Student Life

Student Life

The Lipscomb faculty, staff, and administration seek to provide a transformative educational environment in classrooms, labs, internships, and one-on-one faculty-student engagement. At the same time, the Lipscomb community recognizes that a rich and rewarding college experience that helps shape the total person goes beyond a life of study. Student Life exists to create a culture that offers students from any and every background the opportunity to build relationships and discover places to belong. We welcome and orient new students, and also try to build a culture of communal life, whether the student resides on campus or commutes. Student Life settles students into Lipscomb housing and cares for them once they have a room to call home. We walk alongside students to develop resumes and make job connections, and we welcome veterans into a community where we’ve “got their backs.” The Student Life Team maintains life-giving community standards and nurtures a safe and secure environment in which students can maintain good mental and emotional health and be cared for in times of need or crisis. We oversee student engagement through social clubs, student activities, student organizations, athletics, and Student Government, giving many opportunities for relationships, growth, and fun. Through Student Life, we seek to activate bold faith, offering spaces for students to grow spiritually as image-bearers of God and discover their God-given vocation to impact and serve the world. In this way, the entire Lipscomb community is committed to helping a student grow into their whole self, becoming the person God calls them to be.

Spiritual Formation at Lipscomb 

While the graduate experience is different from the undergraduate, the pursuit and investment may still include a process of formation. The process of formation is inevitable; every person is shaped or formed into a certain kind of human being, even if they do not have a particular goal in view. The specific goal of Christian spiritual formation at Lipscomb is to take the form of Jesus, to become like Jesus in all aspects of life. Because we are a Christian university, founded on the values and virtues of Jesus, we want all students to recognize and respect the centrality of Jesus in Lipscomb’s identity, mission, and spiritual formation goals. At the same time, we welcome and invite students from any background, religious or irreligious, and acknowledge the importance of everyone’s freedom of choice. No matter the student’s faith perspective, we hope to help the student in ways that give them opportunities to grow and become a whole, healthy, and equipped human being, ready to excel in their future settings.

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center (CDC) is dedicated to supporting graduate students in their professional aspirations. The center offers career planning, resume review, interview preparation, and networking opportunities. All CDC services, including career counseling, are available to alumni of the university at no cost as a part of a lifelong relationship between Lipscomb and its students.

Lipscomb University students may utilize the Career Development Center’s services upon being accepted. Some students may be interested in working an internship or professional part-time job while pursuing graduate studies. When classes begin students are granted an account in Handshake our on-line internship and job posting website. Students may visit lipscomb.joinhandshake.com and sign in with their Lipscomb username and password.

Graduate students have the opportunity to engage with employers at various networking and career fair events during the year. In addition, the CDC can help students connect with alumni or mentors for professional development or informational interviewing. Students may email careerdevelopment@lipscomb.edu to connect with the Career Center.

Contacting the CDC for your individual needs is the most effective method of reaching your career goals. We are located in the lower level of the Bennett Campus Center. Please contact us at careerdevelopment@lipscomb.edu.

Networking

Graduate students have the opportunity to engage with employers at various networking and career fair events during the year. In addition, the CDC can help students connect with alumni or mentors for professional development or informational interviewing.

Some students may be interested in working an internship or professional part-time job while pursuing graduate studies. The CDC has resources to help connect you with those opportunities. Contacting the CDC for your individual needs is the most effective method of reaching your career goals. Please contact us at careerdevelopment@lipscomb.edu.

Student Wellbeing

The Office of Student Wellbeing promotes the holistic health and wellbeing of campus through intentional programming, education, and one-on-one relationship development. This is done by fostering growth and curiosity in all areas by calling students into the person and gifting God created them to be during their time at Lipscomb University through our programming, practices, and personal relationships. Areas of responsibility include New Student Orientation programs for both freshman and transfer undergraduate students led by Megan Johnson, megan.johnson@lipscomb.edu, Assistant Director of Student Wellbeing. Two Student Care Coordinators Paige Benda, paige.benda@lipscomb.edu and Sarah McCormack, sarah.mccormack@lipscomb, who both work to support and connect students to resources both on and off campus. Kegan York, kegan.york@lipscomb.edu, serves of the Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness overseeing the Student Activities Center and Intramural programs. Dannie Woods, dannie.woods@lipscomb.edu, serves as the Dean of Student Wellbeing. For more information about the Office of Student Wellbeing and its services, visit www.lipscomb.edu/studentwellbeing.

University Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center offers a variety of free counseling services provided by licensed professional counselors, and counselors in training under supervision.

Access to our full range of counseling services is available to currently enrolled University students who need help with a variety of issues. Some mental health issues are best served off of campus and a list of those is available on the counseling center website. In those cases, referral services are available to help students connect with the appropriate resources. Telehealth counseling is also available through the TimelyCare resource described below. 

The Counseling Center also provides various on-campus education programs, support groups, break-out chapels, and other events that provide opportunities to encourage and support student mental health and wellness.

Our counseling services are confidential, except where the law requires disclosure (details are available in the informed consent for counseling). No one outside of the counseling center has access to a student’s records, and counseling records are not part of the student’s educational record.

The Counseling Center is located in the SAC (Student Activities Center), at the corner entrance facing the Bell Tower and the Ezell Center, located just off the elevator on the second floor, above Au Bon Pain. Normal operating hours are M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

University students may request an appointment on the University Counseling Center website at lipscomb.edu/counselingcenter, on their myLipsomb account, or by coming into the office to make a request.  The phone number is 615-966-1781.  After office hours, call 911 if it is an emergency. In a mental health crisis, call Mobile Crisis at 1-855-CRISIS-1 or Lipscomb Security at 615-966-7600 (if on campus). 

Your college years will be some of the most exciting and memorable years of your life.  They might also be filled with challenges, questions, and anxiety.  That’s when it can be helpful to know someone is available to help, listen and support you when you need it most.  The University Counseling Center is dedicated to ensuring you have what you need to feel successful and supported throughout your time on campus.  Seeking help through the Counseling Center does not imply weakness.  It shows strength and a personal commitment to becoming a stronger person.

Timely Care

Lipscomb University is excited to offer TimelyCare - a new telehealth program for students. The service will provide access to 24/7 medical and mental virtual health care from anywhere in the United States, with no cost to visit!

Whether you’re under the weather, anxious or overwhelmed, you will be able to talk to a licensed provider from your smartphone or any web-enabled device. Providers are available to offer medical and mental health support via phone or secure video visits. Check out the FAQs below to learn more.

Q. How can students access TimelyCare?

A. Students can go to timleycare.com/lipscomb to register with their school email address. Students can then have visits from any web-enabled device - smartphone, laptop, or desktop. TimelyCare is available from anywhere in the United States.

Q. Who can use TimelyCare?

A. Any Lipscomb University student.

Q. What services are available?

A. The following services are available:

• Medical: 24/7, on-demand or scheduled access to a medical provider that can treat a wide range of common illnesses like cold and flu, sinus infection, allergies, and more

• TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at anytime

• Scheduled Counseling: scheduled options to speak to a licensed counselor

• Health Coaching: access to a nutritional specialist to help students adopt healthier lifestyle behaviors related to sleep issues, weight management, and more

• Psychiatry: services provided by Lipscomb counseling referral

Q. Where can I go to have privacy on campus?

A.  Students can reserve study rooms in the library, talk in their car, ask a roommate for some privacy for an hour, or talk to their RHD about other spots in the dorm they might be able to use. 

Q. How much does a visit cost?

A. TimelyCare services are free to all Lipscomb University students.

Veteran Services

Whether a military member, veteran, or dependent, the Veteran Services Office (VSO) will provide the student with personalized support to meet their needs as a Lipscomb student. With over 38 years of enlisted service, our team is here to serve those who have served our country.

Lipscomb, a G.I. Job’s top Military Friendly School and one of Military Times’ Top 25 Best for Vets Business Schools, provides veterans and their dependents with an academically challenging degree program that fits your career goals, along with a Christ-centered community to deepen their faith. 

The experienced VSO team is available to students to guide them through any kind of question, from VA benefits to degree programs to student life. We create events specifically designed for veterans - veteran orientation sessions, professional development training, and job placement opportunities. We are committed to coaching them through each step. 

Veterans have created tremendous legacies in this country already. The Lipscomb VSO wants to prepare veterans for the next journey ahead.

Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center (ASC) is located in the west wing on the main level of the Beaman Library. The ASC houses the Lipscomb University Writing Studio, math lab, peer-to-peer tutoring, and the Office of ACCESS Ability Services, as well as additional academic resources. The ASC is open Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Writing Studio appointments may be scheduled by visiting the ASC, going to https://lipscomb.mywconline.com or by calling the ASC for details at 615.966.1400. More details about the Writing Studio’s services and hours may be found on their page on Lipscomb’s website.

Services for Students with Disabilities: ACCESS Ability

Lipscomb University is committed to providing equal access to education, housing, facilities and all school sponsored events through a dedicated effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and state and local regulations regarding individuals with disabilities. Pursuant to these laws, no qualified individual shall unlawfully be denied access to or participation in any services, programs, or activities of Lipscomb University on the basis of their disability. Lipscomb University will provide reasonable accommodations for the needs of qualified students as they pursue post-secondary education.

An individual with a disability is a person who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; OR (2) has a record of such impairment; OR (3) is regarded as having such impairment.

Lipscomb University recognizes that disabilities can include physical, mental, social, and learning disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals, as outlined by the above regulations. Any accommodation request, however, that is unduly burdensome to the university or fundamentally alters the nature of the service, program, course, or activity cannot be fulfilled.

Please contact the ACCESS Ability Program with any questions, requests, or concerns regarding services and accommodations provided for individuals with disabilities. You can reach them at 615.966.6301 or 1.800.333.4358, ext. 6301, or accessability@lipscomb.edu.

Testing Services

The Academic Success Center supervises the administration of educational tests (MAT, CLEP). It also oversees the SAT and ACT national testing programs on designated Saturdays. Any questions regarding these should be directed to academicsuccesscenter@lipscomb.edu.

Health Services

Health Services is located adjacent to the Bison Inn on the North end of Campus. Normal hours during the school year are 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday with shortened hours during the summer. The clinic is closed on school-recognized holidays. The clinic is staffed by nurse practitioners and registered nurses. Students at Lipscomb University can conveniently receive health care for acute illnesses and injuries. All health services are confidential unless the student specifies disclosure information.

Allergy shots, TB skin tests and some vaccinations are available in the health center throughout the year for specified fees. There is a sliding scale beginning at $20 per visit for consumable products. Payment for prescription medications, imaging and laboratory services will be up to the student and may be billed to his/her health insurance plan. Health insurance is recommended for all students but is not required.

All new students must submit their health forms to Med+Proctor. Please see emails you will receive for further instructions. It is required prior to class registration, and incomplete accounts could cause a hold to go on your record until all pieces are complete. For more detailed instructions regarding your Med+Proctor account, please visit https://www.lipscomb.edu/student-life/health-wellness/health-center

The state of Tennessee requires that all students born after 1956 provide proof of two measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations or a titer showing immunity. If there is no immunity to all three diseases, a booster shot will be required. For students born after 1979, proof of chickenpox disease (documented date of disease or a titer) or two varicella vaccines is required. All students must also have tuberculosis (TB) screening in the form of a skin test, blood test or risk factor questionnaire within the last year. A chest x-ray must be submitted for any positive skin test. Health Sciences students may have additional requirements outlined by their respective schools or departments.

Library

Beaman Library connects researchers to scholarly material and resources. Visit the library’s website at library.lipscomb.edu to search through more than 350,000 e-books, 150,000 print books, and more than 100 electronic databases providing access to thousands of journals. In addition to e-journals, Beaman Library has print journals that you may browse. Beaman houses bound volumes, current periodicals, microforms, the University Archives and Special Collections, primary sources, and non-print materials in various formats. 

As a Lipscomb student, you have access to bibliographic citation tools including Academic Writer (formerly APA Style CENTRAL) and EndNote. These tools assist with managing bibliographies, citations, and references. Learn more about Academic Writer at https://libguides.lipscomb.edu/academicwriter and EndNote at http://libguides.lipscomb.edu/endnote.

Research can be daunting and overwhelming. Knowing where to begin can make all the difference. Beaman Library’s Research Guides are a great starting place. The Research Guides give information on locating books, journals, and databases as well as research guidelines related to a particular field of study. They serve as a type of subject guide of carefully selected resources that will help you as you locate the most appropriate sources and information that you need. Check out all of Beaman Library’s LibGuides at http://libguides.lipscomb.edu/.

Beaman Library features group study rooms and casual seating areas for quiet study, leisure reading, and research. Access library holdings through the online catalog at library.lipscomb.edu. The Library website contains information for accessing materials, library hours, policies, services, and staff. Face to face research instruction still matters at Lipscomb University. Librarians seek to serve and are available for one-on-one research instruction. Appointments can be made through the Beaman Library homepage.

Beyond electronic resources, Beaman Library offers a multitude of services, such as Interlibrary Loan for books and articles, color copying, color printing, fax machine, scanning, electronic device charging stations, and Chromebook/iPad rentals. Beaman Library awaits you whatever your research needs may be. Go anywhere; learn anything, and find it in Beaman Library.