Dominican University of California
Encyclopedia
- For other colleges with the same name, see Dominican CollegeDominican CollegeThere are several current and former institutions of higher learning named Dominican College.-Higher education:*Dominican College , a four-year private college in Orangeburg, New York...
Dominican University of California is a four year, accredited, private, Catholic-heritage, and co-educational institution located in San Rafael, California
San Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
. Founded in 1890 as Dominican College, Dominican is one of the oldest universities in California. The U.S. News and World Report ranks Dominican as one of the top Regional Universities (West). The institution’s exact ranking is 37.
Dominican is organized in four schools: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Business and Leadership; Education and Counseling Psychology; and Health and Natural Sciences. In academic year 2010–2011, the student body was approximately 2,270 students. The average class size was 16 students. The average student to faculty ratio was 12:1.
Dominican offers undergraduate degrees (BA, BFA, BS and BSN), graduate degrees (MA, MS, MBVA, MSED, MSN, MSOT), teaching credential certificates, as well as six evening bachelor’s degrees for working adults in a program called Pathways. The university also offers professional and continuing education in the form of certificate programs in business and education.
Dominican offers 29 undergraduate programs among them humanities, music, dance, communications, nursing, occupational therapy, biological sciences and business. It also offers 9 graduate programs: 3 MBA programs, and masters in occupational therapy, counseling psychology, nursing, education, humanities and biological sciences. It also offers six teaching credential programs at its two locations in San Rafael and Ukiah.
In 2006, the university partnered with Alonzo King's LINES Ballet School to offer a joint educational BFA program. Only two universities in United States offer a Dance BFA program; the other is Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
.
Dominican is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division II and competes in 12 sports in this Division.
Dominican is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
(WASC).
The final debate of the California gubernatorial election, 2010
California gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 California gubernatorial election was held November 2, 2010 to elect the Governor of California. The primary elections were held on June 8, 2010. Because constitutional office holders in California are prohibited from serving more than two terms in the same office since 1990, incumbent...
between Meg Whitman
Meg Whitman
Margaret Cushing "Meg" Whitman is an American business executive. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard. A native of Long Island, New York, she is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School...
and Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
took place at Dominican University on October, 13, 2010.
Early history
Dominican University of California takes its name from St. Dominic de Guzman, who was born in Caleruega, Spain, in roughly 1172. The history of the university traces back to 1850 when Joseph Alemany was appointed Bishop of Monterey. On his way to his new post in California, he stopped in Paris and asked a few Dominican sisters to join him to teach the children of the Forty-ninersCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. Mary Goemaere (1809-1891) volunteered to accompany the new bishop and to begin a school in his new diocese. Within three years, nine women (three American, one Mexican, and five Spanish) joined Sister Mary to form the Congregation of the Most Holy Name.
In 1889, Mother Louis O'Donnell (1887-1929) moved the central administration of the Congregation of the Most Holy Name to San Rafael.
In 1890 the Congregation of the Most Holy Name, under the auspices of Mother O’Donnell, filed Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of California. With the encouragement of faculty of the University of California in Berkeley, a junior college was opened in 1915, and in 1917 a four-year college, Dominican College, was formed.
Mission and vision
The mission of the Dominican University of California is to educate and prepare students to be ethical leaders and socially responsible global citizens who incorporate the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service into their lives. Guided by its Catholic heritage, the university is committed to diversity, sustainability, and the integration of the liberal arts, the sciences, and professional programs.Academic timeline
- In 1917, Dominican College became the first Catholic college in California to grant the bachelor’s degree to women.
- In 1924, The State Board of Education empowered Dominican to recommend candidates for public school teaching credentials.
- In 1926, the college was placed on the approved list of the Association of American UniversitiesAssociation of American UniversitiesThe Association of American Universities is an organization of leading research universities devoted to maintaining a strong system of academic research and education...
. - In 1931 Dominican College of San Rafael was recognized by the American Association of University Women and in 1932, the Marin County Chapter of that group was established.
- In 1931, the college became a member of the Northwestern Association of Colleges.
- In 1950, Dominican opened its graduate program to men.
- In 1965, Archbishop Alemany Library was opened.
- In 1971, Dominican became fully coeducational.
- In 1990, Dominican’s Nursing program received accreditation from the National League of Nursing.
- In 2006, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance program was opened in collaboration with Alonzo King
Traditions
Dominican University of California’s motto is Veritas Fax Ardens, “Truth, a flaming torch.” The school mascot is a penguin. The Torch is the name of the Alumni magazine. The Habit is the name of the student newspaper. The Tuxedo is the on-campus literary magazine.Each year the university celebrates the Shield Day, which is a ceremony whereby Dominican seniors officially greet the incoming freshmen by giving them a gift of an illustrated shield that features an inspirational motto.
On Spirit Day, Dominican invites its students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff to explore the campus, attend classes and meet with faculty, staff and administrators.
The Senior Thesis is an academic tradition. Like a master’s thesis, the senior thesis gives students an opportunity to, as undergraduates, explore in depth issues that interest them.
Service Learning is an integral part of Dominican education. In 2009, Dominican’s students completed over 8,000 service-learning hours. As a result, Dominican was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. That same year, Dominican’s student-athletes won the PacWest’s “Community Engagement Award” for their community service initiatives. Dominican also earned the PacWest Academic Achievement Award in 2009-2010 and 2010-11 for achieving the highest overall student-athlete GPA of all schools in the Pacific West Conference.
Presidents
- Mother Louis O'Donnell (1918–1929)
- Mother Raymond O'Connor (1929–1935)
- Sister Thomas Vaughan (1935–1945)
- Sister Patrick Harney (1945–1968)
- Sister Samuel Conlan (1968–1980)
- Dr. Barbara Bundy (1980–1987)
- Dr. Neil Webb (July–December 1987)
- Dr. Joseph R. Fink (1988–July, 1, 2011)
- Dr. Mary B. Marcy (July 1, 2011–Present)
Recent university additions
2007: Dominican opens a 35000 square feet (3,251.6 m²) Science Center, enabling the University to expand its biomedical research program and to continue to train students for careers as doctors and research scientists.2007: Dominican begins offering the "Green MBA" program (moved from the New College of California
New College of California
New College of California was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971 by former Gonzaga University President, Father John Leary. After 37 years, it ceased operations in early 2008....
). http://www.greenmba.com/
2010: Dominican Heritage and Alumni House opens.
Campus
Dominican’s campus, located in San Rafael, CaliforniaSan Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
, United States, sits on 86 acres (34.8 ha) nestled in a small community near the base of Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais is a peak in Marin County, California, United States, often considered symbolic of Marin County. Much of Mount Tamalpais is protected within public lands such as Mount Tamalpais State Park and the Mount Tamalpais Watershed.-Geography:...
. The campus buildings feature a wide variety of architectural styles, each building being built in the style of its time.
Student housing
There are four residence halls located on Dominican’s campus: Pennafort (all freshman); Fanjeax (mostly freshman); Meadowlands (mix); and Edgehill Village (upper classmen). Over 50 percent of the undergraduate students at Dominican live in on-campus student housing. Over 90 percent of the freshman live on-campus their first year. In their room, each student receives a twin-size bed, desk, dresser, chair, walk-in closet and wireless ComcastComcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
Internet and television. Freshmen are automatically guaranteed a residency on campus. Sophomores, juniors and seniors receive on-campus housing through lottery. All residence halls are co-ed. The bathrooms are not co-ed. Two rooms (male and male; or female and female) share a bathroom. Each hall has a “resident advisor” who oversees the students living in that hall. Dominican is not considered a “dry campus” when it comes to alcohol; however, Pennafort and Fanjeax are dry dorms by default because no one over the age of 21 lives in them. No smoking is allowed in the residence halls because Dominican is a smoke-free campus.
Angelico Hall
Built in 1921 and dedicated in 1922, Angelico Hall was built to serve as a music conservatory. It was refurbished in 1989. Angelico Hall's seating capacity, including its balcony, is 850. The following historic events took place in Angelico Hall:- In 1926, the San Francisco SymphonySan Francisco SymphonyThe San Francisco Symphony is an orchestra based in San Francisco, California. Since 1980, the orchestra has performed at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are part of the organization...
performed for the first time in the Marin County - In 1929, Alfred Heil’s “The Ballet of Joy” was produced for the first time in the United States (outside of Paris)
- In 1930, Bach'sJohann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
“The Wedding Cantana” was performed for the first time in America - In 2010, the third California gubernatorial debate took place between Democrat Jerry BrownJerry BrownEdmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
and Republican Meg WhitmanMeg WhitmanMargaret Cushing "Meg" Whitman is an American business executive. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard. A native of Long Island, New York, she is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School...
Science Center
Built in 2006–2007, the Science Center is one of the newest additions to the Dominican campus. This 35,000-foot building was a $21 million project that was funded in part by NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. Dominican is involved in breast cancer, stem-cell, and marine biology research.
Dominican Heritage and Alumni House
The Dominican Heritage and Alumni House opened in 2011. This Queen Anne VictorianQueen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
was constructed in 1887 by the shipping magnate William Babcock. The building was first named Edgehill Mansion and was renamed in 2011. The Dominican Heritage and Alumni House is a home to Catholic and interfaith worship, Student Life, Campus Ministry, student government and organizations, the International Center, Alumni Relations, Career and Internship Services, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Administration
Dominican is a Catholic-heritage university, not a Catholic university. The university is not administered by the Dominican Sisters, although some sisters sit on the board of trustees. Dominican is headed by a board of trustees and the President of the University.The university operates under four schools: Art, Humanities and Social Sciences; Business and Leadership; Education and Counseling Psychology; and Health and Natural Sciences. Collectively, the four schools offer 29 undergraduate degree programs and 9 graduate degree programs. The four schools also offer an evening bachelor’s degree program for working adults. At its two locations in San Rafael
San Rafael
San Rafael is a common place-name in areas where that tongue is or was spoken:-Towns, cities, municipalities, etc.:*Argentina**San Rafael, Mendoza**San Rafael Department*Bolivia...
and Ukiah
Ukiah
Ukiah can refer to:*Ukiah, California, a city in the U.S. state of California*Ukiah, Oregon, a city in the U.S. state of Oregon*Ukiah Oregon, a fictional character in a series of science fiction books by Wen Spencer...
, the university offers 6 teaching credential programs.
Dominican's academic year is broken into two semesters: Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May). Summer classes are available. Dominican has an extended winter break of 6 weeks.
Leadership
- President: Mary B. Marcy, Ph.D.
- President Emeritus: Joseph R. Fink, Ph.D.
- Chief Academic Officer: Luis Maria R. Calingo, Ph.D.
- Vice Presidents: Patricia Coleman, M.S., Enrollment Management; Maureen Keefe, MBA, External Relations; Cecilia Minalga, Chief Financial Officer; John F. Kennedy, Ph.D., Student Life.
Deans
- School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Dr. Nicola J. Pitchford
- School of Business and Leadership: Dr. Dan Moshavi
- School of Education and Counseling Psychology: Dr. Ed Kijawa
- School of Health and Natural Sciences: Dr. Martha Nelson
Student government
Associated Students of Dominican University (ASDU) is the primary group that helps students plan and provide campus activities, distribute activity funds, initiate changes in policy, and represent the students to the University’s administration. This group of elected student representatives serves both as the student activities’ association and the student government board. The members of the ASDU Senate are composed of representatives from all four classes of day-program students. Students who perceive a need for a new and different organization on campus are invited to discuss their ideas with ASDU, the Dean or Assistant Dean of Students, or the Director of Housing.Events that ASDU has organized in the past include: Movies on the Lawn, Shield Day, Boat Dance, Pumpkin Carving, Haunted House, Vote Smart Challenge, Administrative Forums, Midnight Madness, Flashback Dance, Easter Egg Hunt, Associated Student Forums, Penguin Ball, Karaoke, End of the Year Pool Party, Relay for Life: Race for a Cure, Intramural Sports, E-40
E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
hip-hop concert.
Academics
Dominican focuses on interdisciplinary studies. In the sciences, the University involves undergraduates in sophisticated research projects, and encourages students to present at national academic conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. In the humanities, students can combine dance and musical performance with the study of philosophy, literature, world cultures, and religion. Dominican also offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, counseling psychology, occupational therapy and nursing.Admissions and demographics
Dominican University has a student population of about 2,270 students, of which some 1,300 are undergraduate students. In 2010, Dominican accepted 52% of the students who applied for the Fall semester. The average SAT critical reading and math scores were a 510, totaling an average SAT score of a 1020 (Dominican does not consider SAT writing scores). Thirty-nine percent of Dominican students are of AHANAAHANA
AHANA is a term that refers to persons of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent. The term was coined at Boston College in 1979 by two students, Alfred Feliciano and Valerie Lewis, who objected to the name "Office of Minority Programs" used by Boston College at the time...
heritage (African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
, Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, or Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
). In 2011, the ethnicity breakdown was Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
15%, Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
16%, African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
5%, White 42%, and Other 22%.
Accreditations
- Regional Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)Western Association of Schools and CollegesThe Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
, 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-748-9001 - Occupational Therapy: American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
- Nursing: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)Commission on Collegiate Nursing EducationThe Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous nursing education accrediting agency that contributes to the improvement of the public's health. The CCNE is recognized by the U.S...
, State of California Board of Registered Nursing - Teacher Education: State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Athletics: NCAA Division II (Provisional)
Rankings
U.S. News and World Report ranks Dominican as 37th on the list of top Regional Universities (West).Schools
- School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Offers 14 liberal arts undergraduate programs from graphic design to women and gender studies. The School includes Alonzo King's LINES Ballet BFA program, which is currently one of only two programs in dance that offer a BFA. It offers one Master’s program, MS in Humanities.
- School of Business and Leadership: Provides bachelor’s degrees, minors in Accounting, Finance, Management and International Business, and three MBA programs, including GreenMBA (MBA in Sustainable Enterprise), MBA in Global Management and MBA in Strategic Leadership.
- School of Education and Counseling Psychology: Provides undergraduate and graduate education, six teaching credential programs at its two locations in San RafaelSan RafaelSan Rafael is a common place-name in areas where that tongue is or was spoken:-Towns, cities, municipalities, etc.:*Argentina**San Rafael, Mendoza**San Rafael Department*Bolivia...
, community engagement, and professional development classes. It offers a Master’s in Education (MS) and two Master’s in Counseling Psychology (MS, MFT). - School of Health and Natural Sciences: Provides students with a bachelor and master’s degrees such as Master’s in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN), Master’s in Biological Sciences (MS), and Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MSOT).
Other academic opportunities
- Pathways is an undergraduate evening program for working adults that offers six undergraduate degrees: Business Administration; English; English with a Writing Emphasis; Humanities and Cultural Studies; Management; and Psychology.
- Professional and Continuing Education is available at Dominican. The four Schools offer a variety of courses, workshops, seminars and certificate programs for professionals seeking to improve their career and life skills. Dominican offers programs to support Business, Education, Nursing and Occupational Therapy for continuing professionals.
Nursing program
The first Dominican nursing program was approved by the California Board of Nursing and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and CollegesWestern Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
in 1983. The National League for Nursing subsequently accredited the program in 1987. In 2004 both the master's and baccalaureate programs received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Green MBA
The Green MBA program is the nation's first "Sustainable Master of Business AdministrationMaster of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
." The Green MBA program provides an education in business practices that achieve environmental and social sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
while maintaining a profitable financial bottom line.
The program seeks to integrate business and environmentalism and to educate a new generation of leaders who are able to bridge the gap between environmentally sound, socially responsible and financially successful business practices.
The Green MBA places a high degree of emphasis on individual transformation as the starting point to transforming business and the world. Classes are scheduled on the weekends to accommodate students with careers and busy schedules, and students traditionally graduate in 2 or 3 years. There are approximately 100 students currently enrolled in the program. The Green MBA is accredited with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
The program pioneered at New College of California
New College of California
New College of California was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971 by former Gonzaga University President, Father John Leary. After 37 years, it ceased operations in early 2008....
in 2001 and Dominican University acquired the Green MBA in 2007. In 2008 the Green MBA launched a 6 month executive certificate in sustainable business management: Green your MBA.
Honors program
Honors students can expand their work in a course by doing a special projects, explore a topic through Honors Seminars, or pursue independent study and research under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Honors students are required to take certain advanced courses and extra units throughout the four year program.Leadership and Internships
Each year a Dominican student is selected to participate in the Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program. This student leader spends the fall semester working in Washington, D.C.In 2006, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce relocated its North Bay U.S. Export Assistance Center to Dominican.
Internships are available through the University's Career Services Office. The center also offers workshops and individual counseling on career and job search strategies, résumé
Résumé
A résumé is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons but most often to secure new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education...
writing and interviewing skills.
International opportunities are offered through Dominican's Office of Internationalization and Global Education (OIGE). The OIGE provides students with opportunities to live and learn in foreign countries while earning academic credit, though the University's Study Abroad Program. The ELS Language Centers program located on the Dominican campus is a language center for international students to come and learn the language in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Dominican's School of Business and Leadership also offers an MBA in Strategic Leadership.
Athletics
The Dominican Penguins are the athletic teams for the Dominican University of California. The Penguins compete in the NCAA Division II, Pacific West ConferencePacific West Conference
The Pacific West Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division II...
in most sports, except Men's lacrosse, which competes in the Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II lacrosse-only college athletic conference composed of schools located in the Western United States. All schools are members of other conferences in other sports...
(WILA).
Dominican was originally a member of the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
and beginning in 2008 began a transition to NCAA Division II. The university joined the Pacific West Conference
Pacific West Conference
The Pacific West Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division II...
in 2009. The move put the Penguins in the same conference as fellow Bay area schools Notre Dame de Namur University
Notre Dame de Namur University
Notre Dame de Namur University — formerly the College of Notre Dame — is a private, Catholic University located in Belmont, California in the San Francisco Bay Area. Notre Dame de Namur University is an accredited university in San Mateo County, and the fifth-oldest university in California...
and the Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University , a for-profit university owned by the Stephens Institute, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens...
. The university became a full member of NCAA Division II in 2011. In 2006, the men’s basketball team won the California Pacific Conference
California Pacific Conference
The California Pacific Conference is a college athletics conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics . The conference commissioner is Don Ott. Conference leadership is shared among the member institutions. The conference president is Themy Adachi of Mills College. The...
(NAIA) for the fourth straight season, a first in Cal Pac history. The men’s soccer team captured the Cal Pac Conference in 2005 after an undefeated season. The Women's Volleyball team won the title in 2007. Dominican's athletic center, Conlan, was opened in 2000.
The university currently fields the 12 following sports:
Men's sports
- BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
- Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
- GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
- LacrosseLacrosseLacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
- Soccer
Women's sports
- BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
- Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
- GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
- Soccer
- SoftballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
- TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
- VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...