Dear Parents and Families,
There has been no let up in activity on campus in the month of July. Students will be back on campus before you know, and we are hard at work in preparation for their arrival!
On that subject, it’s a fact of life that with college education comes tuition…and the Office of Student Success Services has provided another informative article on that subject to help make it a less stressful experience for both you and your student.Our popular River Concert Series concluded on Friday, July 22 with the music of Stravinsky, the best of Vaughn Williams, and a musical memorial tribute to the late prize-winning composer and colleague David Froom. St. Mary's College's own Jeffrey Silberschlag and Larry Vote, world-renowned music professors, closed out this season with this musical extravaganza.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland's President Tuajuanda Jordan was recently elected president-elect of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). COPLAC is a nationwide organization uniting 31 public colleges and universities with the goal of advancing the value of public liberal arts education. As the visionary behind The National Public Honors College, President Jordan is uniquely positioned to lead this organization as an advocate for what we do at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland was recently recognized with two major awards for the Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland. This summer, the commemorative was named to the Top 100 public art projects by CODAworx; the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) named the commemorative an honor award winner in its annual competition.
Additionally, for its work on the single-day special event "The Sacred Journey: Re-Making Our World Anew,” St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Office of Institutional Advancement won a 2022 Circle of Excellence gold award from the international Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The fall semester will be underway before you know it. Look to the St. Mary’s College website for the latest information, including COVID-19 information and procedures. Check back periodically for the latest updates.
by Kathy Langan Pusecker, Executive Director of Student Success Services
Financial responsibility is a big part of the growing independence your student is becoming used to while they are at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. We’ve developed some tips for conversations you might have with your student to help them along.
Our number one suggestion is to COMMUNICATE! This isn’t your last chance to have real conversations, but it is an opportunity to create the pathway to a relationship with an emerging adult, not just a dependent child.
One important topic of conversation this summer should include a discussion around money. Below are some talking points to help you with this conversation.
- Can you show me the bill for this semester?
Bills will be available on the student Portal by July 1.- How do you want to handle the bill?
Will the student pay the bill, will you pay the bill, or will it be a combination? During this conversation, you might discuss how proud you are of them and provide a little reminder to keep their grades up to keep any scholarships.- Do you want me to have the ability to see your bill and pay it, or do you want to let me know how much it is?
- Do you want me to have access to your information in the Portal?
If so, your student will need to complete the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) form. They can choose whether or not to share information about their finances, housing, and grades. They also need to sign it in front of a St. Mary‘s College employee such as a dean, registrar, or a member of the Office of Student Success Services.- What are your thoughts on getting a job?
We recommend limiting on or off-campus jobs to about 10 hours per week during the first year to avoid overwhelming the student as they transition to college and their new academic life.- I will also continue to support you by filing my taxes and together, we will submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) paperwork every year.
Note, if you are behind on paying the IRS, you can still submit. Complete the FAFSA as early as possible. The student is responsible for making sure that the FAFSA is filed each year they wish to receive financial aid. Any questions related to financial aid can be sent to the Office of Student Financial Assistance OSFA@SMCM.edu.- Money
- Realistic Academic Goals
- Good Nutrition/Eating Properly
- Health and Insurance (if applicable): when to go to the doctor and how to make their own doctor’s appointments
- Laundry (it's free here!)
- Homesickness plan
- Sexual health
- Alcohol and other drugs
- What Impact Do They Want to Make?
We welcomed a wide variety of groups, both within the St. Mary’s College community and distinguished visiting organizations. Of note, the National Hispanic Institute held their 2022 American LDZ (Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session) for 10th and 11th grade high school students from July 10 through July 17.
Participants in the DeSousa-Brent Scholars Summer Bridge Program are also on campus. This program for incoming first-year students from underrepresented groups offers participants a two-week opportunity to learn from and connect with St. Mary’s College faculty, students, and staff and help make the transition to college in the fall a less daunting experience.
Other groups on campus include the Southern Maryland Drum Academy, Brendan Sailing, Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC), Academy One Goal Keepers, “Kicks with Kech” soccer camp, All Sports Camp, SoMAR Drummers, and Nike Lacrosse Camp.