Identities, Spirituality and Faith

Military and Veterans Program

Our program provides studentfocused services to all USD militaryconnected students, including student veterans, active-duty, dependent children and spouses. sandiego.edu/military

Services include:

▪ Access to free printing (maximum of 10 pages per day)

▪ Two computers (available on a first-come, first-served basis)

▪ Free coffee

▪ Quiet study room and lounge area

▪ Information hub that includes scholarships and internship opportunities, on- and off-campus events, networking, resources and more

▪ Communications, including website, social media and newsletters

▪ VA certifying representative available during office hours to discuss VA educational benefits and to certify each semester. Refer to the benefits section for more information.

DACAmented/ Undocumented

USD’s resource landing page for DACA/undocumented students serves as a starting place for information, guidance and support for current and future and current DACAmented and undocumented USD students. This page includes names and contact information for various campus partners and allies, as well as links to resources that provide answers to common questions and concerns surrounding DACA/undocumented students. sandiego.edu/immigrationdialogue/undocumented

Pregnant and Parenting Students

As a Catholic institution of higher learning, the University of San Diego recognizes that the care and support of family is at the heart of Catholic social teaching. Consistent with our mission and Catholic identity, USD acknowledges the importance of supporting pregnant and parenting students by addressing their special needs and assisting them in completing their studies. sandiego. edu/pregnant-and-parenting Services available to pregnant and parenting students include the following:

▪ Campus resources

▪ Pregnancy resources

▪ Lactation spaces

▪ Financial aid

▪ Childcare solutions

▪ Part-time/leave options

The Commons

USD is proud to offer The Commons, a space in which students can gather with like-minded individuals who share affinities or identities. The Commons is located in the Student Life Pavilion. These spaces also offer support services to students. The commons includes:

▪ Black Student Resource Commons (BSRC)

▪ LGBTQ+ and Allies Commons

▪ United Front Multicultural Commons (UFMC)

▪ Women’s Commons

Black Student Resource Commons: The Black Student Resource Commons (BSRC) seeks to enhance and increase student success and retention by building community engagement, facilitating identity development and supporting students’ college experience. This is a space that advocates and shines light on the Black student experience through purposeful programs and services that honor diversity. The BSRC strives to support the academic, social and personal goals of all Black students at the University of San Diego. sandiego.edu/bsrc

LGBTQ+ and Allies Commons: The LGBTQ+ and Allies Commons seeks to create affirming spaces for queer and trans people, while educating the entire campus community about inclusive strategies through an anti-oppression framework that is explicitly pro-Black, queer and feminist. With this goal in mind, we provide an LGBTQ+ student lounge, host identity-specific community groups and offer educational programs around LGBTQIA+ culture and concerns. sandiego.edu/lgbtq

United Front Multicultural Commons (UFMC) : The United Front Multicultural Commons (UFMC) engages the University of San Diego community in exploring and affirming the unique identity of each person. The UFMC fosters an environment in which student leaders feel empowered to become change agents for social justice and build relationships with faculty, staff, students and community members to develop a foundation that honors and values diversity. The UFMC serves as an educational resource, working to contest the dominance of prejudice and intolerance, and to enact the values of the university as “a welcoming, inclusive and collaborative community ... marked by protection of the rights and dignity of the individual.” The UFMC’s work focuses on social justice, identity development and student leadership. sandiego.edu/united-front

Women’s Commons: The Women’s Commons is a student-centered learning community that provides resources and engages all students in educational dialogue around gender-related issues. We invite students to find their voices, develop skills for transformation, and understand who they are called to be. The USD Women’s Commons empowers students to engage as leaders in a diverse and changing world and advocates for a safe, supportive campus environment that creates equity among all voices. sandiego.edu/womens-commons

International Center: The International Center supports the USD university community in advancing global citizenship. The graduate and professional programs offer extensive international opportunities for working professionals as well as full-time graduate students. Our campus is enriched by having students and scholars from more than 70 countries. The International Center includes the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), as well as study abroad resources. sandiego.edu/ international

First-Generation Students: The University of San Diego understands the unique experience of firstgeneration students. Experiencing USD as a first-generation student is both exciting and challenging. This website is where first-generation students and their families can learn about the resources offered to them and is also intended for any member of the USD community to identify key resources to better support the growing campus first-generation student population. sandiego.edu/ first-gen/graduate.php

The University of San Diego defines first-generation students as follows: At the time a student has completed high school or high school equivalency, their custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) had not earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. This means you are the first to attend a four-year college or university and earn a bachelor’s degree. Please know that we welcome anyone who self-identifies as a first-generation college student.

Spirituality and Faith

University Ministry: The University Ministry team is enthusiastically interested in serving students during their time on campus. We hope you will explore the many options for spiritual growth already available, as well as collaborate with us to respond to the emerging needs of our university community. Whatever form your USD involvement takes, we hope that your intellectual and social development will be complemented by your equally robust spiritual growth. People of all religious traditions and those still searching for their religious identity are invited to take part in University Ministry’s liturgies, immersion trips, local service opportunities, retreats, faith-sharing communities, pastoral counseling and companionship, Scripture study and All Faith Services. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what your background, you are welcome on our campus and are welcome to participate in all that University Ministry does. sandiego. edu/ministry

Mass Services: We come together in prayer each Sunday evenining at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Mass for Peace Wednesdays at 9 p.m., As well as at major university celebrations, receiving strength from the presence of God in the Word, Sacrament and community. During these dynamic celebrations the campus community is renewed and refreshed to put our faith into action. sandiego.edu/ ministry/worship

Retreats: University Ministry offers a variety of retreats to all USD students during which they are invited to reflect on how and where they are experiencing God, and to discern the form and direction of the fullness of life to which they are called. sandiego.edu/ministry/retreats

Service and Social Justice: There are many opportunities for community engagement in the San Diego and Tijuana regions. sandiego.edu/ ministry/service-and-social-justice