Services

Academic Advising

Academic advising is recognized at the College as important to the educational development of its students and as both a natural extension of teaching and an important professional obligation on the part of its faculty. Sound academic advice can make the crucial difference between a coherent and exciting education that satisfies personal and professional goals and one that is fragmented and frustrating. It helps the student address not simply course selection and scheduling but also what a liberally educated person should be and know. Because students are responsible themselves for meeting academic goals and requirements, they are urged to take full advantage of the help and information the advisor can offer. Students should take the initiative in making appointments with the faculty advisor for academic and other counsel. New Students are assigned an academic advisor by the Office of Academic Advising. Students are required to meet with their advisors to discuss academic, personal and professional goals; to review the academic regulations and requirements of the College; and to receive help in planning a specific program of study. Freshmen have three required advising meetings during the first year and must attend these meetings in order to register for the next semester. Although students may change their advisor at any time by requesting a change in the Office of Academic Advising, most students retain the same advisor during the sophomore year. After students declare their major, they are assigned an advisor by the department, program or school in which they are completing a major. Students declaring two majors are assigned an advisor in both majors. For details on when students can or must declare a major, see the Catalog section, “Majors & Minors ”.

The Earl Gregg Swem Library

Carrie Cooper, Dean of University Libraries
(757) 221-INFO

             Website: www.swem.wm.edu

Mission and Services

Every great university has a great library, and William & Mary is no exception. A place where curiosity, creativity, and exploration intersect, the Earl Gregg Swem Library is fundamental to the William & Mary experience. 

The library supports and enhances teaching and research at the College by providing valuable services, rich collections, knowledgeable staff, and dynamic spaces that enrich and inform the educational experience.

Swem contributes to the College’s mission by helping our users not only find information, but to evaluate it, use it, and share it. The library also selects and acquires high quality resources to support the university’s curriculum and research needs, and organizes, preserves and provides access to these resources.

Information Commons

Approximately 120 high-end PCs, each loaded with a large suite of productivity applications and specialized course software, are located on the first floor. Computers in the adjacent Learning Center classroom are available for use when classes are not scheduled. There are numerous open network ports for laptop connections, and each floor is configured for wireless access. Twenty-eight  group study rooms are located throughout the library for group collaboration and presentation practice. Student consultants from the Writing Center provide on-site writing assistance, and tutors are available by appointment at the Tribe Tutor Zone. Professional advisors are available by appointment at the Offices of Academic Advising, also located in Swem. 

Collections

Swem Library and its branches are home to more than 3 million items including 1.9 million print books, 1.5 million microforms, 13,158 films and videos, and 23,789 music recordings.

The library offers many electronic resources with access to 1.1 million e-books, 647 databases and 132,454 e-journals. These can be accessed via Swem’s online catalog at http://swem.wm.edu.

Research Services

Research librarians can help identify useful library resources for a specific assignment, assist with searching electronic databases, offer group instruction to classes, and provide general advice on finding, evaluating and using library resources. Connect with research librarians in person or by phone, email, text or online chat. More info at https://swem.wm.edu/about-swem/contact-us.

Government Information Services

Swem Library provides access to federal, state, and international documents and is a selective depository for publications issued by the United States and Virginia governments. Access to electronic government information can be found in Swem’s online catalog. For assistance with government information, contact the library’s reference desk at 221-3067.

Circulation and Reserves Services

The Circulation and Reserves Department helps patrons identify and locate materials in the library; answers questions about library policies; manages patron records; checks out library materials and equipment such as laptops, iPods, headphones, internet cables, calculators, etc.; and manages course reserves. All of the library’s materials are available for use within the library, and most items can be borrowed for use outside the building. The W&M ID card serves as the library card for students, staff, and faculty. All patrons have access to their library account by visiting clicking on “My Library Account” located at the bottom of Swem’s homepage. Contact the Circulation and Reserves Departments at 221-3072 or swem@wm.edu.

Interlibrary Loans

If a book, journal article, or other item is not available at W&M, it can usually be borrowed from another library. Articles usually arrive within 2-3 days; books within a week. Requests for materials may be submitted at https://swem.wm.edu/services/borrowing/interlibrary-loan-ill. Questions? Contact the Interlibrary Loan Department at (757) 221-3089 (option 1) or sweill@wm.edu.

Media Center

Swem Library’s Media Center services are available to W&M students, staff and faculty. Production studios are equipped with a wide array of software and hardware for the creation of multimedia projects. With a full-time staff, loanable production equipment, and an array of industry-standard software, the Media Center is capable of supporting a wide range of multimedia projects from pre-production to post-production to digital distribution. Contact the center at https://swem.wm.edu/services/media or (757) 221-1378.

Special Collections Research Center

Swem Library’s Special Collections Research Center includes university archives, manuscripts and rare books, as well as unique collections such as the papers of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. University archives documents the history of the college from its founding in 1693 to the present through student publications, photographs, official records, artifacts, memorabilia, and other materials relating to the College. The manuscript collections include letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, and other items that cover everything from social movements to the day-to-day experiences of people from all walks of life. The rare books collection includes books dating from the 1400s to today, and focuses on Virginia history, gardening and natural history, religion, dogs, book arts, travel, science, and medicine. For more information, visit http://swem.wm.edu/scrc.

Library Hours

Swem’s normal operating hours are Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. During final exams, the library stays open 24 hours. Hours vary throughout the year, especially during interim periods and holidays, so please check the website or call 757-221-INFO to confirm hours.

Swem Library Branches:

In addition to the main library, Swem Library has separate libraries for Chemistry, Music, and Physics.

• Chemistry Library, 1022 Integrated Science Center, (757) 221-2094
• Music Library, 250 Ewell Hall, (757) 221-1090
• Physics Library, 161 Small Hall, (757) 221-3539

Other William and Mary libraries include:

• McLeod Business Library (757) 221-2916, mason.wm.edu/about/library/index.php
• Education/Learning Resource Center (757) 221-2311 education.wm.edu/centers/lrc/index.php
• Wolf Law Library (757) 221-3255, law.wm.edu/library/home/index.php
• William J. Hargis, Jr. Library at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (804) 684-7116, web.vims.edu/library/

William & Mary Libraries Staff

For a full directory of staff at Swem Library, its branches and affiliated libraries, visit https://swem.wm.edu/staff-directory.

Division of Student Affairs

Student Health Center

Dr. Virginia D. Wells, Director
1 Gooch Drive
(757) 221-4386

             Website: www.wm.edu/health

The Student Health Center provides high-quality, primary medical care for full-time students. The Health Center delivers a wide variety of services, many of which are covered by the Student Health Center Fee included in the Tuition and General Fee assessment. There is fee for office visits, as well as a fee for certain services, labs, pharmacy and medical supplies. Information about fees and charges can be found on our website. All matters between a student and the Health Center staff are confidential and will not be released without the student’s written consent (except in the case of life threatening situations, medical emergencies, severe emotional or psychological distress, or when required and/or permitted by law).

Virginia state law requires all full-time students who are enrolling in a four-year public institution to provide a health history and an official immunization record. The College further requires all full-time students (including previously matriculated students) as well as any other student eligible for services as determined by their department (i.e. Language House tutors, students with an approved underload, or transfer students) to provide documentation of the same immunization requirements and health history. This form will not be accepted if the physician completing and signing the form is a family member. Previously enrolled students who are reentering as full-time students after an absence of 2 years or more must update their forms to meet current requirements. Additionally, enrolled students who are reentering as full-time students after an absence from campus of 6 years or more must resubmit the entire form. This information MUST be submitted on William and Mary’s Health Evaluation Form (PDF). In order to be eligible for medical care, graduate and undergraduate students must have paid a Health Fee for the current semester and completed the Health Evaluation Form. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the following actions: prevention from registering for classes, ineligibility for non-urgent medical care at the Student Health Center, the assessment of a fine on your student account, and may also result in eviction from the residence halls and/or removal from campus (depending on the medical issue); and will include referral to the Dean of Students Office for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

The College requires all full-time undergraduate and graduate students admitted Fall 2006 or after and all F-1 and J-1 international students to have health insurance coverage throughout the school year as a condition of enrollment. These students will be enrolled in the college-endorsed Student Health Insurance Plan and the cost will be billed to their student account in two installments (fall and spring semester) UNLESS proof of other adequate health insurance coverage is furnished. Students who already have health insurance for the entire academic year must submit a waiver request by the posted deadline each academic year and the waiver request must be approved to avoid being enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. All other full-time undergraduate and graduate students admitted prior to Fall 2006 are not required by the College to have health insurance coverage but are eligible to enroll in the college-endorsed Student Health Insurance Plan on a voluntary basis. It is the student’s responsibility to verify whether or not the charge has been billed to your student account. If there is a billing error, you should contact the Student Insurance Coordinator immediately. To access the waiver or enrollment request forms and for more information about the insurance requirement or the college-endorsed insurance plan, please visit www.wm.edu/health/insurance.

Dean of Students Office

S. Marjorie Thomas, Dean of Students
Campus Center 109
(757) 221-2510

Website:  www.wm.edu/deanofstudents

The Dean of Students Office provides important services to students.

• We assist students in fulfilling the academic requirements of the College. The Committee on Academic Status, a faculty committee coordinated by the Dean, monitors students’ progress towards their degree and makes decisions on academic overloads and under-loads.
• We offer workshops and appointments for developing time management and study skills, and oversees the Tribe Tutor Zone.
• We manage the Student Conduct Processes, including responding to students who have experienced sexual harassment and sexual assault.
• We provide administrative coordination of the Honor System.
• We provide support for students taking personal and medical leaves of absences and coordinates mid-semester withdrawals from the College.
• We coordinate Parent and Family Programs, Transfer Student Support Services, Care Support Services, and Student Accessibility Services.

Counseling Center

Dr. Warrenetta C. Mann, Director
Blow Memorial Hall, Suite 240
(757) 221-3620

Website:  www.wm.edu/counselingcenter

The Counseling Center offers a range of brief services for William and Mary students in order to address psychological issues, personal concerns, interpersonal issues, and crisis intervention. Staff members are available to discuss any important personal concerns a student may be facing and work with that student to provide resources to address those concerns.

The staff of the Counseling Center is a diverse group of mental health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, and social workers. A sport psychologist is available for students interested in learning how to enhance their athletic, academic or personal performance. All staff are trained and experienced in dealing with the problems of university students.

Appointments may be made by calling the Counseling Center at 757-221-3620 or by coming to the office in person. Office hours are 8 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For emergencies please dial campus police at 757-221-4596.  To speak with a counselor about an urgent matter you can reach us after hours and weekends by calling us at 757-221-3620.

The Cohen Career Center

Kathleen I. Powell, Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Career Development
180 Stadium Drive
(757) 221-3231

Website:  www.wm.edu/career

As partners in the educational process, the Cohen Career Center supports students and alumni through access to comprehensive career development programs, services, connections, and resources, empowering them to pursue their post-graduation plans and navigate life-long career changes. Services include: one-on-one career advising appointments; career education programming; access to internships, resume, and interview preparation; access to on-campus recruiting, mock interviews, and a career database through Tribe Careers; and graduate and professional school admission support. The Career Center serves undergraduate students of all majors, as well as graduate and professional students in Arts & Sciences, Marine Science (VIMS), School of Education and Master of Accounting. 

The Center for Student Diversity

Vernon J. Hurte, Ph.D., Director and Senior Associate Dean of Students
Campus Center 159
(757) 221-2300

The Center for Student Diversity strives to foster inclusion, collaboration, and relationship-building within our campus community. The Center provides academic, social, and transition support for underserved and underrepresented students and promotes exchange and dialogue between individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities. We also serve as an information center, providing training and resources to the campus and local Williamsburg community regarding multicultural and diversity topics.

Student Accessibility Services (formerly Disability Services)

Lesley Henderson, Director of Student Accessibility Services and Assistant Dean of Students
Campus Center 109
(757) 221-2509

Website:   www.wm.edu/sas

Student Accessibility Services strives to create a comprehensively accessible living and learning environment to ensure that students with disabilities and diagnosed conditions are viewed on the basis of ability by considering reasonable accommodation on an individual and flexible basis in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The decision to request accommodation is voluntary and a matter of individual choice. Students seeking accommodation are strongly encouraged to contact Student Accessibility Services and submit all supporting documentation early to allow adequate time for planning.

Documentation of a Diagnosed Condition
Documentation serves two primary purposes. First, it establishes that the individual has a diagnosed condition, and therefore is protected from discrimination. Second, documentation must describe the current functional impact of the diagnosed condition so that potential accommodations can be identified.

All documentation of diagnosed conditions should consist of an evaluation by an appropriate professional that is not older than three years from the date of the first accommodation request. Included must be a clear statement of the diagnosis, the basis for the diagnosis, and the current impact of the diagnosed condition as it relates to the accommodation request. As appropriate to the diagnosed condition, the documentation should also include the following elements:

• A diagnostic statement identifying the condition, date of the most current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis.
• A description of the diagnostic tests, methods, and/or criteria used including specific test results and standardized test scores, as well as the examiner’s narrative interpretation.
• A description of the current functional impact of the diagnosed condition. This may be in the form of an examiner’s narrative, and/or an interview, but must have a rational relationship to diagnostic assessments. For learning disabilities, current documentation is defined using adult norms.
• A statement indicating treatments, medications, or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use, with a description of the mediating effects and potential side effects from such treatments.
• A description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of the diagnosed condition over time, particularly the next five years.
• A history of previous accommodations and their impact.
• The credentials of the diagnosing professional(s), if not clear from the letterhead or other forms. Please note that diagnosing professionals cannot be family members or others with a close personal relationship with the individual being evaluated.

Documentation of cognitive impairment such as Specific Learning Disability, Attention Deficit Disorder, or physical, medical, and psychological disorders affecting learning must include a comprehensive report of psycho-educational or neuropsychological evaluation meeting specified documentation criteria. (Please see the Student Accessibility Services website for a list of criteria.) IEP or 504 plans will not be considered sufficient documentation unless also accompanied by a current and complete comprehensive report.

Documentation prepared for specific non-educational venues such as the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs may not meet these criteria. Records from school divisions concerning students exiting from special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will be given due consideration in determining the presence of a qualifying disability and making accommodation decisions. All documentation of disability is considered confidential and will not be released without a student’s prior written consent.

Beyond the more objective determination of a diagnosed condition and its impact provided by external documentation, the College recognizes that input from the individual with this diagnosed condition is also a rich and important source of information on the impact of the condition and on the effectiveness of accommodations. Accommodation decisions are made on a case by case basis, considering the impact of a particular student’s diagnosed condition within the specific context of a college-level academic environment.

Reves Center for International Studies

Stephen E. Hanson, Vice Provost for International Affairs
200 South Boundary Street
(757) 221 - 3590

The Reves Center for International Studies is the home of the office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, the Office of International Students, Scholars, and Programs, and the Global Education Office at William & Mary.  Our mission is to support and promote the internationalization of learning, teaching, research, and community involvement at W&M, and we do this through programs for international students and scholars, education abroad, and global engagement across the university. 

The Global Engagement Team (GET) assists with the planning and implementation of a number of internationally focused programs, events and initiatives designed to celebrate W&M’s international community and to facilitate cross-cultural exchange, as well as hosting endowed lectures and events that bring world-class scholars, analysts, artists, public figures and other distinguished guests to campus. Initiatives include publishing and promoting a variety of publications with an international angle and managing the Reves Room, which is available for internationally focused events hosted by W&M departments, offices, programs, and faculty or staff-sponsored student organizations for official events. The Global Engagement Team also manages a variety of funding opportunities to assist faculty and students undertaking international research, conference attendance and internships. Additionally GET oversees the emergency communications and 24/7 emergency response related to university-sponsored international travel, monitors international developments and assesses risk for overseas travel.

International Students, Scholars, and Programs (ISSP)

Stephen J. Sechrist, Director
200 South Boundary Street
(757) 221 - 3590

Located on the second floor of the Reves Center, ISSP supports the community of international students, scholars, faculty, and their families at William & Mary. 

We do this through

• immigration and visa services, sponsoring F-1 and J-1 visas;
• programs to foster student success at W&M, such as orientation and the International Student Success Series;
• cultural programs such as the Global Friends Program which matches international students with host families in the community; 
• advocacy with on- and off-campus offices, organizations, and government agencies (e.g. Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicles);
• Scholarships to support students with financial hardship, fund educational opportunities (e.g. attend a conference) and recognize international student achievement

ISSP also oversees the W&M English Language Program. Through this, we provide opportunities for students from abroad to come to W&M for intensive English training. The program also supports undergraduate students through the Conversation Partner Program and the International Freshman Advantage Program.

Walk in hours are weekdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., throughout the year.

Tel. 757-221-3590

globe@wm.edu ; www.wm.edu/offices/revescenter/issp

Global Education Office (GEO)

Sylvia Mitterndorfer, Director
200 South Boundary Street
(757) 221 - 3594

William & Mary has long recognized its responsibility to provide a global perspective to its curriculum so students gain the international understanding necessary to be informed citizens. The university encourages students to view study abroad as an educational objective. When planned in advance and integrated into a student’s on-campus academic plan, study abroad can be integral to the liberal arts education, providing cultural enrichment, personal development and intellectual challenge. Approximately 50% of undergraduate students participate in study abroad by the time they graduate.

The Global Education Office (GEO) assists students with every stage of the study abroad process, collaborates with faculty and departments to develop study abroad programs in line with the educational mission of W&M, and serves as the home for incoming exchange students. Located on the second floor of the Reves Center, the GEO facilitates the university’s study abroad programs including undergraduate academic year/semester exchange and assisted enrollment study abroad programs, as well as W&M faculty-led summer and short-term study abroad programs.  We administer more than 40 W&M-sponsored study abroad programs in more than 25 countries.  In addition, through GEO, students have the opportunity to enroll in over 100 non-W&M study abroad programs.  Thanks to the generosity of private donors, GEO also awards more than $400,000 in  need- and merit-based scholarships each year.  For more information on credits earned through study abroad, see the catalog section, “Transfer Credit for Enrolled Students.”

William & Mary currently has tuition exchange or sponsored semester agreements with the University of Adelaide (Australia), Vienna University of Economics & Business (Austria), McGill University (Canada), Tsinghua University (China), the universities of Exeter and Nottingham and the Manchester Business School (England), Cardiff University (Wales), Institut d’Études Politiques de Lilles (France), Paul Valéry University, Montpellier III (France), Akita International, Kanazawa, and Keio universities (Japan), Leiden University (The Netherlands), St Andrews University (Scotland), the National University of Singapore and Yonsei University (South Korea). Assisted enrollment programs are offered in La Plata (Argentina), Oxford University (England), Montpellier (France) and Seville (Spain).

Summer study abroad programs are sponsored by W&M in Adelaide, Australia;  Antigua; Athens and Nafplio, Greece; Beijing, China; Cádiz, Spain; Cambridge, England; Cape Town, South Africa; Florence, Italy; Galway, Ireland; Goa, India; Indonesia; Montpellier, France; Potsdam, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic; Rome & Pompeii, Italy; Santiago de Compostela, Spain and St. Petersburg, Russia.

In addition, GEO administers the Keio University/ William & Mary Cross Cultural Collaboration program, which allows for Japanese and American students to study together questions of cultural difference and national identity in Williamsburg during the summer.  GEO also supports the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

Walk-in hours are weekdays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. throughout the year.
Tel. (757) 221-3594; Fax (757) 221-3597
wmabroad@wm.edu,  www.wm.edu/studyabroad