Student Affairs

The time that students spend learning outside the classroom-the hours devoted to sports, publications, theater, clubs, social events and student government-is a valuable part of the college experience. The Division of Student Affairs provides opportunities and support services to students during this time of intense personal development and intellectual growth; a time when new ideas are pursued, value systems re-examined, and attitudes/lifestyles explored. The student affairs staff plays a leadership role in developing experiences, policies and programs to provide learning and leadership opportunities for students and to help them get the most out of their time as members of the campus community.

Dean of Students

The Division of Student Affairs is supervised by the dean of students. The dean is directly responsible for coordinating and supervising educational programs and services in the areas of counseling, health services, LGBTQ student services, leadership development, multicultural programs, new-student orientation, public safety, residence life, service and social change,  student activities, student conduct, and wellness. The dean of students frequently includes and encourages students and professional staff to participate in the committees and programs that directly affect the quality of student life at St. Mary’s.

Housing

Residence Life

The Office of Residence Life supports the academic mission of the College by providing attractive, clean, comfortable, safe, facilities and promoting supportive, and civil living-and-learning communities that are conducive to sleeping, studying and socializing. Residence Life staff educate, serve and mentor students to become leaders and good citizens. Living on campus in the residence halls, suites, apartments, or townhouses is an essential part of each student’s educational experience. The Office of Residence Life attempts to create an environment conducive to the social learning and the intellectual and emotional development of each member of the community.

The College is a member of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I). Staff in the Office of Residence Life adhere to the ACUHO-I Standards and Ethical Principles for College and University Housing Professionals.

Four residence halls, a suite-style complex, an apartment/suite complex and two townhouse complexes house more than 85 percent of undergraduate students at the College. The Office of Residence Life is managed by administrators who are trained and experienced in helping students learn outside the classroom. Residence Hall Coordinators (RHCs) and Resident Assistants (RAs) are student staff members who live in each wing or in each area and provide residence hall programming, informal counseling, mediations, advising and policy enforcement when needed. The College also provides a housekeeping staff to clean the public areas in the residence halls. All residences have laundry rooms that resident students may use at no additional cost.

One of the College’s housing options is the Edward T. Lewis Quadrangle, which opened in 2001. This 210-bed residence hall consists of 6-, 10-, and 14-person suites. Each suite contains a common living area, two bathrooms and double bedrooms. Waring Commons, our newest housing complex, opened in August 2003. An addition opened in August 2007. This facility has six- or eight-person suites, which are similar to the Lewis Quad suites, as well as apartments. Most of the apartments have four single bedrooms (a few have three single bedrooms and one double room), one bathroom, a kitchen and a living room/dining room combination. Students must have earned at least 50 credits in order to live in the apartments. This transitional housing arrangement helps prepare students to live on their own after they graduate. Returning students must submit an application to be considered for the suites or apartments. Assignments are determined by earned credits. New students may be housed in the suites on a space-available basis.

The College-owned townhouses offer upper-class students an alternative living arrangement. These two-bedroom units include a full kitchen, living room, dining room, patio and bathroom to provide a natural transitional experience for students who will soon be living on their own. Students must have earned at least 50 credits in order to live in the townhouses. Returning students must complete a separate application for available townhouse spaces, and assignments are determined by earned credits.

In addition to the suites, apartments, and townhouses, St. Mary’s College also offers traditional-style residence halls (Caroline, Dorchester, Prince George and Queen Anne). These buildings contain mostly double rooms with some single bedrooms, and some study rooms which may be used as bedrooms on an as-needed basis. Each building has six bathrooms, a shared kitchen, a recreation room, laundry room and other amenities.

The College has a developmental housing philosophy. First- and second-year students are usually housed in the traditional halls where there is more staff supervision, programming, and assistance. Some sophomores and many juniors are often housed in suites with a little less supervision and more freedom and space. Juniors and seniors are eligible for townhouses and apartments. There is less staff supervision and students have more responsibility for themselves (e.g. they have to clean their units and they can be off the meal plan and cook for themselves on a daily basis). The goal is to prepare students to move off-campus and live on their own.

Living Learning Centers

Some of the Townhouses and Waring Commons suites and apartments house a special living-learning center (LLC) programs. In Waring Commons, the Women in Science House (WiSH) occupies two apartments and one suite. New first-year and transfer students are eligible to fill the limited number of spaces available in WiSH. New transfer students are eligible for the limited number of spaces in the Eco-House. For more information about the LLC program please contact the Office of Residence Life, or one of the professors who advise the LLC programs:

• WiSH:

SAFE

The reason for substance-and alcohol-free housing at St. Mary’s College of Maryland is to allow students who wish to abstain from the use of alcohol and other substances in their residence (as well as avoid the secondary effects of other students’ use) the option to live with like-minded individuals. Those involved in this undertaking may participate in experiential learning, thematic programming and creating community.  Students in S.A.F.E. Housing will live together in areas that can be co-ed or single-sex. A wing in Queen Anne and several suites and apartments in Waring Commons have been set aside for the S.A.F.E. House program. Creation of “community standards” for members of the living area is crucial to the success of this environment. Students will work closely with the Office of Residence Life to set expectations for each other in the residence, and to determine the appropriate method of intervention for violation of those expectations.  In addition to enhancing the collegiate experience for those students who participate in S.A.F.E. housing, these students will benefit both the College community and the surrounding local community by means such as programmatic initiatives and role modeling. For more information, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 240-895-4207.

Open Housing

Cohabitation by students (members of the opposite sex or gender living together in the same room) will be permitted within the suites, townhouses, apartments, and designated wing in a traditional-style residence hall.  Members of the opposite sex or gender will be able to apply to share bedrooms based on this policy. Returning students who desire to live in open housing in a traditional residence hall can apply for the open housing wing located in Prince George Hall during the room selection process. First-year students will be eligible for open housing. During the housing application process, they will be provided the option to opt-in for open housing. For incoming first-years and transfer students who indicate a desire to live in open housing, a Residence Life staff member will contact them to confirm their choice and explain the open housing process.

Graduate Student and Family Housing

Students attending the Master of Arts in Teaching program are eligible for housing. Pregnant students can live on-campus until the baby is born. The College does not provide family housing so other housing arrangements will need to be made for students with children or spouses.

The Housing Contract

It is considered a privilege to live on campus. As resident students gain certain rights and privileges, they are in turn asked to assume certain responsibilities. Each resident student signs a Housing Contract that serves as a contractual relationship with the College relating to living on campus. Students should familiarize themselves with all terms of the contract. In addition, by signing the contract, the student agrees to comply with all College and residence hall/suite/townhouse/apartment policies listed in the student handbook, To the Point, as well as those listed on the College’s website or may otherwise be published.The Housing Contract is binding for the entire academic year (late August to early May), and release is considered only under the following circumstances:

• The student graduates, transfers, drops to part-time status, gets married, has a baby, takes a leave of absence or withdraws from the College;
• The student participates in a College-approved program that requires off-campus residency;
• The student is academically dismissed, cancelled due to non-payment, or fails to register for at least 12 credits;
• The student is granted a written release after having submitted a written request to the director of Residence Life (or designee) to be released by established dates and only for special, extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. For returning students, the written request for fall semester release must be submitted by May 1; for new students, by June 1. For spring semester release, the written request must be submitted by November 1. If students are not granted a written release but choose to live off-campus, they are still responsible for the terms of the contract, including payment of fees for the assigned residence space. In addition, students who are involuntarily removed from housing for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for any refund of housing fees. Students are urged not to enter into any off-campus Housing Contracts until they are formally released from their on-campus Housing Contract.

Resident students are required to be registered as full-time (12 or more credits) students and making progress toward earning a degree. On occasion, exceptions are made for extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Resident students, including graduating seniors, wishing to remain in housing while registered for less than 12 credits (but not less than eight credits), must obtain prior, written approval from the director of Residence Life (or designee) before dropping below 12 credits. Resident students allowed to drop below 12 credits must continue to pay the full-time tuition fee, maintain exemplary behavior, and register for at least 12 credits in subsequent semesters (unless graduating at the end of the semester).

Students will be held responsible for damage to their rooms, damage to the contents of the room(s), and for damage to public areas in the residences. The College reserves the right to inspect the rooms periodically and repair, at the expense of the occupant(s), any room and furniture that has been damaged beyond normal wear. The College is not responsible for the loss or damage of any student property resulting from fire, theft, water or any other cause. Students are strongly encouraged to ensure they have appropriate personal property insurance.

Because of health and safety regulations, cooking is permitted only in the kitchen areas of the residence halls and in the kitchens of the apartments and townhouses. The residence halls are closed during College vacations, and student occupancy is not permitted. Residence hall students may be permitted to temporarily relocate to a suite, townhouse, or apartment for College vacations due to extenuating circumstances, but only with permission of current occupants of a given suite, townhouse, or apartment. Students living in the suites, townhouses and apartments may elect to remain on campus over Thanksgiving and Spring Break. Access through the outside entrances to the traditional halls and to Waring Commons is by cardkey (the student ID card). These residences are locked 24 hours a day. Access through the outside entrances to the individual Townhouse and Lewis Quad units is by key.

Expanded Housing

While the College attempts to accurately predict the number of on-campus residential spaces available for the upcoming year, factors beyond the College’s control occasionally result in temporary overflow situations. To honor its commitment to provide housing, the Office of Residence Life may assign students to doubles-as-triples, study rooms and put additional students into certain townhouses or apartments. Students involuntarily assigned to a double-as-triple, a five-person townhouse or apartment, or a six-person apartment will receive a $40 per week ($640 per semester) credit on their student account. (Note: Natural five-person apartments in Waring Commons are not eligible for the credit. These rooms were designed to accommodate the additional people.) Students assigned to study rooms are not eligible for the credit since the study rooms are considerably larger than standard rooms in the residence halls. Expanded housing assignments are temporary. As soon as space is available, students in these expanded housing spaces will be reassigned. If the students decline the reassignment, the rebate will end, since the students will be living in the expanded housing room voluntarily. Students in the expanded housing rooms will have basic furniture provided to them: a bed, desk, chair and dresser. Closet or wardrobe space may need to be shared. In some rooms, the beds will be lofted. In other cases, beds will be bunked in order to provide more floor space for the occupants.

Off-Campus Housing

Affordable off-campus housing opportunities are limited in St. Mary’s County. Students interested in housing should review local newspapers, check the Residence Life web page. Special attention should be given to availability of transportation and utility costs before a student selects off-campus housing.

Applying for Student Housing: New Students

After being admitted to the College, individuals wishing on-campus housing must complete the following procedures:

• New students must make a $500 admission deposit by the date specified in the letter of admission. Information about the Housing Contract, Health History Form, Drug-Free Campus Policy and Acknowledgment, and Roommate Matching Form can be accessed on the student Portal site in March. Students will receive instructions about submitting these forms online. To request hard copies, please contact the Office of Residence Life (240-895-4207).
• New students who are 18 or older should complete and electronically sign the Housing Contract and the Drug-Free Acknowledgment (using the student Portal). If the student is not yet 18 years of age, the student must submit a hard copy of the Housing Contract and the Drug-Free Campus Acknowledgment and a parent or legal guardian must co-sign both documents which can be downloaded from the College website or requested from the Office of Residence Life. Students will be given the opportunity after receipt of the Housing Contract to verify contract information and to submit a Roommate Matching Profile which can be used by the students to find a roommate or for the College to pair roommates. More information can be obtained on the student Portal. The Housing Contract must be received by the Office of Residence Life by June 1. Students who do not submit the Housing Contract by June 1 will not be assigned to housing until the contract is submitted (and will be assigned to whatever space is available, if any). Room assignments will be made using the preference information on the Roommate Matching Form, and housing will be assigned in the order that the advance payments are received by the Business Office. Due to space limitations, preferences may not always be granted. Students may be placed in available spaces without prior consultation.
• Students must also complete the Health History Form and include verification of required immunizations before being permitted to move into College housing. The Health History Form must be returned to the Health Center.
• Should the student not make the advance payment by the due date specified in the letter of admission, the student forfeits the offer of guaranteed housing.

The room assignment, roommate information and check-in instructions will be emailed in late July for the fall semester, and in January for the spring semester.

New students with disabilities who seek accommodations in their academic courses or in their housing assignments must submit documentation of their disabilities to the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) prior to seeking accommodations.

New students with medical considerations who seek special housing accommodations must submit documentation of the medical problem to the ADA Coordinator prior to seeking accommodations. The deadline for submitting requests for housing accommodations to that compliance coordinator June 1 for the fall semester. Late requests may not be granted.

All Students

Full payment of tuition, fees, and room and board charges must be made to the Business Office by the specified due date. Students who neglect to make payment lose their reservation and advance payment while remaining accountable to the terms of the Housing Contract.Returning students must be registered for at least 12 credits by June 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester. New students must be registered for at least 12 credits by August 15 for the fall semester and January 2 for spring semester. Failure to register by these dates will result in the cancellation of the student’s housing assignment. Resident students must be registered as full-time (12 or more credits) unless they receive prior written permission from the director of Residence Life or designee. Resident students who are permitted to drop below 12 credits must still pay the full-time tuition fee, are not permitted to be registered for less than eight credits at any time, and must maintain exemplary behavior. Students are urged to check with financial aid and insurance companies first, to ensure continued coverage.

Questions about the status of a student’s application for on-campus housing should be directed to the Office of Residence Life.

Room changes will be permitted after the first two weeks of the fall semester and after the first two weeks of the spring semester with written permission from the associate director of residence life.

Dining Services

Our food service program is an “all you can eat” operation in the Servery/Great Room (located in the Campus Center). First-year resident students are required to be on one of three “anytime” meal plans (Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Sophomores, juniors and seniors living in traditional residence halls or suites have a choice of four meal plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum or 250 Meal Credits). All other students may elect one of the optional meal plans if so desired. The student ID card serves as the meal card. Dining Dollars (“Flex”) are included in most of the plans to allow students to eat and drink at the smaller retail dining venues (the Daily Grind, the Lewis Quad “Grab-n-Go” and the Lewis Quad Pub), in addition to the Servery/Great Room. Dining Dollars can only be used for food and beverages. There is no refund or carryover of unused Dining Dollars at the end of a semester. The meal plans and fees are noted in the Expenses and Financial Aid  section.

Student Life

Student Conduct

The campus conduct system process is educational, with an emphasis on personal responsibility and a commitment to community standards. It is the philosophy of this College, as reflected in the conduct process, that any inappropriate behavior be redirected rather than punished. Serious and ongoing violations of the Code of Student Conduct, however, may result in suspension or expulsion from the College and/or criminal prosecution. Students at St. Mary’s are entrusted with the responsibility of upholding community standards as set forth in the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities which is published in the student handbook, To the Point, on the College’s website. For more information about the conduct system, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.

Student Activities

The Office of Student Activities provides opportunities for enrichment that enhance the overall student experience at St. Mary’s. Opportunities for leadership and community involvement help students prepare for their roles as responsible citizens. Through their involvement in co-curricular activities, workshops and student governance, students learn the qualities of democratic leadership and the skills to be successful members of the College community. The vast opportunities offered, including new-student orientation and parent programs, complement and enhance the St. Mary’s academic program.

Orientation

The goals of the orientation program are to aid new students in their transition to the College, to help them understand the mission and values of the institution as well as their relationship to the academic environment, to provide information and exposure to available services and to introduce them to student life. The program provides interaction with faculty, staff, returning students and other new students.

Student Government Association

All full-time students are members of the Student Government Association (SGA) and are thus eligible to vote in annual elections of officers to the student senate, the association’s legislative body. All major components of the student body are represented in the student senate. The SGA, which holds regular weekly meetings, is charged with promoting the standards of the College, unifying the student body, and representing the students to the faculty, administration and community. In cooperation with the Student Activities Office, the SGA allocates student activity fees to support such student-initiated programs as campus media, student publications, guest lecturers, dances, concerts, coffeehouses, fine arts performances, film series, and more than 80 clubs and organizations reflecting varied student interests. Student representatives are also selected to sit on the College’s Board of Trustees and on such College committees as Academic Policy, Academic Resources, Admissions and Scholarship, Curriculum, Faculty Issues and Planning. The Programs Board coordinates and promotes student-sponsored events on campus. The SGA president and vice president are invited to attend Board of Trustees and Alumni Council meetings as representatives of the student body.

Clubs & Organizations

A number of clubs and organizations have been formed over the years to meet the changing needs and interests of students. These groups apply for recognition to the SGA by submitting a constitution. The SGA also considers funding requests. The types of organizations which presently exist or have been recently represented include recreational groups, athletic clubs, political organizations, issue-based groups, cultural groups, religious groups, language clubs, academic organizations, community service organizations and discussion groups on social issues. In addition, class boards have been formed to plan special class functions and help create class unity and spirit.

Media & Publications

Student-produced publications include the campus newspaper, The Point News and the literary magazine, Avatar. In addition, students operate The HAWK Radio station which serves the College community and can be heard world-wide through the internet. Campus media offers students an opportunity to express their creativity and talent and provides valuable practical experience in support of their academic program or career interests. The quality and professionalism of these media are enhanced by staff advisers.

Diversity

St. Mary’s College of Maryland values diversity in all its forms and is committed to developing a campus environment that is conducive to the enhancement of multicultural diversity. Culturally different backgrounds enrich the liberal arts education, and St. Mary’s is dedicated to encouraging learning and development among its students through an appreciation of diverse cultures. The College provides services to familiarize students with support services, assists with the adjustment to the school’s academic and social environments, and introduces students to faculty, staff, and other students who are historically underrepresented. Diversity, Inclusion, and Education initiatives utilize programs that leverage the wealth of information gathered from the experiences of historically underrepresented populations to the College community. This exchange of information helps create an atmosphere of mutual respect and acceptance among students from different cultures. The program provides personal and academic support through counseling and workshops and also works with various offices to provide a welcoming environment.

International Student Support Services

St. Mary’s supports international students through a variety of offices on campus with primary leadership in the Office of International Education and Student Affairs.  The College assesses the needs of the international student population and coordinates programs and services to meet those unique needs, in such areas as pre-arrival preparation, arrival, orientation, acculturation and breaks. Staff members serve as a support for international students in their social, cultural and academic transition to the College. They also facilitate students’ learning about available support services. Identification of reoccurring gaps in students’ understanding about American higher education and issues they face helps us to improve baseline services or students’ knowledge of services that already exist. Staff members communicate concerns of international students to the campus community and consult with campus offices to insure that the appropriate services are available to or are considered for development for students from internationally diverse backgrounds. Staff members focus on coordinating logistics (e.g. transportation, break housing), and providing support for transition, adjustment and integration issues (including assistance with incoming international student orientation activities and developing integration training opportunities for student staff members).

Service & Social Change Program

St. Mary’s strongly encourages and supports opportunities for service as part of the College’s mission to inspire students to serve society. Hundreds of St. Mary’s students give back to the community while simultaneously enriching their own learning through work in the schools, with the underprivileged and for the environment. Beginning with new-student orientation, students can choose from many avenues that lead into the larger community. If they choose to continue involvement, students can volunteer throughout the year with any of the numerous student-run service projects and also blend service with learning through course-based service components, field experience, internships, or St. Mary’s Projects. The program is part of the Office of Student Activities. The coordinator of diversity initiatives and civic programs and student staff members advise and support most of the service projects and help match community needs with campus resources.

Theater & Film

The Department of Theater, Film, and Media Studies (TFMS) produce three major shows annually in the 200-seat Bruce Davis Theater, located in Montgomery Hall. Directed by theater faculty or guest artists, these productions encompass the widest possible range of theatrical forms, genres, periods, and experiment, and might include a Shakespeare, an American classic, a dance concert, or a musical. Students are involved in all aspects of production, from on-stage to back-stage work, and might assist in designing, directing or choreographing the major shows. Read more about the department’s production activities and opportunities for students on its website.In addition to its theater season, TFMS produces its annual film series. The TFMS Film Series brings to campus internationally acclaimed, award-winning filmmakers who screen and discuss their work, visit film production and film studies classes, and meet informally with students during their two-three day residencies at the College.

For more information about the film series, visit the TFMS website.

Music

Faculty-directed music groups provide excellent opportunities for students, including College Choir, Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. These groups present concerts on campus, in the community and have gone on concert tours. Membership in these organizations is based on private audition, and students may participate as a club activity or for applied music credit.

Religious Life & Holidays

Students at St. Mary’s College of Maryland may participate in religious groups of their choice. An Episcopal church adjoins the campus, a Roman Catholic parish lies within a mile, and a Jewish synagogue is nearby. These and other local congregations welcome student participation. On campus, students may form organizations around their religious interests and may secure meeting space as recognized student clubs.St. Mary’s students missing classes due to the observance of special religious holidays must inform faculty members in advance and make arrangements with them to make up missed work and assignments.

Athletics & Recreation

The St. Mary’s College athletics and recreation program is based on the belief that competitive and recreational sports are essential elements of a liberal arts education. Development of the total person through a broad variety of experiences is the overall aim. Involvement in athletics and physical activity is known to significantly complement academic life, particularly in a small-college environment.

Varsity Sports

Varsity sports at St. Mary’s are open to all full-time students at the College. There is ample opportunity not only for those with superior athletic abilities, but also for committed athletes who are willing to train hard and be coached to improve. The varsity program includes 17 sports: nine for women, seven for men and one coed. Fifteen of the varsity programs are regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) at the NCAA Division III level. Sailing (coed and women) is under the guidance of the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) and the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA). This means that the College does not award scholarships for athletic ability and that it competes for national and conference championships with similar institutions. The varsity teams are open to all students, and broad participation is strongly encouraged, but team members must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average and make satisfactory progress toward a degree.The College offers the following sports for intercollegiate competition:

For more information, please call 240- 895-HAWK (4295).

Intramurals

The recreational sports program aims to provide a broad range of athletic opportunities to meet the needs and interests of all members of the campus community. The recreational sports program promotes campus unity through healthy competition in a safe and enjoyable environment. Participants find that recreational sports activities provide physical, social and emotional benefits. The recreational sports program at St. Mary’s is dynamic and responds to the wants and needs of our faculty, staff and students. Student coordinators develop the program, select student officials and supervise each event. Listed below are some of the events that may be offered as part of the program during an academic year:

• Basketball
• Inner tube Water Polo
• Indoor Soccer
• Kickball
• Road Races
• Tennis
• 7-a-Side Soccer
• Flag Football
• Floor Hockey
• Volleyball
• Softball
• Capture the Flag
• Dodgeball

For more information, please email intramurals@smcm.edu.

Club Sports

Club sports are organized and funded by the Student Government Association, supervised by the Office of Student Activities, and coached mostly by students. They are typically at a level between varsity intercollegiate competition and intramurals. These clubs are open to all currently enrolled, full-time students. They usually compete against clubs at other colleges but have a less demanding schedule than the varsity teams. Currently, active club sports at St. Mary’s College are as follows:

• Rugby (men & women)
• Sculling
• Crew
• Softball
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Ultimate Frisbee (men & women)
• Soccer (men & women)

Student Services

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center is a link between the academic environment and life after St. Mary’s College. The office provides campus wide programming and guidance through individual advising.  Students and alumni can schedule appointments or come in during walk in hours for assistance with career exploration, job and/or internship search, resume and cover letter reviews, and interview practice. Students can also get assistance identifying and applying to on campus-jobs, networking with alumni, and graduate school applications. The Career Development Center staff is committed to helping students achieve their individual goals during and after life at St. Mary’s.

Additionally, the Career Development staff administers the credit-bearing internship program. For full details, please see the Academic Internships  section of the catalog.

The Wellness Center

The Wellness Center is staffed by a team of medical and mental health professionals to assist in addressing physical and mental health concerns. To provide the highest quality of care, the Wellness Center utilizes an integrated treatment approach. The multi‐disciplinary team of clinicians works collaboratively to optimize wellness through seamless prevention and intervention. The Wellness Center comprises Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Health Services. The Center is a resource for health and wellness education and information, providing resources and teaching skills that will assist students in making healthy lifestyle choices now and in the future. The Center supervises the Peer Health Educators (PHEs), a student group who assists with providing programs on a variety of topics and issues throughout the academic year including alcohol and drugs, sexuality, healthy relationships, smoking cessation and body image. Students interested in being involved in the program should contact the Wellness Center.

CAPS is staffed by licensed mental health professionals. Therapists assist students, at no cost, with academic, family, and personal concerns. The mental health staff helps students dealing with issues such as relationship concerns, stress, chronic mental health issues, depression, anxiety, homesickness, and grief and loss. Psychological assessment, psychiatric care, and ongoing individual, couples, and group therapy are available through CAPS. All services follow the ethical guidelines of the American Counseling Association. If a student requires specialized treatment that falls outside the scope of practice, they will be appropriately referred with the support of a case manager. 

Health Services is staffed by licensed healthcare professionals. Clinicians offer students, at no cost, limited outpatient medical care for the treatment of stable chronic conditions, acute illnesses and injuries, and reproductive healthcare. All services follow the evidence-based guidelines of the American College Health Association. Appointments are available Monday through Friday. Emergency and after-hours care is provided through local urgent-care clinics and area hospitals. Students are strongly advised to carry an individual health insurance policy for laboratory, x-ray, emergency services and hospitalization, none of which are covered by student fees. The College does not endorse or sponsor any health insurance plan. All residential students must submit proof of immunizations required by the State of Maryland before they can move onto campus. Forms required to access medical care are available on the Wellness Center website at www.smcm.edu/Wellness/

Public Safety

The Office of Public Safety has the responsibility of providing safety and security for persons and property within the College. The staff provides this and other services to the campus community 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Some of the services provided include crime prevention, criminal investigation, temporary and visitor parking permits, and property registration. The office is also a prime source of information about the campus and the surrounding community. All student-owned and -operated motor vehicles must be properly registered with the College before parking in any College-regulated lot. Vehicle registration permits may be purchased through your student Portal and picked up at the Office of Public Safety. All visitors must register at the Office of Public Safety and obtain a temporary parking permit.

Office of  Student Support Success

The Office of Student Support Success (OS3) connects students to the activities, people, programs, resources, and services that will help them be successful and persist to graduation. Working closely with the faculty, staff, and students, the staff in OS3 bridge Academic Affairs and Student Affairs and are knowledgeable of many aspects of college life.  Call this office (240-895-4388) if you want or need academic skills workshops, accommodations associated with ADA, academic advising or wish to change your academic advisor, one-on-one coaching, tutoring, assistance dealing with personal problems, help getting off of Academic Probation, have questions about academic policies, need to take a leave of absence or withdrawal from the College, you are not sure where to go to get a question answered, or to find out what academic and/or non-academic support services are available.

Regulations

Alcohol and Drugs

Only students who are of legal drinking age (21) are allowed to possess or consume alcoholic beverages. The campus alcohol policy outlines regulations concerning private alcohol consumption and exceptions for being served at on-campus events and establishments. Other drugs are strictly prohibited from the campus. For more information, please see the online student handbook, To the Point.

ID Cards

All students are issued College ID cards and are required to carry them at all times. They are also required to provide them to College officials, including Residence Life student staff, upon request. Students are not permitted to let others use their ID card for any purpose. Lost ID cards should be deactivated online through the portal. Deactivating an ID card prevents unauthorized electronic use of that card. A card may be reactivated through this same web site. In the event that a card is stolen, Public Safety should be notified. Lost ID cards can be replaced, for a fee, at the IT Support Center in Baltimore Hall.

Suspension

St. Mary’s College reserves the right, at any time, to suspend for any period, or separate from the College, any student whose academic performance or personal conduct, on or off the campus, is, in the sole judgment of the College, unsatisfactory or detrimental to the best interests of the College. Neither the College nor any of its trustees, officers, faculty or administrative staff shall be subject to any liability whatsoever on account of such suspension or separation. Please refer to the student handbook, To the Point, for more information.

General Rules and Regulations

The president of the College, acting as the agent of the Board of Trustees, must bear ultimate responsibility for governing the College community. In the areas of student life, the dean of students has been authorized to exercise the responsibility of governance. In practice and by intention, students rightly enjoy a large measure of responsibility in the regulation of their concerns, particularly in the residences. Specific rules affecting students are outlined in the student handbook, To the Point, and also on the College’s website.

Student Email

Every student who is enrolled for credit classes at St. Mary’s College of Maryland is issued a student email account, which is the official means of communication from offices such as the Office of the Registrar, Office of Academic Services, Office of Student Conduct, Office of Residence Life and the Office of Student Activities. Email will also be used to notify students of certain emergencies, pending conduct action and school closings due to inclement weather. Most faculty and staff rely on email to communicate with students. It is the responsibility of each student to maintain and check their College email account regularly. Students are accountable to know information disseminated through the email account. Failure to read College communications sent to the email account does not absolve the student from knowing and complying with the content of these communications.