Statement of Purpose *
The College of William and Mary, a public university in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Established in 1693 by British royal charter, William and Mary is proud of its role as the Alma Mater of generations of American patriots, leaders and public servants. Now, in its fourth century, it continues this tradition of excellence by combining the best features of an undergraduate college with the opportunities offered by a modern research university. Its moderate size, dedicated faculty, and distinctive history give William and Mary a unique character among public institutions, and create a learning environment that fosters close interaction among students and teachers.
The university’s predominantly residential undergraduate program provides a broad liberal education in a stimulating academic environment enhanced by a talented and diverse student body. This nationally acclaimed undergraduate program is integrated with selected graduate and professional programs in five faculties-Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Law, and Marine Science. Master’s and doctoral programs in the humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, business, education, and law provide a wide variety of intellectual opportunities for students at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
At William and Mary, teaching, research, and public service are linked through programs designed to preserve, transmit, and expand knowledge. Effective teaching imparts knowledge and encourages the intellectual development of both student and teacher. Quality research supports the educational program by introducing students to the challenge and excitement of original discovery, and is a source of the knowledge and understanding needed for a better society. The university recognizes its special responsibility to the citizens of Virginia through public and community service to the Commonwealth as well as to national and international communities. Teaching, research, and public service are all integral parts of the mission of William and Mary.
Goals
In fulfilling its mission, The College of William and Mary adopts the following specific goals:
- to attract outstanding students from diverse backgrounds;
- to develop a diverse faculty which is national and internationally recognized for excellence in both teaching and research;
- to provide a challenging undergraduate program with a liberal arts and sciences curriculum that encourages creativity, independent thought, and intellectual depth, breadth, and curiosity;
- to offer high quality graduate and professional programs that prepare students for intellectual, professional, and public leadership;
- to instill in its students an appreciation for the human condition, a concern for the public well-being, and a life-long commitment to learning; and
- to use the scholarship and skills of its faculty and students to further human knowledge and understanding, and to address specific problems confronting the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world.
*Approved by all College Faculties in Spring 1994.
Religious Accommodations
The College of William and Mary urges its administrators, faculty members, and staff to be sensitive to the religious holidays of organized religions. All persons should be able to participate in the essential practices of their faith without conflict with academic requirements as long as such practices are in accordance with state and federal regulations and consistent with the safety regulations of the College. The College offers the following guidelines.
- As soon as possible and no later than the end of the drop/add period, each student has the responsibility to inform his or her instructor of religious observances that are likely to conflict directly with classes and other required academic activities. Each student has the responsibility to arrange his or her course schedule to minimize conflicts. It is understood that when scheduling options exist for religious observances, the student has the responsibility to minimize conflicts.
- Based upon prior agreement between the instructor and student, a student who misses a class meeting because of a scheduling conflict with religious observances should be allowed, whenever possible, to complete without penalty the work missed because of such absences. A student who is absent from a test or presentation because of the observance of a religious holiday should be able to reschedule it without penalty. Absence from a final examination requires that the examination be rescheduled through the established process for rescheduling of final examinations by the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.
- If a scheduling conflict with a student’s planned absence cannot be resolved between the instructor and the student, graduate students should contact the Dean.
- Faculty members and administrators in charge of scheduling campus wide events should avoid conflicts with religious holidays as much as possible.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Within the limits of its facilities and obligations as a state university, The College of William and Mary extends the possibility of admission to all qualified students without regard to sex, race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. The facilities and services of the College are open to all enrolled students on the same basis, and all standards and policies of the institution, including those governing employment, are applied accordingly.
The College of William and Mary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:
Director of EO/AA
Hornsby House
The College of William and Mary
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
(757) 221-2615 (Voice), (757) 221-2613 (TDD)
(757) 221-2614 (FAX), (800) 343-6866 (Toll Free)
Being an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, The College of William and Mary strongly encourages admission applications from members of underrepresented groups, including people of color, people with disabilities, Vietnam veterans, and women.
Disability Services
The University will seek to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. This policy is enforced by federal law under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The College of William and Mary welcomes a widely diverse population of students including students with disabilities. In order to provide an accessible educational environment and to meet the individual learning needs of students, we invite self-declaration of disabilities to the College’s Assistant Dean of Students for Disability Services, Campus Center 109, College of William and Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795, (757) 221-2510 (Voice), (757) 221-2538 (Fax).
Documentation of disability need not precede arrival on campus, but must be filed with Disability Services before reasonable accommodation will be considered. Please refer to the Disability Services website for specific details related to documentation criteria (http://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/services/disabilityservices/index.php). All documentation will be handled confidentially and shared only with the student’s express written permission for accommodation purposes.
Senior Citizens
Senior citizens of Virginia who wish to take advantage of fee waiver privileges for attending courses in the School of Education are invited to contact the University Registrar for full details.
Honor System
The Honor System established at William and Mary in 1779 places upon each student responsibility for maintaining the honor of the student body. Lying, cheating and stealing constitute unacceptable conduct. The College reserves the right to change the regulations, charges, curricula, course offerings and schedules listed herein at any time.
Student Right to Know
Persons interested in statistics involving campus crime may contact the office of Campus Police at (757) 221-4596 - nonemergency phone line.
Statement on Diversity
The College of William and Mary in Virginia is a community of teachers, students, and staff who share our national ideals of human equality, democracy, pluralism, and advancement based on merit. We give life to these principles and prepare young women and men to be citizens of the wider world when we value diverse backgrounds, talents, and points of view.
As a community, William and Mary believes that cultural pluralism and intellectual diversity introduce us to new experiences, stimulate original ideas, enrich critical thinking, and give our work a broader reach. We cannot accomplish our mission of teaching, learning, discovery, and service without such diversity.
William and Mary belongs to all Virginians, to the nation, and to the world. Yet our College, like our country, failed for many years to open the door of opportunity to all people. In recent decades, William and Mary has made itself a more diverse community, and thus a better one. Structures and habits that create injustices, however, have yet to be fully banished from American society. We are committed to eliminate those injustices at the College and beyond.
The College of William and Mary, a university on a human scale, strives to be a place where people of all backgrounds feel at home, where diversity is actively embraced, and where each individual takes responsibility for upholding the dignity of all members of the community. |
