Southern Virginia University

Infobox_University
name = Southern Virginia University


motto = Learn that Life is Service
established = 1867
type = Private college
endowment = US $300,000 [cite web
title = The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
publisher = National Center for Education Statistics
url = http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
accessdate = 2007-03-12 ]
president = Rodney K. Smith
faculty = ~100
students = 752 [cite web
title = About SVU & Enrollment Statistics
publisher = Southern Virginia University
url = http://www.svu.edu/about/
accessdate = 2007-04-09]
city = Buena Vista
state = Virginia
country = USA
campus = Rural, convert|155|acre|km2|2|lk=on
athletics = NAIA, USCAA, 20 varsity teams
nickname = Knights
colors = Hunter Green, Black and White color box|#355E3B color box|#000000 color box|#HHHHHH
affiliation = The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (unofficially) [Not owned by or officially affiliated with the LDS Church]
website = [http://www.svu.edu www.svu.edu]

Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a liberal arts college located in Buena Vista, Virginia that promotes standards and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) while not being owned nor operated by the Church. Founded as Southern Seminary in 1867, it is now a private, 4-year coeducational institution.

Due to SVU's promotion of LDS standards and ideals, 96% of students are Church members. [http://www.svu.edu/admissions/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=39#cri Admissions - New Freshman ] ] The University is accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Education, and the campus consists of more than convert|155|acre|km2.

History

The school was founded as a for-profit institution in 1867 as the "Home School for Girls" by Alice Scott Chandler. [cite web
title = SVU Scholarships
publisher = Southern Virginia University
url = http://www.svu.edu/d1/?q=node/43
accessdate = 2006-07-11 ] In 1900 the school was moved to Buena Vista and renamed "Southern Seminary". In 1922 the school became a junior college and was renamed "Southern Seminary and Junior College". cite web
title = History of Southern Virginia University
publisher = Southern Virginia University
url = http://svu1.southernvirginia.edu/about/history.html
accessdate = 2006-07-11 Additional [http://www.hatrack.com/svu/aboutsvu.html copy of history] .] In 1959 it became a non-profit college under the control of trustees. In 1961 the school ended its high school program and became "Southern Seminary Junior College". [cite press release
title = Utah Family Donates Prime Real Estate to Southern Virginia College
publisher = Southern Virginia University
date = 2000-02-23
url = http://svu1.southernvirginia.edu/News/full_release/2000_feb23.html
accessdate = 2006-07-11 ]

The financial health of the college began to decline in the 1980s, and by 1996 the school was at the point of closing. Late name changes were to "Southern Virginia College for Women" in 1993 and simply "Southern Virginia College" when the school began accepting male students in 1994.

In 1996, Southern Virginia College's board of trustees transferred the school's assets and liabilities to a new board, most of whom were members of LDS Church. They reorganized the school to put forth standards, values, and beliefs of the LDS Church. In 2000 the school was accepted into pre-accreditation status by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE), which is separate from regional accreditation bodies. [cite press release
title = SVC Receives Preaccreditation Status
publisher = Southern Virginia University
date = 2000-05-15
url = http://svu1.southernvirginia.edu/News/full_release/2000_may15.html
accessdate = 2006-07-11 ] [ [http://www.svu.edu/about/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=30 current SVU accreditation information from the school] ] and was renamed Southern Virginia University. [cite press release
title = SVC changes name to SVU
publisher = Southern Virginia University
date = 2000-04-17
url = http://svu1.southernvirginia.edu/News/full_release/2001_apr17.html
accessdate = 2006-07-11 ] In 2003 it was granted full accreditation by the AALE.

Academics

Southern Virginia University offers thirteen different majors: Art, Biology, Business Management and Leadership, Computer Science, English, Family and Child Development, History, Liberal Arts, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Spanish, and Theatre. [ [http://www.svu.edu/catalog/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=53 SVU Catalog - Graduation Requirements ] ]

Incoming students have averaged a 3.2 high school GPA with ACT and SAT test scores averaging about 23 and 1050, respectively.

Campus

The University's campus currently consists of ten major buildings, including Main Hall (the most visible building at SVU, serving as female dorms), the Student Union, the Knight Sports Arena, the Von Canon Library, Landrum Hall (currently used as an Institute of Religion building), Craton Hall and Robey Hall (men's dorms), Durham Hall (the main academic building), Chandler Hall (theatre and music), and over 16 homes which are used for additional student housing and office space. The University owns approximately convert|155|acre|km2, most of which is slated for future development and expansion. A new 210-student residence hall is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in spring 2009.

The University is nestled in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a scenic area of Virginia. The Knight Statue, placed in front of Main Hall, was a gift to the University from Glade Knight, chairman of the board of trustees.

On March 6 2008, members of the Buena Vista, Virginia city council and administrators from the University met to discuss a ten year master plan.cite press release
url=http://svu.edu/about/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=56
title=SVU Announces 10-Year Master Plan
date=March 6 2008
accessdate=2008-03-10
publisher=Southern Virginia University] A study conducted in 2007 denoted that the University has a $17 million impact in Buena Vista and in the surrounding community. Additionally, the University plans to build a new library, performing arts center, facilities maintenance building, academic classroom building, an addition to the Stoddard Activities Center and a renovated Student Union. [cite web
title = SVU Announces 10-Year Master Plan
publisher = Southern Virginia University
url = http://www.svu.edu/about/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=56
accessdate = 2008-03-10 ] [cite web
title = SVU Phase 3 of Campus Master Plan Architectural Rendering
publisher = Southern Virginia University
url = http://svu.edu/PDFs/mp3.pdf
accessdate = 2008-03-10 ]

Performing arts

SVU offers several performing arts sections to its students. For choir, students may choose from Chamber Choir, a Women's Choir (Bella Voce), a show choir (ENCORE),and an acapella choir (Fading Point). There is also the Southern Virginia University Dance Company, which performs many different styles of dance at different functions throughout the year, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop. Music programs consist of an Orchestra, Pep Band, and Woodwind Ensemble. The theatre program has performed "The Diary of Anne Frank, The Sound of Music, The Importance of Being Earnest, Seeking Higher Ground," and "Beauty and the Beast," among many others. Other options for participation in the Theatre program include the Shenanigans Improv Comedy Group, student directed one act plays, pageant wagon, and participation in the SVU Film Festival. [http://www.svu.edu/finearts]

tudents and faculty

SVU's stated mission is to "prepare leader-servants in the workplace and the world, in the community and the church, and in the home." It primarily serves faithful members of the LDS Church but also invites all who will adhere to its values (delineated in its honor code) to participate. [ [http://www.svu.edu/catalog/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=28 SVU Catalog - Mission ] ]

Religious activity

LDS Church principles and activities are fully integrated into life and education at SVU. An LDS Church Institute of Religion is operated on campus, currently in Landrum Hall. Also, twice each semester the University organizes a trip to the Church's Washington D.C. Temple.Fact|date=April 2008

Honor code

SVU requires all students and faculty to adhere to a strict honor codecite web
title = Application Process
publisher = Southern Virginia University
url = http://www.southernvirginia.edu/d1/?q=node/13
accessdate = 2006-07-11 See [http://www.southernvirginia.edu/pdf/PartC.pdf Part C of application] (PDF) for full text of the pledge.] , similar to the Brigham Young University Honor Code. The SVU honor code includes the following guidelines:

* Honesty in academic and personal behavior * Living a chaste and virtuous lifestyle * Abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and illicit drugs

* Respect for the rights and property of others * Obedience to law and University policies * Observation of University dress and grooming standards

An ecclesiastical endorsement to live the honor code is part of the application process. This consists of the student signing a compact in conjunction with their LDS bishop.

Notable alumni

References

External links

* [http://www.svu.edu Southern Virginia University]
* [http://www.svuknights.com Athletics Site]
* [http://www.svu.edu/d1/?q=node/326 Theatre Program at Southern Virginia University]
* [http://www.svu.edu/d1/?q=node/1 Southern Virginia University Office of Admission]
* [http://www.svu.edu/d1/?q=node/500 Alumni Association]
* [http://ldsmag.com/articles/050516whyteach.html "Why I am Teaching at SVU...And Why SVU is Important"] by Orson Scott Card
* [http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/265838/149/ "Virginia is for Leaders"] by The Daily Herald (Utah)
* [http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/a_bastion_of_mormonism_rises_in_virginias_blue_ridge_mountains/ "A bastion of Mormonism rises in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains"] by Religion News Service