Rockford University features a 19 hole disc golf course open to the campus and the Rockford community. The disc golf course was completed and opened during the Spring of 2012. There was a Disc Golf Club started that helped spearhead the project led by Robert “Bobby” Tassone ’13. The Club also worked with the Student Government Association and Brad Knotts, Dean of Students. They received a grant to build the course, and after some controversy over its construction and when the holes would be placed, it was completed.

The course continues to be a unique staple on campus. Students and guests are able to come and play on their own or join tournaments that are hosted throughout the year.

First-Year Experience

Welcome to Rockford University, Regent! We’re looking forward to having you join us on campus. First-Year Programs are designed to support your first-year experience and connect you to the outstanding opportunities that will help you excel at RU and beyond.

Your Regent Experience begins with Registration and Advising, moves into Freshman Orientation, and culminates with a First-Year Seminar class led by your academic advisor and Regent Experience Guides.

First-Year Seminars introduce students to academic inquiry and community that lie at the heart of a liberal arts education. Led by your Freshman Advisor and supported by Regent Experience Guides, each FYS class will:

• Promote engagement in the curricular and co-curricular life at RU
• Foster a sense of belonging and community
• Help students identify their academic strengths
• Teach the development and application of skills necessary for success in college

Faculty and Staff play two roles with respect to SOF awards.

Faculty and Staff can serve as mentors for students that undertake individual projects, not only by guiding them in their projects but also with their SOF application process. All student applications require faculty/staff recommendation.  Faculty/Staff mentors will be contacted by the student for a recommendation letter, as they must provide the letter in the application process.

Faculty and Staff can also lead students on group activities, either related to courses or experiential learning. Domestic and International off-campus trips are examples of such trips. These trips are planned and led by faculty/staff. Faculty/Staff and participating students may apply for SOF funding for such activities. Student awards for such activities count toward their individual award limits. Faculty/Staff receive full funding for such activities. The link for the online application form for faculty and staff is on the right side of this page.

A comprehensive planning guide for such trips in under development. Until this planning guide and proper policies are in place, faculty/staff can access the Guidance for Off-Campus Trips and Example Trip Proposal Spain-Greece 2020 documents for guidance. Any questions regarding SOF funding can be directed to sof@rockford.edu. Questions related to trip planning should be directed to the department Chair, Dean and Provost. For short-term study abroad trips, the Office of Global Affairs can be an valuable resource.

Student Resources

Online Application Form

Application Form Templates:
— Application form template – undergrad (pdf)
— Application form template – grad (pdf)
— Application form template – Tier IV (pdf)

Faculty/Staff Resources

Online Application Form

Application form template – fac-staff (pdf)

Guidance for Off-Campus Trips (pdf)
Example Trip Proposal Spain-Greece 2020 (pdf)