Student Life
Student Affairs works to provide students with opportunities to expand their education beyond classrooms, laboratories, and studios. In concert with efforts to enhance the academic mission of the College, the Student Affairs staff offer students a variety of innovative and creative programs, activities, and educational initiatives to promote personal growth, leadership, and development.
In collaboration with the academic mission of New College, Student Affairs is committed to offering students opportunities to take responsibility for their living and for their co-curricular learning. The professional staff members are educators, programmers, counselors, and facilitators.
The principal goals of Student Affairs are:
- To work with students, faculty, and staff to incorporate co-curricular learning into the overall academic mission of the College.
- To maintain active involvement in the lives of our students as mentors and educators.
- To celebrate and support the diversity of our community and the uniqueness of each individual.
- To create opportunities for learning that promote leadership, community engagement, and citizenship.
Services of Student Affairs
Student Affairs at New College aims to provide a safe intellectual, physical, and emotional space for students to engage in the liberal arts beyond the classroom. The goal is to complement the classroom experiences, inspire students so that they become passionate about what they learn, and develop life skills so that they can become positive members of their community. Student Affairs offers a variety of innovative and creative programs, activities, and educational initiatives to promote personal growth, leadership, and development. They work with students, staff, the community, and faculty to incorporate co-curricular learning and involvement into the overall mission of the College.
The Division of Student Affairs is comprised of the following offices: Counseling and Wellness Center, Dining Services, Equal Opportunity Programs, Waterfront and Campus Recreation, Housing and Residential Life, Student Activities and Campus Engagement, Advocacy and Accessible Learning Center, Student Success Center, and Transition and Family Programs. Student Affairs also provides staff support for and works closely with the New College Student Alliance and the Hamilton Center.
File a Report
To file a report of a potential violation concerning any student, staff, faculty, administrator, or other NCF affiliated individual please visit the Title IX webpage for contact info and the reporting link, or simply email tparker@ncf.edu.
Residential Life
The Office of Residence Life and Housing is responsible for maintaining student residences that support the educational mission statement of New College of Florida. We aim to strengthen the learning experience for all students by providing living and learning opportunities for intellectual and personal development that complement those within the classroom setting. Members of our staff strive to foster personal responsibilities, civic engagement, and leadership through programs and activities consistent with the values of the College’s mission. Finally, the Office of Residence Life and Housing strives to develop students who are: global citizens, responsible and involved members of the community, individuals of compassion and integrity, and lifelong learners.
Supporting Residence Life and Housing is a staff that includes the Director of Student and Community Wellbeing, Director of Community Education and Standards, Assistant Director of Operations, two Residence Hall Directors (RHDs), Coordinator of Administrative Services, and 15-20 Resident Advisors (RAs). Other Student Affairs staff members collaborate with the Residence Life and Dining Program.
Living on campus at New College allows students to engage fully in residential student life. New College students enjoy strong camaraderie and community unique to our campus. Our campus community is important to our student success. New College is intentionally designated as a residential college; as such, we require all students to live in the residence halls unless they have been granted an exemption or waiver.
Residential Halls
New College of Florida offers a variety of residential facilities for our students. Our apartment-style facilities include the Letter Residence Halls: V, W, X, and Y. Each apartment offers a common space, full bathroom, small kitchenette, and three to four single bedrooms. These halls feature beautiful architecture, including high timbered roofs with arched windows and an abundance of natural light. Residents share balconies, lounges, full kitchens, and laundry facilities.
Z Hall, also known as the Rhoda Pritzker Residence Hall, provides housing for 90 students. It offers apartment-style suites, full bathrooms, small kitchenettes, and four single bedrooms. Residents share balconies, lounges, full kitchens, and laundry facilities. The hall also features a third story, an open-air lounge, and a central courtyard.
Dort Hall and Goldstein Hall (commonly referred to as Dort & Gold), house 142 students and provide apartment-style accommodations. Each apartment has four single bedrooms and two bathrooms opening to a shared living area and a partial kitchen. In addition, both halls have laundry facilities and lounges for student use.
The Pei residence halls–formally named Gordon E. Michalson Hall, Peggy Bates Hall, and Elaine and Harvey Rothenberg Hall–were designed by internationally acclaimed architect I. M. Pei. Often referred to as Pei 1st Court, 2nd Court, and 3rd Court, these halls are clustered around a central plaza known as Palm Court, a gathering and event space considered a hub of student life. Each Pei room accommodates two or three students, is climate-controlled, and has an exterior entrance and private bathroom. The majority of first-year students will reside in the Pei residence halls.
Close to the academic side of campus is B-Dorm, which houses 32 students in a traditional-style residence hall. Here, a more communal residential life develops around shared facilities.
Living Learning Communities (LLCs)
Living Learning Communities (LLCs) provide unique environments where select groups of students share common interests and learning experiences. LLCs create intentional links between academic, social, and residential experiences based on disciplinary and interdisciplinary themes. Recent Living Learning Communities located on campus have included Global Village, Health and Wellness, Outdoor Adventure, Performing Arts, Pride, Sustainability, Writing, and Civitas.
Any student may apply to live in an LLC, except for Civitas LLC which is only open to incoming first-year students. Civitas is a year-long program that assists first-year students with a healthful and successful transition to life at New College.
Dining Services
Metz Dining Service is our food service provider at NCF. Metz Dining Service combines the convenience and collegiality of the traditional college dining hall with an opportunity for self-catering that allows students to pursue their own styles of cooking and dining. In Hamilton Center, a full-service cafeteria provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday–Friday and Brunch and Dinner on Saturdays and Sundays. Dining selections include many options from the salad bar, a vegetarian and vegan entrée at every station, and multiple food stations that rotate weekly. Boar's Head Deli with Starbucks coffee, cappuccino, and iced coffees operated by Metz complements the cafeteria hours and has extended hours into the evenings for students to buy subs, wraps, and snacks, and relax and study or watch some news in the Café. All students participate in at least a partial dining plan based on where a student lives and if they are a new or returning student.
Student Activities
On any given day, you can find a variety of events and activities happening on campus! Whether you are interested in plays, movies, athletics/fitness, or other activities, you can find them through NovoConnect. Come visit the SA[u]CE office in HCL 4 to learn about leadership programs, volunteer opportunities, joining or starting a club (see here for a list of student groups), and how to stay up to date on on-campus events. A variety of campus organizations, groups, individuals, and offices create a range of activities on campus.
As you prepare for the semester be sure to check out our Linktree to stay connected!
Fitness, Recreation, and the Waterfront
As a service of the Counseling and Wellness Center we take a holistic approach to wellness which includes physical fitness, as well as building healthy social relationships through activities and sports. We strive to create an environment for students to develop leadership, teamwork, confidence and problem-solving skills through our many recreational programs. These programs; fitness, athletics and waterfront are designed for everyone no matter skill level.
New College has impressive recreation facilities including a 25-meter swimming pool, spa, large and professionally staffed indoor fitness center, lighted basketball and tennis courts, softball diamond, bike shop, fitness path, and multipurpose playing fields. In addition to these traditional recreation facilities we are proud to offer a waterfront program with a boathouse and dock for sailing, kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor adventures.
New College recreation offers the best of both worlds in that students are encouraged to come up with their own clubs, yet there is staff help available for the development of intramural and intercollegiate athletic and other fitness and sports-related activities.
Gender & Diversity Center
Located in Hamilton Center, the Gender & Diversity Center provides a space for programming and services to the campus focused on issues of diversity, understanding, multiculturalism, and gender-related issues.
Religious Life/Interfaith Activities
New College of Florida, a public institution, does not endorse any religious affiliation or practice and does not offer religious services or doctrinal instruction. However, religion occupies an important place in the lives of many New College students and numerous local congregations and religious organizations welcome the participation and membership of New College students. Moreover, private organizations assist students in establishing relationships with local congregations, provide pastoral counseling, offer religious study groups, and conduct faith-based programs and activities. The Association for Campus Ministry, supported by local churches and denominational groups, provides a part-time campus minister. Hillel, supported by an independent board based in Tampa and Sarasota, is also available on campus.
Counseling & Wellness Center
The Counseling and Wellness Center offers a wide range of services to aid student development and help students achieve both personal and academic success. The Center offers comprehensive, professionally staffed programs including counseling services, health services, and health education. We also include Fitness and Recreation, including the waterfront program. The Counseling and Wellness Center strives to provide services related to the development of the whole person, emphasizing emotional and physical well-being in addition to addressing academic concerns. A wellness philosophy is the foundation for all services and programs.
Counseling Services
The Center provides confidential individual therapy to current students. Counseling is designed to address a wide variety of student concerns including assessments, targeted interventions, and brief psychotherapy for mental health concerns. In addition to individual therapy, the Center also offers couples counseling, crisis intervention, psycho-education groups and outreach programming. For appointments please call (941) 487-4254 and select option 1. For more detailed information regarding the process of counseling services, please visit our website at http:www.ncf.edu/cwc.
Health Services
Health Services address a wide range of medical needs including primary care, referral, and educational services. An ARNP is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 1 PM to 5 PM during the fall and spring semesters. Standard office visits at the Counseling and Wellness Center are free. Specialized services such as gynecological visits and immunizations are also available at cost. For specific cost information or an appointment, call (941) 487-4254 and select option 2.
Health Education
A health educator is available to provide educational outreach programming as well as see students individually for any health-related concerns.
Advocacy and Accessible Learning Center
New College of Florida strives to afford people with disabilities equal opportunity and full participation in all aspects of college life. To that end, it is the policy of New College of Florida to provide equal admission opportunities and make reasonable accommodations to aid students with disabilities in independent living and self-sufficiency as required by law. It is a high priority of New College of Florida to offer individualized support services to assist students with overcoming barriers to success.
The Advocacy and Accessible Learning Center (AALC), located in Hamilton Classroom Building 003, leads the coordination of intervention services and resources for all students in the event that they are facing a personal emergency or crisis. In these situations, the AALC serves as an advocate for students and also partners with them to develop self-advocacy skills.
The AALC assists students with accommodation requests for their academics, housing, and meal plan. Success strategies and accommodations include but are not limited to extended time on examinations, assistive technology training, alternate formats for printed materials, and the services of interpreters.
Students with disabilities are eligible to apply for annual financial awards from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center provides individualized peer staff and professional staff coaching to students on a wide variety of student success topics such as time management, attention management, motivation, study skills, presentation skills, developing faculty relationships, and many more. It is the mission of the Student Success Center to support students in making a successful academic transition to New College and helping them develop skills that will serve them well beyond graduation.
Orientation
New Student Orientation
New students include first time in college and transfer students. New students take part in an orientation program prior to the first week of classes in the fall and spring semesters. This familiarizes students with New College's academic systems, services, and resources. Orientation seeks to establish early connections between students and faculty, staff, and returning students.
Transition and Family Programs
The Transition and Family Programs (T&FP) at New College of Florida advances the Orientation experience for entering students as well as builds a strong connection between the college and students’ families by creating and implementing highly impactful year-long family programs. A strong college transition experience marks the beginning of New College's year-long new student acclimation and success strategy. As part of a campus-wide collaboration, T&FP prepares students to navigate New College’s dynamic and rigorous academic structure and promotes a lasting affiliation for students and families with the New College community. New students include first-time-in-college students, transfer students, and international students. Students receive dedicated pre-arrival, arrival, and transition support, customized to their needs and circumstances.
Veterans Affairs
Questions or concerns regarding VA educational benefits may be directed to the New College VA liaison in the Office of the Registrar, at records@ncf.edu or (941) 487-4230. All veterans, veterans' dependents, and active duty military personnel may request assistance with pre-admission counseling, pre-registration advising, and veterans’ benefit resources.
Bookstore
The Campus Bookshop, operated by Follett, carries textbooks and related educational materials as well as general supplies, stationery, casual clothing, and sundry items.
Mail Service
The student mail service provides a mailbox in Hamilton Center for each New College student. Arrangements for package pick-up are available. Packages less than one pound can be mailed at the campus mailroom. Heavier packages can be mailed from the Tallevast Post Office, a few miles north and east of the airport.
Student Governance
Students are the primary focus at New College and every student has access to any member of the faculty and staff. Access alone does not ensure an effective voice in governance. The student body has a governance structure that results in considerable student input into student life, while also ensuring a student voice in academic affairs. The New College Student Alliance operates under its own constitution and any student may call a Towne Meeting to discuss issues of importance to the campus community.
Elected student representatives sit as voting members on the New College faculty and its constituent divisions (Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences). Elected student representatives also serve on standing committees of the faculty, helping the faculty frame academic policies in such areas as admissions, curriculum, and library services. Moreover, all students are invited to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of professors; student input is a part of the formal record of performance on which the hiring, promotion, and retention of professors is based.
Community Conduct Procedures
New College expects each student to act with maturity and to assume responsibility for individual actions. Within this context, students can develop individual life styles (consistent with established law and regulations), while respecting the rights and property of others. New College judicial procedures have been established in accordance with State of Florida regulations.
In their student government constitution and student code, New College students have formulated guidelines for self- regulation in disciplinary matters in concert with the Dean of Student Affairs. These measures aim toward constructive settlement of cases under dispute. The New College Student Court is recognized by, and under the purview of, the Office of Student Affairs. Its proceedings respect the rights of the accused in the settlement of disputes.
In addition to the Student Court, there is a Campus Conduct/Mediation Board, composed of staff and students, which may hear cases that could result in suspension or expulsion from the College. Procedures for using the judicial board are outlined in the Code of Conduct. All in all, the aim is to encourage student participation and ownership in a framework that preserves College responsibility and authority.
Student Appeals, Concerns, and Complaints
Attempts to resolve issues and concerns informally at the grass-roots level are more likely to result in a timely resolution. Because of this, students are strongly encouraged to begin their pursuit of an informal resolution by having a face-to-face meeting with the faculty member, supervisor, or other person in the area where the concern has arisen. Refer to other sections of this Catalog or the online Campus Directory for contact information for NCF offices, faculty, and staff.
Students are also encouraged to contact the Ombudsperson (ombuds@ncf.edu) for assistance with informal, impartial, and non-adversarial alternatives for the resolution of conflict. The Ombudsperson, guided by the principles of independence, neutrality, confidentiality, and informality, directs students toward appropriate College resources and facilitates discussion to identify the best options to resolve problems.
If a student believes a published policy or procedure has been violated or applied unfairly — or if informal means have not resolved a student’s dissatisfaction with a decision, policy, or circumstance — a student may file a formal written complaint. A link to the online written student complaint submission form can be found on the Report a Problem webpage.
New College of Florida maintains a record of all submitted written student complaints to ensure they are addressed in a prompt, fair, and consistent manner. New College strives to respond to all written student complaints within 30 days and to resolve complaints within 90 days.
A student may file a complaint externally with the College's accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; instructions are provided on this webpage.
Ombudsperson
The Ombudsperson operates as a resource and provides assistance with informal, impartial, and non-adversarial alternatives for the resolution of conflict. A student’s use of the ombudsperson is voluntary and is not a required step in any grievance process.
The Ombudsperson directs students toward appropriate College resources. The role of the ombudsperson is not to advocate for any individual but to advocate for fair and equitably administered processes and to facilitate discussion to identify the best options to resolve problems. The ombudsperson is guided by recognized professional standards of practice for the role of the ombudsperson, including the principles of independence, neutrality, confidentiality, and informality unless otherwise required by law. The ombudsperson reports directly to the President and may be contacted at ombuds@ncf.edu.
Title IX Coordinators for Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Battery
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Legal citation: Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX).
Full time staff, faculty, and Resident Advisors are mandatory reporters responsible for reporting any received notification of potential violation to our relevant policy. New College’s Sexual Discrimination/Harassment regulation can be found here. For more information about Title IX, bystander intervention, and the responsibilities of mandatory reporters, please email tparker@ncf.edu.