University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2000-02 Catalog

STUDENT LIFE

Student Services Center

The Student Services Center, or SSC is the hub of campus life on the UMES campus. The Center offers a variety of recreational and educational activities, and employment opportunities for UMES students and student organizations. Standing 147,000 square feet, the length of two football fields, the two-story building is the home of the Student Government Association, 25-registered student organizations, bookstore, game room, bowling center, dining hall, snack bar, lounges, resource center, ballroom, theatre, and campus post office. In addition, several administrative and support offices are located in the facility including the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Activities, Career Services, and Auxiliary Enterprises. The SSC is filled with activity during a typical day, and is the site for a number of student organization meetings, lectures, plays, and movies. The Center is also equipped with an ATM, sponsored by the State Employees Credit Union of Maryland

Facilities and Services in the Student Development Center

Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
Ballroom
Bookstore
Career Services and Testing Center
Conference and Meeting Rooms
Counseling Center
Food Vending Services
Gameroom
Bowling Center
Student Government Suite
Student Organization Office Suite
Theatre
Student Lounges
University Chapel
Dining Hall
Snack Bar
Resource Center
Auxiliary Enterprises

The Bookstore

All textbooks for college courses are available from the UMES Bookstore, located on the first floor in the Student Services Center. The store sells a wide selection of merchandise that a college student may need: notebooks, computer disks, office supplies, greeting cards, posters, toiletries, gift and novelty items, and official UMES sportswear and paraphernalia. Used textbooks are also available. The bookstore accepts most major credit cards, and the Hawk-Express Card.

University Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center provides individual counseling to all students. The Counseling Center is committed to helping college students in many different ways, from solving social and personal adjustment problems, to counseling students unsure about choices of majors and careers, but mental health counseling is its primary purpose. The counseling staff is made up of experienced professionals.

All discussions between a student and a counselor are kept confidential. Testing is provided when appropriate. Services are provided at no cost to all currently enrolled students at UMES (student fees paid at the same time as tuition cover counseling center services).

Career Planning and Placement Office

The Office of Career Planning and Placement assists undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni with all aspects of career development. The staff provides individualized career counseling, career assessment, gathering of occupational information, utilization of computerized career guidance programs, preparation of resumes, interviewing techniques and other job search strategies.

Within the Career Planning and Placement Office is maintained a computerized job listing of current employment, employment directories, lists of prospective employers and many other career related resources. Referrals and on campus interview services are also available to students and alumni registered with this office. The office also supplies information about internships, summer jobs and graduate/professional assistance. In addition, the office provides information and testing for Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers (PRAXIS) and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). All students are strongly encouraged to register with the office prior to graduation in order to establish a Credential Portfolio file and become eligible for the services provided by the Office of Career Planning and Placement.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) assures the commitment of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to providing access and equal opportunity to students with disabilities. Integration into the mainstream of campus life and empowerment are top priorities of DSS. Although there is no special curriculum for students with disabilities, DSS is designed to assist students in maximizing their academic potential. DSS focuses on supporting the positive development of students with disabilities.

THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER

The Student Health Center provides basic health care for all students, residents and commuters currently enrolled at UMES. The health center staff includes a physician, a physician's assistant, and nursing staff who provides diagnosis, treatment, counseling and referral for all health needs. There is no charge for office visits or for tests and treatment done at the Health Center. Students who are referred off campus to other medical facilities (for x-rays, more extensive testing, etc.) are responsible for any expenses incurred. Likewise, costs for prescriptions are the responsibility to the student.

The University does not provide health insurance for UMES students. The Student Health Center does provide information about special student-rate insurance plans for those needing health insurance coverage. It is highly recommended that all students have complete health coverage.

Hours for the Health Center during the fall and spring semesters are 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. For medical emergencies after these hours students may seek assistance through Public Safety of Residence Life staff members.

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AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES

The Auxiliary Enterprises office issues the Hawk Express Card, maintains the Hawk Express Accounts, accepts payments for the Hawk Express Phone Service, and encodes the Hawk Express card for use at the HAWKMAT and the library.

HAWK EXPRESS CARD

The Hawk Express Card is the official UMES ID card. Faculty, staff and students are issued their first card at no cost. The Hawk Express Card allows students access to athletic events, library and dining services (boarding students). Students must carry their Hawk Express Card at all times for prompt identification. It is a permanent card and is not transferable. A penalty fee of $25.00 is charged to individuals who allow another person to use their card. The Hawk Express Card is the property of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and must be returned upon request. Hawk Express Cards are available in the Auxiliary Enterprises Office.

HAWK EXPRESS ACCOUNT

The Hawk Express Card can be used as a declining balance or debit card. When a student places money on the Card, it can then be used to make purchases, pay room deposits, pay parking tickets and give boarding students access to dining services. When used as a debit card, the Hawk Express Card can be used at University Dining Services, Hawks' Nest, OASIS, Office of Residence Life, University Police, University Print Shop, Student Development Center, Book Store, and the Hawk Center.

HAWK EXPRESS PHONE SERVICE

The Hawk Express Phone System (HEPS) is a debit-based system that requires a student to place funds into their HEPS account before making local or long distance calls. Before each call is made, the system tells the student how much money is available in his/her HEPS account. If a HEPS account is nearing depletion, the system will advise the caller during an active call. When all funds are exhausted, the call will end.

Currently, HEPS charges for local calls at the rate of 15 cents for the first hour and a penny for each additional hour. Long distance calls are 14 cents per minute.

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UNIVERSITY HOUSING/RESIDENCE LIFE

There are eight (8) residential communities in the University's array of housing options. Combined, these facilities accommodate 1700 residents. Three hundred additional spaces shall be available beginning Fall semester 2001. Housing options range from traditional double loaded corridor type to apartments with single bedrooms. Also available as a unique option are apartments with full kitchens. Students who reside in the efficiency community are not required to purchase a meal contract. The Office of Residence Life (ORL) oversees the operation of university housing and strives to promote a living environment which respects the privacy and security of on campus residents and perhaps more importantly, encourages the creation and support of good habits.

All residence facilities have policies which incorporate quiet hours for the purpose of study and rest, and hours when non-disruptive group activities may take place.

In order for students to acquire on campus lodging, a completed application, room deposit and housing contract must be filed with Residence Life preceding the upcoming semester in which housing is sought. The deposit is applied towards the student's account to assist in covering future charges. It is refundable by notifying the ORL in writing by August 1 for the fall semester and January 1 for the spring semester. Failure to notify the ORL prior to this date results in a forfeiture of the deposit.

The housing contract (Agreement Form) obligates students to the conditions set forth in the Residence Contract Handbook. This agreement basically states that as residents, they are responsible for the room, furnishings and good citizenship policies while residing on campus. A complete copy of the Residence Hall Agreement is available from the ORL. Failure to follow these terms may result in fines, university judicial action, or eviction from the residence halls.

Residence Hall visitation policy varies according to class status, residence halls, day of the week and time. Freshmen may only have room visitors on weekends during specified hours; weekday visitation is allowed in common areas in each hall. Freshmen residing in apartment unit housing are not allowed to have opposite sex visitors. For upperclassmen (sophomores, juniors and seniors), room visitation is allowed every day from noon to midnight, with extended hours on weekends. Overnight guests of the same sex are permitted in all halls. Overnight guests of the opposite sex are not permitted in any residence hall. All overnight guests must be registered with the residence hall management office.

Housing Options

There are three types of University housing available: traditional halls, apartment suites, and efficiency units. The residents of a traditional hall are all same sex, and have a similar class standing. An apartment suite has four single rooms and one double with a common living room and bath facility. An efficiency unit has three double bedrooms, a common living room, kitchen and bath facilities. The residence halls are classified as follows:

Traditional:
Murphy Hall - freshmen, all female.
Murphy Annex - freshmen, all female.
Nuttle Hall - freshmen, all male.
Wicomico Hall - freshmen, all male.

Apartment Suites:
Student Apartments - sophomores/seniors, male/female.

Efficiency Units:
Student Residential Complex - sophomores/seniors, male/female.

Rooms

Rooms in every residence hall are equipped with basic furnishings: beds, dressers, desks, chairs, and closets. Cable TV, plus HBO, telephone and computer connections are in each room. Telephone service connects students to all campus extensions at no cost. Long-distance service (including international dialing) is available from residence hall room phones by personal security codes assigned to each resident. Students must maintain money in their Hawk accounts to use the service.

End of Semester Check-out

Students must move out of the residence halls at the end of each semester. All personal belongings must be removed prior to officially vacating the premises. The University provides limited storage facilities for personal belonging on campus and there are many established local storage companies which offer reasonable rates for short and long-term storage.

Area Directors and Counselors

Professional staff or directors, as live-in personnel are responsible for management, counseling, and administering policies of ORL.

Residential Resource Centers

Each housing community has a resource center equipped with academic support amenities. Computers, typewriters, video equipment, calculators, reference materials, group study areas and meeting rooms are all available free to the student. Professional and paraprofessional staff members coordinate activities in each center.

VENDING SERVICES

Food, drink, ice and laundry vending is available in each housing community. These services are reasonably priced and well maintained with up-to-date machinery.

FOOD SERVICES

All students living in residence halls (except those in efficiency units) must purchase a meal plan with the campus food service. Students living off campus can purchase a meal plan also. The University Dining Service offers three meals daily Monday through Saturday and two meals (brunch and dinner) on Sunday. When students subscribe to the meal plan, their student I.D. cards (HawkExpress Cards) are validated and used for entry into the Dining Hall. Guests may also eat in the dining hall on a cash basis. Meals at the dining hall are prepared by qualified personnel, and there are many food options available. Lunches and dinners offer several entrees and deli-bar foods as well as a salad bar with a variety of items. During the week, many specialty bars are offered as well.

HAWKMATS Laundry Facilities

Modern card operated laundry facilities are available throughout the residential areas. The Hawk Express Card must be used at HAWKMATS laundry facilities; coins are not accepted in the machines.

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

All motor vehicles operated on campus by UMES students, faculty, and staff must be registered with the Department of Public Safety regardless of ownership. Motorcycles and motor scooters are included in the policy. Each registered vehicle is issued a parking permit that is valid for one academic year. A small fee is charged for each permit. The 1992 Maryland General Assembly passed legislation requiring all out-of-state students attending the University of secure a Non-Resident permit for the vehicle which is to be operated in the State of Maryland for more than 30 days. There is a fee associated with the permit. Contact the Maryland State Motor Vehicle Administration for details.

Campus Parking

There is ample parking at UMES; all students living on campus may have their own vehicle. Everyone with a registered vehicle is responsible for knowing the policies for operating motor vehicles on campus and is expected to park in designated areas only. Failure to do so can result in ticketing or towing, depending on the violation. Fines must be paid within 15 days of occurrence or a late fee will be incurred. Violators who do not pay parking fines will have their tickets forwarded to the State's Motor Vehicle Administration.

POST OFFICE

The campus post office handles all mail and parcel post packages that come to campus via the U.S. postal system, and all mail sent between offices and persons on-campus. The post office does sell postage stamps, but because it is not an official U.S. Post Office, money orders cannot be cashed or purchased there. All students residing on campus may sign up for a mailbox during registration or at the campus Post Office that is located in the Student Services Center. Students must report to the Post Office within 3-days following registration to claim their box assignments. The lobby hours for access to mailboxes are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon. There is no window service on Saturdays. During the summer, Saturday hours are subject to change starting in the month of May. Students are held responsible for all communications sent to them by UMES.

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STUDENT ACTIVITIES

The Office of Student Activities manages and implements a number of student activities based on student interest, and input, both on and off campus. These activities include dances, intramural sports and recreation, plays, movies, lectures, bus trips, leadership training, homecoming, ethnic festival and SpringFest.

Student Organizations

All official extra-curricular organizations, activities, and enterprises of students on the UMES campus operate under the broad guidance of the Director of Student Activities. The following are many of the organizations currently functioning on the UMES campus:

Beta Kappa Chi
Campus Pals Organization
Caribbean International Club
Criminal Justice Society
Drama Society
Education Club
Eta Rho Mu
Engineering Technology Society
Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship
Human Ecology Club
Industrial Arts Club
International Students Organization
Math and Computer Science Club
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources And Related Sciences (MANRRS)
NAACP
National Association of Black Accountants
National Student Business League
Panhellenic Council
Physical Education Club
Physical Therapy Association
Physical Therapy Club
Pom Pom Squad
Poultry Science Club
Recruitment Club
Rehabilitation Services Student Association
Social Work Student Association
Student Activity Advisory Board
Wesley Foundation

Student Government Association (SGA)

Made up of elected student officers and advised by the Office of Student Activities, the SGA is the official undergraduate student governing body on the UMES campus. The SGA promotes the interests and welfare of the university community and encourages student participation in the solution of student concerns while cooperating with the faculty and staff in the regulation and promotion of student activities and development

Student Security

The University regularly hires and trains students to assist in campus security. Students work at dances, athletic events, pool parties, library, and monitor parking areas and provide escorts services as needed. Students may work a maximum of 20 hours a week when school is in session. For more information, contact the Office of Auxiliary Enterprises at (410) 651-6253.

Student Publications

The Student Newspaper, "The Hawks’ Message" and the Yearbook are generated through student fees, appropriated by the SGA. The "Hawks’ Message" student newspaper is published monthly, while the Yearbook is an annual publication. Students volunteer as editors, photographers and writers on both publications. For information on how to volunteer for either publication, contact the SGA, or the Office of Student Activities.

Student Check Cashing

The Office of Auxiliary Enterprises functions as an agent for the Office of Student Accounts and administers check-cashing services for registered UMES students. Services are provided through the academic term, in the Office of Auxiliary Enterprises located on the second floor of the Student Services Center. Registered students may cash one or more checks, or money orders, per service day, of which the totals my not exceed $51.00; there is a ($1.00) service charge on all checks and money orders. Students, who have had checks returned for insufficient funds, will lose check-cashing privileges indefinitely. Contact the Office of Auxiliary Enterprises for detailed information regarding check cashing and service hours.

The Panhellenic Council

The Panhellenic Council is made up of representatives of the National Greek Letter Organizations of UMES. The Council makes recommendations to the administrative bodies of the UMES campus regarding the activities of the National Greek Letter Organizations on the campus. One of its chief functions is to stimulate and guide each individual Greek Letter Organization so that the best interests of the University community will be served.

Fraternities and Sororities

National Greek Letter fraternities and sororities are represented by the following chapters on the UMES campus:

Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Delta Sigma Theta
Omega Psi Phi
Phi Beta Sigma
Sigma Gamma Rho
Zeta Phi Beta

Any sorority or fraternity which permits any type of activity incidental to the initiation of pledges during the stated period will be suspended.

Emergency Services

There are thirteen "blue light" emergency telephones strategically located throughout the university, directly connected to the Department of Public Safety for immediate police response. Elevators have similar emergency phones that are also connected to the Department.

Escort Services

Escort services can be provided students during the evening hours by Student Security.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for the safety and security of the university community, buildings, vehicles, and equipment on campus. It is the goal of Public Safety to provide a safe and wholesome environment to facilitate the educational mission of the university. The Department is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Prevention Education

The Department of Public Safety distributes materials recommended by the National Crime Prevention Council and by Maryland Crime Watch on various topics. Additional information is provided to the university community through lectures, videos, bulletins, and workshops.

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IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS WHICH APPLY TO ALL STUDENTS

The following behavior may result in referral to the UMES campus Judicial System for appropriate action. Typically, disciplinary sanctions will be imposed not only for individual misconduct that demonstrates a disregard for institutional behavior standards, but also for conduct that indicates disregard for the rights and welfare of others as members of an academic community. Such conduct may ultimately call into question the student’s membership in the university community, either because he/she has violated elementary standards of behavior necessary for the maintenance of an educational milieu or because his/her continued presence at the University adversely affects the ability of others to pursue their educational goals.

• Violation of Fire Regulations - This includes failure to comply with evacuation procedures, tampering with fire-protection apparatus, use or possession of fireworks or firearms, or use of open-flame devices or combustible materials which endangers the safety or well-being of the University community; or unauthorized use of electrical equipment.

• Behavior Which Jeopardized the Safety or Well-Being of Other Members of the University Community or Persons Coming onto University Property - This includes physical harassment of, or interference with fire fighters, police officers, or other persons engaged in the performance of their official duties, physical abuse or threatening physical abuse of any person on University property, and/or forcible detention of any person on University property.

• Unauthorized Possession, Use, or Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages on or in University Property - University policy, consistent with State and County Laws, restricts on-campus use of alcoholic beverages in specified areas.

• Possession, Use, Sale or Distribution of Illegal Drugs or of Drugs for Which the Required Prescription Has Not Been Obtained - This includes possession, use, distribution, sale, manufacture of or processing of illegal or unprescribed narcotics, drugs, and/or hallucinogenic substances.

• Destruction, Theft, Attempted Theft or Impairment of Personal or University Property - Disciplinary action may include a requirement of restitution.

• Unauthorized Possession or Use of University Keys - Keys to rooms or buildings on the university campus may be obtained only through official channels.

• Unauthorized Entry into or Presence in a University Building or Facility - Except for properly scheduled use, classroom, administration and recreation buildings are closed to general student use on holidays, Saturday afternoons, Sundays and after 12 midnight during the week. Students may use a building or facility for a specified purpose upon written permission from a member of the faculty with approval of the academic or administration officer normally having control over such building or facility, which permission may be revoked or withdrawn.

• Plagiarism, Cheating and Other Academic Irregularities - A student who violates accepted academic procedure may be referred to the department Chairman or to an Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Dishonesty.

• Falsification, Forgery or Modification of Any Official University Record - Identification card, absence excuses, parking stickers, transcripts, examinations, grade cards, admission applications, etc.

• Actions on the Part of Students Which Substantially Obstruct, Disrupt, or Interfere with Non-Academic Activities on University Premises by Members or Authorized Non-Members of the University Community.

• Obstruction of, Disruption of, or Interference with Any University Activity of an Academic Nature - Discipline in the classroom is the responsibility of the faculty member in charge of the class. Misbehavior of a type that interferes with the educational efficiency of a class will be considered sufficient cause for suspending a student from the class. If a student is suspended from class for disciplinary reasons, he/she should report immediately to the department Chairman. The department Chair will investigate the incident and will report it to the academic dean, who will in turn report it to the Vice President for Academic Affairs to determine whether or not past disciplinary action has been taken against the student. The department Chair will then write a letter to the student indicating the disposition of the case. The student will be required to present this letter to this instructor before he can be readmitted to class. A copy of this letter will be sent to the Chair of the Student Judiciary Council.

• Failure to Meet Financial Obligations to the University -This includes refusal to pay delinquent accounts and use of worthless checks or money orders in payment to the University for tuition board, fees, library fines, traffic penalties, etc.

• Violations of University Housing Regulations.

• Violations of University Campus Traffic Rules and Regulations.

SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS FROM UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES AND/OR FACILITIES

Suspension from University activities and facilities occurs when a student breaks the University's Code of Student Conduct. The person in charge of a unit of the University directly related to the code violation (the person in charge of a department, division, organization building, facility, or units such as the Dining Hall, Student Union etc.) may recommend suspension of any student from a facility, pending action by the Student Judicial Council, which investigates all such incidents and notifies the student(s) of the disposition of the case. The individual responsible for the suspension will be notified before the student(s) or organization can be reached. A file of such actions is kept in the office of the judicial administrator.

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