Education Programs
Athletics
From personal health and fitness opportunities to intercollegiate sports, Westmont offers a variety of athletic options.
Intercollegiate Athletics
The Westmont Warriors compete in 12 sports. Westmont is a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) and is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA, Division I). Independently, Westmont competes against small colleges and major universities within California and nationwide. For more information, contact Dave Wolf, athletic director x6106 or John Moore, associate athletic director x6013. For information on how to add or delete a varsity sport, see the Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook.
Intramural Events
Westmont’s intramural program offers an extensive variety of athletic and recreational activities for men and women. It includes major and minor sports, as well as a number of new and creative activities during the fall and spring semester. For more information contact coach Kirsten Moore, associate athletic director, x6836 or check the intramural board at the kinesiology office.
Club Sports
A club sport is a student group that provides a program of recreation and/or competition in specific sports activities requiring specialized skills. Club sports are organized to provide a program for members of the college community with a common sports-related interest (e.g., men’s volleyball, polo, rugby). Students initiate and self-administer clubs, which must have an adviser. For more information, contact the campus life office at x6125.
Campus Athletic Facilities
You may use the Westmont tennis and racquetball courts or visit the Wiegand Fitness Center, swimming pool, and Murchison Gymnasium during free activity hours. The kinesiology department coordinates use and posts open hours.
Campus Pastor’s Office
The campus pastor's office coordinates and provides leadership for chapel three times a week. It also offers spiritual counseling, teaching and spiritual direction.
Our office is located upstairs in the Kerr Student Center. Come in and have a cup of coffee. We’d love to meet you and welcome you to the campus. If you would like to make an appointment with Campus Pastor Ben Patterson or with one of the members of the campus pastor’s staff, please call x6170 or write Colleen Atkinson at coatkins@westmont.edu.
Internship Program
Don’t pass up an opportunity to practice your classroom knowledge and skills in the workplace! Santa Barbara offers a multitude of work opportunities. What’s more, some internships allow students to explore issues of diversity and justice, thereby fulfilling a general education requirement.
How does it work? Students register for internship credit by submitting a completed Internship Learning Agreement Form (ILAF) within the first four weeks of the semester. This agreement is signed by a work supervisor, a faculty practicum advisor and the Director of Internships. Throughout the semester, the intern participates in a concurrent seminar on campus, processing the work experience in a community of peers.
Part-time internships are available in the fall and spring semesters, may be taken for either major or elective credit and last a minimum of 12 weeks. The hours vary to accommodate the specific requirements of the internship and the major. Students must provide their own transportation. For this reason, many students wait until their 3rd or 4th year to do an internship.
For current local listings, see the Student Interships site. ILAFs are available in the registrar’s office in Kerrwood Hall or the internship office on the second floor of the library as well as online. For more information, contact Jennifer Taylor at x6085 or e-mail jtaylor@westmont.edu.
Serving Society
Outside of a service-oriented internship, students have the option of fulfilling the Competent and Compassionate Action area of the GE requirement another way.
By enrolling in APP-191SS (Serving Society for zero credits) in advance of the service, a student participates in a minimum of 12 hours of community service over the course of the semester. Options for service vary widely. Some reading and written reflection is required. The student’s hours are documented, and his or her work is evaluated by a supervisor in the community. For more information, contact Jennifer Taylor at x6085 or e-mail jtaylor@westmont.edu.
Off-Campus Programs
Westmont’s off-campus programs provide special academic opportunities in the United States and abroad. Westmont run programs include:
- Westmont San Francisco Urban Program
- Westmont in Mexico
- England Semester
- Europe Semester
You may also enroll in one of the domestic or international Westmont approved and sponsored programs through the Consortium Visitor Program, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, language programs for Spanish and French majors, political science, biology, or art major programs.
In addition, Westmont faculty offer an increasing number of opportunities for Mayterm Study Programs, which include visits to Europe, Asia, Central America, Ireland, England and the Middle East.
For more information on the programs and application deadlines, please contact the off-campus programs office at ocp@westmont.edu or visit our Web site: Off-Campus Programs.
Student Life
Office of Life Planning: Resources for Direction, Transition and Calling
We can be of help at any stage of your time at Westmont. We’ll help you:
- Choose (or change) your major;
- Find a job on or off campus;
- Find vocational information from our extensive career library;
- Find vocational options that are a good fit;
- Launch an effective job search, including resume preparation, effective interviewing, and networking;
- Search and prepare for graduate school.
Intercultural Programs: Support, Celebrate and Educate
Our vision is for Westmont to be the kind of place where we can share the fullness of our experiences and are supported, validated and encouraged in our journey of faith and life. Our mission is to provide resources to cultivate open dialogue, encourage healthy debate and deepen relationships surrounding the blessings, realities and challenges that come with living in an increasingly diverse campus, society and world.
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Why diversity?
- It is biblical – We believe that the call to be a diverse community is rooted in Scripture and evident in God’s creation.
- It is communal – We believe that diversity can only be expressed in community where we are sharing our distinct gifts, experiences and perspectives.
- It is practical – We believe that we most effectively contribute to and benefit from a globalized society by learning skills that allow us to work, worship and live well and wisely in our world.
We advise intercultural organizations such as the Asian Student Association (ASA), Black Student Union (BSU), Hawai’i Club, Latino Cultural Organization (LCO), and Nomads (International, MKs, and Third Culture Students). If you’re interested in starting an intercultural organization, contact the intercultural programs office for an application.
We advise the student-led group Racial Equality and Justice Group (REJ), who are committed to learning and discussing current racial relations and pursuing social justice. During spring recess, the group goes to Mississippi and Alabama for a service-learning project with the John M. Perkins Foundation.
Stop by the intercultural programs office located in Kerr Student Center, e-mail icp@westmont.edu or check out our Web site at www.westmont.edu for more information.
Campus Life Office
The campus life office provides advisory support and training for student leaders involved in the Westmont College Student Association, Westmont Activities Council (WAC), Westmont Student Ministries (WSM), Potter’s Clay, Spring Break in the City, Spring Sing, and Emmaus Road. This support and training involves collaborating with faculty and staff to insure a cohesive learning experience. In addition, the campus life office offers enriching opportunities to emerging leaders. The campus life office also directs the programming for new student orientation and provides leadership to coordinate other co-curricular programming.
Residence Life
As a residential college, Westmont seeks to create an atmosphere that helps you develop as a whole person. The residence halls provide many opportunities for social, intellectual, and spiritual growth. Residence living contributes to our learning community. Whether you are grappling with a new concept in the classroom, a service project that awakens your compassion for others, or a required, reflective paper in the context of our disciplinary process, we hope you make connections between the college curriculum and your life experiences. Living in such close proximity to one another, coupled with activities and educational programs provided by the staff, make the residence halls an ideal place for these associations to occur.
Residence living also fosters a reflective community. Learning about yourself, your life in Christ, and your relationship with others is a significant part of your Westmont experience. Living in community allows you to enjoy common activities, form relationships with others, and develop the ability to work through difficult times. You will learn the benefits of suspending judgments in order to gain insight into perspectives that differ from your own. You will be challenged to learn more about yourself: who you are, who you want to be, and how you might contribute to our community.
In addition, campus living creates a responsive community. A culture of involvement at Westmont sets the stage for you to become an active participant in our community. Through formal programs or individual relationships, we encourage you to respond to various needs.
We also believe that the residential setting facilitates an appreciative community. During your college years, you will encounter a variety of thoughts and outlooks. The residential experience provides opportunities to learn from people of various economic, racial, denominational, political, and regional backgrounds. We invite you to be open to these differences and to clarify your own personal commitments.
Student Organizations
Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Radio
The Citadel, Westmont’s yearbook, is produced annually by students. To inquire about serving on the staff, contact Tracy Hata, the editor, at thata@westmont.edu.
The Horizon, Westmont’s newspaper, is published by students each week and features news and views on a variety of issues and topics. The Horizon is available Tuesday afternoons in several locations, including the post office, the dining commons, and the library. To inquire about contributing to the paper or serving on the staff, contact the editor, Rob Gutierrez, at rgutierrez@westmont.edu.
The Phoenix is Westmont’s literary magazine. Produced by students, the Phoenix features students’ poetry, prose, visual arts, and a CD of student music. For more information contact the editor, Kristin George, at krgeorge@westmont.edu.
Emmaus Road
The mission of Emmaus Road is to “bring the world to Westmont and take Westmont to the world.” This student organization accomplishes this by hosting on-campus events with an international focus as well as training and sending teams for overseas summer service projects. Past service projects have included working in rural medical facilities, serving at orphanages, and assisting long-term workers in relationship-building. The 2008-2009 co-directors are Lauren Brown and Tammy Tong. For more information on Emmaus Road, write to emmaus_road@westmont.edu.
Potter’s Clay
Potter’s Clay is a 31-year partnership between Westmont and the community of Ensenada, Mexico. Over spring break, PC comes alongside their partners in Ensenada with the purpose of teaching the Bible to children, providing medical and dental care to the general population, building relationships through sports and completing construction projects around the city. In addition, PC hosts weekend projects in Ensenada in the fall, serving around the city in various ways. The 2008-2009 Potter’s Clay co-directors are Nate Moore and Alana Woodin. E-mail potters_clay@westmont.edu for more info.
Spring Break in the City
Spring Break in the City seeks to address urban issues and minister to underserved populations in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Through partnerships in both cities, SBIC helps introduce Westmont students to the often harsh realities of inner-city life while seeking to demonstrate Christ-like compassion to the hurting. SBIC also hosts events throughout the school year to promote discussion and understanding of issues that plague the inner-city, such as racism and poverty. The 2008-2009 SBIC-SF co-directors are Alli Faw and Sara Stromer, and the 2008-2009 SBIC-LA director is Cody Miller. For more information, contact sbic@westmont.edu.
Spring Sing
Spring Sing is one of Westmont’s oldest traditions. This show/competition between residence halls is one of the campus’s most anticipated annual events, falling on Parents Weekend every year. The 2008-2009 producer is Eunice Park. If you have questions or want more information about Spring Sing, contact your resident director.
Westmont College Student Association (WCSA)
The Westmont College Student Association (WCSA) is the student government organization for Westmont. Elected members represent the student body to the rest of our campus community, including faculty, administration and trustees. Their primary role is to act as a representative body between students and these other constituencies. Thus they serve as two-way liaisons, advocating for students while simultaneously working to complement the administration’s efforts to communicate the college’s initiatives and intentions back to our student population. WCSA also provides funding and support for on-campus clubs and other student initiatives. The 2008-2009 executive council includes President Brandon Woods, Vice President Jane Highstreet, and Business Manager Jolie Bernal. Class presidents are Katie Zirschky, Cristiana Caporale and Sara Reynolds, and the multicultural representative is Harrison Touw. The campus life office advises WCSA. For more information, visit http://blogs.westmont.edu/wcsa/.
Westmont Activities and Clubs Council (WACC)
The Westmont Activities Council (WAC) plans campus-wide events and activities for our students. They plan forums and panel discussions, blood drives, concerts, dances, barbecues, study breaks, coffee houses, bring guest speakers to campus, and orchestrate other activities in order to bring our students together to help foster community. The 2008-2009 co-directors are Meagan Duren and Ethan Warner. WAC is advised by the campus life office. For more information on WAC, please visit http://blogs.westmont.edu/wacc.
Westmont Student Ministries
Westmont Student Ministries (WSM), advised by the campus life office, is a student-led organization that provides accountability, encouragement and support to Westmont and the local community through active service. By equipping student groups seeking to serve and minister to those around them, WSM strives to build relationships and tangibly engage local issues. WSM has two divisions: Off-Campus Ministries and On-Campus Ministries. WSM’s 2008-2009 co-directors are Christina Carpenter and John Carstensen. Please contact the co-directors if you have any questions or want to find out how to join a ministry or start a new ministry. For more information, visit http://blogs.westmont.edu/wsm.
Dances
Both informal and formal dances are popular at Westmont. Most dances are planned and sponsored by the Westmont Activities Council (WAC). In addition, other student life offices or official campus organizations may sponsor dances.
The director of campus life is responsible to communicate college standards and expectations to all groups that request to sponsor a dance and also to guide the approval process. Helpful guidelines have been established to ensure that campus dances are consistent with the Community Life Statement and uphold the high standards we have for college events.
Dance Proposal Forms are available in the campus life office and must be submitted to the director of campus life at least 10 days before the intended date. This time period allows for adequate review of all proposals including evaluation of conflicts with other scheduled campus events. The proposal form includes guidelines for chaperones, musicians and DJs, the general atmosphere, and other dance planning procedures to uphold the spirit of the Community Life Statement. The responsibility to uphold the guidelines and confront breaches of those guidelines falls upon the sponsoring organization as well as the staff and faculty chaperones.