Student Life and Services

Academic Life

The graduate student's primary task is the critical study of theology and related auxiliary disciplines. Striving towards this goal not only prepares them for ministry but also leads to greater knowledge and love of God. Such academic study is not divorced from spiritual and personal growth.

Spiritual Life

Students are encouraged to join in the celebration of the eucharist and the liturgy of the hours. Spiritual direction and annual retreats are available to all students. In addition, conferences, discussion groups, and other activities which assist students in their spiritual growth are offered throughout the year.

Community Life

Living in the School of Theology and Seminary affords students ample opportunity to experience Christian community. In the ordinary rhythm of daily life with others, students often discover their own giftedness and shortcomings. This spiritual richness, derived from the companionship of committed Christians, prepares students to duplicate this quality of life in future parish or school settings. The goal of the School is to promote a community experience which will provide fertile soil for the growth of Gospel values in the hearts of its members.

Physical and Emotional Health

Graduate students are encouraged to develop a balanced life-style that includes work, play, service, prayer, time alone, and time with others. Cultural enrichment activities and hobbies, attentiveness to issues of stress management, and setting realistic goals are important ingredients in a well-rounded life.

Student Government and Student Events

The Student Government serves an essential function for the student community by providing a means for the students' opinions to be heard, and for organizing common activities. Opportunities for committee involvement are in the areas of liturgy, social justice, events, and academics.

Recreation

Saint John's campus offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The Warner Palaestra features an Olympic-size pool, indoor track, weight rooms, basketball and racquetball courts. The pristine beauty of the campus draws many to outdoor exercise. Saint John's Abbey maintains many miles of trails in the woods surrounding the campus, providing a lovely setting for long, quiet walks or for cross-country skiing. Canoeing, swimming, and fishing are enjoyed on Lake Sagatagan, the largest of several lakes at Saint John's. Biking is popular on the back roads of Stearns County which surround the campus.

Cultural Opportunities

Painters, musicians, poets, actors, visiting scholars and distinguished guests from around the world and from all walks of life are invited to campus. The Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, with its apron stage and seating for 500, provides a forum for chamber musicians, string quartets, ensembles, and small theater productions. The Benedicta Arts Center at nearby College of Saint Benedict is one of the largest arts centers in the Upper Midwest. Between Saint Benedict's annual Lively Arts Series and Saint John's Performing Arts Series, several dance, music and theater performances are brought to campus each year. Saint John's Art Center, a new and innovatively designed facility, is a focal point for visual arts not only on campus but in Central Minnesota.

Computer Resources

The computer facilities at Saint John's University are state-of-the-art and readily available. The main campus computer facility consists of networked workstations offering the latest versions in word processing, spreadsheet, graphic applications, and internet access. A staff of professionals and technicians provides software and hardware support. The graduate residences have networked PCs with access to the same application software found in public access areas and classrooms. Graduate students are encouraged to bring a personal computer. Those who own a Windows personal computer can have access to most of the network software

Health Services

Saint John's Abbey conducts a Health Center that includes a family physician, nurse, athletic trainer, physical therapist and pharmacist. The Health Center is located in the south wing of the Quadrangle in Saint Raphael Hall. A registered nurse is in attendance during open hours, and physician's hours are posted.

Accident and Health Insurance

All students must have health insurance coverage. Saint John's University offers an accident and health insurance plan to students and their dependents. The coverage is designed to provide benefits for medical expenses arising from an accident or illness, including those that occur off campus and during interim vacations

Personal and Professional Development Center

The staff of the Personal and Professional Development Centerat Saint John's University assists students in their personal, social and career development. Personal and career counseling services are available for persons seeking strategies to cope with pressures, concerns and transitions. The Center contains a wide variety of printed and computerized information about careers, employers, and general job search strategies.

Graduate Housing

The graduate residences are located on the edge of the campus near Lake Sagatagan. They have a variety of rooms, apartments, and attractive common areas. The residences are provided for lay and religious men and women enrolled in graduate programs. Student rooms are open two days prior to orientation. Early arrivals can be arranged, if necessary.

Male monastics usually live with the monks of Saint John’s Abbey. Those who wish to reside in the monastery must obtain a letter requesting accommodations from their Abbot or Prior addressed to the Abbot or Prior of Saint John's.

The use of a telephone with voice mail is included in the room rental. Long distance phone calls are billed to the respective student. Small kitchens and laundry facilities are available for student use in each residence at no extra cost. Residents are expected to provide their own laundry supplies. Small refrigerators can be rented for the rooms.

Single Room The single rooms are furnished with a bed, a desk with chair, lamps, a bookshelf, an easy chair, sink, and private telephone. Residents are expected to provide their own linens. Common bathrooms are available on each floor.

Suite The suites are larger than the single rooms and are equipped with a private bath. The furnishings are the same as for a single room.

Apartment The apartments are equipped and furnished as the suites are. In addition, a small kitchen and dining room table with chairs are provided; housewares are not included. Preference for the apartments is given to married couples.

Food Service

Dining Services at Saint John's offers traditional dining in an informal environment. Graduate students on meal plans may dine in the main University Dining Hall or in Emmaus Hall Dining Room. Sexton Commons serves a luncheon menu of sandwiches and snack items. Meals at the above facilities may also be purchased on a cash basis.

All students living in the graduate residences are required to purchase one of the meal plans. The current rates for meal plans are listed on the Rate Card. Meal plan punches may be used for any meal, any day of the week throughout a given term. Unused portions cannot be applied to subsequent terms or interim periods.

Room and meal packages are available to students living in the monastery and to diocesan seminarians.

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Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary
Collegeville, Minnesota 56321
Phone: 320-363-2102
Toll-Free: 800-361-8318
Fax: 320-363-3145