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College traditions are constants in the ever-changing for mula of
academic life, threads of continuity in the midst of variation and
bonds between students of today and yesterday. Concordia is rich with
tradition.
One of these traditions is the unique name "Cobbers,"
which goes back to the 1890s shortly after the school was founded.
Stu dents at a rival school considered the Concordia students un sophisticated
country bumpkins and referred to them as "Corn Cobs." As time passed,
this term was replaced with the now-familiar one, which was used by
sportswriters long before it was fully accepted by the students themselves.
Freshman beanies have been a tradition
at Concordia since 1922, when the sophomore class originated the wearing
of green headgear. Each August, freshmen don "golden domes" during
Orientation. Transfer students also receive beanies, adding a few
maroon domes to the abundance of golden ones.
Concordia's Homecoming offers alumni the chance to
re call the past and join students in festivities of the present.
A distinctive characteristic of Concordia's Homecoming is the large
number of alumni who make it a tradition to return to campus for the
weekend, even when it is not a reunion year for them. Highlights include
the Home com ing Banquet, Parade, Coronation, football game, the Athletic
Hall of Fame Banquet, Bonfire, the Homecoming Show and a worship service.
Service is another tradition at Concordia that
includes both students and alumni. Campus Service Commission, the
student service-learning organization, matches students with mean
ing ful and structured community service opportunities designed to
promote a lifelong commitment to service. An increasing number of
students participate in course-based service learning. Other opportunities
to serve include Habitat for Humanity and Concordia Reads. Alumni
serve the college by participating in student recruitment, donat ing
money for scholarships, serving on CORD com mit tees, aiding in placement
of graduates and working on phonathons.
The ruby and gold ring worn proudly by many Cobbers
is a tradition begun in 1918 and officially adopted by the col lege
in 1920. Alumni find their class rings to be a passport to friendship,
a conversation piece and a mark of distinction.
Cobber
Corn Feeds are regional picnics that use Concordia's traditional
tie to corn as an excuse to get together. Alumni, friends, and present
and prospective students gather for corn-on-the-cob, good company
and a program.
Another tradition at Concordia is the high level of student
involvement in every facet of college life. Students not
only participate in student organizations but also serve as interns
in academic departments and administrative offices; partici pate on
search committees; are represented on the governing bodies of the
college; and take part in a multitude of college functions.
Reservation of the Right to Modify
The services, programs and policies of Concordia College are
continually being reviewed and changed, in order to better achieve
its educational mission. Therefore, the College reserves the
right to revise this handbook from time to time without notice.
The handbook is not a contract, so students should use it as
an information guide and not as a statement of contractually
binding terms. If changes are made, the college will make reasonable
efforts to inform students of the changes. Students, however,
are responsible for keeping informed of current college policies
and meeting all applicable requirements.
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Orientation opens each
school year with three full days of acti vities designed to acquaint
new students with the academic, spir it ual and social character of
Concordia. The student Ori en tation Committee collaborates with faculty
and staff to select a theme and plan various events to help new students
make Concordia their home.
Family Weekend occurs in September
after students have had time to settle into the college routine. A
committee coordinates classroom visitation; an ice cream social; faculty
reception; family brunch with the president; Parents College; a student
talent show; and other activities to introduce visiting families to
the many facets of Concordia.
Homecoming
is a traditional affair involving the entire campus - students, alumni,
faculty and staff - and the F-M community. The Homecoming Committee
organizes the celebration, which includes Coronation, a talent show,
a fireworks display, a gala banquet, alumni reunions, a parade, the
Harvest Ball, the football game, the Homecoming Show, a worship service
and concert, the Home com ing Ball, and many other events.
During Church Youth Days, hundreds
of young people from surrounding states visit Concordia. The purpose
of this event (sponsored by Church Relations and Campus Ministry)
is to inspire the Christian faith of high school students and to invite
them to explore the possibilities of further growth in their college
years through a weekend of shared interactive learning, service, recreation
and worship on the Concordia campus.
VOCATIO is a weekend event
for high school juniors which asks, "What am I going to do with my
life?" These students take part in a variety of activities to help
them consider where their gifts may lead them in future vocations
and life choices.
The Concordia Christmas Concert
is an event that marks the beginning of the yuletide season for many.
Requiring care ful coordination and preparation, the concert involves
all of the choirs, the orchestra and a bell choir. Technical direction
and lighting are provided by students, faculty and staff. Students
and community volunteers paint a backdrop designed by the director
of special projects. More than 19,000 people attend the six performances
in Moor head and Minneapolis.
In addition to the college's regular schedule of concerts, art shows,
plays and lectures, the Cultural Events Series brings
in renowned performers and lecturers during the year.
Campus Ministry
As a college of the church, Concordia emphasizes the import ance of
the religious dimension in campus life. Students and staff have many
opportunities for worship, fellowship, study and serv ice. This ministry
depends not only on the sharing of common experiences of faith but
also on the willingness of each person to understand and learn from
others who may have differing points of view.
The pastors provide leadership and guidance in worship and other religious
activities on campus. They are also available to help students, staff
and faculty with personal and spiritual matters.
The commissioners and the Campus Ministry Commission work with the
pastors in organizing and implementing the reli gious programs and
activities. They also organize events to in crease awareness of social,
personal and global concerns.
Worship
At Concordia, worship is at the center of campus life. Students are
encouraged to participate regularly in worship opportunities both
on and off campus.
Chapel is held every Monday-Thursday
at 9:50 a.m. in the Centrum and makes use of many different types
of worship and music. It is conducted Monday-Wednesday by the campus
pastors, faculty, staff or guests, and by students on Thursdays.
Holy Communion is celebrated Wednesdays at 10 p.m. and in
the morning on the last Wednesday of each month.
Sunday
Night at East is a weekly service of praise and worship that
meets every Sunday at 9 p.m. at East Complex.
All-campus Sunday worship services are scheduled
in conjunction with major events on campus. Churches of most denominations
can be found in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and students are encouraged
to attend services at the church of their choice.
Student
Leadership and Involvement Opportunities
Students are encouraged to participate in such areas as student government,
college and community service activities, student publications and
broadcast media, and clubs or organizations. Information about opportunities
to get involved is available in the Cornerstone Programming Center
or online at www4.cord.edu/student.
All Concordia students who are enrolled in at least three full courses
per semester are members of Student Association. As stated in its
constitution,
SA's mission is "to develop strong, viable relations between the faculty,
the administration and the students of the college community, and
to further
enhance the quality of life and education of the college and to act
as official representatives for the student body subject only to the
will of the students
at large."
Leadership of SA is organized into three branches: executive, legislative
and judicial.
Executive Branch
The executive branch consists of the president, vice president and
semiautonomous commissions appointed by the president and vice president,
all of which form the Council of Commissioners. Together they address
student concerns and provide programming to enhance student life.
They also work closely with the administration in finding solutions
to campus issues and representing and presenting student input.
The President and Vice President
are official representatives of SA and are responsible for upholding
the constitution and bylaws. The president sits on the Board of Regents
and National Alumni Board as a student representative. The president
also sits on various committees and presides over the Council of Commissioners.
The vice president is a member of the Council of Commissioners, administers
all elections, serves as parliamentarian of Student Senate and is
the student liaison with C-400. The vice president also serves on
various committees. For more details go to the
Web site www4.cord.edu/student/sa, or stop by the SA Office located
above the POs in the Knutson Center.
The Executive Assistant works directly with the president
and vice president and plays an active role in the executive decision-making
process.
The Chief of Staff has many duties with the executive
branch of SA. Among them are to be responsible for the daily operations
of the SA executive branch, including office administration, and to
work in an advisory role to the president, vice president and executive
assistant.
The Political Affairs Commissioners are responsible
for developing political awareness on campus through forums on political
issues and publicizing political events or activities relating to
the students and the Moorhead community. Also, the political affairs
commissioners admister all elections.
The Public Relations Commissioners promote the purpose
and awareness of Student Association by keeping students informed
about Student Association. Duties include updating the activities
calendar in Knutson, coordinating publicity for Student Association's
projects/events, and creating the annual Student Association brochure
to promote students' knowledge of the location and function of Student
Association's offices.
The Press Secretary coordinates all media outlets
for Student Association and works with the Concordian, KORD radio,
Concordia On- Air, the Intercom, Concordia Magazine, and any other
news source that is applicable. It is the press secretary's sole responsibility
to ensure all SA events are publicized in the media - on and off campus.
The press secretary should submit a weekly column about SA events
and issues to the Concordian.
The Academic Affairs Commissioners, as a link between
students and the academic dean's office, work with student-faculty
committees concerned with academic life on campus and address academic
needs of students. The Academic Affairs Commission is responsible
for overseeing student departmental representatives and facilitating
their implementation into academic life on campus.
The Student Life Commissioners work with the Office
of Multicultural Affairs to promote diversity on campus as well as
promote student life in
residence halls, Auxiliary Services/Dining Services, and the library.
The Student Advocate is responsible for assisting
any student charged with violating Concordia's social codes or who
needs help in presenting a grievance before any college agency. Other
concerns include helping students with problems relating to campus
security, intervisitation and tenant rights. The student advocate
has a private line, 299-4311, and all consultations are confidential.
The Organizational Support Commissioners work with
the Office of Student Programming to develop programs that assist
and strengthen campus organizations by assisting with networking with
other campus organizations and being part of programming for organizations.
The Technology Commissioners duties include updating
the Student Association Web page and addressing students' concerns
regarding technology and academic computing on campus. The Technology
Commission is a resource for Student Association's need for technical
support. Also, the Technology Commission serves on the college's Technology
Planning Committee.
The Multicultural Affairs Commissioner works closely
with the Office of Multicultural Affairs, communicates with the Moorhead
Human Rights Commission, serves as a liaison between multicultural
organizations on campus and Student Association, and participates
on college committees with the objective of educating the Concordia
community about racial issues facing the campus and to facilitate
discussion about racial equality.
The First-Year Experience Commissioner seeks to connect
Student Association to incoming first-year students on campus by participating
on the First-Year Coordinating Committee and Retention Committee,
communicating with the Orientation Committee, identifying programming
opportunities for first-year students, and collaborating with Hall
Councils to find ways to make students' first year at Concordia successful.
The Campus Entertainment Commissioners are responsible
for providing entertainment for the students of Concordia. Some events
the commission regularly organizes are concerts, dances, movies, and
other special events such as comedians, magicians, and novelty acts.
In addition to these events, CEC offers a health and wellness series,
as well as a monthly "coffeehouse" program featuring Concordia students
showcasing their own talents. The Campus Ministry Commissioners work
with the Campus Pastors Office and the student body to provide a variety
of ministerial opportunities for students to explore their relationship
with God in safe and open environments.
The Campus Ministry Commission also helps to provide
a wide range of settings where individuals are able to share their
faith, talents and gifts to campus, as well as community and global
ministries.
The mission of Campus Service Commission is to develop
in Concordia students a lifelong commitment to service by integrating
academic study and the meeting of community needs. CSC provides opportunities
for students to spend time in the F-M community participating in tutoring,
mentoring, caregiving and emergency assistance service programs. CSC
facilitates reflection time for students to connect service experience
with their educational and faith experiences. CSC also sponsors two
major food and clothing drives a year and on-campus blood drives.
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is the Student Senate.
The senate is composed of 16 elected members, four from each class,
whose pri mary responsibility is to allocate funds and serve as a
resource to student organizations. Organizations requesting funding
from the senate must first be recognized by the Cornerstone Programming
Center and meet the criteria established by the Office of Student
Programming and Student Senate. The senate also passes legislation
necessary to fulfill the requirements of the constitution and bylaws.
The Student Senate Chair and Student Vice
Chair set weekly agendas, chair senate meetings, finalize
appoint ments of senators to various committees, and serve as infor
ma tion sources concerning senate organization and procedures.
The Student Business Office Treasurer and
Assistant Treasurer keep the financial records for the student
activity fee account throughout the school year and are responsible
for disbursing funds allocated to various organizations by the senate.
They also audit the financial records of student organizations.
Judicial Branch
The judicial branch is made up of the five members of the Judicial
Council. The council hears all cases falling under the jurisdic tion
of Student Association and is appointed by the president and vice
president. The Chief Justice is responsible for interpreting
the Student Association Constitution for all judicial proceedings.
The Chief Justice, as the head of the Judicial Branch of student government,
is the official representative of the Judicial Council and is a non-voting
member of the Council of Commissioners. The four Associate
Justices, along with the Chief Justice, hear all cases falling
under the jurisdiction of Student Association. The Judicial Council
also works with the Student Senate in updating and making revisions
to the Student Association Constitution and bylaws.
Students are encouraged to be involved in organizations with specific
missions that fit their educational and personal goals. Clubs or organizations
exist to meet a broad range of interests, from academic/departmental
groups and honor societies, to arts and social organizations. If a
student has an interest not met by an already-established group, a
new organization can be created to meet that need. For information
about student organizations, contact the director of Student Programming
in the Cornerstone Programming Center or go online at www4.cord.edu/student.
Recreation and Athletic
Programs
The Physical Education and Health/Athletics Department at Concordia
College is dedicated to providing opportunities for all students to
be physically active through intercollegiate athletics, intramural
programming, and providing quality facilities for personal fitness.
For more information, visit the Sports/Athletics Web page.
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