Student Life
Residence Life
The Office of Residence Life at St. Mary's University is a component of the Student Development Division and is shaped by Marianist traditions. Residence Life provides residence halls that are communities which develop students' life skills and personal responsibility and serve as transitional environments to future roles and service to society. First year students that reside outside of San Antonio are required to live on campus for their first year unless they receive permission prior to the beginning of their first semester from the Office of Residence Life.
Student Health Center
The Student Health Center is an outpatient primary health care clinic located on the first floor of Charles Francis Hall. The clinic is staffed by a board-certified Family Practice physician and a certified physician assistant. All currently enrolled students of St. Mary's University are eligible to receive care at the Student Health Center. Spouses and children of enrolled students must seek care outside of the Student Health Center. Graduating students from St. Mary's University should begin the process of seeking a primary care physician in the community at least 30 days prior to graduation so that there is no interruption in patient care.
IMMUNIZATION POLICY
Meningitis Vaccine Requirement
All new students of St. Mary's University, including transfer and returning students, who are under the age of 22, must submit the Meningitis Vaccine Requirement form prior to registering for classes. Please note that a student must show evidence of receipt of an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination dose during the five-year period preceding, and at least 10 days prior to, the first class day of the first semester in which the student initially enrolls at St. Mary's University.
Tuberculosis (Tb) Screening Requirement of International Students
All International students must complete the TB Screening Questionnaire and TB Risk Assessment Form, and mail this form to the Student Health Center PRIOR to the first class day. TB skin testing (Mantoux) must be performed in the United States. TB blood testing, also known as Interferon Gamma Release Assay for Tuberculosis or IGRA TB blood test can be performed in your home country.
Recommended Vaccinations for All Students
All students should review their immunization status with your private doctor. It is important that immunizations are current PRIOR to attending St. Mary's University. The following vaccinations are recommended:
- MMR-measles, mumps and rubella
- Tdap-Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis
- Varicella vaccine
- Polio vaccine series
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Influenza vaccine-seasonal
Health Insurance Requirement
Student Health Insurance
All students who reside on campus, all international students (on and off campus) and every athlete who meet eligibility criteria will be charged automatically for the StMU-sponsored health insurance plan. To learn more about the health insurance plan, including rates, benefits and waiver process, please visit https://stmarytx.myahpcare.com.
Commuter students who meet eligibility criteria may also enroll on the plan during the Open Enrollment period.
Health Insurance Waiver Process
Students who carry comparable coverage with their parents or employers, may choose to opt out of the StMU-sponsored health insurance. The waiver process for Domestic and International students must be completed by the 12th class day of the entering semester. No extensions will be made to the deadline. The online waiver process becomes available on December 1st for the Spring semester and on June 1st for the Fall semester.
For any questions regarding vaccinations, health insurance, or the health insurance waiver process, contact the Student Health Center at 210-436-3506, email at healthcenter@stmarytx.edu or visit at https://www.stmarytx.edu/campuslife/studentservices/student-health-center/
Student Judicial Affairs
St. Mary's University's approach to student conduct and behavior is educational rather than punitive. All students matriculating at St. Mary's University are expected to conduct themselves as responsible adults and are held accountable for their behavior.
Judicial authority is vested in the Office of the Vice President for Student Development. The Vice President for Student Development is the principle officer designated by the University for all non-academic discipline and the Vice President for Academic Affairs is the principle office designated by the University for all academic discipline. The Vice President for Student Development has designated the Dean of Students and Judicial Affairs to administer the University's non-academic policies as listed in all University publications including the Code of Student Conduct.
Student Counseling Center
The Student Counseling Center offer individual, couples and group therapy to St. Mary’s University students. The service is staffed by psychologists, a marriage and family therapist, and a board certified psychiatrist. These services may be accessed at no additional cost to the student. The counseling services have a goal oriented focus ranging from situational adjustment problems to ongoing mental health issues. Crisis intervention is available after hours and on weekends during the academic year. Psychoeducational assessment is also available to students. The staff also is available for consultation by faculty, staff, student leaders and RA’s if someone has a concern about a student’s well-being or behavior. The Student Counseling Center is located in the Center for Life Directions building.
Disability Support Services
The Disability Support Services offers accessibility to classes, programs, services and activities to individuals with a disability. Students seeking accommodations need to contact the office for assistance in qualifying to receive a variety of accommodations through an interactive process and with supportive documentation. In addition, consultation to faculty and staff about working with students with disabilities is available.
Testing Services
The testing services offer a variety of tests including admission testing, placement tests, certification tests and departmental tests. It also serves as a national testing center for a variety of programs including CLEP, SAT, ACT, THEA, LSAT, MPRE, etc. Testing fees are set by the particular program with some additional administrative charges added. Individual proctoring is available for online courses. The administrative office for Testing is located within the Student Psychological and Testing Services.
Campus Recreation Programs
Campus Recreation provides students the opportunity to pursue a healthy lifestyle and explore recreational interests through a variety of programs, facilities, and services. The Intramural Sports Program offers students a variety of events annually with leagues, tournaments, and one-day events in men's, women's, and co-recreational divisions. Group fitness and water aerobic classes are offered daily. Informational programs and student trainers are available to assist students with fitness equipment. Indoor rock climbing is an exciting and fun alternative to traditional exercise, the indoor climbing wall is a simulated rock formation affixed with numerous hand and foot holds that provides mental & physical challenges to build strength, endurance, and self-confidence. A popular activity among students, the 40 ft. climbing wall is a unique experience that offers novice to advance climbing routes, an artificial crevice, and a 45 degree overhang.
Student Publication
The school newspaper, The Rattler, is the key student publication. The Student Publications Board under the supervision of the Dean of Students, cooperates with the student editors and staff adviser of all publications in order to maintain the highest journalistic standards.
Registered Student Organizations
The University provides students with the means necessary to develop leadership in student, academic, social, and professional organizations. Membership in these organizations provides opportunities for developing the qualities expected of college graduates. To learn how to register a student organization, visit Rattler Tracks..
Intercollegiate Athletic Programs
St. Mary's University participates in intercollegiate athletic programs for men and women, designed to assist in the over-all development of students. Varsity athletic teams at St. Mary's are rich in history and tradition. School colors are gold and blue and the team name is the Rattlers. St. Mary's is a member of the Heartland Conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. St. Mary's teams participate in baseball, basketball, golf, soccer and tennis for men; and basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, golf, and cross country for women, and cheerleading for men and women. The Bill Greehey Arena is the home of the basketball and volleyball Rattlers while V.J. Keefe Field, one of the finest collegiate baseball stadiums in the country, is the home of the baseball team. St. Mary's University has four national champions: The 1986 and 2002 women's softball team, 1989 men's basketball team, and the 2001 baseball team.
University Ministry
The mission of University Ministry at St. Mary's University is to assist the University's efforts to provide opportunities for all its members to develop the intellectual, moral, and spiritual principles needed for leading value and God centered lives. Although this is done within the Catholic and Marianist traditions, the University seeks to unite all persons on campus at their deepest level of religious consciousness, and to enrich them through a genuine ecumenical sharing. University Ministry, staffed by religious and laity, fosters a spirit of community and faith. We provide opportunities to strengthen one's spiritual life and, in collaboration with other departments, encourage community members to respond to the needs of others through the celebration of the Eucharist and other Sacraments, prayer, community service, social justice programming, service immersion experiences, pastoral counseling, retreats, Small Faith-Sharing Communities, spiritual direction, faith formation and other activities. The Eucharist is offered daily when classes are in session and on Sundays in the University Chapels. Special all-school Masses and smaller liturgies and prayer services are interspersed throughout the year. The Chapels are open daily for private prayer.
All members of St. Mary's Community are invited to participate in liturgical ministries, retreat planning, Bible study, Sacramental preparation, community service projects, faith sharing groups, and much more. We also welcome the participation of faculty, staff as well as students and Alumni as part of our team effort to integrate a growing sense of ministry and service into the total experience of our academic community.
Civic Engagement
As a Catholic and Marianist University, St. Mary’s is committed to providing students with experiential learning opportunities that inform their development of faith and vocation, their understanding of justice and the Common Good, and their journey to becoming leaders in our local, national and global communities. Through involvement with ongoing local volunteer opportunities, service-learning classes, advocacy work, immersion experiences and civic leadership – all rooted in reflection and shaped by our Catholic identity – the Office of Civic Engagement serves to connect our students to the world around them as they identify where their passions, skills and talents meet the world’s needs. Simultaneously our office works to build and maintain healthy and mutually beneficial relationships with community partners, particularly those on the West Side of San Antonio. We serve as the connector of our students and neighbors in a joint effort to learn from one another in a process of community growth and development, heeding Father Chaminade’s wisdom that “new times call for new methods,” and working together to discover our best possible response. Additional information about the variety of programs and opportunities available through the Office of Civic Engagement is available at https://www.stmarytx.edu/outreach/civic-engagement.
Marianist Leadership Program
The Marianist Leadership Program (MLP) is a community of equals that cultivates relationships through hospitality, selfless servant leadership and faith for the purpose of making a positive change to the San Antonio community by St. Mary’s students. MLP is designed to provide students with educational and experiential opportunities focused on faith and leadership within the five pillars of the Marianist Charism.
MLP works through civic engagement to foster a sense of servant-leadership. Freshmen and sophomore members are required to volunteer with a nonprofit agency for three to four hours a week. Students are encouraged to engage in any of the multitude of service projects, either on a one-time basis or in smaller time increments over a longer period of time. Members also serve as leaders of Continuing the Heritage.
Members of the program are guided in the development of lifelong habits by integrating faith and culture through leadership and service activities within the university and civic communities. Applications are accepted for entering freshmen, transferring and current students as allowed by current membership size. All majors are considered.
Student Identification Cards
During the registration processes each student is responsible for obtaining a Rattler Identification Card from the HelpDesk located in the Cotrell Commons. The Rattler card is necessary for participating in student activities, elections, athletic and cultural events, for checking out books from St. Mary's library and other college libraries, for use in the Registrar's Office, the Business Office, Bookstore, for use as a meal card in the Dining Facilities, as well as other official uses by the University. All students are required to carry their identification while on campus and must present it upon the request of any University official.