Catalog
Campus Life
Students at Washington College become members of a campus community rich with intellectual, artistic, musical, athletic, and social opportunities. Here, students have the chance to discover who they are, what their interests are, and where their talents lie. They have the chance to interact with one another and with faculty and staff members both in and out of the classroom—whether they work together on a research project, perform together on stage, meet for an afternoon kayaking excursion on the Chester River, cheer side-by-side for the basketball team, or practice German while having lunch in Hodson Hall Commons.
Students will benefit most from their college experience if they become involved with some of the many groups and organizations that make up the Washington College community. It is the students, and their efforts to improve and enrich their community, that make Washington College such a special place.
Student Activities and the Student Center
Hodson Hall Commons Student Center is the heart of student activity on campus. Whether students are looking for a comfortable place to relax between classes, a competitive game of ping-pong or Guitar Hero, a fun night of karaoke or a meeting place for their club or organization, they can find it in the Student Center. The Student Center features a popular game room, the Center Stage (known more informally as "The Egg" because of its shape), the Office of Student Activities, the Student Government Association Office and the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership.
Student clubs and student leaders also find a home in the Student Center. Located near the Office of Student Activities and the Student Government Association Office, the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership provides student organizations and student leaders with the resources needed to plan activities and meetings. It even offers tools and supplies to craft eye-catching promotional flyers and banners. At Washington College, the Student Center has something for everyone!
Office of Student Activities and Student Events Board: Staff and students in the Office of Student Activities and the Student Events Board plan most of the major student events, with students taking the lead in selecting what is offered. The Student Events Board is known for the variety of events it sponsors and for its success in creating a vibrant and interesting campus social life. Open mic nights, an "Iron Chef" competition, dance parties, and nationally recognized comedians and bands are just a few of the social events that the Student Events Board sponsors on campus every year.
Lecture Series: The caliber of the lecturers and artists invited each year to Washington College is impressive. Speakers and performers have included former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara; presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin; U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser; celebrated author Neil Gaiman; Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Patty Griffin; and noted art historian Linda Nochlin. Their visits were sponsored by a variety of organizations, including the Daniel Z. Gibson-John A. Wagner Visitors Fund, the Harwood Program in American Journalism, and the Sophie Kerr Committee. Individual departments and various organizations also sponsor speakers and programs.
Concert Series: Students with a special love of the performing arts can enjoy distinguished performances. The Washington College Concert Series, now in its fifth decade, annually sponsors a variety of professional performances by such groups as the Brentano String Quartet and Inna Faliks, pianist.
Film Series: For the viewing pleasure of students, faculty, and community members, the College's Film Series offers a selection of critically-acclaimed films.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Some student clubs have been around for years, while others come and go depending on the interests of students enrolled at the time. At Washington College it is easy to launch a new organization and the nearly 100 student organizations are proof. Below is a sampling of organizations active in the last few years.
- Active Minds (mental health advocacy)
- American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Chapter (Chemistry Club)
- Amnesty International
- Anthropology Club
- Art History Club
- Black Student Union
- Campus Christian Fellowship
- Catholic Campus Ministry
- Cleopatra's Sisters
- Coalition for Peace and Social Justice
- College Democrats
- College Republicans
- Computer Club
- Dance Club
- Equestrian Club
- EROS: Encouraging Respect of Sexuality
- Habitat for Humanity
- Hillel (Jewish Student Organization)
- International Relations Club
- Language Clubs: French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese
- Model United Nations
- Musicians' Union
- Philosophy Club
- Photography Club
- Psychology Club
- Service Council
- Skeet and Trap Shooting Club
- SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise)
- Student Environmental Alliance
- WAC Broadcasting
- Waterski and Wakeboard Club
- Wilderness Adventure Club
- Writer's Theatre
- Writers' Union
Student Publications: The Washington College Elm is the College's weekly student newspaper. The Pegasus is the College yearbook. The Washington College Review (WCR) is a literary review that presents original writing. The Collegian is a bimonthly features magazine. The International Studies Review is an annual student journal featuring articles that contribute to the body of knowledge in international relations and related disciplines, provide fresh insight into the complexities of world affairs, and introduce readers to areas of the world they themselves have not yet explored. All student publications are assisted by a board of publications composed of faculty advisors, administrative advisors, and the publications' editors.
Student Government and Representation
Undergraduate members of the Washington College student body taking at least eight credits are members of the Student Government Association (SGA). There are three branches of the SGA. The legislative arm is the Student Senate, an elected group of students representing their classes and residential areas. The Senate shares in the work of establishing College regulations and standards of conduct and provides funding to support student clubs and extracurricular activities.
The executive branch consists of a President, Vice President, and Financial Controller who are elected by the entire student body each spring. They appoint an executive board to lead initiatives, support legislative committees, and address general student concerns. The Review Board of the SGA consists of the President, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Speaker of the Senate, and the Honor Board Chair.
The Honor Board exists to address both academic and social student misconduct, a responsibility shared with the faculty and with the College administration. The Review Board appoints a student Honor Board Chair and nine students who serve on the Honor Board; a faculty committee appoints faculty members serving on the Honor Board.
The Student Academic Board (SAB) is a joint effort between faculty and students to consider all matters concerning curriculum, faculty, and teaching.
Students are represented on the following College committees: Academic Resources, Academic Standing and Advising, Academic Technology, Admissions and Financial Aid, Campus Events, Curriculum, Grievance, Honor Board, Planning, Review Board for Research with Human Subjects, and Student Life. In addition, the president of the SGA represents the student body at meetings of the Board of Visitors and Governors. The SGA secretary of academics represents the student body at faculty meetings; the editor of the Washington College Elm is also invited to faculty meetings and the College's governing board meetings.
Office of Student Development
Washington College assists students in developing a variety of leadership and interpersonal skills as they negotiate the opportunities and challenges of college life. With this in mind, the Office of Student Development sponsors workshops, speakers, and other programs on a variety of topics including: leadership, alcohol and drug education and training, public speaking, conflict resolution, team/organization building, and others. Additionally, the Office of Student Development oversees Community Service and Greek Life and coordinates programs regarding sexual assault prevention and response.
Community Service: Contributing to the welfare of one's community, nation, and world through service is an important part of the Washington College tradition. Opportunities for service learning beyond the classroom are varied and include:
- Adopt-A-Bear
- Amnesty International
- Best Buddies
- Books for a Better World
- Chester River Association
- Chestertown Volunteer Fire Dept.
- Delmarva Blood Bank
- Ducks Unlimited
- For All Seasons, Inc.
- Habitat for Humanity
- Hands Out
- Homeports (elderly assistance program)
- Eastern Shore Hospice
- Kent County Humane Society
- Nothing but Nets Foundation
- Sassafras River Association
- Student Environmental Alliance
- Students Helping Honduras
- Students for Social Awareness
- Tanzania Outreach
- WC Service Council
- Women in Need Alley Teen Center
Fraternity/Sorority Community: Roughly twenty percent of the students at Washington College belong to a fraternity or sorority. Men may pledge one of four national Greek-letter organizations: Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, and Theta Chi. The women's national sororities are Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, and Zeta Tau Alpha.
The Interfraternity Council regulates and supervises recruitment and orientation of new members and ensures cooperation between various fraternities in social and philanthropic endeavors. The Panhellenic Council serves similar purposes for the sororities; both groups work closely with the College administration. The President's Council works with the Director of Student Development and serves as the Greek governing body to set and uphold community standards as well as maintain the true spirit of the Washington College Greek community.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Programming: the Office of Student Development, working in conjunction with student and campus leaders, educates students about the importance of making informed and responsible decisions related to alcohol and other drugs and offers programming on a range of student wellness issues. The office brings speakers to campus to address issues of substance use and abuse known to be prevalent among college students nationwide. An important educational strategy occurs prior to a student's arrival on campus. Before arriving for Orientation, every first-year student is required to complete AlcoholEdu for College, an online alcohol education program. Used at more than 350 campuses nationwide, the course educates students about the effects of alcohol, encourages the development of responsible decision-making and provides information about effective strategies to deal with peers on matters of alcohol and other drug use. AlcoholEdu also includes a mid-semester evaluation to gauge its effectiveness with students over time. Consistent with the College's work to combat student misuse of alcohol and other drugs, parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in AlcoholEdu by reviewing a shorter version designed with parents in mind.
Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs serves as the principal office promoting cultural awareness and social justice programs for the Washington College community. In collaboration with student organizations and academic departments, the office works with faculty, staff, and students to engage in dialogue on social justice issues domestically and globally. The office serves as a support system for students from historically under-represented populations in the areas of academics, personal development and career development.
Recreational Sports and Activities
The focus of the Recreational Department is not only on intramural competition, but also includes leisure activities that promote the surrounding environment of Washington College. The Recreation Department's goal is to create exciting and enjoyable activities emphasizing and educating Washington College students on the idea of living a healthy lifestyle. Lifetime wellness is the essential component of the Recreation Department's philosophy, and the only way to obtain lifetime wellness is through the motivation and practical application by each student.
Intramural activities promote friendly competition among friends and allow students an escape from the continual classroom stressors. Intramurals have included flag football, tennis, basketball, soccer, volleyball, racquetball, dodge ball, floor hockey, and kickball among others. The recreational fitness class arena offers a variety of free fitness classes with top notch instructors in their profession. Students can enjoy aerobics, Pilates, yoga, Zumba, meditation and several other classes that will challenge the mind, body, and soul.
The Washington College Club Sports program, under the auspices of the Recreational Sports Program, promotes student participation in a variety of physical and athletic activities and gives students opportunities to engage in the sport of their choice at various skill levels. The emphasis of this program is on student leadership and involvement. The Club Sports Program provides non-varsity competition in several sports, including: Equestrian, Trap and Skeet Shooting, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Rugby, Men's Rugby, and, Water Polo. The Recreational Sports Program provides non-varsity level competition in the following areas: Aerobic Exercise, Equestrian Club, Mix Martial Arts Club, Men's Lacrosse Club, Men's Rugby Club, Women's Rugby Club, Water ski and Wakeboard Club, Skeet and Trap Club, Wilderness and Adventure Club, and the Running Club.
With the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay so close to campus, recreational boating and fishing are favorite options for Washington College students. The College's Boating Park on the Chester River provides opportunities for a variety of water sports, including kayaking, canoeing, sailing, crabbing, fishing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and tubing. The Recreational Department also provides seasonal opportunities for students to get away from the college setting and enjoy the outdoors. Seasonal trips include whitewater rafting, winter skiing, camping, rock climbing, cycling, and sport clay shooting among others. Please visit http://studentlife.washcoll.edu/recreation/ for more information regarding campus recreation and the Benjamin A. Johnson Lifetime Fitness Center.
Intercollegiate Athletics
Washington College has a strong athletic tradition and is committed to providing a first-class athletic experience for its students at both varsity and non-varsity levels of competition. Approximately 25% of our students engage in intercollegiate athletics. The College is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Division III), and the Centennial Conference. The Centennial Conference, formed in 1993, comprises national liberal arts colleges and universities in the region that share similar academic aspirations and a commitment to the importance of the total educational experience of students engaged in sports. All eleven member institutions are more than one hundred years old and are Division III members of the NCAA. The College is also a member of the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC) as well as the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) and the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA).
Under the auspices of these recognized bodies, there is intercollegiate competition in baseball, basketball, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming, and tennis for men; and basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball for women. The intercollegiate sailing program is coed. Men's lacrosse is arguably Washington's highest-profile sport, with 30 appearances in post-season play and a national championship title in 1998. The men's tennis program is highly successful as well, having captured two national titles in four years—1994 and 1997—and remaining undefeated in conference play from 1986-2005. For decades, varsity rowing has been an integral part of the College's athletic program, with a number of medals at prestigious regattas such as the Dad Vail. The women's rowing team received berths to the NCAA Division III Championships in 2008 and 2009. Varsity sailing has also emerged as an elite program with its first ICSA National Championship appearance in 2009.
The College encourages all students to participate in some type of physical activity, and the Benjamin A. Johnson Lifetime Fitness Center makes that prospect quite appealing. The indoor practice area, the strength and conditioning room, the dance studio, the jogging track, and racquetball and squash courts draw both students as well as student/athletes who are interested in maintaining physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium, Kibler Field and Chatellier Track—home of the Shoremen and Shorewomen lacrosse and soccer teams and field hockey team—were completed in the summer of 2006 with a new field turf artificial playing surface, a new track, and a spectacular new stadium. The stadium features open bleacher seating, an enclosed multi-purpose room overlooking the field, team meeting rooms, and a concession area. Baseball action takes place on the adjacent Athey Park. Varsity practice fields and a varsity softball diamond are on the northern end of campus.
Employment Opportunities, Internships and More
Career Development Center: As a resource for students in all classes and academic majors, the Center for Career Development offers a variety of career related services through individual appointments, information sessions, special events, a comprehensive website, and JOBS by George! Students are encouraged early in their academic experience to identify career interests, develop skills through campus activities, explore career options through internships and experiential learning, prepare job search tools, and to make professional connections. Career Center staff work with students to find careers related to their majors, arrange non-academic internships, develop job search, interviewing, and networking skills for employment and prepare for the graduate and professional school application process.
Office of Human Resources: This office coordinates non-work study campus employment and oversees all student employment authorization processes (for both work-study and non-work study positions.
Residential Life
Residential Life is an integral part of the Washington College liberal arts tradition. Living in a residence hall is an educational opportunity that augments learning gained in the classroom. The College residence program, under the supervision of the Residence Life Office, provides students with opportunities and experiences that help them to develop responsibility both to themselves and to their fellow students.
The College offers a variety of housing options. In addition to traditional corridor-style residence halls, several buildings offer suite style living. Students wishing to live with others who share similar interests will find areas set aside for substance-free living, international relations, creative and performing arts, the sciences, and foreign languages. Juniors and seniors have the option to apply to live off campus.
Dining: In the new Hodson Hall Commons students enjoy a variety of dining options including retail operations on the first floor, and a full-service residential program on the second floor. The retail area features Washington College's own Java George, offering Caribou coffee, house-baked items, grab and go meals and smoothies; the popular Mondo Subs; and grilled to order favorites at Coyote Jacks.
The residential dining area includes Fresh Market, which offers house-made soups and fresh salads; The Kitchen, an ever changing buffet-style service with vegetarian, main entrees, specialties and ethnic foods; Baker's Crust, with classic deli favorites; Hearthstone Oven has a brick stone pizza oven to prepare classic Italian dishes; and My Pantry, a place students can call their own, with foods prepared to order and, with prior arrangement, dining services can store any special dietary requests in the cabinets and fridge for students' personal use. All students living on campus are required to have a meal plan. Any special needs or dietary requests should be discussed with the Director. Please visit the website: www.dineoncampus.com/wc.
Motor Vehicles: All students living on campus may have a motor vehicle on campus as long as it is registered with the Department of Public Safety. Motor vehicle use must comply with regulations outlined in the Student Handbook, which can be found on the College Web site.
Wellness and Safety
Health Service: The College Health Service, located in Queen Anne's House, is open for student care during the academic year, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The clinic is staffed with nurse practitioners and a registered nurse. Nurse practitioner hours are by appointment. Students can arrange an appointment or consult with the nurse on a walk-in basis between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For emergencies occurring when the Health Service is not open, students can go to the Emergency Department at nearby Chester River Hospital Center.
While there is no charge for a sick visit, charges for medications, in-house lab tests, suturing and physicals may be incurred. There are also costs associated with prescriptions, hospitalization, or services in the hospital or other facilities (including x-rays, laboratory tests, referrals to other providers, and emergency visits).
Washington College requires that all students have and provide documentation of health insurance and offers a health insurance plan for students who are not covered elsewhere. Information regarding the plan can be found under the Health Services page on the College Web site. All international students are required to purchase health insurance through the College. Students insured under an HMO are encouraged to check with their insurance carrier to determine if additional coverage is needed.
Counseling Service: The Counseling Service shares an office suite with the Health Service in Queen Anne's House. A full-time licensed psychologist is assisted by part-time staff including a marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker and an addictions counselor. The staff provide confidential counseling, evaluation, and consultation to students seeking assistance with personal, family, and college adjustment concerns.
Campus Safety: The campus Department of Public Safety is located on the lower level of Wicomico Residence Hall. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Officers conduct foot and vehicle patrols of the entire campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Department of Public Safety can also be reached by telephone around the clock in the case of an emergency and by activating any of the emergency "Blue Light" phones located throughout the campus grounds.