Undergraduate Catalog Volume 38, Number 1, June 2003 The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, between any applicant or student and the Rector and Visitors of Christopher Newport University. The University reserves the right to change any of the provisions, schedules, programs, courses, rules, regulations, or fees whenever university authority deem it expedient to do so. Christopher Newport University does not discriminate in admission, employment or any other activity, on the basis of race, gender, color, age, religion, veteran status, national origin, disability, or political affiliation. The University complies with all applicable state and federal constitutional provisions, laws and regulations concerning discrimination. Anyone having questions concerning these laws should contact the Director of Equal Opportunity. 1 University Place Newport News, VA 23606 Voice: (757) 594-7000 / TDD: (757) 594-7938 Internet Address: http://www.cnu.edu 1 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY WELCOME TO CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY to every student. You won’t find graduate students in lecture halls with hundreds of students at CNU! Our classes average about 23 students, including our laboratory classes for the sciences and technology. In addition, our professors have won a wide array of awards for great teaching, many large grants for research, and regularly publish highly regarded books and articles on fields from theater to new computer language applica- tions. One biology professor won a $700,000 grant to study wetlands pollution and uses part of the funds to support undergraduate students who work with him on the project. Two CNU professors were chosen recently for top teach- ing and service awards from the State of Virginia out of 16,000 faculty. A computer science professor led a team of Christopher Newport University is a superb choice for undergraduates as one of only 50 teams chosen interna- your college studies. Small classes, professors who put tionally to compete in a programming contest. Our account- you first, and a picturesque and safe campus create an ing faculty have a national reputation for producing CPAs. environment that is hard to find in public higher education In fact, CNU ranks #1 in Virginia for the number of account- today. That’s why we’d like to share a few highlights of the ing graduates who pass the CPA exam on the first round. quality of life you will enjoy here. Brilliant, energetic teaching and superb records of achievement in their disciplines are trademarks of the fac- OUR STUDENTS ulty at CNU. Add that to their dedication to you and your There’s no such thing as a typical CNU student! Our success, and you have a combination that is sure to give 5,000 students hail from every part of Virginia, 40 states, you a real head start on a great career in the future. and 20 foreign countries. Each year, we welcome 1,200 new freshmen and about CAPTAIN PRIDE 200 new transfers with diverse interests and choices of Playing to win is the watchword at CNU. Our athletes study. don’t play for money, since we are a Division III school, so In recent years, interest in CNU has increased dramati- the results of our sports teams come from a fire in the heart. cally, as have the quality and quantity of our applicants. In 23 intercollegiate sports, CNU has produced over 464 All Applications from freshmen and transfer students have Americans since 1980, won over 75 national team and indi- skyrocketed, an obvious indication of the quality educa- vidual titles, and recently has had the best years ever in tion that CNU has to offer. In addition, more students than men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s track, ever before are seeking entry into our distinguished Hon- and women’s softball. ors Program. CNU’s new football team made history in 2001 as the Our students are friendly, lively, and seem to thrive on first football team to win the conference and go to the NCAA the close relationships they form with professors inside in their first year of play. They repeated that performance and outside the classroom. Many of our students work again in 2002. with professors on pioneering research—from the wetlands to the stratosphere, our undergraduates have the opportu- nity to be part of dynamic projects in a variety of fields. One new student summed up the atmosphere at CNU during a recent orientation when she said, “I never dreamed a university could be so friendly.” THE PROFESSORS If you’re looking for an education with teachers who love to teach, then CNU is the right place for you. In fact, most of our professors will tell you that the reason they chose CNU is because of its commitment to excellent teach- ing. Outstanding, veteran faculty are in the classroom, offering an incredible depth of experience and knowledge 2 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CNU athletics has also received top honors as a win- for quiet study and reflection. Our library now boasts a ner of the Dixie Conference President’s Cup for five years gourmet coffee shop, complete with computer workstations. in a row and 11 of the last 19 years. State-of-the-art laboratories in computer science, com- Quite simply, CNU has one of the nation’s finest sports puter engineering, physics and instrumentation, and the programs, and you’ll find it easy to catch the spirit of Cap- natural sciences are designed to enhance the close interac- tain pride. tion between professors and students. CNU has one of the lowest student/computer ratios (10:1) in the state. CNU’s state-of-the-art residence halls are described STUDENT LIFE by students as “the best they’ve seen.” Free local phone Students at CNU participate in nearly 100 clubs and and cable, a built-in microfridge, computer hook ups, car- organizations, along with dozens of recreational and club pet, air conditioning, and suite-style rooms make living on sports. Whether you’re interested in biology field trips to campus very attractive for our freshmen. CNU has 2200 the ocean or becoming a leader in campus government, students in residence, and freshmen enjoy spacious rooms, there is a rich array of activities here to make your time air conditioning, free local phone and cable, free internet outside the classroom memorable. hookups, and free microrefrigerators in each suite. The Perhaps you’d enjoy our Equestrian Team or Crew Club upperclass residence facilities boast apartments and suites that compete successfully around the state. Or, if you’re complete with kitchens. service-oriented, Alpha Phi Omega is a service fraternity Surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods, CNU is a (co-ed) that works on campus and around our area on a great place for walking, jogging, or cycling, and you’re only variety of projects. Regardless, you’ll find it’s easy to get a few short blocks from the James River and a pleasant involved at CNU. The same focus on the individual in the bicycle ride to a public white-sand beach and park. classroom characterizes the accessibility of our campus CNU is also adjacent to pristine Lake Maury, sur- clubs and activities. rounded by Mariner’s Park with 600 acres of trails and wood- Each year, you’ll also enjoy performances by major lands. artists, renowned speakers, and the many student festivals CNU has another distinction as an ideal living envi- like Roktoberfest, Spring Madness, Sand Jam, Family Week- ronment – our campus ranks each year as one of the safest end, and Homecoming. campuses in Virginia . CNU is also the host of the Ella Fitzgerald Music Fes- The campus was enhanced even further with the new tival in late spring. $16 million Freeman Sports and Recreation Center, featur- OUR REGION ing a 200-meter indoor track, three basketball courts, and 10,000 square feet of personal recreation/fitness space. It When you choose a university, location is important. is one of the finest centers of its kind in the nation for a Our region is not only a resort which attracts millions of Division III program. visitors each year but is also a center of high tech develop- In addition, we will complete the student areas and ment and research including NASA/Langley and the Tho- two theaters in our $53 million Center for the Arts in 2003. mas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, the world’s pre- The center was designed by world renowned architects mier physics research facility. Pei, Cobb, Freed, and Partners, who also designed the pyra- CNU students enjoy easy access to the rolling dunes mid at the Louvre in Paris, the East Wing of the National and pounding surf of Virginia Beach, along with its new Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the Rock and Roll Hall of Amphitheater which is host to performers like Jimmy Buf- Fame in Ohio. An additional 1700-seat concert hall will be fet, Brittney Spears, the Dave Matthews Band, and Garth completed in December Brooks. A twenty-minute ride west leads to Williamsburg where many of our students enjoy the splendor of Ameri- can history and also find internships in Colonial WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT! Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. If you would like to see first hand the quality of Chris- topher Newport University today, we welcome your visit THE CAMPUS – PRESENT AND FUTURE Monday through Saturday throughout the year. Simply call Admissions at (757) 594-7015 or at (800) 333-4268 to CNU’s campus extends over 150 acres of beautiful arrange a time. Our tour information line is (757) 594-7334, lawns, gardens, and tall trees, in a park-like setting in New- or you may wish to visit our website at www.cnu.edu for port News.