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Student Life
CO-CURRICULAR LEARNING IN THE LASALLIAN TRADITION: STUDENT LIFE
The co-curricular student life area empowers the growth of students in intellectual, spiritual, emotional,
social, cultural, physical and vocational competencies. A small liberal arts university such as Saint Mary’s
is well-suited for this kind of growth. We intentionally create a learning environment which is sensitive
to individual differences while at the same time fostering an appreciation for community. In the spirit
of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the commitment is to the total growth of students. The student
development area, through team effort of all its offices and personnel, seeks to challenge and support
students in this teaching and learning process. It is a collective responsibility to enhance the total
growth of each individual and the development of community toward our mission of leading “ethical
lives of service and leadership.” The Community Planner and the online handbook describes additional
aspects, policies and procedures of student life in greater detail. It is the responsibility of every student
to be aware of the policies as members of the SMU community.
Community Living and Expectations
Saint Mary’s University is a residential community in which over 80% percent of students live on
campus. The community is established on the premise that students are responsible adults, indeed the
leaders of the next generation. This process expects scholarliness, holiness, and thoughtful concern for
others. We extend to students degrees of freedom but then in turn expect that they be responsible with
this freedom.
The creation of such an environment is possible only insofar as people are willing to accept the
responsibilities for and the consequences of their actions. While individuals are afforded a great deal
of attention at Saint Mary’s University, they cannot abdicate their responsibilities to the rest of the
university community. No institution can operate without standards and expectations. The standards
of Saint Mary’s University reflect the necessity for the individual to demonstrate a willingness to respect
the rights and situations of the rest of the university community. The community expectations of Saint
Mary’s University are reasonable and are established by and for the university community for its benefit
and service.
Residence Halls
The university provides reasonably priced and well-maintained living/learning environments which are
designed to foster community, self-growth, responsibility, respect for others, leadership and positive
citizenship. The residence hall team consists of an administrative team of professional staff who
are responsible for the operation of all residence halls; hall directors, trained professional staff who
provide leadership and supervision in each building complex; and various student staff members who
are assigned a floor or wing, and who help to create and maintain an environment which promotes
academic and personal success while building a strong sense of belonging and community.
Residence living is intended to provide the student with opportunities for personal behavioral
development. In order to realize this goal, each resident must share in the responsibility to make the
living unit a pleasant, stimulating home for all concerned. The university residence halls have single,
double and triple rooms, and three- to four-person suites. The student villages accommodate four
persons in two-room furnished apartments, complete with bath and an efficiency kitchenette; each
apartment has its own outside entrance. New students may apply for housing as soon as they have
confirmed their attendance. Preferences are respected whenever possible. Rooms intended for two
occupants are not assigned to a single occupant; however single rooms are available for sophomores,
juniors and seniors upon request. Specific regulations and procedures relating to room occupancy and
student accountability are spelled out in the room and board agreement.
Campus Ministry
The Office of Campus Ministry celebrates the image of God in each human person while inviting all to
become the hands and feet of the Lasallian Catholic mission. Through faith, service and community the
gospel message is taught, reflected upon and lived. Faith is brought to life through vibrant liturgies,
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