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Women’s Leadership Conference
This annual conference builds capacity and efficacy in leadership, giving conference
attendees a better understanding about issues in women’s leadership. It also gives them
knowledge, skills and values to engage in the leadership process.
Alternative Break Programming
These programs engage a group of students in direct service over a typical school break.
Clemson is proud to have a 10-year history of offering these experiences and now offers trips
over fall, winter and spring break. Each experience has a focus on a particular social issue
with exploration and immersion in that issue beginning long before the trip itself. Students
educate themselves and each other, then do hands-on work with relevant organizations. These
experiences challenge them to think critically and compassionately — and to understand
there’s no such thing as “not my problem.” Upon return, participants are empowered to make
more informed decisions and to take meaningful action to support community efforts.
Campuswide Days of Service
Clemson has a strong relationship with numerous community agencies in the local area and
is proud to partner with them throughout the year to offer students opportunities to develop
their citizenship skills. In addition to ongoing service opportunities, at least one large day
of service is offered each semester: in the fall, Fall In Day of Service, and in the spring, the
MLK Day of Service. These days of service are open to all students and can lead to other
community engagement activities.
Certified Student Leader Program
Offered every semester, the Certified Student Leader (CSL) Program provides students with
comprehensive leadership education and experiences. As a cohort, students will spend 10
weeks together learning about different topics related to leadership from staff on campus
while engaging in critical dialogue with their peers. At the end of this experience, students
will have explored their personal leadership beliefs and strengths, connected with other
students and staff on campus and in the community, and transformed their involvement.
Participants who complete the program also gain a preferred hiring status at leadership
positions across campus (such as the Resident Adviser position).
MOVING OFF CAMPUS
The decision to move off campus can bring a new sense of independence for students but may
also bring a new set of challenges. The following are a few things to discuss with your student
if they decide to move off campus. While we recognize it may come down to personal reasons
for whether your student chooses to live on or off campus, students are encouraged to live on
campus at least through their sophomore year:
Independence
When living in a residence hall, students must follow certain policies established by the
university for the safety and well-being of all residents. Living off campus provides freedom
from some of these policies and allows students to set their own standards in line with
community standards. It is helpful to remind your student that where they are looking to
live will also have policies they should become familiar with. Clemson students are held
responsible to follow our community standards whether they live on or off campus.
Responsibility
Signing a lease, paying rent and utilities, commuting to campus, cooking and cleaning will
help students develop responsibility. This responsibility will also begin to build the student’s
rental history. On campus, there are support systems students have access to within the
residence halls that can be helpful in navigating conflicts; whereas, these systems may
be less accessible when living off campus.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
We can guess that this may be the first
time your student signs a lease for
an apartment, or you may be signing
a lease on behalf of your student.
Either way, take the time to review the
lease together. This is a great learning
opportunity for your student to gain
some “real-world” experience.