Why Choose SPU?

Residence Life Team

Office of Residence Life staff members live in each residential area, and student resident advisors (RAs) stay on every hall floor. Student ministry coordinators (SMCs) work alongside RAs to nurture the spiritual development of students as well.

Whether you’re meeting up for a spontaneous trip to Starbucks or they are inviting you to help plan a formal hall event, every member of the residence life team wants to support and engage you in the transition to college living. Seattle Pacific residence halls include:

• Arnett Hall
• Ashton Hall
• Emerson Hall
• Hill Hall
• Moyer Hall
• Campus Houses and Apartments

Two roommates pose in their dorm room

Resident Activities and Events

Dozens of activities are hosted every year to cultivate SPU’s close-knit community. Bonding is inevitable during:

• Retreats to SPU’s Camp Casey on Whidbey Island
• Formal balls (one was held at the Space Needle in 2013)
• Small groups with your student ministry coordinator
• Floor traditions, such as weekly dinners together
• Recreational sports and intramurals (Midnight Capture the Flag, anyone?)

As a resident on campus, you might become a better communicator as you get to know your roommates, build cooperative skills on an intramurals team, or learn about project management on an events committee. RAs also host several educational events on campus each year, which are always geared toward relevant student issues or current events.

Favorite educational programs from years past include:

• Respect Your Body Week
• The Mind of an Eating Disorder Exhibit
• World Vision AIDS Exhibit
• The Colorblind Exhibit
• Lenten reflections

On-Campus Dining Options

• Gwinn Commons Dining Hall is our all-you-can-eat buffet style dining facility, featuring a variety of stations utilizing fresh, seasonal, and homemade products. 
• Corner Place Market offers a wide selection of snacks, beverages and to-go food items.
• Cocina Del Sol, next to the Corner Place Market, serves fresh made to order nachos, tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas and more.
• Common Grounds, located in Weter Memorial Hall, offers a selection of Starbucks Coffee beverages, homemade fresh baked pastries and to-go food items.
• Falcon's Landing is our retail restaurant and grill in the Student Union Building, featuring Einstein Bros'® bagels, Bertona Street Grill (burgers and bowls), Bertona Street Pizza (individual pizzas), and Academic Perks espresso, Frappuccino’s and to-go food options.
• Subway® located on 3^rd Ave. W., offers a variety of fresh, delicious, and made-to-order sandwiches and salads.

SPU students showing off the assortment of food options at Gwinn Commons

Our Commitment to Diversity in Action

If you are a student of color, a first-generation college student, or a student who comes from an urban or diverse high school, we will give you the tools you need to succeed at Seattle Pacific University.

We recognize that attending a university demographically different from your high school or family can be difficult, which is why we support you from day one (often before day one):

• You have a dedicated multicultural outreach admissions counselor.
• We offer Urban Preview for junior and senior high school students each fall, where you’ll visit classes, spend the night in a residence hall, and learn about SPU’s admissions process, financial aid, and more.
• You may be invited to attend Early Connections, a unique orientation program for students of color and first-generation college students.
• As a student, you can attend an intercultural retreat.
• You can apply for the BioCORE Scholars program if you are planning to study any of the biology majors. This leadership program provides networking opportunities, upperclassmen mentors, a summer research week, and a retreat at Blakely Island Field Station in the San Juan Islands.

Ames Scholarship

The Ames Scholarship is a renewable scholarship that helps support traditionally underrepresented students of color.

Diversity Associations

You will not be alone! At SPU, you will find intentional friendships and support from faculty and staff who care about justice and reconciliation. A team of people in Multi-Ethnic Programs will offer you interpersonal and academic support.

For the past decade, we have been committed to increasing the diversity of our student body, and delving into discussions about race, justice, and privilege. Currently 38 percent of our students are students of color, which represents a triple increase over the past decade. We also have students from 39 states and 48 countries.

Here are some other avenues on campus where all students can learn more about race, identity, and reconciliation:

• Multi-Ethnic Programs, which supports the academic, social, and cultural adjustment and success of students from diverse backgrounds (domestically and abroad) through programs and activities
• InContext, a student-led discussion series highlighting issues of race and identity in America
• A Reconciliation minor offered by the School of Theology that can be paired with any major
• The John Perkins Center for Reconciliation, Leadership Training, and Community Development
• Intercultural student clubs, including Black Student Union, Latinos Unidos, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, Filipino American Student Association, and many more

If you’re a student-athlete at SPU, you’ll compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The SPU Falcon teams regularly win conference championships, and Falcon athletes have racked up national titles, All-American, and All-Academic awards. Not only that, but our many awards for academics and athletics also means that your life as an athlete is integrated into the rest of your experience, so you can pursue your calling even as you pursue the win.

Fan Environment

Come cheer on our Falcons at home games, where you’ll find a positive fan environment and a few quirky traditions. Games are free with your student ID.

SPU’s dance and cheer teams also lead the fan support at home basketball games.

Scholarships

We also offer some NCAA Division II Athletic Scholarships at varying amounts. Contact coaches by calling 206-281-2085.

Intramurals

With more than 1,000 students participating, SPU has an incredibly active intramurals program. The program offers you fun, excitement, and challenging team activities — regardless of your skill level and experience. With your options ranging from floor hockey to ping pong, participating in Intramurals at SPU just might be one of the highlights of the quarter for you.

Check out the most recent offerings — from one-off tournaments to full-on competitions.

These teams are here for you:

• Your academic counselor helps you navigate SPU’s academic system and stay on track to graduate on time.
• Your faculty advisor will help you with your major, internship opportunities, and career advice. Your first faculty advisor will be assigned to you.
• The Center for Career and Calling helps you discover your talents and reach your goals.
• The Center for Learning offers tutors and disability support services.
• Multi-Ethnic Programs promotes cross-cultural understanding for all students.
• Residence Life teams oversee on-campus living and learning communities.
• The Student Counseling Center houses counseling and mental health services.
• Health Services provides quality care in a low-cost clinic.
• University Ministries offers pastoral counseling and organizes group worship.
• The Student Support Team looks to help all students who need extra guidance.
• And of course the Student Financial Services team is here for you.