Life as a Hamline Student

Athletics and Fitness

Hamline University offers intercollegiate and intramural athletics as well as individual fitness opportunities. From team sports to individual activities, Hamline gives students the opportunity to have fun, get exercise, and form friendships outside of the residence hall and classroom.

The Lloyd W.D. Walker Fieldhouse is one of the highest quality physical activity facilities in the state. In addition to being the main home for gymnastics meets and training facilities, Walker contains three courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball as well as a strength and fitness training center.

Students can also use the building’s three racquetball courts, jogging track and swimming pool. Hutton Arena, located adjacent to Walker, is also available for use when it is not in service as the home for the volleyball and basketball teams.

Built in 2004, the Klas Center offers an improved athletic stadium, as well as learning, gathering and meeting spaces. The facility includes a synthetic playing surface for year-round usability and a state-of-the-art nine-lane track. Klas Field is the home for the football, lacrosse, and track and field teams.

Paterson Field, just east of Klas, is the home field for some field events as well as the soccer and softball teams. Hamline ice hockey teams practice and compete at the TRIA Rink in Treasure Island Center in Downtown St. Paul. Completed in January 2018, the TRIA Rink is also home to the Minnesota Whitecaps of the MWHL and is the practice facility for the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.

A member of NCAA Division III and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), Hamline sponsors 20 sports (Men: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, ice hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field. Women: basketball, cross country, fastpitch softball, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.)

In recent years, baseball, cross country, and ice hockey teams have won MIAC titles; track and field has produced several MIAC champions; the women’s lacrosse team has won the MWLC title for the past three years (2017-19); the women’s hockey team became the first MIAC team ever to advance to a title game with a second place finish at the 2019 NCAA Division III Frozen Four; lacrosse has appeared in three consecutive NCAA tournaments and individual Pipers have been crowned national champions in track and field and gymnastics. In addition, several Pipers have earned  All-American and Academic All-American honors.

Campus Buildings

The campus in Saint Paul covers 45 attractive acres with a combination of new and old buildings set with gardens and restful areas. The central symbolic landmark of Hamline’s campus is Old Main, built in 1884 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

University Center

New in 2012, the Anderson Center houses event and meeting venues, a meditation room, a fireplace and lounge areas, campus dining, campus life offices, a Starbucks coffee shop, a convenience store, an outdoor terrace, and underground parking. The building meets LEED silver standards and features a green roof, solar panels, high performance glass and lighting, site-harvested wood, and recycled building materials.

Bush Library

Much more than a building housing books, the Bush Library and Archives is a center for academic support and a hub of activity. The research and academic support staff located in the building work collaboratively to optimize collections, technologies, expertise, and spaces that support student learning and intellectual exploration.

The library provides quiet study spaces, group study spaces, and various forms of collaborative technologies to facilitate students working on group projects.

Librarians provide assistance to students via drop in research service and by appointment. Research expertise is also available virtually, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week through chat service. Librarians visit classes to help students get started with their research assignments and to help students navigate the vast world of print and digital information.

A wealth of online and print resources are available to students; many of these resources are available within the building and remotely via the Internet. Other resources are provided through a consortium of Minneapolis/St. Paul academic libraries, or through an extended network of interlibrary loan arrangements with libraries throughout North America.

In addition, students can access the services of the Writing and Communication Center, the Center for Academic Success and Achievement, Information Technology Services (ITS) Central Services Desk, and tutoring services.

Drew Fine Arts Complex

Soeffker Art Gallery - The Soeffker Gallery houses Hamline’s Permanent Collection of art featuring historically important artists such as Goya, Picasso, Warhol and DeKooning. The gallery launched its Visiting Artist Program in 2013, which continues to highlight the work of a different visual artist each year. This program seeks to engage the Hamline community of students and faculty to our Studio Arts and Art History Program by introducing artists in an annual lecture and exhibition series.  The gallery also celebrates the work of our Studio Arts and Art History graduating seniors through an annual Senior Thesis Exhibition. 

Anne Simley Theatre - Students of all majors may participate as actors in theatre performances or as a part of the production crews. The 300-seat Simley Theatre is one of the best-equipped college stages in Minnesota. Our facilities include a large scene shop with equipment for both steel and wood construction, the costume shop stores hundreds of period costumes used in performances and our control booth houses state of the art lighting and sound equipment. Every production receives a response from a professional from the Kennedy Center - American College Theatre Festival.  In addition to theatre work, students can audition for the Dance Ensemble. This group performs two fully staged productions each year. There are two well equipped dance/rehearsal studio spaces. Members of the Ensemble participate in the regional American College Dance Festival and we submit both faculty and student choreography for adjudication. The Department also takes interested students to the US Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) national conference. At USITT students have the opportunity to meet with graduate school representatives, find out about work opportunities and attend a variety of workshops. In our media lab students develop original projection work, record bands and music and can shoot and edit original films.  The Department provides annual portfolio and audition reviews for major and minor students to help prepare them for transition to the industry.

Sundin Music Hall - There are few small halls in the region that have the acoustics of Sundin Music Hall. It is a prime destination for many of the area’s most talented and accomplished musicians as a performance space. It is the home of the University’s Music Department and serves as the rehearsal and concert space for the Hamline Orchestra, the Hamline Wind Ensemble, the University Chorale, the A Capella Choir and solo and chamber music performances by students. It is an intimate venue, seating 325 people at capacity - there is not a bad seat in the house. Sundin is home to two seven-foot Steinway pianos and a number of classical music concert series for members of the Hamline community to enjoy.

Annual Events and Convocations

During the course of each year, Hamline hosts a wide range of events, bringing in well-known speakers to address specific themes and issues. Many of these events are held during the weekly convocation hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, during which no classes are scheduled, to enable students to attend these special programs.

Some of the events include:

• Commitment to Community Lecture Series
• Mahle Lecture in Progressive Christian Thought
• Hamline University Symposium on the Humanities
• Hanna Lecture in Philosophy
• Howard W. Alkire Symposium in International Business and Economics
• International Roundtable Series
• Kay Malmstrom Lecture in Physics
• National Mock Trial Tournament
• Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Series
• Seminar in Contemporary Religious Thought
• 3M/Ronald A. Mitsch Lecture in Chemistry

Inter-College Cross-Registration (ACTC)

Hamline University participates in a consortium of five Twin Cities private liberal arts colleges (Hamline, Macalester, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas in Saint Paul, and Augsburg in Minneapolis) called the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC). The ACTC combines the community atmosphere of a small liberal arts college with the diversity of opportunities of a large university. The purpose of the consortium is to employ the strengths of each college to the best advantage of all. Cross-registration is available without additional cost to the student, provided the coursework is relevant to a Hamline degree. Information is available at www.hamline.edu/actc.

International Study Away

Hamline encourages students to pursue study away, a popular and transformative experience that helps students become “compassionate citizens of the world.” Interested students should make an appointment to meet with a study away advisor one year before they intend to study away. They will receive information regarding Hamline’s approval deadlines, the various options for study away, and how to proceed in choosing which option is best for them. Policies and procedures for all study away programming can be found on the Study Away Student Handbook.

Students interested in a longer and more immersive experience should consider semester long off-campus away options. Hamline offers its own program, Hamline Across the Pond, in partnership with the University of Roehampton (London, U.K.). Other institutional partnerships include:

• Akita International University (Japan)
• Aoyama Gakuin University (Japan)
• International College of Liberal Arts (Kofu, Japan)
• Konkuk University (Seoul, S. Korea)
• Kwansei Gakuin University (Japan)
• Metropolitan University of Prague (Czech Republic)
• Mykolos Romeris University (Vilnius, Lithuania)
• Shanghai University of International business and Economics (China)
• The American University in Cairo (Egypt)
• United International College (China)
• University of Roehampton (London, U.K.)
• University of Trier (Germany)
• University of Westminster (London, U.K.)
• University of York (York, UK)
• Webster University (Accra, Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Geneva, Leiden, Shanghai, and Vienna)

This is not an exhaustive list, so students whose needs cannot be met through one of our institutional partners should meet with the study away advisor to discuss programs provided through one of Hamline’s other affiliations, such as the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs, Inc. (HECUA), the Council on International Education (CIEE), and School for International Training (SIT). Other study away programs may be considered, pending approval from the Director of the Global Engagement Center, and academic adviser (when related to major requirements).

Students applying for semester or summer study away programs should be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. The application process requires students submit a plan of study in their major or minor field, and rationale for how study away aligns with their immediate or future academic goals. Applications for study away are managed by the Global Engagement Center’s online system (StudioAbroad).

Deadlines

• Academic year - April 15
• Fall Semester - April 15
• J-Term - October 20
• Spring Semester - October 20
• Summer Program Provider - April 15
• May term / Summer Faculty-led - February 15 

Students can take their study away semester at any time during their studies at Hamline except for their first year or the last semester of their senior year.

Hamline also offers shorter study away options during the winter (J-term) term and late spring (May-term) May/June. These courses are led by Hamline faculty and are designed to serve the largest possible number of students from diverse +academic backgrounds. The courses take place in a wide variety of global and domestic locations. For a sample of courses that have run in the past, please refer to the GEC website or online newsletter.

In addition, students opting to study away or pursue an internship off campus (domestically or abroad) during the summer can choose from a wide range of provider programs with which Hamline has an established affiliation.

One of Hamline’s newest programs is SPAN@ HAMLINE OVERVIEW. The program at Hamline University includes preparatory coursework, summertime research abroad, followed by the completion of a substantive research paper or project. Throughout these three phases of the program, students receive hands-on mentorship from faculty and have access to professionals and overseas resources to more fully answer a research question. Students pursue interviews with experts on their self-chosen topics.

Students interested in participating on SPAN@Hamline will:

• develop a research proposal on a self-chosen topic
• conduct fieldwork abroad with assistance from Hamline’s abroad partners
• be part of a cohort when abroad with Hamline staff with knowledge of the research destination
• be mentored by faculty who are trained researchers
• earn 6 Hamline University credits in the summer term
• be eligible for SPAN scholarships to assist with research/travel costs
• grow professionally, personally, and academically
• make international connections and build on global citizenship

SPAN@Hamline seeks to attract independent-minded, self-driven students. With SPAN @ Hamline, participants prepare for research abroad by enrolling in an in-depth research methods course and destination specific orientations prior to departure. At the end of the fall semester (following the summer abroad), students will write a substantive research paper or produce a hybrid project that has been reviewed by several faculty researchers.

For more information about becoming a SPANner as part of the SPAN@Hamline Program, see the Student SPAN page.

Some new domestic opportunities for study away include:

• Washington Semester (American University)
• UN Semester
• American Studies Program (Washington, D.C.)
• Los Angeles Film Studies Center
• Oak Ridge Science Semester (TN)
• Washington Center Program
• AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies Program (MI)
• Newberry Library Program (IL)
• New York Arts Program
• New York Studio Program (AICAD)

The possibilities for study away are endless so students should be proactive and meet with GEC staff for more details.

All study away programs approved by the GEC will allow the transfer of academic credit and count toward the student’s matriculation. Students may also be able to use their Hamline scholarships or financial aid to help finance their programs.

Student Congress

Hamline Undergraduate Student Congress (HUSC) is the undergraduate student governing body. Any Hamline undergraduate student may speak on issues before Congress, whether or not one is an elected representative. HUSC’s responsibilities include allocating student activities fees to fund student organizations, appointing student representatives to the standing committees of the university to ensure student input into matters of campus governance, serving as the official “voice” of undergraduate students on issues of campus-wide importance, and passing legislation referred to it by student groups, the faculty, or an administrative body.

Student Organizations

Student organizations sponsor a variety of activities on campus. The Student Activities & Leadership Development office supports and works with student organizations, but all organizations  are student-run and exercise a great deal of autonomy. Listed below are some of the undergraduate student groups at Hamline University. More information on all organizations is available at www.hamline.edu/offices/student-activities/student-orgs.html.

Academic

• Anthropological Society
• Forensic Science Society
• Mock Trial Team
• Model United Nations
• Society of Physics Students

Advocacy

• ALIVE
• Feed Your Brain
• FUSION
• Hamline Animal Rights Club
• Hamline Environmental Action League
• Hamline Students for Peace
• Hamline University Student Congress
• Hand in Hand
• Mental Health Alliance
• Peer Wellness Education
• Spectrum
• Students Preventing Sexual Violence

Arts and Literature

• The Fulcrum Journal
• Hamline University Radio
• Hamline Student Theatre Association
• Her Campus
• The Oracle (newspaper)
• Sculpture Guild

Cultural

• Asian Pacific American Coalition
• Black Student Collective
• Ethiopian Eritrean Student Union
• FUSION
• Global Student Society
• Hamline African Student Association
• Hispanic and Latinx Organization
• Hmong Student Association
• Muslim Student Association

Honoraries

• Alpha Kappa Delta (sociology, social research, social service)
• Beta Beta Beta (biology)
• Iota Iota Iota (women’s studies)
• NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary)
• Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership)
• Phi Beta Kappa (honorary scholastic fraternity)
• Psi Chi (psychology)
• Sigma Beta Delta (business)
• Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish)

Service

• Camp Kesem
• Hamline University Dance Marathon
• Pipers C.A.R.E.

Social/Recreational

• Delta Tau Sorority
• Hamline Handball
• Hamline Martial Arts
• Hamline Outdoor Recreation Club
• Hamline Synchronized Swimming Club
• Hamline University Anime and Manga Club
• Hamline University Programming Board
• HU Gamer Group
• Knit Wits
• RISE Yoga Club
• Rock Climbing Club
• Theta Chi Fraternity

Spiritual/Religious

• Better Together – National interfaith movement for community service
• Hamline University Mindfulness and Meditation
• Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
• Jewish Student Life
• Multifaith Student Alliance
• Muslim Students Association (MSA)

Student Publications

Two publications offer students hands-on experience in journalism and photography. Hamline students publish the Fulcrum, art and literature review; and the Oracle, the campus newspaper.