Welcome to Soka University of America

This is the accessibility version designed specifically for users needing extra accessibility features.
Feel free to check out the original experience here.

Welcome

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to Soka University of America (SUA), a small university located in the beautiful California city of Aliso Viejo. This unique school bases its educational philosophy on the principles of pacifism, human rights, and the coexistence of nature and humanity. Rather than dividing the school into traditional academic disciplines, concentrations are interdisciplinary and fall within the following areas: Environmental Studies, Humanities, International Studies, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. All students must take courses in a non-native language for at least two years and study abroad for one semester, further expanding their educational horizons. Organizations and activities on campus emphasize diversity and a humanitarian outlook, with the popular annual International Festival bringing together 600 performers from all over the world. Let's take a tour of the campus and learn more about the distinctive offerings of Soka University of America.

Tour stop audio transcript

The Peace Fountain and Lake are two serene attributes of the Soka campus, providing a calm and meditative place for walking and sitting. The 1-acre lake is segmented by two wide walkways, while the fountain, created in Italy, stands twenty-five tall. The Peace Fountain and Lake also serve a functional purpose, acting as a reservoir and pumping station for fire protection needs.

Tour stop audio transcript

The welcoming Student Center is both the "living room" and "dining room" of the campus, bringing together all members of the Soka University community. The 2nd floor's Soka Bistro is the main dining hall, with fresh Asian and International cuisine, Starbucks coffee, homemade desserts, and a variety of soup and salad bar selections. Many students take advantage of warm weather by eating their meals in the outdoor dining area. The Student Center is also home to the bookstore, convenience store, post office, game room, and Student Health Services.

Tour stop audio transcript

Pauling Hall is an academic building named after the Nobel-recipient, peace activist, and great scientist, Linus Pauling. Among its many amenities are a multi-media classroom theatre, four science laboratories, seminar rooms, and student lounges. The creative facilities found within Pauling Hall are numerous, including a ceramics center, painting and drawing studio, photography center, and music ensemble and practice rooms.

Tour stop audio transcript

The Ikeda Library and its picturesque grounds are named after SUA's founder and his wife. The library has convenient hours of operation every day of the week during the academic calendar, boasting 82,000 print materials and 20,000 electronic periodicals. The fourth floor features a 24- hour study room and a reading room that hosts events like poetry readings. In addition to its holdings, the library is also home to the Student Activities Office, the Dean of Students, a computer lab, and the Writing Center.

Tour stop audio transcript

Founders Hall is a well-known landmark at Soka with its copper dome and pillared façade. A two-story, 8,000 square-foot art gallery makes its home inside Founders Hall, featuring weekday hours and free admission. Exhibitions have included the work of students, ceramicists, photographers, and painters. This large building also houses important administrative offices like Community Relations, Financial Aid, Human Resources, and Enrollment Services, the latter of which provides "one stop admission assistance."

Tour stop audio transcript

Completed in 2011, the state-of-the-art Gold LEED-certified Soka Performing Arts Center is a 1,000-seat venue with highly rated acoustics. Because of its seating capacity and exceptional design, Soka has been able to bring in talented acts like a French acoustic band, Taiko drummers, an Arab- Jewish ensemble, and a world-renowned pianist. Students enjoy discounted admission to events and often dine at the nearby Soka Bistro for its affordable buffet dinners on performance nights. Ecological features of this facility include solar power-generating capabilities and a vegetated green roof.

Tour stop audio transcript

Gandhi Hall is named after who Soka calls "the champion of humanity," Mahatma Gandhi, as well as his wife Kasturba Gandhi. Their noble and inspiring lives are meant to be examples for all SUA students to follow during their university years and beyond. Inside Gandhi Hall are multi- media classrooms, distance learning rooms, the President's office, as well as Student Learning Cluster rooms. These latter "Cluster" rooms refer to the three-week intensive courses that are designed around a contemporary problem in the world. These courses involve collaborative research projects and traveling within and outside of the United States.

Tour stop audio transcript

Maathai Hall is a brand-new creative space adjacent to the performing arts center on campus. It is home to an intimate black box theater, dance studio, dressing rooms, classrooms, and many offices. Concurrent with Soka's philosophical beliefs, this building is named after Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, who was the first female from Central and/or East Africa to earn a PhD and head a university department.