AVILA UNIVERSITY 31 Thornhill Gallery Since 1978, the Thornhill Gallery, located in the Whitfield Center, has presented art exhibits by  contemporary  regional  and  national  artists  to  educate  and  enrich  the  students  of  Avila University as well as the greater Kansas City community. The gallery usually hosts six to seven shows a year, concluding with the annual Senior Exhibit for Graphic Design Majors in May. Sexual Orientation Diversity Alliance (SODA) SODA serves the entire campus community by seeking to help end discrimination, foster a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, and promote attitudes and behaviors that create a climate of mutual respect for all members of the Avila community. It seeks to help educate and support persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Student Senate All  students  admitted  and  enrolled  for  credit  at Avila  University  are  members  of  the Avila University Student Body and represented by the Student Senate. Student  representatives,  elected  in  the  annual,  spring,  campus-wide  election,  make  up  the Student Senate. Senators or senate appointees serve on most committees of the University and encourage student viewpoints and participation in the operation of the University. Contact the associate dean for student affairs at (816) 501-3628 for information about Student Senate. Student Honors The Avila Medal is an honor conferred by the president. The award is presented on qualifica- tions of character, service and loyalty. The Ariston Award is presented to one outstanding member of the senior class. The award is based on academic merit, leadership, service and who best represents the mission, values and characteristics upon which Avila University is founded. Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges is a nationally recog- nized award conferred upon graduating seniors who have shown outstanding merit and accom- plishment in academic and co-curricular areas. The St. Catherine’s Medal is presented annually through Delta Epsilon Sigma to the sopho- more woman who has the best record of progressive achievement for her class at the University. The St. Thomas More Medal is presented annually by the Avila University faculty to the soph- omore man who has the best record of progressive achievement for his class at the University. Student Policies Code of Student Conduct As a Catholic University, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Avila maintains a position that its educational role is more than an exchange of knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom. Avila is committed to the educational development of the total person and seeks to