Student Life

Campus Recreation Programs

The mission of Campus Recreation is to enhance the mind, body and spirit of students, faculty, staff and guest by providing excellent programs, services and facilities that are responsive to the physical, social, recreational, and lifelong educational needs of a diverse community.  The Intramural Sports Program provides an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to participate in a variety of individual and team recreation activities in the men’s, women’s and co-rec divisions.  The Fitness program offers instructions in proper form and usage of the fitness room equipment, variety of group fitness classes, and personal fitness assessments.  Aquatics offers a heated natatorium suitable for the serious lap swimmer and the swimmer who is more interested in the leisure and relaxation aspect of the pool.  Aquatics offers year round classes in Lifeguarding, Water Safety Instructor and swim lessons for all ages for St. Mary’s University community and public alike. The indoor rock-climbing wall is an exciting and fun alternative to traditional exercise.  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.

Community 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.

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs

St. Mary's University participates in intercollegiate athletic programs for men and women, designed to assist in the overall 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 Lone Star 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, STUNT, tennis, volleyball and golf for women, and esports for men and women. The Bill Greehey Arena is the home of the basketball and volleyball Rattlers while Dickson Stadium, one of the finest collegiate baseball stadiums in the country, is the home of the baseball team. The softball team plays at the Softball Stadium, while Sigma Beta Chi Field houses the soccer teams and the Rohrbach Stadium Tennis Complex is home to tennis. The esports team competes at the Spectrum Esports Arena. St. Mary's University has five national champions: The 1986 and 2002 women's softball team, 1989 men's basketball team, the 2001 baseball team and a 2006 men’s golf individual. The Rattlers also have two national academic championships in the sports of men’s and women’s golf.

Registered Student Organizations

The University provides students with opportunities to form focused communities in academic, social, service, and professional interests.  Students develop and utilize leadership skills, with an emphasis grounded in the Marianist charism.  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.

Student Activities

The Department of Student Life hosts free events for all St. Mary’s students, providing fun opportunities to foster a vibrant campus community.  Student Life and the student-run University Programming Council host on-campus programs at various campus locations including The Pub at St. Mary’s.  In addition, students can participate in San Antonio excursions for a discounted rate, including StMU Night at the Spurs, Enchanted Rock, and Six Flags Fright Fest.  

Student Government

The Student Government Association (SGA) promotes undergraduate and graduate students' rights, needs and interests; ensures academic freedom and academic responsibility; and continuously supports and promotes the values of St. Mary's University. Elections are held every spring for the Executive Board and Senators, with the elections for Freshman Senators conducted in early fall.  SGA puts on a variety of events every year, including Dinner with the Deans, Chami’s Birthday Celebration, and 24 hours access to The Commons during finals. 

Student Publication

St. Mary’s University supports student publications, such as The Rattler, so that they can explore and discuss student concerns, campus events, and (to some extent) world affairs. The publication records and provides a forum for student opinion, while also modeling responsible journalism.

Since all student media are public forums, their content is not censored, nor is funding withheld because of it. The content of The Rattler is decided by its student editors, not by the administration, faculty or staff of St. Mary’s. The Associate Vice President for Student Development chairs the Student Publications Board, which supports the student editors and staff advisers of all publications to ensure consistency with the mission of the University.

University Ministry

University Ministry is an expression of a desire to be present to all who are involved in higher education. It is a department that is inspired to be bold and creative in the task of re­thinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization and seeks to create and develop a ministry that is “of a “missionary option”, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that spirituality and customs of faith can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world. Its mission is to assist the University's efforts in providing opportunities for all its members to develop the intellectual, moral, and spiritual principles needed for leading value and God-centered lives. Inspired by Catholic and Marianist traditions, University Ministry 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, peer ministry 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. All the members of faith on campus are called, according to their own gifts, to share in this ministry. We welcome the participation of faculty, staff, students and Alumni as part of the team effort to integrate a growing sense of ministry and service into the total experience of our academic community.

Student Services

Student Health and Wellness Programs

St. Mary’s University’s Student Health and Wellness Programs work together to support students’ holistic wellness journey. Student Health and Wellness Programs include the Student Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Wellness Programs, and Student Accessibility Services.

Student Counseling Center

The Student Counseling Center supports current St. Mary’s students with single-session therapy, individual counseling, couples counseling, group counseling and psychiatric services. The center uses a short-term counseling mode but may provide referrals for students needing services not offered. All services are free to current students. Please call 210-436-3135 for appointments and support during business hours. Rattler Help Line: 210-825-3622 for crisis support 24/7, 365 days a year.

Student Health Center

The Student Health Center is a primary care health clinic. All enrolled students are eligible to receive care. For those enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan, there is a co-pay per office visit for covered services. Students who have other insurance or no insurance will be responsible for the cost of the office visit and any additional charges for lab, medications and procedures performed in the clinic. Students can make appointments via Gateway. Please call 210-436-3506 for appointments and questions.

Student Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services offers services and accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Covered disabilities include but are not limited to medical and mental health conditions. To apply for services, students must schedule an appointment and provide appropriate documentation of their disability and requested accommodations. The appointment will identify needs, required documentation and assistance options. We also provide accommodated testing for students who qualify. Please call 210-436-3135 or email accessibility@stmarytx.edu for appointments and questions.

Wellness Programs

Wellness Programs provide opportunities for St. Mary's University students to enhance their holistic well-being. Through participation in our events and services, our students will cultivate their wellness and develop sustainable lifelong practices. Our team, including Peer Health Educators and a Wellness Coordinator, provides a full calendar of programs, events and trainings to aid in students' awareness of the eight dimensions of wellness. Wellness Programs offers a Confidential Advocate Program, Wellness Coaching, It’s On Us (student group), Rattler Den (food and hygiene pantry), federal benefit application assistance and various events/presentations surrounding topics such as self-care, alcohol education, stress management, healthy eating and more! Contact us to schedule an appointment or learn more at 210-436-3837 or wellness@stmarytx.edu.

Student Identification Cards

During the registration processes each student is responsible for obtaining a Rattler Identification Card from the Technical Support Desk located in the Cotrell Learning 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, and the Bookstore; for use as a meal card in the Dining Facilities and 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.

Student Integrity and Welfare

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 Vice Provost for Student Development/Dean of Students. The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Development/Dean of Students is the principal area designated by the University for responding to all non-academic student misconduct. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is the principal university officer designated by the University for responding to all academic misconduct. The Vice Provost for Student Development/Dean of Students has designated the Coordinator of Student Integrity and Welfare to administer the University's non-academic misconduct policies as listed in all University publications, including the Code of Student Conduct.