Yale Divinity School

• Information for:
• Prospective Students
  • Introduction
  • Admissions Office
  • Financial Aid
  • Apply Online
  • Request Information
• Current Students
  • Introduction
  • Classes V*2
  • Student E-mail
  • Student Info Systems
  • Q-Source Newsletter
• Faculty & Staff
  • Introduction
  • Classes V*2
  • Room Resources
  • Academic Calendar
  • Q-Source Newsletter
• Donors & Friends
  • Introduction
  • Giving Goals
  • Give to YDS Online
  • Mail a Gift to YDS
  • The Gift of a Lifetime
• Alumni
  • Introduction
  • Alumni Relations Office
  • Alumni Events & News
  • Convocation/Reunions
  • Notes from the Quad
• Media
  • Introduction
  • Contact Us
  • Faculty Expertise
  • News from YDS
  • Publications
  • Webcasts

• YDS News
• Campus Events Schedule
• Q-Source Newsletter
• Yale Student Info Systems
• Student e-mail @ mail.yale.edu
• Classes V*2
• Registrar
• Order a Transcript
• Academic Calendar pdf
• Exam Schedule
• Programs of Study
• Class Listings
• Financial Aid
• Ministry Resource Center
• Faculty/Staff Directory
• Bookstore
• Career Services
• YDS Webcasts
• Worship
• Publications
• Campus Map

Student Life

A Note from the Dean of Students

Yale Divinity School is unique in combining university-based academic excellence and Christian ministry formation with a vibrant and nourishing community life. The offerings of Yale University and the city of New Haven combine with those of the Divinity School to create a rich environment in which to pursue graduate theological education. While many activities and organizations are in place year after year to provide for the community life of Divinity students, much of our common life is shaped anew each year by the particular needs and interests of the current student body. Everyone is encouraged to take the initiative in pursuing those groups and events they need to fulfill their calling at YDS. Student leaders, faculty, and administrators are excellent resources for making the initial connections within the Divinity School, Yale, and New Haven, to make something new happen.

Our common life is centered on two class-free hours per day. In the first hour, daily worship takes place in Marquand Chapel and is followed by coffee and doughnuts in the Common Room. In the second hour, lunchtime is given over to eating, attending meetings of student organizations, participating in special presentations open to the community, and socializing. Community dinners occur about once a month on a Friday evening and Friday Fellowship occurs every Friday afternoon over sodas and beer. Special events throughout the year include the BTFO (Before the Fall Orientation) for new students, the Advent Service and Christmas Party, the Easter Rejoicing worship service, the Spring Fling dance, and the All-School Conference. Regular participation in Yale intramurals provides opportunities for playing softball and soccer, just as Divinity students more informally gather for playing basketball and ultimate frisbee.

Students provide leadership for two organizations giving voice and activism to student life and interests. The Student Council is the elected representation of the student body, and includes three head officers as well as representatives of various committees and organizations on campus. The Student Council represents student concerns to faculty and staff and provides for student representation on official faculty committees. The Community Life Committee (CLC) is composed of students, faculty, and staff, and is headed by two student Coordinators. CLC provides for the general community life needs of the Divinity School and coordinates the programs of numerous student groups on campus. CLC-sponsored groups include the Women's Center, the Black Seminarians, the Divinity Latino/a Association, the Divinity Korean Association, the Coalition (of Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Bisexual, and Transgendered Students), the Commuter Student Community, the Yale Committee on Social Justice, the Outing Club, the Drama Club, TheoMed, the Evangelical Fellowship, and denominational groups for Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, United Church of Christ, and Presbyterians.

If you want more information about any of these regular or special components of our common life as Yale Divinity School, or if you want to pursue a particular interest not represented on campus already, please be in touch with me. I will do my best to connect you with others in the Divinity School or in the larger Yale and New Haven communities who share your passion and calling. Please know you may call on me as you have need or inclination for pursuing those concerns which can contribute to your overall well-being as a Divinity student. My best wishes to you if you are visiting this website as a prospective student that you may have wisdom and understanding in the process of discernment. My best wishes to you if you are visiting this website as a current student that you may know peace and confidence in your studies and commitments.

Pax Christi,

Dale Peterson
Dean of Students
Yale Divinity School