Student Success, Organizations, and Other Services
An active, student-centered, and integrated campus community is crucial to the mission of Coker University. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive program of activities and services is provided which promotes students’ success and facilitates their intellectual, cultural, moral, and social growth. It is a primary goal that Coker University provides a challenging yet supportive environment in order that students can develop and achieve their potential and help them prepare for life after university.
Coker University Student Covenant
Coker University is a community dedicated to scholarship and community engagement. Those who join our circle of learning commit to a lifelong journey of intellectual and personal growth and service to others.
Inspired by the six pillars of Davidson Hall, I agree to uphold the following tenets of the Coker University Student Covenant. I will:
- Conduct myself with integrity & be responsible for my actions and their consequences.
- Respect the rights, property, culture, and beliefs of others.
- Engage myself as an honorable scholar inside & outside the classroom.
- Hold myself & others accountable for the sustainability of our environment.
- Offer knowledge and creativity to serve my community
- Contribute to the wider world through a continued pursuit of knowledge.
As Davidson Hall serves as the center landmark of our campus, so shall these six tenets serve as the foundation for my actions and decisions as a member of this community. By pledging to these tenets, I obligate myself to honor the principles that define Coker University.
Student Engagement
Coker University offers many opportunities for students to get involved within our Coker Community. The Office of Student Engagement provides a diverse range of opportunities to get involved to ensure everyone feels comfortable and welcome! The umbrella of Student Engagement includes the Campus Activities Board (CAB), Campus Recreation & Intramurals Program, Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), and Student Government Association (SGA).
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a branch of the Student Government and is responsible for programming to meet the social, recreational, and cultural needs of students. CAB consists of multiple committees of Coker Students who have a passion for being a part of their peers’ collegiate memories by creating memorable events and activities throughout the school year, from small weekly events like bingo nights to large-scale campus traditions such as Homecoming and Crew Races. CAB’s mission is to create events for students by students under the guidance of the Director of Student Engagement.
Campus Recreation & Intramurals Program
At Coker University, we believe in fostering a vibrant campus life that extends beyond academics. Our intramural sports program offers students, faculty, and staff various opportunities to engage in friendly competition, stay active, and build a sense of community. Visit the Office of Student Engagement for the most up-to-date offerings.
Students may become involved in many clubs and other organizations known as Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). RSOs are organized around special interests, honor societies, governmental and programming bodies, and social interests. We encourage students to make their experiences truly their own. Meaning, if there isn’t an RSO that sparks your interest, create your own! The Office of Student Engagement and Student Government Association (SGA) will guide you through the process of creating a lasting impact on the campus through your addition of involvement opportunities.
All Coker University students are members of the Student Government Association (SGA), the parent body of all recognized campus student groups. The Finance Committee of the SGA uses student activity fees to support a variety of campus programming, activities, and publications. SGA serves as a channel of communication between students and administration, organizes and motivates the Student Body through intentional programming, and provides participants with both leadership and problem-solving skills. The SGA is under the advisement of the Director of Student Engagement.
Counseling Services
Coker University recognizes that our students are developing emotionally and socially, as well as academically. Coker University provides a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor for students. The Center offers a range of services including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, workshops and seminars designed to promote students’ emotional, psychological and social well-being. Coker University’s Counseling Center partners with local resources in order to tailor services to meet the individualized needs of our students. The Counseling Center is located in the Health and Wellness Center. Counseling Services also coordinates the provision of both temporary and long-term accommodations for students with documented disabilities. This includes learning disabilities, physical impairments and psychological disorders, and may include both in and out-of-class assistance.
Health Services
Coker is pleased to partner with local medical centers to provide quality, caring health and wellness services for our students, as well as employees and their families. Experienced medical professionals staff the Center for Health & Wellness clinic, including a nurse practitioner. Coker students may consult with a registered nurse and receive basic first aid free-of-charge. Comprehensive medical exams are provided in partnership with the local medical center, which accepts most insurance plans and offers a sliding scale payment option for those who are uninsured. For more information contact Health Services at 843-383-8141.
ID Cards
Students are issued a Coker University identification (ID) card when enrolled. This card is the property of the University and is held by the student only while he or she is enrolled in good standing. Students must have their ID cards in their possession and visible at all times and must present them to an official of the University when requested (this includes, but is not limited to, Campus Safety, Residence Life staff, and Dining Services staff). ID cards may not be passed or loaned to someone else. ID violations will result in judicial action. In addition to serving as the official identification of a Coker student, the Coker University ID also provides access to the residence halls, dining services, the library, intercollegiate athletic events, cultural events, and guest speakers on campus. Card readers, located on each external door of the residence halls, limit access to the residence and dining halls to only residential students and commuters on the declining balance meal plan with valid IDs. The Declining Balance Plan, or CobraCash, is a debit option that can be used for purchases in all on-campus dining facilities and at selected off-campus restaurants. See the Dining Services section for more information. Replacement of Lost or Damaged ID Cards: Lost ID cards should be immediately reported to Coker University Campus Safety (843-383-8140). There is a $150.00 fee to replace lost or damaged IDs.
Residence Life
Coker University is a residential University and provides residential facilities for the housing needs of our full-time, traditional-aged, undergraduate semester students. Traditional-aged (students between 17 and 23), full-time, undergraduate semester students are required to live in University housing. Students qualifying for residency who do not wish to live in University-managed housing may petition to be exempted from this policy. Students must meet the following qualifications to apply for residence exemption:
- The student must reside locally (within 30 miles) with a parent, grandparent, spouse, or legal guardian (documentation required and residency must be established prior to enrollment at the institution)
or
- The student must be at least 22 years of age prior to the start of the fall semester
or
- The student must be classified as a senior (90+ semester hours completed) by the Office of Academic Records by the start of the fall semester
The University reserves the right to approve a limited number of off-campus applications each academic year (August to May). Decisions for approval to live off-campus will be granted based on date of application, classification, academic standing, judicial standing, financial standing, and extenuating circumstances.
Additionally, the University will allow current residential students in their last semester to live on-campus as a part-time student if the student is on track to complete their degree and requires only a part-time load to complete all remaining graduation requirements. The University will also allow current residential students to continue living on-campus as a graduate student if the student transitions directly from the Coker University undergraduate program to a Coker University graduate program, and if available space allows.
Detailed housing policies are contained in the Housing Agreement and the Student Handbook.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center works collaboratively with faculty and staff to ensure students are progressing towards personal, academic, and career goals. Within the Student Success Center, Student Success Coaches assist assigned students with getting connected to campus resources, developing positive study habits and time management skills, developing career goals, and troubleshooting any possible challenges that may arise during their Coker experience. The Student Success Center strives to develop students' sense of self by helping them evaluate their strengths, interests, values, and goals early on in their academic career and channel those criteria into successful networks, internships, and mentorships.
Additionally, the Student Success Center is responsible for the new student orientations and the first-year experience. The Student Success Center is located on the 1st floor of the Library and Information Technology Center.
Career Center
Students have access to services that will assist in both current learning experiences and achieving future goals. In part, the knowledge and professionalism that they will gain through these resources and experiences will assist them in transitioning into full-time, rewarding careers.
The resources and information provided by the Career Center are designed to build off of each consecutive year and to be a catalyst for continued professional development and success years after graduating from Coker. By providing these resources, including but not limited to the list below, Coker University hopes to create an array of services that can reach students in a variety of settings while developing a well-rounded professional self. In part, the knowledge and professionalism that they will gain through these resources and experiences will assist them in transitioning into full-time, rewarding careers.
Available Services:
- Career inventory and value assessments
- Career and major exploration
- Resume writing guidance
- In-class presentation assistance
- On-campus networking opportunities
- Interview preparation and mock interviews
- Job search resources
- Graduate school applications
Career Counseling- Schedule an appointment for guidance on choosing a major, planning your career path, finding a job shadow, preparing a resume or cover letter, mock interviews, and more.
Job Postings - Part-time, full-time and seasonal job information is available by logging in to Handshake, Coker’s job board and often posted to the Career Center's Facebook page. All Coker students have access to Handshake. For questions about this service, please contact the Career Center.
Self-Assessments - Use MyPlan.com and take one of the self-assessments which will help clarify interests and skills, as well as assist in exploring careers. Contact the Career Center to receive the access code.
Workshops - Workshops are offered on various topics including resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills and much more. Workshop dates are announced via e-mail, social media, and the Coker University calendar.
First Year Experience Program
The First Year Experience (FYE) is a program designed to integrate first-year students into the Coker campus culture and community. The program uses a multi-faceted programming model to address the needs and challenges of first-year students. Program components include: pre-enrollment communications; Coker Connection, a pre-orientation summer program; new student orientation; membership in a Commissioner family designed to give peer support for the transition to university life; formal inductions into the campus culture at the Commissioner’s Candle Lighting Ceremony and opening Convocation; Residence Life programming; and extended orientation courses.
The first-year experience course (CU 101) pairs first-year students with faculty, staff, and peer mentors to assist incoming students in their transition toward successful development in both academic and non-academic areas of university life. The second course, CU 102, helps students explore their chosen major or, for undecided students, helps explore major and career possibilities. When available, students who have selected their major may substitute a departmental first-year seminar specific to their intended major for CU 102. These courses are designed to assist students in navigating the Coker University environment; to equip students with basic academic success skills including effective study techniques and time management strategies; to assist students with personal success skills such as goal setting and career exploration; to promote social interaction between students and faculty/staff; and to encourage personal growth through exposure to service learning opportunities, cultural experiences and diverse populations in the students’ local, regional or national communities.
Transfer students who have completed a year on a university/college campus and transfer in as a sophomore (at least 28 hours) will be exempt from CU 101 and CU 102 (or the equivalent major first-year seminar course).
Internships
The Career Center will coordinate the program of academic internships at Coker University. Internships are learning experiences designed to complement classroom learning in a practical way in a chosen field of study. A student who is in good academic standing can register for an internship when he or she has completed courses in a major or minor and has reached junior status. Internships are available in most of our majors with the approval of the faculty advisor.
Students may complete internships in the local area, state-wide, nationally or internationally. While academic internships may be paid or unpaid, all are supervised by a faculty member and require a signed contract, time sheets, evaluations, and a written journal. Students must attend an orientation session to review the internship requirements.
Internships are available for one to twelve semester hours of credit, depending on the major. To receive academic credit the experience must fit with the guidelines of the catalog description and number of hours listed for each major. Internships for majors without a catalog course will be given a special topics course number (*99). Students must also be registered for the internship course during the semester/term in which on-site work hours are completed.
The internship program is an important part of Coker University’s objective to have students actively involved in their learning and to develop critical thinking skills.
Other Organizations and Services
Alumni Association
The Coker University Alumni Association is a service organization established by Coker University to promote the interests of this institution and to develop and maintain a close bond between the University and the alumni. Membership is open to all former students who have completed 24 semester hours at Coker and have been separated from the University in good standing. Coker University employs a Director of Alumni Engagement and provides campus facilities to house the alumni operation.
Coker University Store
The Coker University Store sells school supplies, Coker apparel, school spirit items, gifts, and souvenirs. The campus store is located on the first floor of the Student Union Building. You may visit our website at https://cokeruniversitystore.company.site/. If you have questions about the campus store, call 843-383-8034.
Dining Services
Dining Services are contracted through Creative Dining. They provide a full-service food operation to meet the needs of resident and commuting students, faculty, staff, and their guests. Meals are available in the Susan Linville Dining Hall, located in the center of the residence halls and at the Cobra Grill and Starbucks locations in the Cobra Café area of the Student Center. Full catering services are also available. Hours of operation are posted at each location at the beginning of each semester.
Meal Plans for Residential Students - All students living in University-managed housing are required to purchase a meal plan. Students may choose either a 21-meal plan or a 14-meal plan. Residents of the Downtown Flats and the Residential Village have the additional option of a 7-meal plan. All plans can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Linville Dining Hall. Each available meal plan also includes a preset CobraCash amount that can be used at any of the food outlets on campus as well as a limited number of off-campus restaurants.
Meal Plans for Commuting Students - Commuter students may elect to purchase one of the three available residential meal plans or the Commuter Block Plan. Commuter students who do not wish to purchase a meal plan may use the CobraCash option described below. See the General Manager of Dining Services in the Linville Dining Hall for more information regarding these options or contact the Residence Life Office.
CobraCash - Every student who purchases one of the residential meal plans also receives a preset amount each semester on their Coker University ID. Commuter students may also add CobraCash funds to their IDs if they choose to do so. The ID card will work similarly to a bank debit card at on-campus dining facilities and selected off-campus restaurants. Students can recharge their IDs with additional CobraCash in the Dining Services Office (located in Coker Hall), online or at the Student Accounts office in the Student Solution Center.
Information Technology (IT)
Vision
Enabling lifelong learning through innovative IT solutions.
Mission
Coker’s IT department is committed to empowering students, faculty, and staff with technology and services that facilitate effective learning. We accomplish this by:
placing value on the active involvement and application of technology solutions,
fostering and maintaining valuable collaborative partnerships,
and providing a modern, stable, secure, and integrated computing environment.
IT Support
The Department of Information Technology strives to provide the best possible IT service for our students, faculty, and staff. If you need IT support, please email support@coker.edu and describe—in detail—your issue or help request. If you are unable to log in to a Coker account, you will need to call the IT HelpDesk at (843) 383-8323 during business hours.
Campus Communication
All students are provided a Coker University e-mail account. Students attending in the day program are also assigned a campus mailbox. Campus mail and e-mail are considered official means of communication for the University – they are two of the primary methods used by faculty and staff to disseminate information to our students. As a Coker student, it is your responsibility to check both your campus mailbox and student e-mail account regularly. You are accountable for knowing and complying with information and requests distributed by these methods.
Intercollegiate Athletics
The Department of Athletics at Coker University serves to sponsor and promote activities that will enhance the total educational experience of the institution’s students, promote the recruitment and retention of qualified student-athletes, and assist in the development of campus spirit and pride. Participating students have opportunities for intellectual, social and leadership development through the intercollegiate athletic experience. The mission of this department is consistent with the missions of Coker University, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level and the South Atlantic Conference.
Coker fields twenty-two intercollegiate teams. The men’s program includes baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field, and wrestling, while the women’s program includes acrobatics and tumbling, basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball. The teams are named after the Coker mascot, the Cobra. The official colors are navy blue and gold.
Grants and scholarships are awarded to qualified student-athletes in all sports through the Office of Financial Aid. Questions regarding athletic scholarships should be directed to the appropriate coach in the athletic program. Recipients of aid are required to satisfy certain academic standards set by the University, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, and the South Atlantic Conference in which Coker University holds memberships.
International Student Services
Coker University hosts a diverse and robust international student population, representing 25 countries and 20 academic disciplines. Students who choose to live and learn outside their native countries have additional obligations and face unique challenges not experienced by students who study closer to home. The International Student Services (ISS) office provides start-to-finish support to ensure a smooth transition to life at Coker University as well as to opportunities students might pursue in the U.S. following graduation.
Beginning with admission and the visa application process, International Student Services offers guidance for establishing eligibility to study in the U.S. ISS offers airport transfers and move-in help for a smoother arrival to campus, and international-specific orientation events ensure that students learn how to maintain their F-1 status. Throughout their program of study, ISS helps international students understand the U.S. system of education and offers specific assistance with academic advising & planning, course scheduling & registration, and strategies for academic success. In addition to academic support, International Student Services assists students with relocation activities, such as opening a bank account, activating cell phone service, or applying for a driving license. At the conclusion of their program of study, International Student Services helps students with transitions to graduate school or Optional Practical Training (OPT), an opportunity to work in the U.S. while remaining in student status.
International Student Services uses a required international student administrative fee to fund our airport transfer program. This fee also supports recreational activities such as movie nights, meals off campus, and visits to the local coffee shop, especially during school breaks when international students might not be able to return home.
Post Office
Each student enrolled in the day program is assigned a box in the University Post Office for U.S. mail and on-campus correspondence. Window hours are observed for purchasing stamps and mailing small packages. Coker University and the student’s campus mailbox number must be included in addressing all mail to the campus.
International Programs
International programs are designed to give students an awareness of the diversity, complexity, and interdependence of the world community. Under the auspices of these programs, Coker students are provided opportunities to study abroad and students from other countries are supported in their pursuit of a degree from Coker.
Study Away/International Affiliations - Any student with sophomore status or above and an appropriate grade point average may elect to study a major, minor, or General Education Program requirement courses in a foreign country with Coker University or in cooperation with an approved educational institution or program. Students may elect to study through Coker-affiliated programs or those of any approved institution. In addition, students may apply for the Susan Coker Watson Scholarship for Study Abroad and other available scholarships.
Ordinarily, the maximum number of hours to be taken in the Study Abroad Program is a total of thirty-six credits. The course of study must be approved by the student’s advisor and the Office of the Provost. Direction and guidance must be provided by the third-party provider, a faculty member of the participating institution or through the approval of an independent study with a Coker faculty member, in which case an evaluative report, journal or paper will normally be required.
Domestic Travel Programs - Study Away also includes domestic travel programs throughout the United States. Students can enroll in courses offered by Coker faculty or participate in Coker-affiliated programs. All non-Coker programs must receive prior approval for participation.
Winter and Summer Terms - Travel and corresponding courses are typically offered in the Winter and Summer terms Coker students are encouraged to travel and broaden their view of the world as a global village. At Coker we believe that travel within the United States, as well as abroad, challenges students’ adaptability and communication skills. Courses are announced in advance, which permits students to arrange their schedules and finances to include a travel course.
Community Service - Coker University’s strong belief that education is for the betterment of humanity leads the University to provide experiences for students in community service as a part of their formal studies.
Community service provides an early opportunity for students to develop leadership skills that reflect initiative, vision, and caring in their response to the community. Faculty, staff, and students participate in keeping the campus alert to community situations where the University can be of help in meaningful ways.