Who
will help me if I need tutoring or other services to do my
best?
At Virginia Union University, support and resources are all
around you. When you enroll as a new student, a faculty member
will be assigned to be your academic advisor, and you will
meet with him or her during your first week on campus. It's
best to keep your advisor apprised of your successes as well
as your struggles. At VUU we have numerous resources
and services on campus to help you through any challenge;
these include student affairs, faculty members, residence
life staffs, library staff, deans, mathematics and writing
tutorial support, and much more!
What kind of experiential learning
opportunities are available to me?
At VUU, you will discover many opportunities outside of the
classroom that will help advance your education. You can take
part in internships concentrating on special projects and
operational experiences with community organizations and businesses.
Or you may opt to get involved in a cooperative educational
program that allows you to gain work experience, credit hours,
and funds to assist with your college expenses. The VUU Office
of Career Planning and Placement can help you find the experiential
learning opportunities that are right for you!
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What activities and events
take place on campus?
At VUU, there's always something going on! Whatever your interests,
you'll find an activity or event that will captivate you.
Here's a sampling of some major happenings at VUU: annual
festivities like Homecoming, Black History Month, PantherFest
Week, Community Learning Week, and the Winter Choir Concert
(a VUU musical tradition); great entertainment like Panther
sports events, VUU Players productions, step shows, dances,
and movie nights; and character-building activities such as
weekly chapel services and seminars and workshops on résumé
writing, etiquette, and African-American history.
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How do I get involved in student
organizations and clubs?
Getting involved is easy at VUU--students are always welcomed
and encouraged to participate! The Office of Student Activities
in Henderson Center maintains
a roster of all student organizations -- including organizations
social, academic, and Greek groups--so you can look for activities
that will most interest you. Each organization at VUU has
a written mission statement as well as a leadership structure.
To get involved all you need to do is contact the group's
designated president/editor--or just go to an organizational
meeting (they're publicized on campus).
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Do I have to prequalify
to join the band or choir? What about sports teams?
Student musical and performance groups hold try-outs so all
Unionites have an opportunity to get involved. It's a good
idea to get started early and make your interest in a particular
group known to faculty advisors and student leaders. As for
involvement in Panther intercollegiate athletic teams, you
need to let coaches know of your interest and talent in advance,
so contact the Office of Admissions for assistance
in getting in touch with the coaching staff as soon as possible.
And if intercollegiate athletics are not your thing, consider
joining one of our intramural activities on campus. The more
involved you become in activities at VUU, the more you'll
get out of your education.
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Can I bring my car to campus?
VUU students are allowed to bring their cars to campus. Decals
are required and can be purchased through University Police
(Baptist Memorial Building) for the 2000-2001 academic year
for $20. Students must park their cars in designated Student
Parking areas.
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Where do most students hang
out between or after classes?
One of the most popular places on campus is The Square, a
red brick patio area in front of Henderson Center (inside
HC you can grab a sandwich at the sub shop, check your mail
in the post office, or buy supplies at the campus bookstore).
The new library is also a place students like to hang out
between classes--it's an opportunity to catch up on the latest
periodicals (the library has lots of great reading spots)
or go surf the Web for information and research projects.
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What does HBCU mean?
An HBCU is an acronym for a historically black college or
university. Virginia Union University was founded in 1865
"to give the newly emancipated an opportunity for freeing
the mind in an ethical, humanistic environment." VUU
is a charter member of The College Fund/UNCF, a consortium
of select HBCUs across the nation. Today the University opens
its doors to all qualified students and welcomes diversity
among faculty and staff as well as the student body.
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What are the residence halls
like?
VUU offers residence halls that house just men, just women,
and both men and women. Most halls are historic campus structures
with interesting and unique characteristics, though some are
more modern. All residence halls are within easy walking distance
of each other. All rooms are doubles with baths shared by
other members of that floor. Each room is furnished with beds,
dressers, closets, and desks.
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What if I need help with my course
work?
VUU has a number of resources
available to help you with your academic work, but it's important
to understand that you must seek out that assistance. Your
academic advisor, faculty members, deans, and the Basic Skills
Program can offer tutoring and other types of special assistance.
There is also a math lab, writing lab, and social science
lab designed to help you do your best work.
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How much will books and
other class materials cost?
You should set aside $300-$500 each semester for books and
materials. These costs will vary with your class selections.
The campus bookstore in Henderson Center can help you with
your planning.
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Can I set up a payment
plan for my tuition and fees?
The Financial Affairs staff can assist you and your family
in plans for funding your college tuition
and fees. Special payment plans can be arranged, but they
must be done in advance of your enrollment and registration.
The best place to begin is by meeting with a representative
of the Office of Financial
Aid when you visit campus.
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How safe is the campus?
Virginia Union University maintains a safe campus environment
with the help of campus community members and a 24-hour University
Police Department. Also beneficial is Richmond City's Police
Training Academy at the north end of campus, which is home
to VUU's Criminology/Criminal Justice Program.
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Is there a bus line that services
the University and Richmond?
Yes. The Greater Richmond Transit Co. operates a metropolitan
bus line with stops at the north end of campus. You can travel
GRTC to shopping malls, events, and appointments all around
Richmond. You'll also be pleased to discover that many shops
and banks are within walking distance of VUU.
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How
will I be notified of my admission application decision?
Once the Office of Admissions has received your completed
admissions application and all required transcripts, recommendations,
documents, fee, and test scores, the Admissions Committee
will review all materials. You will receive a letter by mail
from the Admissions Office notifying you of the Committee's
decision.
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What's an HBCU?
An HBCU is an acronym for a historically black college or
university. Virginia Union University was founded in 1865
"to give the newly emancipated an opportunity for freeing
the mind in an ethical, humanistic environment." VUU
is a charter member of The College Fund/UNCF, a consortium
of select HBCUs across the nation. Today the University opens
its doors to all qualified students and welcomes diversity
among faculty and staff as well as the student body.
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What's UNCF?
UNCF, a consortium of select HBCUs--some
40 institutions of higher learning across the nation--is now
known as The
College Fund/UNCF. It's the nation's oldest and most successful
African American higher education assistance organization.
The College Fund's programs include partnerships with corporations
and foundations, scholarships and internships, and the new
Frederick D. Patterson Institute (a research institute on
African Americans and education).
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Are there any famous
VUU alumni?
There are plenty! Our best known include L. Douglas Wilder
('51), our nation's first elected African-American governor,
and Charles Oakley ('85), with the New York Knicks. These
folks also got their start at VUU:
- Randall
Robinson ('67), executive director and founder of TransAfrica;
- Dr.
Jean L. Harris ('51), the first African-American graduate
of the Medical College of Virginia and the first African-American
woman to serve in the Governor's Cabinet in Virginia;
- Dr.
Howard Jones, Jr. ('43), holder of 31 U.S. patents;
- Justice
Howard E. Bell ('41), serving on the New York Supreme Court;
- John
F. Merchant ('55), the first African-American graduate of
the University of Virginia School of Law and the speaker
at the School's 1997 commencement ceremony;
- Judge
Willard H. Douglas ('57), the first African-American judge
in Virginia;
- Dr.
Lucille Brown ('50), retired superintendent of the Richmond
Public Schools;
- Stu
Gardner ('90), musical director of The Cosby Show
and A Different World;
- and
many more, including 22 CEOs of colleges and universities
around the nation.
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What's the first step in applying
for financial assistance?
Start by completing and filing the current Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
On the FAFSA, be sure to list all colleges and universities
you're considering attending and double check to make sure your
social security number is listed correctly on the application.
It's best to have already-filed federal tax information available
to complete the FAFSA. Four to six weeks after you submit your
completed FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR),
which will also be sent to all colleges and universities listed
on your FAFSA.
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How do I know whether I'll qualify
for aid?
Once Virginia Union University has received your admissions
application and SAR, we can determine whether you'll qualify
for any college-sponsored funding, such as merit scholarships,
in addition to federal funding. Your financial aid "package"
may include the following funding: Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental
Educational Opportunity Grant, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (subsidized/unsubsidized),
Federal Work Study, Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant, CSPA,
Parent PLUS Loan, VUU Grant, and Merit Scholarship. Virginia
residents also may be awarded Virginia TAG and Virginia College
Scholarship Assistance Program.
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Do I need to apply separately
for state funding programs?
Yes. Virginia residents must complete and file the Virginia
Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) application, which is available
from the VUU Office of Admissions (800-368-3227). For
the 2000-2001 academic year, TAG awards are $2,850.
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Can I apply for financial aid
on-line?
Yes! You can apply on-line via FAFSA
Express electronic processing, though you must still mail
the required signature page. Check with these sources for
on-line filing (for public use): your high school guidance office,
public or state library, or local "officing" store
(such as a Kinkos or Copyworks). You can also order FAFSA Express
on diskette by calling 800-801-0576, or you can download a copy
of the software program from the U.S.
Department of Education's Web site. Remember to include
VUU's Title IV code (003766) so your SAR will be sent automatically
to Virginia Union University.
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When should I apply?
It's important to apply as early as possible--that is, January
1 (for the Fall semester) or as soon as your Federal taxes for
the previous tax year have been filed. You cannot apply earlier
than January 1. And remember, don't wait for a response to your
admissions application before you apply for financial aid; file
the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible--especially if
financial aid will determine your college choice.
If you still have questions after reviewing the VUU site, please
e-mail our office of
Admissions. |
