2007-2008 Catalog

Washington College: Your Revolution Starts Here

Campus Life

Students at Washington College become members of a campus community rich with intellectual, artistic, musical, athletic, and social opportunities. Here, students have the chance to discover who they are, what their interests are, and where their talents lie. They have the chance to interact with one another and with faculty and staff members both in and out of the classroom—whether they work together on a research project, perform together on stage, meet for an afternoon kayaking excursion on the Chester River, cheer side-by-side for the basketball team, or practice German while having lunch in the Dining Hall.

Students will benefit most from their college experience if they become involved with some of the many groups and organizations that make up the Washington College community. It is the students, and their efforts to improve and enrich their community, that make Washington College such a special place.

Student Activities

Some student clubs have been around for years, while others come and go depending on the interests of students enrolled at the time. At Washington College it is easy to launch a new organization. Thus, any year's list of clubs and organizations is a fairly accurate index of current student interests.

Student Organizations

Fraternities/Sororities: Roughly fifteen percent of the students at Washington College belong to a fraternity or sorority. Men may pledge one of three national Greek-letter organizations: Kappa Alpha, Theta Chi, and Phi Delta Theta. The women's national sororities are Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, and Zeta Tau Alpha.

The Interfraternity Council regulates and supervises recruitment and orientation of new members and ensures cooperation between various fraternities in social and competitive athletics. The Panhellenic Council serves similar purposes for the sororities; both groups act as links with the College administration.

Student Publications: The Washington College Elm is the College's weekly student newspaper. The Pegasus is the College yearbook. The Washington College Review (WCR) is a literary review which presents original writing. The Collegian is a bimonthly features magazine. The International Studies Review is an annual student journal featuring articles that contribute to the body of knowledge in international relations and related disciplines, provide fresh insight into the complexities of world affairs, and introduce readers to areas of the world they themselves have not yet explored. All student publications are assisted by a board of publications composed of faculty advisors, administrative advisors, and the publications' editors.

Lecture Series: The caliber of the lecturers and artists invited each year to Washington College is impressive. Speakers and performers have included former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara; presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin; philosopher Cornel West; U.S. Senator John McCain, Vermont Governor Howard Dean, U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, Nobel Laureates James Watson and Glenn Seaborg; Grammy Award-winning composer and pianist Bruce Hornsby; and political magazine editor John F. Kennedy Jr. Their visits were sponsored by a variety of organizations, including the Daniel Z. Gibson-John A. Wagner Visitors Fund, the Harwood Program in American Journalism, and the Sophie Kerr Committee. Individual departments and various organizations also sponsor speakers and programs.

Concert Series: Students with a special love of the performing arts can enjoy distinguished performances. The Washington College Concert Series, now in its fifth decade, annually sponsors a variety of professional performances by such groups as the Mendelssohn String Quartet and the American Boychoir.

Film Series: For the viewing pleasure of students, faculty, and community members, the College's Film Series offers a selection of critically-acclaimed films.

Student Development Programs: Washington College recognizes the need to help students develop a variety of leadership and interpersonal skills. With this in mind, the Office of Student Development Programs sponsors workshops, speakers, and other programs on a variety of topics including: leadership, alcohol and drug education and training, public speaking, conflict resolution, team/organization building, and others.

Service Learning: Contributing to the welfare of one's community, nation, and world through service in the areas of education, the environment, public safety, and human needs is an important part of the Washington College tradition. Opportunities for service learning are varied and dynamic. They include:

With the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay so close to campus, recreational boating and fishing are favorite options for Washington College students. The College's Boating Park on the Chester River provides opportunities for a variety of water sports, including canoeing and sailing.

Recreational Sports

The focus of Recreational Sports is not only on intramural competition, but also includes leisure activities that promote fitness and concepts of lifetime wellness. Intramural activities have included flag football, tennis, basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, racquetball, softball, table tennis, and golf, among others. The Recreational Sports program has offered a variety of physical and athletic activities such as aerobics, pilates, yoga, fitness classes, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, rockfishing, scuba diving, camping, skiing and more. The Washington College Club Sports Association (WCCSA), under the auspices of the Recreational Sports Program, promotes student participation in a variety of physical and athletic activities and gives students opportunities to engage in the sport of their choice at various skill levels. The emphasis of this program is on student leadership and involvement.

The Club Sports Program has provided nonvarsity competition in several sports, including: Equestrian, Trap and Skeet Shooting, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Rugby, Men's Rugby, Volleyball, and Water Polo.

The Recreational Sports Program provides non-varsity level competition in the following areas: Aerobic Exercise, Equestrian Club, Martial Arts Club, Men's Lacrosse Club, Men's Rugby Club, Women's Rugby Club, Water ski and Wakeboard Club, Skeet and Trap Club, and Volleyball Club.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Washington College has a strong athletic tradition and is committed to providing a first-class athletic experience for its students at both varsity and non-varsity levels of competition. The varsity program is open to freshmen as well as upperclass students, and approximately 25% of our students choose to engage in intercollegiate athletics.

The College is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Division III), and the Centennial Conference. The Centennial Conference, formed in 1993, comprises national liberal arts colleges and universities in the region that share similar academic aspirations and a commitment to the importance of the total educational experience of students engaged in sports. All eleven member institutions are more than one hundred years old and are Division III members of the NCAA.

Under the auspices of these recognized bodies, there is intercollegiate competition in baseball, basketball, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming, and tennis for men; and basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball for women. The intercollegiate sailing program is coed.

Men's lacrosse is arguably Washington's highest-profile sport, with 22 appearances in post-season play and a national championship title in 1998. The men's tennis program is highly successful as well, having captured two national titles in four years—1994 and 1997—and remaining undefeated in conference play from 1986- 2005. Washington's rowing program goes up against some of the toughest competition on the Eastern Seaboard with annual appearances in the Head of the Charles in Boston and the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia. Washington annually hosts the All- American Regatta, which attracts some of the world's top sailors, including former All- Americans, Olympians, and America's Cup participants.

The College encourages all students to participate in some type of physical activity, and the Benjamin A. Johnson Lifetime Fitness Center makes that prospect quite appealing. The indoor practice area, the strength and conditioning room, the dance studio, the jogging track, and racquetball and squash courts draw both students as well as student/athletes who are interested in maintaining physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium, Kibler Field and Chatellier Track—home of the Shoremen and Shorewomen lacrosse and soccer teams and field hockey team—was completed in the summer of 2006 with a new field turf artificial playing surface, a new track, and a spectacular new stadium. The stadium features open bleacher seating, an enclosed multi-purpose room overlooking the field, team meeting rooms, and a concession area. Baseball action takes place on the adjacent Athey Field. Varsity practice fields and a varsity softball diamond are on the northern end of campus.

Residential Life

Residential Life is an integral part of the Washington College liberal arts tradition. Living in a residence hall should be considered an educational opportunity that augments learning gained in the classroom. The College residence program, under the supervision of the Student Affairs Office, provides students with opportunities and experiences that help them to develop responsibility both to themselves and to their fellow students.

The College offers a wide variety of housing options. In addition to traditional men's and women's residence halls, several coeducational living options and small suites are available. Students wishing to live with others who share similar interests will find areas set aside for substance-free living, mathematics and computer science, foreign language and international relations, creative and performing arts, and the sciences, as well as theme housing in areas of leadership and service. Juniors and seniors have the option of living off campus.

Dining

The Washington College Dining Services is a nationally recognized collegiate dining service that strives to provide a wide variety of quality food items. The Dining Services has won 13 awards for dining excellence in the last decade. Most recently it has won awards for the variety of services offered by the Cove and Student Meal Plans. All resident students dine in Hodson Hall; meal plan options are available.

A food buffet, featuring pizza at lunch and authentic ethnic entrees each night for dinner, is always available. Other food items include homemade breads, breakfast pastries and desserts. For our vegetarian and vegan customers, the Dining Services offers alternative entrees during the week at every lunch and dinner. Students with special dietary needs should contact the Director of Dining Services to discuss how those needs can be met.

Motor Vehicles

All students living on campus may have a motor vehicle on campus as long as it is registered with the Department of Public Safety. Motor vehicle use must comply with regulations outlined in the Student Handbook.

Student Services

Health Service

The College Health Service, located in Queen Anne's House, is open for student care daily, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., during the regular academic year. The clinic is staffed with nurse practitioners and a registered nurse. The College physician conducts clinic five times a week. Nurse practitioner and physician hours are by appointment. Students can consult with the nurse on a walk-in basis between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11 :30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For appointments, call extension 7261 on campus or 410-778-7261 from off campus. For emergencies occurring when the Health Service is not open, students should go to the Emergency Department at Chester River Hospital Center. For minor illnesses, students should contact their Resident Assistant and, if necessary, visit the Health Service the following day.

Students with an illness requiring observation or bed rest can stay in the Health Services with nursing services provided during normal hours of operation. Those requiring more extensive nursing care or overnight treatment are admitted to the local hospital.

There is no charge for care provided within the confines of the clinic. There is a charge for medications and tests provided in the Health Center. There will also be costs associated with prescriptions, hospitalization, or services in the hospital or other facilities (including x-rays, laboratory tests, referrals to other providers, and emergency visits).

Washington College requires that all students have health insurance. The College offers a health insurance plan with a limited amount of coverage. All foreign students are required to purchase special health insurance through the College. Students insured under an HMO are encouraged to purchase the student health insurance plans. More information about this insurance policy is available from the Health Service.

Counseling Service

The College Counseling Service shares an office suite with the Health Service in Queen Anne's House. Licensed psychologists, a marriage and family therapist, and an addictions counselor provide counseling, evaluation, and consultation to students seeking assistance with personal, family, and college adjustment concerns. Appointments can be scheduled through Health and Counseling Services staff at extension 7261. All services are confidential, and information will not be released without written authorization. A counselor is available for emergencies after hours. Emergency contact with a member of the counseling staff can be made by contacting the Department of Public Safety at extension 7810.

Career Development Center

Counselors assist students in getting their future careers off to a good start. They recommend that students begin to think about their interests and talents as early as the freshman year by taking a variety of courses, participating in campus activities, and attending some of the many lectures and discussions offered each week. The Career Development Center, located in Caroline House, offers workshops to help students find volunteer work, internships, and meaningful summer employment that help in building valuable work experience. Career counselors will also help students prepare résumés, develop job-seeking skills, and find employment after graduation.

Office of Human Resources

This office coordinates all on-campus employment.

Campus Safety

The campus Department of Public Safety is located on the lower level of Wicomico Residence Hall. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Officers conduct foot and vehicle patrols of the entire campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Department of Public Safety can also be reached by telephone around the clock in the case of an emergency by calling extensions 7810 on campus or (410) 778-7810 from off campus.

Student Government and Representation

Undergraduate members of the Washington College student body taking at least eight credits are members of the Student Government Association (SGA). There are three branches of the SGA. The legislative arm is the Student Senate, an elected group of students representing their residential areas. The Senate shares in the work of establishing College regulations, standards of conduct, social events, community support, and extracurricular activities.

The executive branch consists of a President, Vice President, and Financial Controller who are elected by the entire student body each spring. They appoint an executive board to lead initiatives, support legislative committees, and address general student concerns.

The Honor Board forms the judicial branch. The Executive Board appoints an Honor Board Chair, who appoints seven students who work with faculty and staff to deal with all aspects of student misconduct.

The Student Academic Board (SAB) is a joint effort between faculty and students to consider all matters concerning curriculum, faculty, and teaching.

Students are represented on the following College committees: Academic Resources, Academic Standing and Advising, Academic Technology, Admissions and Financial Aid, Campus Events, Curriculum, Grievance, Honor Board, Off-Campus Study, Planning, Review Board for Research with Human Subjects, and Student Life. In addition, the president of the SGA represents the student body at meetings of the Board of Visitors and Governors and at faculty meetings; the editor of the Washington College Elm is also invited to faculty meetings and board meetings.

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