The Cord

The Student Handbook

2024-2025

The Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Alma Mater of St. Francis College

Alma Mater, hail to thee!
Loyal Friends salute thee!
Memories of thy name recall,
Deep affection for thee!

Thy ideals shall ever be,
Inspiration constantly.
Binding us together,
Binding us to thee!

Hail St. Francis, we thine own,
Loyal to thee ever!
Sing the praises of thy name,
With accord together!

This the pledge we give anew,
Loyal to thy Red and Blue!
Alma Mater, to thee!
Ever true to thee!

St. Francis College

179 Livingston Street
Brooklyn Heights, New York 11201

The Cord is the College’s student handbook, which contains the traditions, policies, procedures, and regulations of the College. Also included are descriptions of student services and activities.

Information in The Cord applies to all students at the College. All SFC students are required to read the Cord and follow the rules and policies set forth in it. Students are deemed to have read and understood this Cord. [HD1] 

SFC reserves the right to change its rules and regulations, policies and procedures, admission and graduation requirements, academic calendar, financial policies, course offerings, delivery methods, tuitions, fees, and any other material at its sole discretion at any time without prior notice. Nothing in the Cord is intended to create nor shall anything in the Cord be understood to create contractual or legally enforceable rights.

Conduct that is prohibited pursuant to a policy in the Cord may also be prohibited under other College policies, including those in other handbooks. If conduct violates more than one College policy, the College reserves the right to determine, on a case by case basis, whether one policy’s disciplinary procedure will be utilized for all alleged violations (regardless of the source policy for the violation) or if the violations will be separately resolved pursuant to the policy that gave rise to them, meaning that the student may be simultaneously subject to the disciplinary processes contained in each violated policy

Franciscan Spirit                                                                  

As you enter the hallways of St. Francis College, observing the portraits and artwork, you must ask yourself what it means to be Franciscan. It is a transformation. St. Francis left his life, wealth, and popularity to spread the Gospel. He cared for the sick, poor, and others in need. St. Francis illustrated, through his actions, the importance of generosity and compassion to all beings. How can we emulate the actions of this man?

Over the years the Franciscan Spirit within St. Francis College has evolved dramatically. Understand that as you enter the campus for the first time you will be greeted with a warm and vibrant environment, compelling you to contribute to this atmosphere. It only takes a simple wave of hello to spread the Franciscan Spirit. Day by day you will observe students helping each other in every way possible. They form study groups, ensuring that no one feels left out.

Our desire to serve extends to our neighborhood as we engage in various types of community service. Each year we participate in toy and canned food drives, charitable walks, and youth mentoring. Events such as Community Day, Relay for Life, and Think Pink highlight the dedication of our students to come together and display their Franciscan Spirit. Our devotion, along with the fusion of different personalities and cultures, results in a rainbow of heartwarming smiles and priceless friendships.

The Franciscan Spirit is dedicated to service and fellowship. Followers of the Franciscan way are determined to educate themselves and others through example. It is your duty to lend your knowledge and talents wholeheartedly. One should strive to be fair and just regardless of creed, race, sexual orientation, or social status. You should be strong in your convictions and dedicate yourself and be loyal to all of your commitments. You should live your life in moderation, following the belief that through wisdom and patience your life shall be one of fullness and success. You should seek out inner peace and, in turn, share this peace with others. You should maintain this peace no matter what dilemma comes your way. You should make every effort to achieve spiritual enlightenment and strive to be open-minded at all times. This along with newfound self-awareness will enable you to see the needs of your peers. You should always be respectful and considerate in your actions. You should do unto others as you would like others to do unto you. And finally, above all, you should enjoy life and cherish every memory you make.

As you embark on a new year in your life here at St. Francis College be sure to not end it without leaving something behind for your successors. Remember the words of St. Francis, “it is in the act of giving in which we receive.”

Let me not be tied down to poverty or praise
and I shall be free.
Free from the nagging ache of envy.
Free from all hurts of resentment.
Free to love and forgive all.
Free to do and say what is right, regardless of unpopularity.
Free to wander everywhere as inspiration guides me.
~St. Francis of Assisi