Message from the Chancellor
Congratulations on your child’s acceptance to UMass Dartmouth! I know this is an exciting time for your family because I have been in the same situation with my own children. I realize that your child has options, so I’d like to share some thoughts on what makes UMass Dartmouth such a great choice. There are many factors to consider– excellence of the academic programs, internships and job opportunities, cost, and location, to name a few. Quite simply, UMass Dartmouth provides our students with the best return on their investment. Your child will be taught by faculty whose research in laboratories, in the community, and from around the world is brought into the classroom to educate and inspire. These same faculty, fired with a zeal to bring positive change to society, engage our undergraduates in research activities and projects that develop both knowledge and critical leadership skills.
A guide for families
That’s why UMass Dartmouth is recognized by Washington Monthly as one of its national Top 25 Master’s universities. It’s why U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks us as one of the top public regional universities in New England; and it’s why we have achieved the highest recognition for three years in a row on the President’s National Community Service Honor Roll.
285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 Our alumni speak of the “magic” of UMass Dartmouth. From the CEO of a Fortune 500 company to the emergency room nurse, from the astronaut to the Academy Award-winning screenwriter, from the mayor to the teacher, and from the artist to the engineer, they remember the faculty and staff who inspired, mentored, and pushed them to be more than they dreamed when they arrived here. This brochure was developed to answer many of the questions that you have, and I hope it will assist you in helping your child prepare for success at UMass Dartmouth. We look forward to learning more about the aspirations you hold for your child, and we are excited to help you learn more about the “magic” of UMass Dartmouth.
Sincerely,
Dr. Divina Grossman Chancellor
www.umassd.edu
Frequently asked questions
Financial aid funds (need-based only)* Financial Aid Funds Financial aid funds (need based only) (need based only)
Who will teach my child? Unlike large universities, we do not rely on graduate students to teach many of the firstor second-year courses. Most of our professors are both teachers and scholars. They bring their research into their classrooms using innovative teaching methods, and welcome undergraduates into their research labs. They also care about each student, offering ample opportunity for out-of-class meetings and discussion. Some will become mentors and role models to your son or daughter. Your child’s responsibility will be to actively seek guidance and advice from our faculty.
Can my daughter/son get the personal attention necessary to succeed? During June Orientation, students are assigned an academic advisor based on their college or major to ensure that they have a point of contact during the first year. Our Academic Advising Center and Academic Resource Center offer a host of academic and personal supports including professional and peer tutoring on a one-to-one and small-group basis. Many faculty also advise students on an informal basis. umassd.edu/arc
What about selecting a major and choosing classes? Many of our students enroll as undeclared in the arts and sciences, business, engineering or studio arts and finalize their choice of major after the first year of college. Academic advisors and faculty help guide student decision-making. Your son/daughter’s academic advisor and the experts in Academic Advising help students select the majority of their courses. Students have an opportunity to modify their schedules during the add/drop period at the start of each semester. After the first semester, students continue to select classes with the assistance of faculty and staff advisors. umassd.edu/acadvising
What opportunities are available to students after classes? There are many options for students. Our SAIL Office (Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership) offers activities seven days a week in conjunction with more than 110 student organizations. Students choose to participate in sports and the outdoors club, academic organizations, sororities and fraternities, art and performance groups, and media outlets on campus. Our Unity House offers cultural activities that celebrate the diversity of our campus. UMass Dartmouth offers NCAA Division III, club, and intramural sports. Students learn about and practice leadership skills, via Student Government, student groups, peereducation, peer-advising, community service, and orientation and residential leadership positions. Residential students participate in activities specifically planned for them by the staff in the residence halls. Your son/daughter will stay busy and continue to learn and grow outside of the classroom. umassd.edu/studentaffairs
What if my son/daughter needs medical attention or personal counseling?
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56% Campus Health Services is open M–F from 8:30am–5pm during the academic year. Our doctors and nurses evaluate and treat most problems that students have–sore throats, coughs, the flu, skin problems, Scholarships Grants Origins* Scholarship and Grants aand Ond rigins Scholarship Grants Origins orthopedic injuries–as well as personal * Data from 2013-2014 wellness issues such as birth control, body 3% 3% image and stress-related concerns. Students 33% 33% Federal Federal with ailments that cannot be handled by the State State 55% 55% health office are referred to a nearby off8% Ins1tu1onal 8% Ins1tu1onal campus health provider. The Counseling Other Other Center helps students with a variety of social and psychological concerns on both an appointment and emergency walk-in basis, with complete confidentiality. Estimate your financial aid umassd.edu/studentaffairs/health umassd.edu/counseling https://umassd.studentaidcalculator.com/
What about housing and dining options? While living on campus is very popular with a majority of first-year students (80%), life on campus is active for all. Residential and commuter students can select from several meal plan options to meet their specific needs. There are 14 locations with an abundance of food options, and an emphasis on locally grown foods. Many of the meal plans include complimentary guest passes for visitors and snack money to spend as the student wishes. Most first-year students live in traditional residence halls, usually in double occupancy rooms. We do offer honors housing. Students indicate their housing preferences and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Contracts are sent out in mid-May and assignments are made during the summer. umassd.edu/housing dineoncampus.com/umassd
Is UMass Dartmouth affordable? We realize that many of our students and their families need help in financing a college education. Try our student aid calculator (web address above) and see how we might help you. More than 85% of the students who apply for financial aid at UMass Dartmouth receive it, and in 2013-14 we met 90% of students’ financial need. Many students qualify for merit scholarships, which are awarded without regard to financial need. We work personally with each student and family to find as much federal, state, institutional, and private fund aid as possible, including grants, loans, and college workstudy. We also offer a monthly payment plan that allows a budgeted approach to paying for college. umassd.edu/financialaid
What about campus safety? What protections are in place?
Does UMass Dartmouth have an Honors Program?
Ensuring your child’s safety is our top priority. Here’s how we do it: Public Safety: Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. SAGE: Student Alert Group Engagement (SAGE) identifies and helps students who may be experiencing serious academic, personal, or social difficulties. myAlert is a voluntary emergency notification system using cell phones, text messages, email, and voice mail. Emergency messages also are displayed on the UMass Dartmouth website. Students must sign up for the emergency notification system by submitting their phone number or email address on the myAlert webpage. Safe Transportation for Students: Our free transportation services are available throughout the campus starting early morning and continuing into the evening seven days a week. Safe free transportation is also available to local shopping venues and our CVPA campus in New Bedford. Residence Hall/Apartments Safety: Only students who live in a specific building are given swipe-card access (UMass Pass) into that building. All other students and guests must sign in with the desk attendants, who are on duty from 7pm to 3am every day. Guests must sign in with their host and carry a guest pass at all times. Resident Assistants (RAs) are on duty in each building on weeknights from 7pm to 7am the next morning and on the weekend from 7 pm on Friday night to 7 am on Monday morning. RAs make rounds throughout the night to ensure safety. Resident Directors (RDs) are on-call 24 hours a day to respond to any emergencies. Additionally, the Student Affairs deans are on-call each night to provide assistance as needed.
Our Honors Program is part of the statewide Commonwealth Honors Scholars Program. It offers smaller classes, personalized advising, research opportunities with faculty, advance registration, merit scholarships and other advantages for talented, motivated students (usually with at least a 3.30 high school GPA and a 1200+ combined critical reading and math SAT score on a 1600 scale). Students who graduate from the Honors Program receive special recognition on their transcripts, diplomas, the graduation program, and at Honors Convocation. umassd.edu/honors
Do students need their own computers? Is the campus wireless? While most students bring a computer to campus, we have computer labs in most academic buildings and an extensive Learning Commons in the library. Students in some programs will be strongly encouraged to have their own computer. The residence halls all have high speed internet connections in each room, and most of the campus offers wireless access. umassd.edu/cits
How will UMass Dartmouth help my student get a job after graduating? We encourage students to begin working with our Career Development Center early in their undergraduate careers. The center provides students an array of internship and career-related services, including help with resumes, interview training, internship and job postings, and other guidance to help students find their career path. umassd.edu/cdc