Saint Mary’s College offers students outstanding programs and services. As a women’s college and as a Christian community, Saint Mary’s offers women unique opportunities for leadership and individual growth and development. As a part of the Saint Mary’s–Notre Dame community, the College also offers women the advantages of a co-educational environment.
Student Affairs provides a holistic approach in supporting students outside of the classroom. The various departments and staff members are committed to assisting students with their well-being, growth and development throughout their educational journey. Departments in the Division of Student Affairs includes:
Saint Mary’s student-athletes are powerful in the classroom and on the playing fields. As a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Saint Mary’s competes in eight NCAA Division III sports. These sports are volleyball, soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, cross country, softball and lacrosse.
In addition to our varsity athletic programs, students can also join the cheerleading squad and club sports teams. The Angela Athletic and Wellness Center provides fitness, recreational, and lounge space.
Health and Counseling supports the educational mission of the college by providing high quality care in an accessible, safe, secure, and confidential environment. The staff is committed to assisting students in their acquisition of knowledge, skill, and behaviors necessary to become self-directed health advocates. Students are encouraged to participate actively in their own health maintenance and to make informed choices regarding their care.
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 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.
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.
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 full of various viewpoints, goals, and styles prepares students for future relationships, diverse careers, and living in a dynamic global society.
As a women’s, private, Catholic, residential, undergraduate college, Saint Mary’s College requires all students to reside in college-owned housing (including housing provided during study-abroad programs) for six (6) semesters, unless the student meets one of the exceptions.
Students may request an exemption by completing the online Residency Exemption Request form. Students can contact the Residence Life Department at reslife@saintmarys.edu to request the form. The online form must be completed at least 30 days prior to the 1st day of classes of the requested semester. Decisions will be communicated with students in a timely manner. All students will be billed for room and board as a residential student until an approved exception is on file.
Any student seeking a housing accommodation can contact the Office of Disability Resources for assistance with this process.
There are five residence halls on Saint Mary’s campus housing six residential areas:
Each traditional residence hall is staffed by a professional residence hall director and a number of student staff, including resident assistants, ministry assistants, and desk workers. The front desks of each hall are staffed 24 hours a day. Access to the buildings is limited after 5 p.m.
The residential environment supports and enhances the formal educational experience while teaching valuable life skills. The department works cooperatively with the Residence Hall Association (RHA) to provide programming and leadership in the residence halls. RHA is a student organization committed to promoting interaction among residential students, citizenship through self-governance and self-development of individuals. The organization provides several leadership opportunities as well as social and educational events, including the annual Little Sibs weekend.
Each residential section is assigned a resident advisor (RA) who is available to assist with the transition to college and community living. RAs receive training and skill development in many areas including communication and mediation, emergency assistance, and serve as a resource for students as well as a liaison to various College departments. Students interested in serving as resident advisors may look for information towards the end of the Fall semester.
Residence Life maintains all housing records and assists students with housing concerns such as room changes and roommate mediation.
All students living on campus are required to have a full meal plan. A student seeking a meal plan accommodation can contact reslife@saintmarys.edu and they will be directed to the appropriate staff personnel.
Saint Mary's College is committed to maintaining a safe and productive learning environment. To accomplish this goal, the College has developed a Code of Student Conduct that reflects the values and standards of the community. Saint Mary's philosophy of discipline is one of education. While there are consequences for violations of the community standards of behavior, our goal is to help students grow and learn from their mistakes. In those instances where violations of behavioral standards do occur, Saint Mary's College has developed policies and procedures to protect the rights of members of the College community, individually and collectively.
The Office of Retention Strategies is committed to the success of first- and second-year undergraduate students as they navigate the transition to Saint Mary’s. This will be achieved by employing a mix of one-to-one student contact, program development and review of existing policies and procedures.
In order to better understand reasons for attrition and identify trends across years and populations, the Office of Retention Strategies will utilize data collected through institutional and national research. This data will inform the continued work of the executive director, as well as collaborations between departments and offices that directly serve students. In addition, the Office of Retention Strategies strives to bring to light social, emotional and academic needs of our students, and to build upon the existing cross-divisional relationships that serve as resources and support to students at risk of attrition.
The College’s mission and core values of Learning, Community, Faith/Spirituality and Justice guide the work of the Office of Retention Strategies. In addition, the work of the Office supports and finds inspiration in Revere and Revise: Saint Mary’s College 2030 Strategic Plan.
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:
The Office of Multicultural Services provides a wide variety of services and programs related to cultural diversity and support. Some of those programs and services include:
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 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.
Many students serve as faith leaders on campus as Campus Ministry Interns and Ministry Assistants. These student ministers serve their fellow students by accompanying them in faith, leading them in prayer, and learning and witnessing what it means to be a woman of faith.
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 women 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) exists for the benefit of Saint Mary’s College students, faculty, and staff. Our purpose is to help each and every person fulfill the College’s mission to “make a difference in the world,” by helping them connect with the community.
The office offers opportunities to engage with the community through service commitments, one-time volunteer projects, community-based learning resources, and other events. On occasion the OCSE also sponsors opportunities on campus that deepen students’ understanding of the “complex needs of contemporary life.”
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