - Desmet Hall is Assistant Director Emily Englund at eenglund@regis.edu
  • Area 2 - O'Connell Hall and West Hall is Assistant Director Katie Kropac at ckropac@regis.edu
  • Area 3 - Residence Village, Boryla Apts, and Ignatian Village Homes is Assistant Director Rayshawn Carr at rcarr001@regis.edu

All student rights as student in on- campus housing are listed in two different places. Published within the Student Handbook starting on Page 51 under "Housing and Residential Engagement Policies" and in the Housing Contract

When information is received by Campus Safety that there is a threat to life and safety on the campus, an RU Alert is sent with the information available at the time. Community members are advised to go to a place of safety and lock themselves inside to await further instructions. When possible, Campus Safety personnel will act and attempt to secure exterior doors of buildings and advise people to seek shelter.

We do not use the word “lockdown” as it implies that it is possible to lock all exterior doors instantaneously, which is not the case. Law enforcement will be called to respond to the campus. When law enforcement arrives, they take the primary role in searching the campus for a threat, while Campus Safety assists. Periodic updates will be sent via RU Alert as more information becomes available.

When law enforcement is satisfied that no threat exists, they will notify Campus Safety, who will send an RU Alert that normal operations may resume.  The doctrine supported by the University is “Run, Hide, Fight” as endorsed by the US Department of Homeland Security.  Campus Safety offers ALICE active shooter training to any group or individual upon request.

Campus Safety is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. The number of Campus Safety Officers (CSOs) on each shift is dependent upon several factors including vacant positions posted for hiring, sick leave, vacation leave and CSOs undergoing training. The campus is never unstaffed.

The Campus Safety telephone number is a single line via cellular telephone. Campus Safety has no dispatch center or other always-staffed landline. When the CSO is talking to someone on the telephone, subsequent calls will be sent to voicemail. Campus Safety generally responds to calls for service quickly. Response time depends upon whether the CSO is in a motor vehicle, on a bicycle, in a golf cart, or on foot.

Higher priority calls involving emergency life or safety situations will take precedence over lower-priority calls, and during a situation like a shelter-in-place, lower priority calls will be held until that situation is resolved. However, under normal circumstances calls are responded to as they are received.

Improved campus services

While email is the official means of communicating with students, ITS continues its work on the “My Regis” app, and plans are underway to update the website. Suggestions always are welcome for new ways to make access easier.

In person individual counseling is available at the Coors Center Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. We also have teletherapy services available through a partnership with Mantra Health. We are currently offering two groups through OCPD: Mondays with Mookie in the Coors Center and a First-Gen group through a collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence in the Student Affairs Building. OCPD also offers brief 30-minute appointments throughout the week in the Coors Center.

We also have a Student Resource Specialist that can assist students in accessing on-campus and community mental health resources. OCPD provides workshops, trainings, mental health presentations and other outreach programming to increase mental health awareness on campus. Our partner, Mantra Health, will be providing Webinars during the year on mental health related topics.

To schedule an intake appointment for ongoing services:

If students are interested in a one-time drop in 30-minute session the counseling center is located in suite 114 in the Coors Life Center (shared space with Student Health Services) located across from the Fitness Center and next the Veterans' Services office.

Students can request a referral to Mantra on the OCPD website. Information regarding current groups and other student outreach activities can be found on the OCPD Instagram page: @ocpd_regisuniversity.

Our Student Resource Specialist is available Monday through Friday and can be reached at 303-964-3644, email aespinoza006@regis.edu or in person at OCPD. We are planning to add more groups and workshops in the spring semester, any suggestions are appreciated! perscoun@regis.edu.

Student Health Services is here for your medical needs, with compassion, confidentiality, and openness. Convenient online scheduling for 2 providers M-F 8 - 4:30 p.m.. Schedule at http://shs.regis.edu or call 303-458-3558.

As an institution in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition, Regis University follows Church teachings on reproductive issues and acknowledges the personal and private decisions of its community members in this area.

While personal possession of contraceptives, contraceptive devices and/or birth control, in any form, is allowed, distribution is prohibited on Regis University property, using University resources, and at University-sponsored events. Student Health Services staff do make limited exceptions in writing appropriate prescriptions for the treatment of related medical conditions. Some examples are: acne, irregular periods, heavy periods, cramps, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Lots 5 and 7 are designated for overnight use for Residents. Residential students purchase residential parking passes which are valid for lots 5 and 7. Those two lots combined have 477 total spaces. For Fall 2022, as of October 17, 2022, 318 residential permits have been sold, so there are plenty of spaces available between the two lots. If lot 5 is full, lot 7 is 200 feet from lot 5. If you live in DeSmet Hall, the walk to lot 5 or lot 7 are roughly the same distance.

Parking enforcement officers in the Auxiliary Services office frequently patrol all lots on campus. They also conduct early morning and late evening patrolling to ensure that all overnight vehicles parking in lots 5 and 7 have the appropriate parking permit. Those vehicles that do not have permits are cited accordingly.

There was a software update issue from the vendor (ParkMobile). This issue has been resolved; hourly permits can be purchased now.

Regis Dining hours are frequently monitored by reviewing traffic counts at all locations. The hours for Fall 2022 were set based on historic data at all locations as well as campus feedback and class schedules. Regis and Harvest Table are always looking at how hours can be modified to better serve the students. If you have feedback on hours, please let us know, and we will review to see if any modifications are needed.

Feedback: Contact Us - Ranger Dining

The Follett Equitable Access program is a 100% optional program that allows all your course material costs to be built into your student account at a reduced cost. There is nothing to purchase at a store, and will be no issues with books being out of stock. You will have all your materials on the first day of classes.

The cost is set based on the average textbook price for Regis students, and then discounted. This rate is the same per credit hour for all Regis students.

The Follett Equitable Access program is a 100% optional program. Since the Follett Equitable Access rate is set for all students on an average, there will be students whose course materials could be purchased at a lower rate than what the program offers. For those students, or for any students that would simply prefer to purchase their books on their own, opting out is easy, use this link: Follett ACCESS Textbook Program | Regis University

The program was piloted for three consecutive semesters in numerous courses and the student feedback was very positive. The success of the pilot triggered the expansion of the program.

Campus Safety assesses the need for additional cameras on a case by case basis both inside and outside campus buildings. A remote locking system is under consideration at this time by Campus Safety and Physical Plant, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) is being prepared by Physical Plant to solicit bids.

After the annual growing season with special attention given to the maturing of the Arboretum, Physical Plant assesses all campus lighting systems. Physical Plant staff partner with Student Government and Campus Safety and walk the campus to assess needs and concerns. This process has resulted in the relocation, enhancement, and addition of new lights.