INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
The Southern Experience
College: a thrilling new chapter. New place, people, experiences - a mix of fear and excitement. Watch this video showcasing Southern Adventist University's student life, capturing the joys and generational legacy.
PARENT PORTAL
Convenient access to your student’s information.
PARENT ORIENTATION
Sessions designed to help you understand your student’s transition into university life.
We invite parents to stay informed about campus life—the daily schedule, special events, and all the how-tos of student life at Southern.
- Panorama is a newsletter designed especially for parents to provide a current glimpse of campus life. It is automatically mailed to parents at home. You can also sign up for ePanorama, a digital publication with even more up-to-date features.
- The Info for Parents booklet provides an easy-to-read comprehensive overview of how things work at Southern.
- View the Event Calendar for activities and important deadlines.
- View the Final Exam Schedule.
- Access Grades.
- Read more about information rights and privacy at FERPA.
- View the Student Handbook.
In recent years, more than half of the students have worked on campus. Most students find it manageable to work 8 to 12 hours per week. Student schedules and skills are the most significant variables in finding a job.
- FINDING A JOB—On-campus and off-campus jobs are listed at southern.edu/studentjobs.
Getting Paid
Students are paid every other Friday. By default, 25 percent of earnings is direct-deposited
to the student’s personal bank account and 75 percent is applied to the Southern account.
Required Forms
Before starting work, students will need to turn in the following forms to Human Resources:
- Form I-9—Employment Eligibility Verification
- W-4—Employee Withholding Allowance
- Direct Payroll Deposit
Work/Study Program
Students employed under the Federal Work-Study Program get 100% of their earnings direct-deposited to their personal bank account.
Kaylie Ackerman Student Employment Coordinator
Phone 423.236.2278
Emailkaylieackerman@southern.edu
Campus Safety is on duty 24/7 to ensure a safe environment for students, faculty, and visitors. We also provide services such as:
- Vehicle assistance—jumpstarts, air in tires, and out-of-gas assistance
- Lost and Found
- On-campus safety escorts after dark
- Severe-weather monitoring
Emergency Notification
Text message alerts are sent to students in case of an emergency on campus.
Emergency notification sign-up»
Parking Permits
Vehicles parked on campus need to display a parking permit.
Vehicle registration and parking »
Shawn Haas Associate Director
Phone 423.236.2100
Email shawnh@southern.edu
Go To University Health Center
We provide compassionate and confidential care to all students regardless of which
insurance they carry. Our services include:
- Acute care (active, short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness)
- Treatment of minor injuries and illnesses
- Immunizations and allergy shots
- Physicals
- Lab tests
- Limited screening and care is available for emotional health issues.
The UHC is staffed by a nurse practitioner and registered nurses during regular office hours and is supervised by a physician (available by appointment).
After Hours
Resources are provided for students needing help after hours.
- For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
- For non-emergency questions, students may call Collegiate Assistance at 877.643.5130. This service is available 24/7.
Charges for Services
Fees for medical services are charged to the student’s Southern account. The UHC submits
claims for those enrolled in Southern’s student insurance and reimbursements are posted
to the student account when received. Walk-out statements are provided for students
with non-university insurance.
Mary King Registered Nurse
Phone 423.236.2713
Email maryking@southern.edu
Go To Office of Ministry & Missions
Students often feel overwhelmed navigating major transitions in college. The Office
of Ministry and Missions walks alongside them to develop their faith so they may pursue
God’s purpose for their lives. We provide an exceptional spiritual environment that
empowers each student to:
- Find identity and value in Jesus
- Various worship opportunities and special events take place on campus every day, including residence hall worships, Friday-night Vespers and Afterglow, weeks of prayer, concerts, and multiple church services each Sabbath. Adventist churches in the area provide abundant worship-service options. Additionally, chaplains in the Office of Ministry and Missions are available to students for spiritual care and guidance, Bible study, preparation for baptism, premarital counseling, and prayer. Students can make an appointment with a chaplain here.
- Belong in faith community
- Students are encouraged to join one of more than 80 LifeGroups on campus. These student-led small groups invite students to experience belonging through spiritually-transformative communities. Learn more about the different kinds of LifeGroups students can be a part of here.
- Embrace a vocational calling
- Through our Humanitarian Engagement department, students will discover that every major has a mission. Either through Service Learning, Community Service or by serving on a Vision Trip students have the opportunity to exercise their vocational calling, strengths, and skills. Students can visit Life Calling and Career Services for individual career counseling and more.
- Go where God leads
- Southern’s student missionary tradition continues. Since 1967, Southern has encouraged students to live a countercultural faith by serving others as student missionaries for three months to a full school year or even a career missionary. Learn more by visiting our webpage.
Joseph Khabbaz Vice President for Spiritual Life
Phone 423.236.2786
Email josephk@southern.edu
Go To Students Support Services
We are here to ensure that every student has the support they need to be successful
at Southern.
- Life Calling and Career Services provides direction on choosing a major and discovering a career calling.
- Counseling Services offers professional and confidential counseling.
- Disability Support Services helps students with disabilities and learning differences.
- Testing Services manages testing and assessment programs for students.
First Year Support
We take extra steps to ensure that new students have everything they need to make
a successful transition to university life. The First Year Experience office provides student orientation along with the Southern Connections class and
matches each freshman with a student mentor. They are also available to assist students
with course schedules, choice of major, and other registration and enrollment needs.
Renita Moore Director
Phone 423.236.2783
Email renitak@southern.edu
- Schedule a visit to campus with our Enrollment team's Campus Experience Coordinator.
- View campus maps for visitors.
- Confirm directions to campus via Interstate Highway 75.
- Book lodging on campus or at nearby hotels.