Campus Life
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College strives to educate the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. Campus life complements academic life by providing an atmosphere for learning to live, understand and contribute to a community made up of people from different backgrounds. The atmosphere here encourages freedom, tolerance, and responsibility.
Campus New Student Orientation
All new resident and commuter students are required to participate in New Student Orientation during their first semester. New Student Orientation is designed to help new students begin their transition into college and to find a sense of belonging at The Woods. The program has something for all of our new students, including first year, transfer, and international students. Orientation includes events, conversations, and activities that enrich your Woods experience and help you feel at home. Returning students play an important part in the planning and implementation of these programs, keeping them fresh, exciting, and geared to student needs. Students joining the College in January are given a brief orientation when they arrive. Orientation continues through the WC 100 Into the Woods, Out of the Woods, Communities and Education course.
Residential Life
All full-time students in the campus program are required to live on campus unless they meet the specific criteria to be classified as a commuter. Part-time students (enrolled in 11 credit hours or less) in the campus program are not bound by residency requirements.
Students residing on campus choose to live in Le Fer Hall, Les Bois, the Lake House, or Le Pont. They can select a room that uses a community-style bathroom or one that has a suite-style bathroom. Student rooms are equipped with wireless internet. New students are assigned rooms prior to their arrival on campus, while returning students select their rooms for the following year during the Spring semester. Assistant Hall Directors (graduate assistants) and resident assistants live on campus to assist with emergencies. Additionally, resident assistants help students with the transition to community living and aid with emergency situations.
All students who live on campus are on the campus meal plan. All commuter students have a meal plan allowing for flexibility when dining on campus. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the Doherty Dining Hall located in Les Bois. Students may also use their meal plan dollars at The Market located between the Bookstore and Doherty Dining Hall as well as at the Woods Café located in Rooney Center. The Market also carries some essential items such as laundry detergent and personal hygiene items.
Students who are 24 years of age or older, who are financially independent as defined by financial aid regulations or whose permanent, legal address is within 45 miles of the College may choose to commute. Commuter students need to submit the commuter student application annually.
Student Activities
Social, educational and community service activities are planned by Campus Life and student clubs and organizations. Students will find a wide variety of activities and events on campus each week.
In addition to intercollegiate athletic competitions, students are encouraged to take advantage of other social and recreational opportunities on campus including intramural and club sports. Available for student use are a fitness room and many acres of fine walking, biking, and jogging areas. For indoor fun, the Oakley Student Center and The 1840 have flat-screen televisions and game tables for student use.
Student Health
The Health Services Center and the Student Counseling Center offer free services to undergraduate students currently enrolled at the College. The Health Services Center is operated by Union Health and is located in the Rooney Center. The Student Counseling & Wellness Center is located on the second floor of the Conservatory Building.
The Health Services Center is staffed by a nurse practitioner, nurses, and support staff. If the healthcare needs of the student cannot be met by the Health Services Center, the student can be referred to the proper provider. Most services provided by the Health Services Center are covered by student tuition and fees, however a few services such as immunizations and lab work have additional fees that will be billed to the student’s health insurance.
The Student Counseling & Wellness Center is staffed by full-time licensed counselors. The counselors work with students experiencing personal problems and conflicts. The staff may also make referrals to agencies in the Terre Haute area.
All students, campus, graduate, and Woods Online have access to 24/7 telehealth through TimelyCare. TimelyCare provides urgent counseling, scheduled counseling, psychiatry, and medical telehealth. Students need to download the TimelyCare app to their device to access TimelyCare.
Before enrolling, students are required to submit a current immunization record and emergency contact form. The forms are available on the Student Life section of the SMWC website, www.smwc.edu. For questions, please contact Campus Life at CampusLife@smwc.edu.
Student Publications
Aurora, founded in 1870, is the campus literary magazine published once a semester under the direction of a faculty member. Staff positions are open to all students. Creative material submitted by any member of the College community is reviewed for publication.
Student Senate
The primary organization for student government on campus is Student Senate. It acts as a liaison between the student body and the College administration by preparing and presenting legislation. It also serves as an advocate for student interests to the College administration.
Intercollegiate Athletics and Fitness Activities
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) adheres to the philosophy that intercollegiate athletics, intramurals, and fitness activities remain an integral part of the institution's combined academic efforts. They are subject to the same aims, policies, and responsibilities, like other institutional services.
Every student is encouraged to participate in intramurals and fitness activities both on and off campus as a means of extending their formal education.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) sponsors 18 intercollegiate athletic programs and is a member of the River States Conference within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The equestrian program is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), and the Sprint Football program is a member of the Midwest Sprint Football League (MSFL).
The Pomeroys first scholarship athletic program began in 1994 with women’s basketball. One year later, softball was added to the list and became the department's second sport.
In 2000-01, SMWC transitioned from the National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA) to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). This was a key component in the department's growth for athletics, resulting in USCAA national championships in multiple sports.
In 2000, women’s soccer entered the fold, the institution did not add another sport until equestrian and women’s golf in 2008. Women’s cross country was added to the program in 2009. During 2015, the institution made history and announced it would become coeducational.
Since 2015, SMWC has added women’s volleyball (2015), men’s golf (2016), men’s cross country (2017), men’s soccer (2018), men’s basketball (2021), men’s volleyball (2022) and sprint football (2022). Sprint football follows the regular rules of 11-on-11 football with a 190-pound maximum as the largest weight for an individual player.
Kevin Lanke is serving as the assistant vice president for athletics. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods completed its 3rd year as an NAIA and River States Conference member in 2023-24, and has qualified for NAIA National Tournaments in men’s basketball, women’s cross country and softball over the past three years.
As SMWC enters its 28th season of intercollegiate athletic scholarship competition, the Pomeroys have established a great deal of success. The department holds 14 USCAA National Championships, 14 USCAA National Runners-Up, 36 post-season appearances, many USCAA All-Americans awardees, many NAIA / USCAA / College Sports Communicators National All-Academic awardees and three USCAA Coach of the Year recipients.
Clubs and Organizations
| Aurora Literary Arts Magazine |
Powerlifting Club Sport |
Dance Team |
| Black Student Association |
Rowing Club Sport
|
Madrigals |
| Drama Club |
Senior Class Officers
|
Senior Class Officers |
eSports and Gaming
|
Service31
|
|
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
|
Creative Crafts
|
|
Gender/Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
|
Soph./Fresh. Leadership Council (SFLC)
|
|
Indiana Student Education Association
|
Student Activities Committee (SAC)
|
|
Junior Class Officers
|
Student Nurses’ Association (SNA)
|
|
Music Therapy Student Association
|
Student Senate
|
|
Peace and Justice Club
|
Sustainability Club
|
|
Psychology Club
|
Pre-Veterinary Medical Association
|
|
Leadership Opportunities
| Class Officers |
Resident Assistants |
| International Student Assistants |
Student Senate |
| Orientation Leaders |
Presidential Corps |
| Student Programming Assistant |
Executive Member of a Student Organization: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, & Director of Marketing |
| Mailroom Attendant |
Front Desk Worker |
Event and Facilities Reservations
The Conferences and Events Office manages housing in Le Fer Residence and Les Bois Halls in the summer months. The Conferences and Events Office also manages the rental and scheduling of all College facilities and grounds for meetings and social events.
Student Services
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College provides a variety of student services to its undergraduate students, whether they are enrolled in the campus program or Woods Online.
Career Center
Where will the Avenue lead you? When it comes to landing a job in a student’s desired field, it is best to look at the process as a journey and not a destination. Think about the following: what is your purpose for pursuing your major? Then, what are you passionate about, and where is your vocational calling leading you towards your career? By starting the planning process early, students are provided with time to research career options, network, and make vital connections to gain the necessary experience and tools to hit the ground running upon graduation. The Career Center is available to help students develop professional readiness skills - to make a fluid transition from college to graduate/professional school or to the workplace.
The Career Center focuses on building relationships between students, alumni, faculty, and employers that lead to transformational experiences and outcomes. Utilizing these relationships, the Career Center develops programs, events, and resources that include networking opportunities, professional development activities, and experiential learning. Staff and Career Peers are available to offer career guidance such as resume reviews, job search assistance, and graduate school guidance to students and alumni, and to assist in creating individual career plans.
Are you interested in Studying Abroad? The Career Center is the place to get your travel experience started. Schedule an appointment in Handshake to learn more about the process of planning and applying for a semester abroad! Don’t want to travel alone, ask the Career Center about faculty-led study abroad experiences.
Registered students and alumni have 24/7 access to job and internship postings, event registration, an alumni database, and links to helpful career-related resources and announcements. Visit Handshake to schedule a Career Center appointment or email career@smwc.edu for more information.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry at SMWC is grounded in the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and in the spirit of the Sisters of Providence. Students of all faith traditions are encouraged to participate in programs and activities both on and off campus. Students are empowered to take leadership roles in the planning and implementation of programs including:
- Community outreach and service opportunities in the local area
- Bible study, prayer groups and liturgical experiences
- Retreats and events that will enrich the student experience
- Alternative Fall and Spring Break Trips
The Campus Minister works with campus ministers from parishes and leaders from other faith traditions within the local community to encourage students to keep connected with their faith traditions.
Students with Disabilities
The College is committed to providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with documented disabilities in order to afford them an equal opportunity to participate in the College’s programs, courses, activities and housing. In order for the College to assist students with disabilities effectively under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), students who have been accepted for enrollment and request accommodations must provide documentation of their disability from a physician, psychologist, testing center, state or federal agency, or other qualified evaluator. The ADA Advisor is designated to communicate with prospective or matriculated students to discuss needed support services and to communicate in writing what services the College may provide.
Procedures for requesting accommodations:
- Contact the ADA Advisor (LRC@smwc.edu or 812-535-5122) to discuss concerns and how to register with Disability Support Services
-
The process for requesting academic accommodations is as follows:
Visit https://form.jotform.com/210524854490051 to register for academic accommodations. To be approved for accommodations, one of the following documents must be included with your application. All documentation can be submitted with your application in our secure online environment.
- A letter from a current treatment professional (i.e., physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed therapist) confirming diagnosis or disability
- Previous IEP or 504 plan from high school or other institution of learning
- Diagnostic testing report from a licensed practitioner
Once supportive documentation is received, the ADA advisor will verify the information presented and contact the student to discuss any additional concerns or needs.
Once approved, the ADA advisor, in collaboration with the student, will develop a letter of accommodation (LOA) and provide an explanation of utilizing them in their courses.
The student, in conjunction with the ADA advisor, will reevaluate the need for changes to these accommodations each year.
For questions pertaining to accommodations, please contact the Associate Director for Academic Access and Support Services (Theresa.Watson@smwc.edu) at 812-535-5122.
The process for requesting housing accommodations (including an ESA) is multi-step application process in conjunction with the Learning Resource Center and Campus Life:
- Visit https://form.jotform.com/210525520288047 to complete the housing accommodation application
- Verification from a treating professional (physician, therapist, etc.) will be required. The treating professional must confirm the diagnosis and the need for the requested housing accommodation.
- The student must also provide a detailed explanation for their need of an emotional support animal (if applicable) and how their accommodation will alleviate symptoms associated with their diagnosis or disability.
- The ADA advisor will review all documentation.
- ADA advisor will approve, deny, or request additional information if needed.
- Once a determination is made, the ADA advisor will inform the student of the decision. If student is approved, an email approving the request will be sent to both student and Campus Life for any additional forms to be completed.