College of Arts and Science Academic Catalog 2008-2009
Student Life
HONOR SYSTEM
The Honor System is the mature and deeply cherished moral code of personal integrity at the University of Mary Washington under which students have lived since 1944. It provides that a student shall act honorably in all facets of campus life. Lying, cheating, stealing, or breaking one’s word of honor are considered infringements of the system, and the penalty for violation, as determined by the Honor Council, may be dismissal from the University. The Honor Council controls all operational aspects of the system with oversight by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
All students must understand that by accepting admission to Mary Washington they make a commitment to the provisions of the Honor Code. Upon entering the University for the first time, every student is given a copy of the complete Honor Code and is expected to become familiar with its provisions. Honor System training is provided to all new students before they are asked to indicate that they understand what is expected of them and comprehend that a plea of ignorance will not be accepted by the Honor Council. Registration as a student at Mary Washington obliges a student to abide by the Honor Constitution.
MULTICULTURAL STUDENT AFFAIRS
The University of Mary Washington continually and actively seeks a rich blend of cultural and racial diversity in its faculty and staff, students, curriculum, and activities. The James Farmer Multicultural Center, named after the prominent civil rights leader who taught at the University of Mary Washington, specifically focuses on the academic and social well-being of underrepresented students through programming, mentoring, and leadership opportunities. The Center also offers a wide variety of cultural programming including the highly respected Cultural Awareness Series which spans the academic year. The series culminates with the Multicultural Fair which attracts regional attendance.
While diversity is a goal for all University organizations, several specific interest groups on campus assist in promoting diversity within the University community and offer programs and resources that foster an awareness and understanding of racial and cultural differences including the Asian Student Association, the Black Student Alliance, Brothers of a New Direction, the Latino Student Association, Islamic Student Association, Jewish Student Association, S.E.E.D. (Students Educating and Empowering for Diversity), PRISM (People Representing Individuals of Sexual Minorities), and Women of Color. Through these many efforts the University strives to achieve greater diversity in its population and a full measure of respect for, and appreciation of, the cultural traditions of all groups.
RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING
Sixteen residence halls and an apartment complex offer students a wide variety of on-campus housing. Each residence hall is staffed with an upper-class student building supervisor and a staff of resident assistants trained to assist with University life and to provide educational and social programming. Each building is overseen by a master’s level assistant director of residence life. Residential students participate in Self-Determination by Community Standards which allows them to establish behavioral guidelines for their hall community and to hold one another accountable for upholding those guidelines. Upper-class students have the option to create their own communities through the “Theme Housing” program. First-year students have a variety of opportunities, including living/learning communities, First-Year Experience (FYE) leadership program, and substance-free rooms/suites.
HEALTH CENTER
The Student Health Center offers full-time residential students a self-care center and outpatient medical services Monday through Friday. A full-time physician, nurse practitioner, and registered nurses, as well as access to local area specialists, give students a comprehensive medical resource. Commuting students can access these services by paying a fee each semester.
COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CENTER (CAPS)
The CAPS Center supports students’ personal growth and academic achievement through outreach and clinical intervention when student concerns interfere with academic, social and personal functioning. The CAPS staff, licensed clinical psychologists, provides wellness-oriented educational programs, crisis intervention, and both group and brief individual counseling to full time, degree-seeking students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences. Consultation services are available to all University students, faculty, and staff. All services are confidential and free of charge. Student concerns vary considerably and may range from typical developmental issues, including University adjustment, relationship concerns, and stress management to problems with depression, anxiety disorders, bereavement, and sexual assault.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Internal governance for student life is provided by the Student Government Association. Its executive officers and the members of the Student Senate are elected each year. They, in turn, appoint students to serve on a variety of student committees and on nearly all faculty and administrative committees at the University. A second elected group, Class Council, is responsible for social programming and many of the University’s traditional events. The Honor Council, with elected representatives from each class, presides over the Honor System.
STUDENT CENTER
Woodard Campus Center is a focus of daily student life at the University. The recreation/lounge area with pool tables, air hockey, and internet stations, along with the post office and student mailboxes, EagleOne ID card center, the Eagle’s Nest food court, and commuting student lockers generate a constant flow of students. During the renovation of Lee Hall, the James Farmer Multicultural Center is housed in the Tan Lounge. Meetings, speakers, and receptions are regularly scheduled in the meeting rooms and lounges. National touring acts, musicians, and other entertainers perform in both the intimate setting of the Eagle’s Nest and in the Great Hall.
CAMPUS RECREATION AND FITNESS CENTER
Students enjoy a comprehensive recreation program with something for everyone. Intramural sports and events range widely from basketball leagues and flag football to retro events like dodgeball and kickball and special events in innertube water polo, softball, and bowling. The Eagle sport club program offers opportunities for intercollegiate competition in many sports including baseball, basketball, boxing, fencing, ultimate Frisbee, golf, rugby, soccer, synchronized swimming and tennis. Group fitness classes and a Wellness Resource Center are housed in the state-of-the-art Fitness Center along with cardiovascular, free weight and circuit equipment.
CLUBS
Through the Inter-Club Association, the Student Government Association recognizes over 90 social, cultural, political, religious, and other special interest clubs and organizations which offer a wide range of activities throughout the year. Also, students find it easy to start new groups. In addition, most academic departments support interest clubs or honorary societies.
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND BROADCASTING
Student-run campus publications and radio provide outlets for students to share their thoughts and talents. The University has a weekly newspaper, The Bullet; a yearbook, The Battlefield; a literary magazine, Aubade; an opinion journal, Polemic; and a campus radio station, WMWC.
SERVICE LEARNING/COMMUNITY SERVICE
Service learning has become an integral part of the University of Mary Washington experience and is utilized in a number of academic classes. Service projects with various local agencies offer opportunities to learn about individual and cultural differences while serving the community. Students are able to select one-time special events or on-going volunteer opportunities during their tenure.
BOOKSTORE
The University Bookstore sells both new and used textbooks supporting the academic program at UMW. It also carries related instructional materials, computer software available at academic discounts, computer and office supplies, clothing, and gifts. The Bookstore carries current novels, classics, and recommended outside reading. A textbook reservation program is offered for first-semester freshmen and transfer students. Textbooks may also be ordered online through the Bookstore website: www.umw.edu/bookstore.
UNIVERSITY POLICE
The University Police offer around-the-clock law enforcement and security for the campus. They employ a community policing philosophy that includes outreach efforts to the University and local community. The 13 full-time sworn officers are certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to enforce state and local laws and ordinances as well as University rules and regulations.
JUDICIAL AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
The Office of Judicial Affairs and Community Responsibility educates students about conduct issues within the University community, and holds them accountable, through disciplinary procedures, for conduct that might disrupt their learning or the learning of those around them. Educational programs about alcohol, sexual assault, mediation, ethics, and the judicial process in general are available through the Office. The Office supports, upholds, and complements the Statement of Community Values and the University’s overarching academic mission.
ATHLETICS
The University has 23 men’s and women’s NCAA Division III teams for intercollegiate competition. Men’s intercollegiate teams compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, tennis, swimming, and indoor and outdoor track and field. Women’s intercollegiate teams compete in basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and indoor and outdoor track and field. Men and women compete together in riding. UMW competes in the nine-member Capital Athletic Conference (CAC). In 2006-07, UMW captured six conference championships, six players were named CAC Athletes of the Year, five coaches were named CAC Coach of the Year, UMW has won 11 CAC All-Sports Awards since 1991, and 16 Eagle athletes achieved All-American status in 2006-07. Over 49 percent of all athletes achieved a 3.0 or better grade-point average, and eight athletes were named Academic All-Americans.
The Goolrick physical education building provides a basketball gymnasium, dance studios, an intercollegiate swimming pool with electronic touch time system, an auxiliary gymnasium, an 8,000-square-foot weight training room, a handball-racquetball court, three competitive volleyball courts, two indoor batting cages, and two athletic training rooms. A very modern 15,000 sq. ft. fitness center is also connected to Goolrick and is open seven days per week. A six-court indoor tennis center is a great resource for student athletes and the campus community. State-of-the-art outdoor facilities include fields for baseball, soccer, lacrosse, softball, and field hockey; cross country courses and a running trail; 12 lighted tennis courts; and an eight-lane, 400-meter Rubaturf all-weather track.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Additional information on Student Life will be found in the University of Mary Washington Student Handbook, published annually and available to all students electronically or in hard copy.