INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...

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INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
INTRODUCING YOU TO
      LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK!
      (WITH ADVICE FROM CURRENT STUDENTS AND 15 JACK FACTS)

2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
Y OU WILL
                        MAKE A GREAT
                        LUMBERJACK!
            Welcome to the land of academics and axe handles. Although you’ve
            already received lots of information about SFA, you still might not know
            JACK. Don’t worry, that’s what Lumberjack Orientation is for!

            This guide contains the details you need to know about SFA (like where
            to get help deciding on a major) and includes the stuff you want to know
            (for instance, on-campus dining choices). It’s also chock-full of helpful
            information on how to make the adjustment to college life and get
            acquainted with your soon-to-be alma mater.

            So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.

            SFA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:                                                Successful Lumberjacks are
            E Facebook - sfasu                                                  always aware of important
            Q Instagram - SFA_jacks                                             dates and events. Be
            C LinkedIn - sfasu                                                  sure to reference the
            A Pinterest - SFAlumberjacks                                        University Calendar in the
            0 Snapchat - sfa_jacks                                              Undergraduate Bulletin, which
            D Twitter - @SFASU                                                  can be found online at
            M YouTube - Stephen F. Austin State University                      catalog.sfasu.edu.

                                               Look for the Jack Facts icon for
                                               interesting tidbits about SFA.

2   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
Welcome to SFA!

                      On behalf of the Orientation Programs’ staff members, I’d like to welcome
                      you to Stephen F. Austin State University and congratulate you on starting
                      your Lumberjack experience. Lumberjack Orientation is one of the first
                      steps in your transition to campus. Whether you are a first-generation
                      college student or a Lumberjack legacy, our goal is to make your
                      transition to university life as smooth as possible.

As an incoming SFA student, you have accepted a new set of responsibilities and will be faced
with many important decisions throughout your time here. Embarking on this exciting and
challenging journey will provide you with new opportunities for growth, both academically and
personally, as you discover the many faculty and staff members eager to assist and coach you.

Lumberjack Orientation will introduce you to campus resources and services, provide
you with the tools needed for success during your first year at SFA, and provide insight
regarding various student engagement opportunities. From being part of renowned
academic programs to finding your place in a student organization, the opportunities to
write your story are endless. We hope this booklet, the Lumberjack Orientation Guide,
serves as a quick resource during and after Orientation.

Studies have shown that students who get involved feel more connected to the university.
Involved students also are more likely to remain at SFA and persist to graduation. Our hope
is that SFA becomes your home away from home and that you begin to cultivate lasting
relationships during Orientation. Use this time at SFA to lay the foundation for the rest of your
life, focus on your goals, develop your strengths, and utilize the resources and people on
campus who are here to help you succeed.

Great opportunities are about to start opening up for you. We are here to make certain you are
prepared for these opportunities and to help answer any questions you may have along the way.
Congratulations on your decision to be a Lumberjack. We are excited to have you here!

Axe ‘em, Jacks!

Jamal Smith
Director of Orientation Programs
Class of ’11 & ‘13

                                          2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   3
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
CONTENTS
    LUMBERJACK ORIENTATION STAFF MEMBERS AND                                           Disability Services..........................................................19
    LEADERS........................................................................6   Every Incoming Freshman Should Enroll
                                                                                       in SFA 101.....................................................................19
    OUR UNIVERSITY’S HISTORY                                                           Veterans Resource Center..............................................19
    Q: What Does SFA Stand For?........................................8               Ralph W. Steen Library...................................................19
    Stephen F. Austin Facts...................................................8        Center for Career and Professional Development........20
    Q: Why is the SFA Mascot a Lumberjack?.......................9                     Academic Assistance and Resource Center...................20
    Nacogdoches is Difficult to Spell....................................9
    Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed.........................................9             POLICIES: THE ABRIDGED VERSION........................21

    LUMBERJACK ACADEMICS                                                               LUMBERJACK COMMUNITY
    Did You Know?..............................................................11      Honor the Code!...........................................................23
    At the Top of Your Class?...............................................11         On Guard.......................................................................23
    Undecided on a Major?.................................................11           Parking Tickets are No Fun...........................................23
    Favorite Study Locations...............................................11          The Doc is In.................................................................24
    Academic Terminology..................................................12           All Aboard!....................................................................24
    Majors, Minors, Areas of Study                                                     Read All About It...........................................................24
    and Concentrations.......................................................14        Purchase Books and SFA Gear......................................24
                                                                                       Did You Know SFA has Its Own Post Office?.................24
    RESOURCES                                                                          I’m Hungry.....................................................................25
    Financial Assistance.......................................................17      Living on Campus..........................................................26
    Paying for College.........................................................17      A Few Benefits of Residing on Campus........................27
    SFA Scholarships...........................................................17      Get to Know Your Residence Hall Association..............27
    Additional Information About Financial Aid..................17
    Business Office..............................................................17    FUN AND LEISURE
    Financial Literacy...........................................................18    NCAA Division I Athletics..............................................28
    Counseling Services......................................................18        Baker Pattillo Student Center........................................29
    Campus Technology......................................................18          Music, Theatre and Art Events.......................................29
    iCare Early Alerts...........................................................18    Student Recreation Center = Amazing!........................29

4   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
Explore the Miles and Miles of Beautiful Trails.............29                           Battle of the Piney Woods.............................................38
Lumberjacks’ Clubs and Organizations.........................30                          Springfest......................................................................38
Student Organizations Resource Center........................30                          Jack Camp.....................................................................38
Student Affairs Programs...............................................31                What’s Better Than Watermelon?..................................38
    Weeks of Welcome.................................................31                  What is Surfin’ Steve?....................................................39
    Multicultural Affairs.................................................31
    Spirit Teams - A Winning Tradition..........................31                       Important SFA Phone Numbers and Websites..........40
    Student Government Association...........................31
Student Engagement Programs....................................32                        Welcome Home, Class of 2023!...................................41
    Freshman Leadership Academy..............................32
    Involvement Center.................................................32                Lumberjacks Care Training: For Students...................43
    Leadership and Service...........................................32
    Greek Life................................................................32         Four-Year Career Development Guide........................52
    Student Activities Association.................................32
Axe ‘em, Jacks!..............................................................33          The Ultimate Lumberjack Bucket List.........................55

TRADITIONALLY SPEAKING                                                                   Lumberjacks Care: For Family Members....................59
Top 10 SFA Traditions....................................................34
Chief Caddo..................................................................34          Jack Camp Registration Form.....................................62
Why is My Hand Purple?...............................................34
The Axe Handle.............................................................35

                                                                                                    SAVE A LUMBERJACK.
Homecoming is Coming!...............................................35
Traditions Council..........................................................35
School Song..................................................................35
Do Not Wear Orange!...................................................35                             USE PUNCTUATION.
The Stars at Night are Big and ... Purple?.....................36                                Axe ’em Jacks! = axing Lumberjacks (no!)
Purple Haze Association................................................37
Boom!............................................................................37
                                                                                          Axe ’em, Jacks! = AXING OUR OPPONENT (YES!)
Jacks Charge.................................................................37

                                                                              2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University                       5
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
LUMBERJACK ORIENTATION
                          STAFF MEMBERS AND LEADERS
                                    THOSE HIGHLIGHTED IN PURPLE SERVE IN LEADERSHIP ROLES.

                                                                Reece Albert                 DeAsia Douglas
                  Jamal Smith                                   Dallas                       Houston
                  Director of Orientation Programs              Sophomore                    Senior
                                                                Sports Business              Accounting

                                                                James Anderson-
                  Rhylie Gachot                                                              Rachel Duffina
                                                                Johnson                      Georgetown
                  Assistant Director of Orientation             Missouri City                Sophomore
                  Programs                                      Junior                       Social Work
                                                                Marketing

                  Janie Poskey                                  Daniel Campos                Sandie Durham
                                                                Lufkin                       Palestine
                  Orientation Programs
                                                                Junior                       Senior
                  Administrative Assistant                      Engineering Physics          Engineering Physics

                  Zoe Smiley
                                                                Ana Carrillo                 Andrea Flores
                  Orientation Graduate Assistant                Nacogdoches
                  Kingwood                                                                   Mission
                                                                Junior
                  Graduate Student                                                           Sophomore
                                                                Human Development and
                  Student Affairs and Higher                                                 Social Work
                                                                Family Studies
                  Education

                  Kristine Cross
                                                                Javier Castaneda II          Tyler Fuller
                  Orientation Student Coordinator               Angleton                     Sealy
                  Houston
                                                                Junior                       Junior
                  Graduate Student
                                                                Chemistry                    Sports Business
                  Food, Nutrition and Dietetics

                  Kev Madden
                                                                Jacob Crail-Delgado          Juan Garcia
                  Orientation Student Coordinator               Dallas                       Center
                  Longview
                                                                Junior                       Junior
                  Junior
                                                                Psychology                   Graphic Design
                  Finance

                  Logan Ray
                                                                Xavier Day                   Trent Gitchuway
                  Orientation Student Coordinator               San Antonio                  Tyler
                  Lubbock
                                                                Senior                       Senior
                  Senior
                                                                Special Education            Marketing
                  Music Education

                  Destinee Williams
                                                                Randi Dodson                 Bryan Gray
                  Orientation Student Coordinator               Houston                      Plano
                  Hutto
                                                                Junior                       Junior
                  Senior
                                                                English                      Psychology
                  Health Science

6   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
Lumberjack Orientation leaders assist incoming freshmen, transfer students and their
families in the student’s transition to SFA. They play a vital role in the Orientation
Program and work closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of
topics, including academics, student involvement, housing options and more.

Dillon Hendricks                        Larrian Menifee                             Sierra Smith
Timpson                                 Galveston                                   McKinney
Junior                                  Junior                                      Junior
Kinesiology                             Music Education                             Hospitality Administration

Christina Hinds                         Benjamin Nguyen                             Bobby Swien
Katy                                    Longview                                    Woodville
Sophomore                               Sophomore                                   Senior
Nursing                                 Marketing                                   Geology

Trace Horger                            Casey Pederson                              Sarah Thee
Winnie                                  Emory                                       Lubbock
Sophomore                               Junior                                      Sophomore
Information Technology                  Kinesiology                                 Music Education

Andres R. Jaimes                        Maggie Polichino                            Megan Vance
Caracas, Venezuela
                                        Katy                                        Atascocita
Junior
                                        Junior                                      Junior
Advertising and Public
                                        Speech Pathology                            Hospitality Administration
Relations

Sergio Jaimes                           Frankcheskia Pyrtle                         Maiya Williams
Dallas                                  Conroe                                      Hutto
Junior                                  Sophomore                                   Sophomore
Finance                                 Nursing                                     Music Education

Scarleth Lopez                          Christian Rodgers
Dayton                                  Longview
Sophomore                               Sophomore
Psychology                              Sports Business

Collin Maxwell                          Rahaf Shawakfeh
                                        Pineland
Dallas
                                        Junior
Sophomore
                                        Communication Sciences
Mass Communication
                                        and Disorders

                                     2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   7
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
Q: WHAT DOES SFA
    STAND FOR?
    A: Stephen Fuller Austin, the
    university’s namesake and Father of
    Texas. He’s most remembered for
    his colonization efforts in Texas in
    the early 1800s. Texas’ capital also is
    named in his honor.

    STEPHEN F. AUSTIN FACTS
    •   Born Nov. 3, 1793, in Virginia;
        died Dec. 27, 1836
    •   Graduated from Transylvania
        University in Kentucky
    •   Created informal armed groups,
        which later became known as
        the Texas Rangers
    •   Appointed as the Republic of
        Texas’ first secretary of state in
        October 1836
    •   A 67-foot statue of Austin stands
        in Angleton, Texas.
    •   The National Statuary Hall
        Collection permits each state to
        select just two statues for display
        at the Capitol in Washington,
        D.C. Stephen F. Austin was
        selected as one of Texas’
        statues.
    •   In 1959, Stephen F. Austin was
        posthumously inducted into the
        Hall of Great Westerners.

           The live oak trees
           surrounding the Stone Fort
           Museum are offspring from
           trees at Stephen F. Austin’s
           original burial site.
                                                                                Stephen F. Austin statue inside the Texas Capitol

8   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
The first Lumberjack Day was                                        A campus ghost named Chester
       Nov. 8, 1947. The Sylvans, a student                                is said to occupy the Griffith Fine
       forestry club, began participating                                  Arts Building. He first appeared in
       in Lumberjack Day in 1969 and still                                 a photograph with the cast of “Tiny
       host the annual event.                                              Alice” in 1967.

                  OUR UNIVERSITY’S HISTORY

Q: WHY IS THE SFA MASCOT                NACOGDOCHES IS                              BRIGHT-EYED AND
A LUMBERJACK?                           DIFFICULT TO SPELL.                         BUSHY-TAILED
A: Because the name Pine Cones          It’s a Caddo Indian word. Legend            SFA is famous for the squirrels on
was rejected. That’s right. In 1932,    has it that a Caddo chief ordered           its campus. They love and depend
SFA students and faculty met to         his two grown sons to report to him         on trees — just like Lumberjacks.
decide on a mascot. Several names       precisely at sunrise. He told one son
were considered, including Pine         to walk east and the other west until
Cones. By vote, the assembly chose      sunset. The sons were to establish
Lumberjacks (thank goodness)!           villages at the places they reached.
                                        The westward-bound son stopped
                                        in a grove of persimmon trees and
                                        named his village Nacogdoches,                      “Check the weather
                                        meaning persimmon. The eastbound
       “Stay focused, don’t             son reached a grove of papaw trees                   every day. Keep an
      sweat the small stuff,            and named his village Natchitoches,                   umbrella in your
                                        meaning papaw.
      and buy lots and lots                                                                 purse, backpack and
           of PURPLE!”                                                                       car, just in case.”

                                          SFA's main campus comprises 422 acres.

                                                   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   9
INTRODUCING YOU TO LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK! - 2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide - Stephen F. Austin ...
“Find all your
     classes before
     the first day.
     Don’t be the
     student who is
     late the first
     day (or ever).”

10    2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
LUMBERJACK ACADEMICS
                 DID YOU KNOW?
Within SFA’s     •    Class sizes at SFA are small (averaging 25 students),
six colleges:         so you get lots of attention from faculty members
• Nelson              who know your name and act as mentors (student-to-
                      faculty ratio: 18:1).
  Rusche
  College of     •    Approximately 90 percent of SFA’s professors hold the
                      highest degree in their field.
  Business
                 •    Lumberjack Landing, SFA’s newest four-story residence
• James I.            hall, is reserved for first-year students. Complete with
  Perkins             wireless internet, study lounges on each floor, and the
                                                                                             UNDECIDED ON
  College of          Ed and Gwen Cole Student Success Center (a tutoring
                      facility), residents live and learn while making friends.                A MAJOR?
  Education
                                                                                              You’re not alone! Many
• College of                                                                               first-year college students
  Fine Arts      AT THE TOP OF YOUR CLASS?                                                     have not yet selected
                                                                                               a major. Don’t worry.
• Arthur         SCHOOL OF HONORS – Student benefits include
                                                                                              Academic advising can
  Temple         exclusive scholarships, financial support for undergraduate
                                                                                               help. Advisors in the
                 research, study abroad trips, early registration and a
  College of                                                                              Academic Advising Center,
                 designated computer lab with free printing.
  Forestry and                                                                                located on the second
                 Honor students also have the opportunity to live in                        floor of Steen Library, will
  Agriculture
                 the Lumberjack Landing Honors Wing or Wisely Hall.                          help you explore majors
• College of     Lumberjack Landing is an all-freshman hall with modern                   and select courses until you
  Liberal and    facilities that promote an academically focused atmosphere.                       declare yours.
  Applied Arts   Wisely Hall houses freshmen through seniors in a quiet,
                 coed living environment that challenges academically
• College of     talented students through engagement and networking.
  Sciences and
  Mathematics
                                                                                            Nancy Dickey, a 1972
Lumberjacks
                                                                                           SFA graduate, served as
choose from
                                                           There are two                  the first female president
about 80
                                                       charging stations for               for both the American
undergraduate                                                                              Medical Association and
majors and
                                                   electronic devices located
                                                       in the Baker Pattillo               the Texas A&M Health
more than 120                                                                                  Science Center.
                                                      Student Center. Each
areas of study
                                                    station can hold up to 10
(see Pages
                                                     devices. All you need is
14-15).                                            your electronic device and
                                                         student ID card.

                     FAVORITE STUDY LOCATIONS:
                  Anywhere with           Starbucks          Baker Pattillo        Fourth floor          Picnic table
                     a plug                                 Student Center         of the Steen          at the Mast
                                                              patio area              Library            Arboretum

                                              2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University    11
ACADEMIC TERMINOLOGY
   Below are a few words, titles,                    addition to the courses required       while remaining enrolled in
   descriptions and phrases commonly                 in the student’s major.                other courses.
   used in academia.                            Co-requisite: A class that must be      Extended Probation, Academic:
   Academic Advisor: A professional                 taken with another class.              Probation undergraduate
      staff or faculty member who               Dean: A person with significant            students whose semester GPA is
      helps students select courses                authority over a specific academic      2.0 or higher but their cumulative
      and plan for the future.                     unit, area of concern or both.          GPA fails to meet the minimum
   Academic Year: Starts on the first day                                                  standard 2.0.
                                                Dean’s List: Students who earn a
      of fall classes and ends in mid-             3.5 GPA in a semester with at        Full-time Students: Students
      August after summer final exams.             least 12 quality hours. Courses          enrolled in 12 or more class
   Brightspace: This classroom                     excluded from grade-point                hours for a fall or spring
       management platform is SFA’s                computation also are excluded            semester. Also, students enrolled
       supported online course delivery            from quality hours and may not           in six or more class hours during
       software. It is an integrated set           be used to determine honor               Maymester, summer I and
       of web course tools used for                roll status.                             summer II terms (undergraduate
       delivery of online courses as well                                                   students). For Title IV purposes,
                                                Degree Plan: The document                   any student registered for 12
       as providing enhanced online                provided by academic
       instruction and communication                                                        semester hours or more during
                                                   departments and colleges that            the fall, spring or summer terms
       tools for traditional classroom-            specifies the courses required to
       based courses.                                                                       is considered a full-time student.
                                                   earn a certain degree.
   Class Hour: One hour of time spent                                                   Grade-point Average: Calculated as
                                                Development Course: A foundation           the total number of grade points
       in class per week; most classes             course designed to allow
       are three class hours, meaning                                                      received over a given period
                                                   students to develop mastery of          divided by the total number of
       they meet for approximately                 the necessary skills required for
       three hours per week.                                                               credits awarded. GPA for short.
                                                   college success.
   Core Curriculum: The general                                                         Hold: A block put on a student’s
                                                Dropping Courses: The process of           account that may prevent the
      educational requirements needed              removing one specific course
      to obtain a degree. These are in                                                     student from registering or
                                                   from a semester schedule

12 122019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
receiving a transcript. A hold is           approximately 18 hours of                    any course repeated at SFA, the
    placed on an account before the             specified coursework. Not all                grade earned during the most
    student has been to academic                majors require a minor.                      recent enrollment will be used
    advising prior to class registration    mySFA: Part of the SFA website                   to calculate the GPA. Credit
    and if a student fails to pay              where students can access their               hours for courses taken at other
    parking tickets or library fines.          email, update their personal                  institutions to replace credit
Independent Study: Individual                  information, register for and                 hours earned at SFA may be
    work on a special topic that               drop classes, check their grades,             used to meet graduation credit-
    is supervised by a faculty                 view holds on accounts, and pay               hour requirements but may not
    member. The student’s academic             their tuition and fees.                       be used for GPA calculation.
    department must approve the             Prerequisite: A course that must be         Suspension, Academic: A student is
    project in advance, and a faculty           satisfactorily completed in order          placed on academic suspension
    member must agree to oversee                to enroll in a subsequent course.          after a regular semester that
    the work.                                                                              immediately follows a semester
                                            President’s Honor Roll: Students               of probation if the student’s
Internship: On-the-job field                   who earn a 4.0 GPA in a
    experience for which a student                                                         cumulative GPA falls below 2.0.
                                               semester with at least 12 quality
    may receive academic credit. Some          hours. Courses excluded from             Syllabus: Course outline, usually
    internships are paid, though most          grade-point computation also                 distributed the first day of
    are not. The Center for Career and         are excluded from quality                    class, with a brief description
    Professional Development can help          hours and may not be used to                 of the course. The syllabus
    students find internships in their         determine honor roll status.                 generally includes assignments,
    chosen career field.                                                                    exam dates, grading system,
                                            Probation, Academic: A student is               attendance policy and the faculty
Lab: Laboratory work provides                  placed on academic probation
   students with the opportunity                                                            member’s contact information.
                                               following the first regular semester
   to apply principles learned in              in which the cumulative GPA fails        Transcript: Official record of a
   lecture classes.                            to meet the minimum academic                 student’s academic work. It is
Lecture: A class where the primary             standard 2.0.                                maintained and updated each
    method of instruction is lecturing.                                                     semester.
                                            Registrar: The office where students’
    There may be relatively little             records are maintained. The              Withdrawal from the University:
    interaction between the professor          registrar’s office maintains                Students who choose to
    and students during class, which is        student academic transcripts and            withdraw from the university
    why it is important for students to        coordinates course registration.            will have a W recorded on their
    utilize the professor’s office hours.                                                  transcript if the withdrawal
                                            Repeating Courses: Students who                is prior to five days after
Major: Upper-division study in                 make an F in a course can get
   an academic department.                                                                 midsemester or midsession, as
                                               credit only by repeating the                applicable. Students must initiate
   Approximately 30 to 36 class                course. Undergraduate students
   hours in a specific field of study.                                                     the withdrawal process in the
                                               who want to repeat courses to               Office of the Registrar.
Minor: Course concentration in a               improve their GPA at SFA must
   field outside a major; requires             repeat those courses at SFA. For

          SFA is one of only four
          Texas public independent
          institutions, meaning it’s
          not affiliated with one of
          the six university systems.

                                                       2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   13
MAJORS, MINORS, AREAS OF STUDY
          AND CONCENTRATIONS
                      Visit sfasu.edu/academics for more information about SFA’s six colleges
                                and academic offerings, which are subject to change.

     Nelson Rusche                                James I. Perkins                       College of Fine Arts
     College of Business                          College of Education                   Art
                                                                                           Studio Art
     Accounting                                   Athletic Coaching
                                                                                         		Ceramics
       Professional Accountancy                   Communication Sciences and Disorders
                                                                                         		 Digital Media
     Banking                                      Dance
                                                                                         		Drawing
     Business Communication and                     Performance and Choreography
                                                                                         		Filmmaking/Cinematography
      Corporate Education                         Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences
                                                                                         		 Graphic Design
       Business Communication                     Family and Consumer Sciences
                                                                                         		Jewelry
       Corporate Communication                    Food and Nutrition
                                                                                         		Painting
     Business Economics                             Nutrition and Healthcare
                                                                                         		Photography
     Business Regulation                          Health Science
                                                                                         		Printmaking
     Economics                                      Community Health
                                                                                         		Sculpture
     Entrepreneurship                             Hospitality Administration
                                                                                         Art Education
     Finance                                        Culinary Arts
                                                                                         Art History
       Banking and Financial Services               Lodging
                                                                                         Music
       Financial Planning                           Meeting and Planning
                                                                                           Accompanying
       Investment Management                        Restaurant
                                                                                           Composition
     General Business                               Travel and Tourism
                                                                                           Sound Recording Technology
       Business Teaching                          Human Sciences
                                                                                         Music Education
       Legal Studies                              Human Services
                                                                                         Music Performance and Pedagogy
       Technology Applications                    Interior Design
                                                                                           Choral
     Human Resource Management                    Kinesiology
                                                                                           Keyboard
     International Business                         Fitness and Human Performance
                                                                                           Opera
       Electronic Business                        		Studies
                                                                                           Orchestral Instrument
     Management                                   Merchandising
                                                                                           Piano
     Marketing                                    Rehabilitation Services
                                                                                           Voice
     Sales                                          Addiction Studies
                                                                                         Theatre
     Sports Business                                Deaf Services
                                                                                           Design and Technology
       Athletic Administration                      Orientation and Mobility
                                                                                           Performance
       Hospitality Administration                 Special Education
                                                                                           Stage Management
       Mass Communication                         Teacher Education
                                                                                         Theatre Education
       Outdoor Recreation                           Dance Education
       Sales and Management                         Deaf and Hard of Hearing
                                                  		 Educational Interpreting
                                                    Interdisciplinary Studies
                                                  		Elementary                            “In college, there’s no such
                                                  		 Early Childhood
                                                  		 Special Education
                                                                                          thing as late work.”
                                                  		 Early Intervention
                                                    Middle Grades
                                                    Physical Education – All Level
                                                    Secondary Education

14   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
Arthur Temple                        College of Liberal                         College of Sciences
College of Forestry                  and Applied Arts                           and Mathematics
and Agriculture                      Anthropology                               Applied Statistics
                                     Applied Arts and Sciences                  Astronomy
Agribusiness
                                     Classical Literary Studies                 Biochemistry
Agriculture Development Production
                                     Communication Studies                      Biochemical/Pre-Medical Studies
Agriculture Engineering Technology
                                        Secondary Teaching                      Biology
Animal Science
                                     Criminal Justice                             Botany
  Equine Science
                                     English                                      Cellular and Molecular
  Pre-Veterinarian
                                        Secondary Teaching                        Ecology and Evolutionary
Environmental Science
                                     Film Studies                               Chemistry
  Land, Air and Water Resources
                                     Geography                                  Combined Sciences
Forestry
                                     Gerontology                                Computer Information Systems
  Agroforestry
                                     History                                    Computer Science
  Fire Management
                                        Secondary Teaching                      Data Analytics
  Forest Management
                                        Social Studies Secondary Teaching       Engineering
  Forest Wildlife Management
                                     International and Intercultural 		           Electrical
  Human Dimensions in Natural
                                        Communication                             Mechanical
		Resources
                                     Latin American Studies                     Engineering Physics
  Urban Forestry
                                     Leadership                                 Geology
Horticulture
                                     Liberal Studies                              Environmental
  Turfgrass Management
                                     Linguistics                                Human Health Perspectives
Poultry Science
                                     Literature                                 Information Technology
Spatial Science
                                        Children’s Literature                   Mathematics
  Cultural Resources
                                     Mass Communication                           Actuarial Sciences
  Natural Resources
                                        Advertising and Public Relations          Data Sciences
  Surveying
                                        Journalism                              Nursing
                                        Radio/TV                                Physics
                                     Military Science                           Pre-Dentistry
                                     Modern Languages                           Pre-Engineering
                                        French                                  Pre-Medicine
                                        German                                  Pre-Occupational Therapy
    “When people ask,                   Portuguese
                                        Secondary Teaching
                                                                                Pre-Optometry
                                                                                Pre-Pharmacy
    ‘what’s your major?’                Spanish                                 Pre-Physical Therapy
                                     Multidisciplinary Studies                  Pre-Physician Assistant
    it’s just a starting point       Philosophy                                 Pre-Veterinary
    for conversation.                Political Science
                                        Pre-Law
                                                                                Secondary Teaching

    Don’t freak out if               Psychology
                                     Public Administration
    you’re undecided.”               Religious Studies
                                     Social Media
                                     Social Welfare                                   There are 50 countries
                                     Social Work                                          represented by
                                     Sociology                                          international SFA
                                     Sustainable Community Development
                                     Writing
                                                                                             students.
                                        Creative
                                        Technical and Professional
                                     Women’s and Gender Studies

                                              2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   15
16   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
RESOURCES

    SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE SUCCESS
    Literally, no matter where you’re standing on the SFA campus, the
    resources you need to be a successful student are close by.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Located on the first floor of the Austin Building, the staff members in the
Office of Student Financial Assistance can help you find the best way to pay
for your SFA education. All students who apply for financial assistance must fill
out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.ed.gov.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE                                               ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
The financial aid office can provide you with the necessary      FINANCIAL AID
information to apply for financial assistance — whether          SFA offers a number of services through its financial aid
that be scholarships, grants and/or loans.                       office, including short-term loans, summer aid and study
In order to be considered for financial assistance, you’ll be    abroad assistance. A net price calculator also is available
required to complete the FAFSA. Here’s what to do:               and is intended to provide students with useful consumer
                                                                 information regarding college costs after financial aid is
•   Apply as early as possible by logging on to
                                                                 taken into consideration. For more information regarding
    fafsa.ed.gov.
                                                                 financial aid and the services SFA provides,
•   You and/or your parent must electronically sign the          visit sfasu.edu/faid.
    FAFSA. Missing signatures will delay processing.
•   Verify all responses for accuracy.                           BUSINESS OFFICE
•   Print yourself a copy.                                       The Business Office, located on the second floor of
                                                                 the Austin Building, is where you’ll pay for tuition and
•   If selected for the verification process, be prepared to
                                                                 post other payments to your account. Additionally,
    contact the IRS for a copy of your tax transcripts.
                                                                 your student ID is validated here, and checks may be
Remember — if you received a scholarship from your high          cashed up to $50. This also is the location to initiate
school or other organization, SFA must be notified to help       refunds and cash advances through BankMobile®. If you
determine an accurate financial aid award for you. You           have questions about an eBill or other payment-related
can complete the electronic resources request to notify          inquiries, call the Business Office at (936) 468-6960.
us of pending scholarship amounts and the entity the
scholarship is from.

SFA SCHOLARSHIPS
                                                                            “College is not like high school.
SFA offers hundreds of scholarships each year to
both new and returning students. To be considered,                               There is more freedom.
you must fill out the general scholarship application
through mySFA, the university’s intranet web portal. The                    Going to class and working hard
application is available starting Sept. 1 each year, and the                         will get you an A,
deadline for submission is Feb. 1. Scholarships are offered
on such criteria as academic major, co-curricular activities                  but it also is very easy to fail
and talent. For more information on scholarships, log on
to sfasu.edu/faid/scholarships.asp.                                          if you don’t put in the effort.”

                                                      2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   17
FINANCIAL LITERACY
                                                                       SFA has partnered with the National Endowment
                                                                       for Financial Education to provide students with the
                                                                       necessary knowledge and skills to make important
                                                                       decisions relating to personal finance matters. The Office
                                                                       of Student Affairs Programs has partnered with NEFE’s
                                                                       Cash Course to offer many useful tools for students. Visit
                                                                       sfasu.edu/studentaffairs/660.asp for more information.

                                                                       The Student Financial Advisors are available to help
                                                                       you with your finances. Located in the McGee Business
                                                                       Building, Room 169, the advisors are a free resource
                                                                       dedicated to the promotion of financial literacy and smart
                                                                       money management.

                                                                       COUNSELING SERVICES
                                                                       Counseling Services is staffed with licensed professional
                                                                       counselors and offers individual and group counseling to
                                                                       help students overcome personal and academic obstacles
                                                                       and make healthy, productive decisions.

                                                                       CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY
                                                                       More than 20 computer labs and approximately 800
                                                                       workstations are available for student use. One of the
                                                                       technology tools you’ll use
                                                                       throughout your SFA career is
                                                                       mySFA. Through this intranet
                                                                       portal, you’ll manage your
                                                                       SFA email account, register
                                                                       for courses, view your grades
                                                                       and transcripts, and more.
                                                                       Students can access fast
                                                                       and easy printing using the
                                                                       new Wēpa wireless printing
                                                                       stations located throughout
                                                                       campus, as well as free
                                                                       charging stations for smart
                                                                       devices in the Baker Pattillo
                                                                       Student Center.

                                                                       iCARE EARLY ALERTS
                                                                       The iCare Early Alert program is a unique, integrative
                                                                       approach to academic and behavior intervention on
                                                                       campus. The program, administered through the Office
                                                                       of Student Rights and Responsibilities, is a collaborative
                                                                       response between academics and student affairs to target
                                                                       resources to help improve students’ ability to succeed.
                                                                       The three early intervention tracks consist of behavioral/
                                                                       medical, attendance issues and academic performance.
                                                                       Faculty members can submit early alerts through the
                                                                       advising system that is linked to their classes.

18   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
DISABILITY SERVICES
   The university is committed to providing equal opportunities in higher education to students with disabilities.
   Disability Services works collaboratively with the student to facilitate specialized support services that meet
   individual disability-related needs.

EVERY INCOMING FRESHMAN                                  Lumberjacks participating in SFA 101 and the Academic
SHOULD ENROLL IN SFA 101.                                Assistance and Resource Center have higher overall GPAs.
SFA 101, Freshman Success Seminar, is a
specially designed course that is proven
to raise your GPA and increase your
chances of making it to graduation.
“SFA savvy” instructors teach you the
ropes and discuss important topics,
such as academic integrity, learning
strategies, SFA history and other
essential information.
Specialized sections are offered that
concentrate on leadership and areas of
study. This class gives you a head start
and explores the many resources SFA
provides to help you inside and outside
the classroom.

                                                  STEEN LIBRARY
                                                  All the information you need to make the grade can be found within
                                                  SFA’s library. The four-story facility houses books, periodicals, maps,
                                                  databases, computer labs and more. In addition, each of SFA’s six
VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER
                                                  colleges has its own librarian who is especially knowledgeable in the
The VRC, located in the student center, is        college’s subject areas and is at your service.
open to all veterans and their dependents
and serves as a place to gather, socialize
and form supportive relationships.
                                                         The Lumberjack Marching Band will march in the 2021 New
In addition, this facility is a hub for
veterans’ programming efforts, including                 Year’s Day parade in Rome, Italy. In the past, the band has
helping connect veterans and their                       participated in the 2013 London New Year’s Day Parade, the
dependents with university resources and                 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and the
outside agencies.                                        2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

                                                    2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   19
CENTER FOR CAREER
                                                                                  AND PROFESSIONAL
                                                                                  DEVELOPMENT
                                                                                  The Center for Career and
                                                                                  Professional Development encourages
                                                                                  students to be proactive in
                                                                                  developing their professional brand to
                                                                                  enhance employability.
                                                                                  Students achieve this through
                                                                                  assistance with résumé writing,
                                                                                  interview skills, a career closet,
                                                                                  internships, job-search strategies,
                                                                                  career coaching, workshops and
                                                                                  presentations, and career fairs.
                                                                                  More information is available at
                                                                                  sfasu.edu/ccpd, or you may visit
                                                                                  the center on the third floor of the
                                                                                  Rusk Building.

                                                                                      “Don’t wait until your
                                                                                      final semester to begin
                                                                                      your job hunt. Start early
                                                                                      by participating in mock
       CCPD offers students the opportunity to borrow professional
                                                                                      interviews, and begin to
       clothing (ranging from business casual to suits) for free to                   prepare your résumé.”
       wear to presentations, interviews or career expos.

     ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE
     AND RESOURCE
     CENTER
     Peer tutoring at the AARC
     makes it easy for you to get
     the help you need through
     learning teams, on-call tutors
     at walk-in tables, supplemental
     instruction and an online
     writing lab. Visit sfasu.edu/aarc
     to learn more.

         “Keep calm! It’s all
         very new and possibly
         scary, but if you keep
         calm, you’ll do great
         in all your classes. And
         don’t forget to use
         the AARC!”

20    2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
POLICIES: The Abridged Version
Starting your journey at SFA will be an exciting time,           10.4 Student Code of Conduct
and you will find several policies have been adopted to          13.9 Firearms, Explosives and Ammunition
help you succeed and remain in good standing with the
university. The following policies include the university’s      13.11 Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse
illicit drug and alcohol policy, the student conduct code,       13.13 Missing Student Notification
and the university’s policy on hazing. An online manual
                                                                 13.21 Smoking, Vaping and Use of Tobacco Products
can be accessed for a complete list of current policies by
visiting sfasu.edu/policies.
                                                                 In addition, other policies of interest for all students include:
2.11 Discrimination Complaints                                   2.2 Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
2.13 Sexual Misconduct                                           6.1 Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
4.1 Student Academic Dishonesty                                  6.3 Final Course Grade Appeals by Students
6.7 Class Attendance                                             6.4 Academic Probation, Suspension and Reinstatement
                                                                   for Undergraduates
6.16 Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid
  Recipients                                                     6.22 Withdrawal Without Financial Clearance
9.3 Digital Millennium Copyright                                 10.9 Student Organization Formation and Recognition
10.3 Hazing                                                      10.10 Student Organization Risk Management Training

                                                      2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University      21
“Don’t blow all your Dining Dollars early
                 because you’re going to need coffee money during finals!”

22 222019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
LUMBERJACK COMMUNITY
                                           HONOR THE CODE!
  Your family just got a lot bigger!
                                           Lumberjacks believe in doing things “The SFA Way,” and we strive for
  Along with more than 13,000 other
                                           personal excellence in everything we undertake. The five root principles
  currently enrolled Lumberjacks,
                                           (Respect, Caring, Responsibility, Unity and Integrity) serve as the
  about 1,700 SFA faculty and staff,
                                           Lumberjack standard.
  and thousands of alumni, you now
  have the purple and white as part
  of your DNA, too!

ON GUARD
The University Police Department
patrols the campus 24/7 by automobile,
foot and bicycle to protect and serve.
Jack Alert, SFA’s emergency notification
system, sends text message, voice,
email, Facebook, Twitter and website
alerts concerning emergencies that
may affect the SFA community. Sign up
for Jack Alert on mySFA. Additionally,
emergency call stations are located
throughout the campus – just look for
the blue lights.

         “Those parking signs
           are not a joke.”

PARKING TICKETS
ARE NO FUN.
Everyone who brings a vehicle to
campus must pay to park (even faculty
and staff). Depending on what type of
student you are (on-campus resident
or commuter) and what kind of vehicle
you drive (automobile or motorcycle),
the type of permit and cost will differ.
The type of permit you purchase
also will determine in which parking
lot(s) and garage(s) you may park. To
view the parking and traffic rules and
regulations, parking maps and the                68%: The number of SFA on-campus students involved in
day/evening shuttle bus route, visit
                                                 co-curricular programs and student organizations in 2018.
sfasu.edu/parking.

                                              2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   23
THE DOC IS IN.
     Health Services, at the corner of East College and
     Raguet streets, is an outpatient medical facility offering
     preventative care and many of the same services provided
     by a family practitioner to currently enrolled students.
     HOURS OF OPERATION:
     8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
     For emergencies after hours, dial 911.

                                                                          PURCHASE BOOKS AND SFA GEAR.
                                                                          The Barnes & Noble Bookstore, located in the Baker
                                                                          Pattillo Student Center, sells new and used textbooks
                                                                          and supplies you’ll need for class. In addition, you can
                                                                          shop for licensed SFA clothing and other items.

     ALL ABOARD!                                                          DID YOU KNOW SFA HAS ITS OWN
     If you don’t have your own automobile, no worries.                   POST OFFICE?
     You’ll still be able to easily move around campus. SFA               Located in the basement of the Baker Pattillo Student
     operates the Jack Track shuttle service. It’s free for all           Center, the post office provides full U.S. postal services
     currently enrolled SFA students. When classes are in                 to all members of the Lumberjack community. With
     session during the fall and spring semesters, shuttle                more than 10,000 boxes, box rental is required for
     buses travel around the campus and stop at high-traffic              students who live on campus and is available for
     areas. Look for the bus stops!                                       students residing off campus.

     JACK TRACK SCHEDULE:
     Daytime:    7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
     		          Monday through Friday

     Evening:        5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
     		              Sunday through Thursday

     For more information about Jack Track,
     visit sfasu.edu/jacktrack.

     READ ALL ABOUT IT.
     Published weekly during the fall and spring semesters,
     The Pine Log is SFA’s student newspaper. Pick up                             Twiggy, a local celebrity featured on KETK
     a copy at newsstands located throughout campus.                              in Tyler, lives his best life on campus
     The publication also is online at thepinelog.com.                            eating sunflower seeds near the Ferguson
     Additionally, the Stone Fort is SFA’s yearbook. Copies                       Building. Follow @SFA_Twiggy on
     may be purchased during Lumberjack Orientation.                              Instagram and Twitter.

24    2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
I’M HUNGRY.
SFA’s Dining
Services offers
meals to please
everyone’s taste
buds. From all-
you-care-to-eat
dining locations in
the Baker Pattillo
Student Center and
East College Dining
Hall to the fantastic
tastes of Chick-
fil-A, Which Wich,
Panda Express and
other retail outlets,
you’ll have tons of
choices to calm your
stomach’s growl.
SFA Dining also
has a registered
dietitian on staff to
help you plan meals
and maintain a
healthy lifestyle.

  2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   25
LIVING ON CAMPUS.                                                 1. Hall 14
        SFA has 14 residence halls with approximately 5,000               2. Hall 16
        Lumberjacks living on campus. All single students                 3. Kerr Hall
        younger than 21 with fewer than 60 credit hours must              4. Lumberjack Landing
        live on campus. First-year students reside in the First-          5. Lumberjack Lodge
        Year Commons, which include:                                      6. Steen Hall

     HALL 14:                                                            HALL 16:
     Female / Shared Room / Community Bathroom                           Coed / Shared Room / Community Bathroom

     KERR HALL:                                                          LUMBERJACK LANDING:
     Female / Shared Room / Community Bathroom                           Coed / Shared Room / Suite Bathroom

     LUMBERJACK LODGE:                                                   STEEN HALL:
     Coed / Private Room / Suite Bathroom                                Coed / Shared Room / Suite Bathroom

26   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
A FEW BENEFITS OF RESIDING ON CAMPUS:

       1                    2                   3                      4                      5                     6
  Caring staff       Within walking       Recreational          Fantastic food           Safety and              Time
   members              distance          opportunities                                   security           management,
  provide an           to almost           everywhere                                                         note-taking,
instant support       everything                                                                            study skills and
     system           on campus                                                                             other programs
                                                                                                             support your
                                                                                                                success

GET TO KNOW YOUR
RESIDENCE HALL ASSOCIATION.
Dedicated to providing all students living on campus with
a positive experience, the RHA encourages residents to
make positive contributions and become leaders within
each of the residence hall communities.
Through its hall council and executive board, residents
have a voice in suggesting programs and improvements.
Residents are encouraged to join committees and
provide input on food service, community service,
sustainability, sports and recreation, policies and
procedures, and fundraising.
RHA also hosts many campus-wide programs like
Casino Night, Fall Fest and Holiday Extravaganza.
These programs bring students together for fun
and networking.

                                                                    “Don’t go home for at least the first month.
                                                                    When I moved to Nac, I was very homesick and
                                                                    went home the second week. Then, I didn’t go
                                                                    home for more than three months, and I loved
                                                                    being at SFA.”

                                                                        The DeWitt
                                                                         School of
                                                                     Nursing boasts
                                                                     an outstanding
                                                                         92% first-
                                                                     time pass rate
                                                                        for students
“You won’t make any memories that you’ll cherish                        completing
sitting in your room all day watching TV.”                             their nursing
                                                                      license exam.

                                                    2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   27
NCAA DIVISION I ATHLETICS
     SFA is a NCAA Division I program competing in the Southland Conference. SFA            " @SFA_Athletics
     sponsors 18 intercollegiate sports, including football, basketball, baseball, cross-
     country, indoor-outdoor track and field, and golf for men.                             ! SFA Athletics
     Women’s sports include soccer, volleyball, beach volleyball, cross-country,            $ SFA_Athletics
     basketball, indoor-outdoor track and field, softball, golf, tennis and bowling. For
     schedules, rosters and the latest sports news, visit sfajacks.com.                     * WatchESPN app

28    2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
FUN AND LEISURE
BAKER PATTILLO
STUDENT CENTER
There’s so much to do here! Take in
a movie at the 383-seat multilevel
theater, grab a cup of coffee at
Starbucks, sit down for pizza, sushi,
ice cream and more at the food
court, or just visit with friends in one
of the many lounges.

                                           STUDENT RECREATION CENTER = AMAZING!
                                           This facility is HUGE! It offers SFA students a place to get physically fit
                                           and enjoy downtime. There’s a climbing wall, giant pool with a lazy river,
                                           sand volleyball, basketball and racquetball courts, an indoor jogging
                                           track, and thousands of square feet devoted to cardio and exercise
                                           equipment. Additionally, students can select from a variety of group
MUSIC, THEATRE AND 		                      fitness classes, outdoor pursuits, intramurals and sport clubs.
ART EVENTS
SFA’s College of Fine Arts showcases
the talents of SFA students
and faculty members in various
                                           “Stress can be a killer,
productions, exhibits, performances,       especially if you don’t take time for yourself
concerts and shows year-round. Find
out about upcoming performances at         and maintain some level of fitness.”
finearts.sfasu.edu.

EXPLORE THE MILES
AND MILES OF
BEAUTIFUL TRAILS.
Nacogdoches is the
Garden Capital of Texas.
On the university’s
campus, there are several
world-class landscapes
that provide breathtaking
opportunities to enjoy the
seasons. SFA’s recreational
trails include 68 acres of
hiking and bicycle trails
that wind through Texas’
oldest town.
                                                2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   29
LUMBERJACKS’ CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
          One of the best ways to make friends and connect with SFA is to join a club or organization. SFA offers more
          than 200! Whether you desire to unite in the brotherhood or sisterhood of a fraternity or sorority or become part
          of a club designed to help community members, there’s a group just for you!
          Getting involved also is proven to help raise your GPA and increase your chances of graduating on time.

     SFA’S CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS                                       STUDENT
     FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS:                                       ORGANIZATIONS
     •     Academic/professional                                         RESOURCE CENTER
     •     Cultural                                                      Jack SORC serves as a             “Join something.
                                                                         resource center for clubs and
     •     Greek
                                                                         organizations by providing        Volunteer for
     •     Religious                                                     lockers and supplies to help
                                                                         promote events. It also           something.
     •     Service
                                                                         offers free computer use and
     •     Special interests/hobbies                                     printing to active student        Find your niche.”
     For a complete listing of SFA’s student                             organizations. It’s located on
     organizations and information about each one,                       the third floor of the Baker
     visit sfasu.edu/studentaffairs.                                     Pattillo Student Center.

     “You must
     study to
     make good
     grades, but
     you will never
     accomplish this
     if you don’t
     relax and have
     fun, too!”

30       2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
WEEKS OF
STUDENT                 WELCOME
AFFAIRS                 Starting the first two
                        weeks of the fall and
PROGRAMS                spring semesters, Weeks
SFA’s Office of         of Welcome, one of
                        Orientation Programs’
Student Affairs
                        initiatives, is your
Programs is             opportunity to involve
dedicated to            yourself on campus and
providing programs      meet other Lumberjacks.
that enrich student     From the massive group
                        class photo to barbecues
involvement,
                        and pool parties, Weeks of
leadership,             Welcome is nothing but fun!
engagement
and fun. From
leadership and
volunteerism                                                                            MULTICULTURAL
to the annual                                                                           AFFAIRS
Homecoming                                                                              The Office of Multicultural
bonfire and                                                                             Affairs strives to create a
                                                                                        welcoming and inclusive
concert, there’s an
                                                                                        environment for all
avenue for every                                                                        students. They assist many
Lumberjack to                                                                           campus organizations in
enjoy. Some of the                                                                      promoting social justice and
areas housed within                                                                     cultural and racial diversity
student affairs                                                                         through lectures, special
                                                                                        events and observances.
programs include:
•   Orientation
    Programs
                        SPIRIT TEAMS -
•   Multicultural
    Affairs
                        A WINNING TRADITION
                        The SFA cheerleading and dance teams
•   Spirit Teams
                        work to increase the overall spirit of
•   Student             the campus community by performing
    Engagement          and cheering at SFA sporting and other
    Programs            events and serving as ambassadors
                        and role models. Together, the teams
•   Student
                        have won an amazing 30 national
    Government
                        championships since 1993.
    Association
•   Purple Haze
    Association (see
    Page 37)            STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
For more                The SGA is the voice of the students and is administered
                        entirely by SFA students. Its purpose is threefold: to be the
information about
                        voice of the student body, to serve as a model government (with
student affairs         its executive, legislative and judicial branches) and to foster
and the programs        leadership development.
offered, visit sfasu.   The association introduces legislation on behalf of students, and
edu/studentaffairs.     while it does not pass legislation that is binding to university
                        policy, it does have a significant influence.

                                             2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   31
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS

                                                                                  GREEK LIFE              STUDENT
       Student engagement programs also are housed within the Office              With more than 30       ACTIVITIES
       of Student Affairs Programs. Some of these offerings include:              different chapters      ASSOCIATION
       •    Freshman Leadership Academy                                           at SFA, fraternities    SAA is your source
                                                                                  and sororities          for free or low-
       •    Involvement Center                                                    provide students        cost on-campus
       •    Leadership and Service                                                with opportunities      entertainment. It
       •    Greek Life                                                            to build friendships,   provides a wide
                                                                                  serve the community     variety of weekly
       •    Student Activities Association                                        and challenge           activities for
       •    Traditions Council (see Page 35)                                      themselves in           students throughout
                                                                                  a supportive            the year. SAA
       •    Jack Camp (see Page 38)
                                                                                  environment.            hosts events like
                                                                                  Through their           the movie series,
     FRESHMAN                  INVOLVEMENT                LEADERSHIP              involvement,            concerts, comedians
                                                                                  students can            and game shows.
     LEADERSHIP                CENTER                     AND SERVICE             learn new skills
     ACADEMY                   Get a complete             Leadership and          and prepare for         The association also
     A special section         overview of all            Service offers          their future. Every     coordinates SFA’s
     of the SFA                the clubs and              students many           fraternity and          on-campus cinema
     101 freshman              organizations SFA          opportunities to        sorority member         program. Movies are
     seminar course,           offers by visiting the     enhance leadership      strives to live The     shown in the student
     the Freshman              Involvement Center,        skills and give         SFA Way.                center theater on
     Leadership Academy        located in both            back to the local                               Thursdays, Fridays
     helps prepare             the Baker Pattillo         community and                                   and Sundays.
     participants for          Student Center and         beyond. Leadership        “Enjoy the time       Students involved
     success at SFA and        the lobby of Steen         and Service offers                              in SAA have the
     to become future          Hall. Peer advisors        alternative spring          you spend           opportunity to learn
     student leaders of        are available to           break, service                at SFA.           about event planning
     the university. Four      help you select            day events, the                                 and working with
     specialized sections      the organizations          Certified Student           It goes by          a team.
     are offered with          that best fit your         Leader program and           so fast!”
     service-learning          interests.                 Hunger Jacks.
     opportunities.

32    2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
Axe ’em, Jacks!
Recognizing a lag in school spirit,
the 1979-80 SFA cheerleaders set
out to establish a hand symbol
like other universities in hopes
of unifying the students and
creating enthusiasm on campus.
And so, “the axe” was born. The
collaborative brainchild of several
cheerleaders, the symbol initially
started with two fingers forming
an axe. The thumb was added
to not only make the symbol
more unique, but also to form
an “L” and a “J” when held side
by side. The symbol also has
been interpreted as the shape of
Texas with two fingers pointing
to Nacogdoches, but most of
the originators of the hand
symbol say it’s simply an axe.
The “Axe ’em, Jacks” symbol
was introduced at the first pep
rally in the fall of 1979 and was
instantly embraced by students.
Since then, it has become the
definitive symbol of SFA pride to
generations of Lumberjacks.

         2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University   33
TRADITIONALLY SPEAKING

     TOP 10 SFA TRADITIONS:

         BATTLE
                                                           DECORATING             HOMECOMING                  JACKS
        FOR CHIEF                 THE BIG DIP
                                                           AXE HANDLES              BONFIRE                  CHARGE
         CADDO

                                    BATTLE
         MR. AND                    OF THE                                        WATERMELON                  JACK
                                                            SPRINGFEST
         MISS SFA                   PINEY                                            BASH                     CAMP
                                    WOODS

                              CHIEF CADDO                                                  SFA’s mascot, the Lumberjack,
                              This 7-foot 6-inch, 320-pound                                was named one of the top 10
                              statue is the largest trophy passed                          mascots in college basketball in
                              between NCAA universities. Chief                             2014 by ESPN.
                              Caddo is awarded annually to the
                              winner of the SFA vs. Northwestern
                              State University football game.

                                                         WHY IS MY HAND PURPLE?
                                                         You’ve just participated in the Big
                                                         Dip ring ceremony. The tradition is
                                                         one of the final steps to becoming
                                                         an SFA graduate. Students get their
                                                         hands dipped in purple dye before
                                                         receiving their official SFA Ring.

34   2019-20 Lumberjack Orientation Guide / Stephen F. Austin State University
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