STUDENT LIFE AND SERVICES

The university believes that students’ academic goals may be best realized when support services complement the classroom experience. To that end, student affairs professionals support students in their academic work, and sponsor programs to enrich their experience of university life. All offices offer information, activities, and assistance programs to facilitate the continuing development of the student’s skills, learning, insights, and life plan. The staff in these offices act as liaisons between the university and the broader community, recognizing that formal schooling is not an end in itself, but rather a means to the future. Student life and services enhance the university experience by providing programs, services, and activities from which students can benefit during and after their years at the University.

The university provides a wide spectrum of support services ranging from child care to educational support to veterans’ assistance, and encourages students to get involved in campus life. Further information about all the services and programs described below is available from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (617.287.5800).

Student Life

The extracurricular life of the university centers on activities sponsored primarily through the Office of Student Life and funded through the Student Activities Trust Fund. Established by the University Board of Trustees, the fund is maintained by mandatory student activities fees. Both the Undergraduate Student Senate and the Graduate Student Assembly have recommending authority over the expenditure of Student Activities funds; members of those organizations work closely with the professional staff at Student Life to create a wealth of activities throughout the year. The Office of Student Life functions as a clearing house and focal point of activity for students on campus, where information and services are available, ranging from the issuing of ID cards to locker rentals to the most up-to-date listing of student organizations.

Student Life also oversees the operations of such activities as the Wit’s End Café, a campus coffeehouse, and the Game Room, where students relax with video games, pool, and pinball machines.

The Student Arts and Events Council each year provides the campus community with a variety of cultural offerings, including the Harbor Art Gallery, the museum pass program, discount tickets to movies, sporting events and plays, and on-campus performances of music, poetry, and lectures. Students keep in touch with campus life by reading the student newspaper, The Mass Media. The literary journal, The Watermark, features the best work produced by student artists and writers.

Other activities and opportunities include recognized student organizations, or clubs, and community action programs that involve students in community-based, student-administered advocacy work. All these are administered through the Office of Student Life, which also oversees student governance and assists in administering student elections and referenda.
One special opportunity available through the Office of Student Life is the Beacon Leadership Project: Leaders at the Point. To complement the urban educational and service mission of the University of Massachusetts Boston, the BLP provides students with credit- or competency-based opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership skills and potential. The BLP experience involves integrative and collaborative learning; leadership and learning experiences; and service learning (www.umb.edu/umb/leadership).

The program of the Beacon Leadership Project consists of two semesters of workshops, a mentor experience, and a community service project. Recent workshop offerings have included time management, ethics, negotiation and dispute resolution, and critical thinking. Application and admission standards for this program are available at the Office of Student Life (617.287.7950).

Clubs and Centers

Through the Office of Student Life, the Student Activities Fee funds student centers and clubs (RSOs). Student clubs focus on special areas of interest and welcome new members. (See the list below of “Recognized Student Organizations.”) Student centers are an on-campus community action initiative of the Student Senate. All students are welcome to stop in and participate in center activities. There are nine such centers on campus: The Alcohol and Substance Awareness Center; ARMS (Advocacy and Resources for Modern Survival); the Asian Student Center; the Black Student Center; CASA Latina (Latino Student Center); the Queer Student Center; the Center for Students with disabilities; the Veterans Center; and the Women’s Center. The Student Activities Fee also provides some support for the UMass Boston Early Learning Center and the University Honors Program.
Recognized student organizations receiving funding through the Student Activities Trust Fund may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Accounting and Finance Academy
• African Hut Club
• Arab Student Association
• Anthropology Club
• Artist Collaborative
• Biology Club
• Cape Verdean Club
• Chemistry/Biochemistry Club
• Chinese Cultural Association
• Classics Club
• Environmentalists Club
• French Club
• Geography and Earth Science Club
• Golden Key Club
• Haitian Student Association
• International Student Association
• Japanese Club
• Muslim Student Association
• Philosophy Club
• Politics Society
• Pre-Law Club
• Pre-Med Society
• Psychology Club
• Puerto Rican Club
• Sailing Club
• Socialist Club
• Student Nurses Association
• Survivors Inc
• Sustainability Club
• Vietnamese Student Association

Students interested in starting new clubs should call the Office of Student Life.

Student Employment

As a division of the university’s Office of Financial Aid Services, the Student Employment Office (SEO) oversees student employment programs. Many positions listed through SEO are conveniently located on campus, which can make it easier to coordinate employment and class schedules. The office also lists off-campus positions, which may be more conveniently located near home. While their earnings can help defray educational expenses, employed students also develop marketable skills and the experience necessary for success in today’s competitive job market.

All active students at UMass Boston are eligible for student employment programs. Because each program has its own regulations, however, not every student is eligible for every type of job. To determine which program is best for you, review the SEO website: www.umb.edu/students/employment/index.html

Housing Services

The staff at the Office of Student Housing provides essential resources and services needed for the housing search. A computerized listing of available house and apartment rentals is maintained, and special rates are provided at some locations for UMass Boston students. Short-term housing, such as hostels and home stay programs, along with a roommate matching service, are also provided. Information can be found at www.umb.edu/students/housing or at 617-287-6011. The Office of Student Housing is located on the fourth floor of the Campus Center.

WUMB Radio

WUMB Radio is a network of five non-commercial public radio stations broadcasting throughout the Boston, Worcester, Newburyport, Orleans, and Falmouth areas. As a member of National Public Radio, WUMB provides a high quality service of folk, news, and information to the communities within listening range. Its particular educational, informational and cultural programming formats are not offered by other radio broadcast facilities in the area. The station has a policy board representing university and public broadcasting interests, and a community advisory board, representing the concerns of surrounding communities. In addition, for students living in these communities, the station regularly provides information about campus events, highlights the expertise of faculty, staff, alumni and students, and airs no-school announcements during inclement weather. WUMB offers work-study and volunteer opportunities for UMass Boston students to enjoy and learn a variety of aspects of the radio broadcasting industry. Students interested in a career in radio broadcasting can apply for the “Radio Learning Project” to learn about broadcasting, engineering, management, and sales; it is a comprehensive training program covering all areas of radio station operations, and includes an academic credit option.

WUMB Radio is located on the lower level of the Healey Library. For more information, please call 617.287.6900 or visit the station during office hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5:00 pm, and by appointment). You can also visit the station website at www.wumb.org.

Campus Ministry

The Campus Ministry is an interfaith chaplaincy service actively involved in the spiritual and human development of students, faculty, and staff. Protestant and Catholic chaplains, and Jewish and Muslim advisors, offer liturgical, educational, cultural, social, and spiritual programs. Among these programs are daily prayer, mid-week liturgies, scripture seminars, ecumenical services, study groups, pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, lectures, workshops, and Bible study. The Campus Ministry also does fund-raising for local and international hunger relief, co-sponsors events with other campus departments and offices, conducts retreats, and operates a lending library of theological and spiritual books. Students of all faiths are welcome! (Office of Catholic Campus Ministry, 617.287.5839; Office of Protestant Campus Ministry 617.287.5838.)

Early Learning Center

UMass Boston’s Early Learning Center is designed to provide a welcoming, nurturing, and educational environment for children of university students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of Harbor Point. The development of self-esteem is one of the Center’s fundamental goals. Children at the Center grow to view themselves as important and competent individuals: they make choices and decisions; they pursue their own interests; they can spend time alone as well as in groups. Parent participation in Early Learning Center programs is encouraged and valued.

The Center provides licensed care for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten children, ages 15 months to 6 years. It is open year-round, Monday through Friday, from 7:30am-5:30pm.

Our current rate for toddlers is $48.00 per day. The rate for preschool and kindergarten is $38.00 per day. When applicable and as space permits, this fee may be subsidized by any of the following:

• UMass Boston Student Scholarship
• Office of Child Care Services Contract
• Boston Public Schools / Community Partnership Scholarship
• Child Care Voucher

There is an application process and wait list for admission into the program, so it’s important to apply early.
The Early Learning Center is off campus at 2 Harbor Point Boulevard in Harbor Point. It’s about a 7-minute walk from campus, and easily accessible by car or the #2 shuttle bus. To arrange a tour or to get an application, or for other information, please call (7-6195) or go on the Web at www.umb.edu/students/childcare. Visitors are welcome.

Department of Athletics

The Athletics Department offers a wide range of programs structured to meet the needs not only of those students interested in intercollegiate competition, but also of students seeking recreational activities. The department sponsors 14 teams, men: cross country, soccer, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, lacrosse and baseball; women; cross country, soccer, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball and softball. The Clark Athletic Center is home for the Beacons.

UMass Boston is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III member competing in the Little East Conference and the Eastern Athletic College Conference. The department upholds the principle of equal opportunity for both men and women, and endorses the principle of gender equity and compliance with Title IX regulations.

The Department’s extensive intramural and recreation program includes such team sports as basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, floor hockey, badminton, soccer, wallyball, and wiffleball; one-on-one activities such as racquetball and squash; and instructional programs like water aerobics and tennis. The popular sailing program operates from mid-spring to early fall, allowing students to take full advantage of the on-campus dock and the university’s fleet of Mercury- and Laser-class sailboats.

The Clark Athletic Center is one of the finest athletic and recreation complexes in the Boston area. The indoor facilities consist of the gymnasium, an ice-skating rink, swimming pool, varsity locker rooms, sports medicine room, varsity weight room, computer lab and creative room. The outdoor facilities include an eight-lane 400 meter track, soccer/lacrosse field, multipurpose practice field, eight tennis courts and a new softball field.

The Athletics Department manages the Beacon Fitness Center, located on the first floor of McCormack Hall. The center provides a variety of state-of-the-art exercise equipment, recently renovated locker rooms, squash and racquetball courts. Personal training, aerobics classes, massage therapy, orientations and fitness assessments available here.

The Athletics Department encourages students to become involved with the numerous programs which are available to them—as a student-athlete, intramurals and recreation participant, or as a spectator supporting the Beacons at home.

Further information is available at www.athletics.umb.edu.

University Health Services

www.umb.edu/students/health

The mission of the Department of University Health Services is to provide quality medical services and education to enhance the health and well-being of the university community. Programs and services are aimed at promoting optimal physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Our interdisciplinary health care team includes a variety of professional, administrative, and support staff. Our clinical staff is composed of nurse practitioners, consulting specialty physicians, psychologists, social workers, laboratory technicians, and health educators.

All registered UMass Boston students are eligible for health care at the University Health Services. The health fee, paid by all students, covers unlimited visits to the Department of General Medicine, consultation in the Counseling Center, and access to programs offered by the Health Education and Wellness Center. However, there is a minimal co pay for physician visits, specialty services, and laboratory tests. In accordance with Massachusetts state law, all students must have active health insurance. The University of Massachusetts Boston offers a student Health Insurance Plan for all part-time and full-time students, and their dependents. The University Health Services General Medicine Department is the primary care provider for students in this plan. As the primary care provider, we will direct all of your health care needs, including referrals for specialty services not available at University Health Services.

The student health insurance plan is available to matriculated students only. It is also mandatory for undergraduate students taking 9 or more credits and undergraduate students taking 7 or more credits. If you fall into this category and wish to waive the student health insurance, you must have comparable coverage under another medical insurance plan. You should submit the Student Health Insurance Decision Waiver Card with the required information and submit it to the Bursar’s office by October 1 for full-year students and March 1 for spring semester students. Insurance premium payments are nonrefundable. Additional cards are available in the Bursar’s Office and the University Health Services reception area.

Immunizations: All UMass Boston students must submit a completed immunization form to the University Health Services. The form is mailed annually or can be obtained at UHS or downloaded at the UMass Boston website: www.umb.edu/students/health. Massachusetts law requires that the following immunizations be completed: measles (including a second measles shot), mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and tetanus. UHS strongly recommends the meningococcal vaccination. These immunizations can be administered through the General Medicine Department of UHS for a minimal co pay.
University Health Services comprises three programs. They are General Medicine, the Counseling Center, and Health Education and Wellness.

General Medicine

The Department of General Medicine is a nurse practitioner health center providing health care to all university students. Our well-qualified team provides primary care, walk-in (no appointment necessary) care, women’s health care, immunizations, sports physicals, travel medicine, and other specialty and laboratory services. Students who develop an episodic illness or injury may be seen by appointment or walk-in during hours of operation. In addition, appointments can be made for physicals, women’s health issues, travel medicine, and other specialty services. Women’s health services include physical examinations, Pap smears, contraception, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, and evaluation and treatment of sexually transmissible infections. Men’s health services include physicals, STIs, sexual assault, injury evaluation and treatment, and evaluation of sexual dysfunction. Specialty services provided by on-site contract physicians include dermatology, sports medicine/orthopedics, internal medicine, and endocrinology, which are available by appointment.

The General Medicine program is located on the second floor of the Quinn Administration Building, Room 040. During the academic year, the Department of General Medicine is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and during winter and summer session from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information and appointments, call 617.287.5660.

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides psychological evaluation and consultation services to all university students. Our goals are to promote better functioning and growth opportunities, to help students manage personal difficulties and concerns that can interfere with the academic experience. Services include individual and couples evaluation and therapy, group screening and therapy, crisis intervention, and walk-in emergency care during hours of operation; consultation, workshops, information, and referrals are provided as needed. Our clinical team is made up of experienced psychologists, social workers, and graduate and doctoral trainees who function under the supervision of licensed faculty and staff. Initial meetings are free; co pays begin with the fourth meeting except for short-term groups.
The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Quinn Administration Building, Room 037, and is open year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information and appointments, call 617.287.5690.

Health Education and Wellness Center

The goal of the Health Education Program is to enhance the academic success of students by supporting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being with a wide range of programs and services.

Programs that are offered through the Health Education Program include: Time and Stress Management, Smoking Cessation, Alcohol and Other Drug Information, Sexuality and Sexual Health Education, Nutrition and Fitness Programs, Special Events, Health Screenings, and more.
Services are offered in the format of groups and workshops, as well as individual consultations and phone consultations. In addition, we provide a comprehensive website with health and program information and access to online health education services.

Students can relax and unwind in the Wellness Center, where they will find fresh spring water, health-related books and resources, and computer access to our online resources. The Wellness Center is staffed by both professional health educators and trained peer educators.
The Health Education Program is located on the second floor of the Campus Center, Room 2107, and is open year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call 617.287.5680.

The Wellness Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the academic year. Health Education services, as described above, are available year-round by appointment. For more information, call 617-287-5680.

The Joiner Center

The William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences, an academic and service center, assists veterans through such support programs as the Office of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Resource Project. The Center also sponsors courses related to the study of war, in particular the war in Vietnam.

The Office of Veterans’ Affairs offers academic counseling, referrals, and relevant information for all students and prospective students who are veterans or dependents of veterans. Staff members also assist in the certification of veterans for educational benefits. In addition, this office assists veterans in recording and reporting certain changes in their status as required by the Veterans Administration: changes in credit load per semester, withdrawal from the University, marital standing, and number of dependents.

The Veterans’ Resource Project provides a range of services to students who are veterans. Recognizing the particular needs of many of these students, the project offers tutorial and advocacy services, academic and personal counseling, and opportunities for veterans to participate in projects and activities. The Project also provides support for the Veterans Upward Bound Program and for other student veterans groups and university programs.

Among the events of national significance the Joiner Center has sponsored are the Conference on the Concerns of Vietnam Veterans, as well as conferences on women and the military, and on the military and war films. The Center also sponsors a writers’ workshop, the Vietnam Institute, and a program on Vietnam’s city of Hue. In addition to presenting films, lectures, and symposia, the Center is involved in a number of academic projects. Recently it has acquired several major research collections and was selected by the Rockefeller Foundation Humanities Fellowship Program as the site for a three-year scholarly exploration of the Vietnamese diaspora.