Campus Life

Division of Student Affairs

The staff in the Division of Student Affairs provides opportunities for growth and development in a wide range of areas. The departments in Student Affairs include: Belles Against Violence (BAVO), Residence Life, Health & Counseling, Student Involvement, Multicultural Services, College Safety, and Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation.

A key objective of the Division of Student Affairs is to provide a variety of programs and services that help students clarify personal goals, crystallize career and life-style needs, and develop the tools for effective and independent decision making.

Belles Against Violence

The Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO) works to cultivate a culture free from violence through education, training, support, and advocacy.  BAVO engages the Saint Mary’s community to prevent and respond to sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking. For more information go to www.saintmarys.edu/bavo.

Campus Safety

The Campus Safety Department provides around-the-clock services to the entire community with the goal of providing as safe and secure an environment as possible.  These services include:

  • 24/7 patrol of campus grounds
  • Emergency incident response and investigation
  • Escort services during the hours of darkness
  • Remote monitoring of access control, video systems and fire protection.
  • Motorist Assistance and Traffic and Parking Management

Health and Counseling

Health and Counseling supports the educational mission of the College by providing high quality care in an accessible, safe and confidential setting. The staff is committed to assisting all students in their acquisition of knowledge, skill and the behaviors necessary to become self-directed health advocates. Health and Counseling is open to all students enrolled at Saint Mary’s College. For more information about counseling and health services please go to www.saintmarys.edu/health.

Department of Athletics and Recreation

Saint Mary’s students and student-athletes have an array of opportunities to develop themselves fully in mind and body. A member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Saint Mary’s competes in eight NCAA Division III sports: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

The Department of Athletics and Recreation promotes health and wellness for all members of the community. All students have access to Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex and its amenities, which includes strength and fitness equipment, exercise space, and lounge areas. Additionally, the department supports fitness opportunities through intramurals, club sports, physical education classes, and the Kristine Anderson Trustey Wellness Program.

Residence Life

The Department of Residence Life strives to create a cooperative residential community and a comfortable living environment based on mutual respect and involvement. Saint Mary’s College believes that living on campus gives students the opportunity to be fully engaged in academic and student life and to exercise adult freedoms responsibly with professional and peer support. A diverse community of various viewpoints, goals, and styles prepares students for future relationships, diverse careers, and living in a dynamic global society.

Residence Halls

Graduate students are not required to live on campus but may choose to do so. There is limited graduate student housing available and female graduate students in campus based programs wishing to live on campus will be housed in Regina Hall on the 5th floor. 

Each residence hall has the following amenities:
  • social and reflective gathering and study space;
  • computer clusters;
  • laundry facilities;
  • full kitchens with microwaves;
  • a vending area.

For more information on Graduate Housing please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduateadmission@saintmarys.edu. Please note that Graduate Student Housing is overseen by the Office of Graduate Studies and Admissions. 

Student Involvement

The Office of Student Involvement helps students explore their leadership potential by creating a strong foundation of ethical behavior with an overall awareness of social justice and global issues. Involvement in co-curricular activities provides the opportunity for students to apply skills learned in the classroom.

In addition to promoting and encouraging the development of leadership skills, the office supports the needs of traditionally underrepresented students. The office provides services that address the needs of underrepresented students as well as promote educational opportunities for the entire campus community.

The office provides a wide range of diverse and inclusive leadership opportunities that include:

  • College governance through a comprehensive student government association, residence hall association, and membership on college-wide committees;
  • Clubs and organizations provide the opportunity to fulfill the social, cultural, academic, political, spiritual, and recreational interests of students;
  • Student publications, such as Chimes, the student literary magazine which reflects the artistic life of its contributors; The Avenue, an independent literary journal designed to allow the expression of student thought and concern; The Blue Mantle, the student published yearbook; and The Observer, the daily newspaper published for and by the Saint Mary’s and Notre Dame student community;
  • National leadership and academic conferences, where Saint Mary’s student leaders enjoy a broad sphere of influence at the state, regional, and national level serving as board members on steering committees, presenting at leadership and academic conferences, and hosting regional and state conferences;
  • Ad hoc initiatives, such as campus committees and task forces that provide students, faculty, and student development professionals the opportunity to work together to address real problems and issues on campus, forge working partnerships, and model a new concept of leadership.

Multicultural and International Student Services

The office of Multicultural and International Student Services provides a wide variety of services and programs related to cultural diversity, immigration services and support. Some of those programs and services include:

  • the Belles Connect program (an orientation program for under-represented and first generation first year students),
  • advising student affinity groups, and
  • providing support for the Student Diversity Board.

Office of Graduate Studies

In addition to the services offered to all students on campus, the Office of Graduate Studies provides additional support and social services for graduate students on campus. 

Resident Services 

The Office of Graduate Studies oversees the 5th Floor of Regina North, where the Graduate Students reside. Room assignments are handled through the Office of Graduate Studies, and the RA is a current graduate student. The Office of Graduate Studies works closely with the Hall Director and Campus Safety to ensure the 5th Floor has sufficient oversight while allowing graduate students appropriate privileges reflecting their advanced academic status. 

Graduate Student Association

The Graduate Student Association is a club on campus that both represents student interests and also works with the Office of Graduate Studies to put on student events. 

Student/Faculty Mentorship Program

The Student/Faculty mentorship program is part of an initiative by the Office of Graduate studies to expand student life services for graduate students. Students who are interested are paired with faculty members outside their program departments who may offer some guidance or support regarding student life experiences that are underrepresented on campus. 

Division for Mission

The Division for Mission fosters the integration of the Gospel, the riches of the Catholic tradition, and the heritage of the Sisters of the Holy Cross into the life of the College community; serves the College community by enlivening the hearts and minds of its members to respond to the Gospel call to community, prayer, and service. The Division for Mission is comprised of Campus Ministry, the Center for Spirituality, and the Office for Civic and Social Engagement (OSCE).

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry fosters the call to community where freedom and fullness of life is celebrated through word, sacrament, service, and action for justice. Contributing to the liberal arts tradition, Campus Ministry has a particular responsibility to encourage students to grow in both intellectual and experiential knowledge of their faith and to assume leadership roles within the Church and society.

Campus Ministry offers regular celebrations of Eucharist and Reconciliation and oppor­tunities for communal prayer. These prayer opportunities are ecumenical and often include student presiding and preaching. The community also gathers to pray before Christ during Solemn Exposition of the Eucharist. The department offers catechesis and formation for students interested in baptism or for those students baptized in other Christian denominations who would like to become Catholic. Every year students who request it are prepared for Confirmation. Students engage in other forms of reflection and formation through liturgical ministry formation, bible study, retreats and individual spiritual guidance. Campus Ministry offers the chance for interested students to experience pilgrimage to places where the Sisters of the Holy Cross serve outside the United States. An active Catholic Relief Services group engages students to work for global justice.

The Center for Spirituality (CFS)

Founded in 1984 with generous support from the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the Center for Spirituality offers programs that promote the engagement between faith and reason and the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Spirituality at the Center is discussed as an academic discipline and as a way of life and includes individual and social dimensions of spirituality. Programming draws on intellectual resources in the Catholic and Christian heritage as well as how individuals practice faith in their daily lives to develop critical conversations around contemporary religious issues, especially as they relate to women’s experience. Opportunities for students include: annual fall and spring lecture series on designated themes; the Madeleva Lecture given annually by a prestigious female scholar of religion; and the Real Life Project seminar in vocation, inviting students in small groups to discuss the ways in which faith intersects with their future careers and life callings

The Office for Civic a­nd Social Engagement (OCSE)

The Office for Civic and Social Engagement is the campus organization which facilitates engagement in the community. This includes volunteer service, service-learning and experiential learning. Rooted in a commitment to social responsibility, the Office provides opportunities to become actively involved in local organizations and community based projects and events. The OCSE is also home to the College Academy of Tutoring Program (CAT) which partners college students as tutors to local Title 1 public schools. Through all of its programs, the office encourages all constituents of the College to be engaged in faithful and compassionate outreach to those in need and facilitates reflection on the impact and challenge of service.