Resource Guide
We're here to help
There are a variety of ways to support your student during their time at William & Mary. Here you will find some of the systems, services and tools that you will use to stay up-to-date and connected with the university, along with explanations about these key items.
The digital PDF will be updated once per year and posted for those who wish to print out our Resource Guide. For the most up-to-date information contained in this guide, re-visit this website.
Nuts & BoltsAuxiliary Services (Bookstore, Conference Services, Dining, Parking & Transport, Tribe Card) - The Office of Auxiliary Services provides a variety of products and services that support and enhance campus life for students, faculty and staff, alumni, and guests of William & Mary. We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes the diversity of creativity, excellence, thought, culture and educational opportunities throughout the auxiliary enterprise at William & Mary. Campus Bookstore – Located at 601 Prince George Street in Colonial Williamsburg, the William & Mary Spirit Shop and Bookstore, operated by Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, is the university's retail location for textbooks, general books and William & Mary memorabilia. Community Values and Restorative Practices (Student Handbook, Code of Conduct, Honor Code, Healthy Together Community Commitment) - Community values at W&M include personal integrity, academic integrity, concern for the rights of others, and personal responsibility. These values are reflected in the Honor Code, the Student Code of Conduct, and other university policies. Staff members are available to provide information to students, faculty, and staff about the university community's standards and relevant procedures, and to discuss and receive reports related to students or student groups. Dining Services (Meal plans, Dining Dollars, Special Diets, Campus Dietitian) - Meal plans are required for all undergraduate students residing on campus managed housing, and are accessed through your Tribe Card (student ID). Meal plans come with a combination of meal swipes and Dining Dollars. Meal swipes can be used in residential dining facilities and Dining Dollars are used as a cash equivalency at all dining locations. The Dining program at William & Mary will undergo a programmatic update during summer 2023. Follow along at wm.edu/dining or on social at wmdining and wm_step. FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that affords students certain rights with respect to their education records and defines situations in which the university may release information from student records with student consent. These rights transfer from the parents to the student when the student either turns eighteen years old or enters a postsecondary educational institution, regardless of age. Financial Aid (FAFSA, Federal Work Study, Student Employment Opportunities) – As a public university, we work hard to keep the cost of our exceptional education affordable, and we commit our resources to need-based aid. We typically meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for in-state students, and qualifying out-of-state students may receive up to 25% of their full cost of attendance in grant aid. Financial Operations (Bursar’s Office) (Student Accounts , Collection of Tuition, Fees, Meal Plans, Housing, and Other University Charges) - The Financial Operations department at William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is responsible for providing comprehensive accounting, bursar and payroll services in support of the university's primary mission of education, research and public service. Insurance Requirement - The university requires all full-time students and all F-1 or J-1 international students to have health insurance coverage throughout the entire school year as a condition of enrollment due to the extremely high cost of healthcare and the importance of adequate health insurance coverage. Every academic year, these students must either elect to enroll in or waive out of the Student Insurance Plan to comply with this requirement. Students with other adequate healthcare coverage must file a Waiver Request that is approved by 7/31 for the entire school year or by 12/31 for new, transfer or readmitted students for the Spring term to avoid being billed for and enrolled in the W&M-sponsored Student Insurance Plan. Parent Proxy – Proxy Access provides students with the ability to grant permission to their parents or guardians to view certain pages of information currently available in their student's Banner account. The student manages the creation of a proxy and the pages they can view. If a William & Mary student has granted you proxy access to their student information, you will receive an email with a web link and temporary PIN. Parking & Transportation (Parking Decals, Visitor Lots, Special Event Parking, Bike Alliance, Airport Travel, Zipcar, WATA) - Parking and Transportation services at William & Mary are dedicated to providing William & Mary students, faculty and staff with a safe and organized campus, and the ability to get you where you need to go. Sometimes this means we have to lay down the law, but we also do a lot to make the W&M area an easy place to explore. Passphrase – Passphrase is a new verification system designed to verify the identity of individuals requesting information from student education records. No information from student education records may be disclosed without consent of the student or an applicable exemption under the student records privacy policy. Established Release Types include: Academic Release, Financial Release, Conduct/Honor Release. Student Health Insurance – The Student Health Insurance Plan, designed especially for the students of W&M, is a school-sponsored group health plan that offers comprehensive benefits that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act and is a high-level Gold plan. The UnitedHealthcare StudentResources (UHCSR) policy, underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, is intended to provide healthcare benefits at a reasonable price for professional services obtained from the on-campus Student Health Center and outside the campus utilizing a national network of healthcare providers and facilities. The Plan is a one-year term policy that begins on August 1 and ends on July 31 each year. All full-time students are eligible for and all F-1 or J-1 international students are required to enroll in this Student Health Insurance. University Registrar (Transcripts, Degree Audits, Transfer Credits, Residency, Co-enrollment Programs, Veteran Benefits) - The Office of the University Registrar supports the primary educational mission of William & Mary. We offer assistance and service to students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and all other members of the William & Mary community. Whether you need to submit transfer credits, get help registering for classes, or get a transcript to send off for that great new job, we have you covered. William & Mary Postal Services (CSU Boxes, Shipping and Receiving Mail) - The campus post office operates as a branch of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). We provide timely, reliable, and accurate processing and distribution of William & Mary's internal and external mail. Your CSU/mailbox number is for a virtual mailbox that you will keep until you withdraw or graduate. Instead of having to come and check your mailbox to see if you have mail, you will receive an email notification for EVERY piece of mail that you receive. Your CSU # is located on the home page of the housing portal. Via USPS Via UPS/FedEx/DHL/Amazon |
AcademicsArts & Sciences (Undergraduate Studies, Graduate Studies) We offer 11 select graduate programs and dozens of undergraduate majors and minors, connecting the breadth and depth of knowledge across the arts and sciences. The Charles Center (Student Research, Honors Theses, Academic Internships, Scholars Programs, Study Away) - In collaboration with William & Mary faculty, we advace sudent research and interdisciplinary study. Our initiatives, from scholars programs to academic internships, inspire faculty-student collaborations in classrooms and across the world. We invest in experiences that prepare students for a life of scholarly thought, curiosity, and success. Global Education (Study Abroad, Exchange Programs) – William & Mary is the #4 public university for study abroad. In typical years, nearly 60% of all undergraduates study abroad in their W&M careers. More than 750 undergraduate students study abroad each year in more than 50 countries around the world. The Global Education Office awards more than $700,000 for study abroad scholarships annually. Study abroad allows students to meet the educational objectives of the COLL 300 requirement. Joint Degree Programme (International Joint Degree Partnered with University of St Andrews in Scotland) - The Joint Degree Programme between William & Mary and the University of St Andrews is one of the few international undergraduate joint degrees offered with a U.S. university. Students complete two years at each institution and earn a single diploma--a Bachelor of Arts (International Honours - with the insignia of both institutions). The Programme offers you a greater range of academic experiences than either school can offer on its own. It gives you the opportunity to experience two distinct intellectual and national cultures. Your studies will have more breadth than a traditional St Andrews degree as well as more specialization than is usual at William & Mary. Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs (Pre-Major Advising, Major Advisors, Fellowship Advising, Peer Advisors, Pre-Professional Program Advisors) - The Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs (OUAA) serves as a centralized advising hub focused on supporting the students, staff, and faculty that compose the W&M campus community. We can help students connect with faculty advisors, identify curricular and co-curricular opportunities to further their academic goals, find additional resources to enhance their educational experience, and learn about national fellowships. Reves Center for International Studies (International Collaborations, Global Education, Global Engagement, International Students and Scholars) - The Reves Center for International Studies is the hub of globalization and global engagement at William & Mary and home of the Global Education Office and the Office of International Students, Scholars and Programs. The Reves Center supports and promotes the internationalization of learning, teaching, research and global engagement across the university and around the world. School of Education (Undergraduate and Graduate Programs) - The School of Education's graduate programs are designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population that includes full-time and part-time students, differently-abled students, mid-career progrssionals responding to rapid changes in their respective fields, homemakers re-entering the paid work force, and recent recipients of bachelor's or master's degrees preparing for advanced positions in the field of education. [[wmsoe]] Swem Library (Find and Borrow Books, Get Help and Support, Resource Aid, Study Spaces) – We are proud to offer a collection of more than 2 million books, journals, manuscripts, and government documents and films, electronic access to many of our resources from anywhere in the world, a staff with over 870 years of expertise, varied study areas, including group study rooms, study carrels, collaboration booths and media studios, computers, printers, and lots more! Washington Center (DC Semester Program, DC Winter Seminar, DC Summer Institutes, DC Summer Session) - The Washington Center partners with faculty from departments and schools across William & Mary to offer high-impact learning experiences for students in all majors. Among the diverse topics offered are government, policy, culture, business, and education. Since its inception, the Center has grown to become W&M’s “Campus in the City,” running Study in DC academic opportunities for almost 300 undergraduate students year-round, with a growing scholarship fund to support them. |
Campus LifeAthletics (Teams, Schedules, Tickets) - With over 20 varsity sports, Athletics is an integral part of the educational experience at William & Mary. Our responsibility is to deliver a holistic experience with high standards of performance; providing an environment where champions of uncompromising character, fully engaged with campus and the community, prepare to make a positive impact in a complex and changing world. Campus Recreation (Fitness & Wellness, Intramurals, Sport Clubs, Tribe Adventures, Aquatics & Safety, and Equipment Rental) - We provide quality recreational opportunities to all members of the William & Mary community to enhance and foster a lifelong appreciation for health, wellness and recreation. Center for Student Diversity (African American, Asian, Pacific Island, and Middle Eastern (APIM), LGBTQ+, Latinx students, Diversity & Inclusion, Support & Advocacy, Spirituality & Faith)) - If Admissions is the front door then the Center for Student Diversity (CSD) would be considered the warm and welcoming family den to our underserved and underrepresented students. We focus on making sure African American, Asian, Pacific Island, and Middle Eastern (APIM), LGBTQ+, and Latinx students have a dynamic experience and thrive as they matriculate here at W&M. We also provide training and educational opportunities for student organizations, faculty, and staff, specifically to support and enhance their knowledge of working with diverse populations. Community Engagement (Education Programs, Alternative Breaks, Civic Leadership Program, Voter Engagement, Grants and Internships) - The Office of Community Engagement connects William & Mary and community to support students’ development as active and educated citizens and to promote positive, community-driven social change. Students can always find upcoming opportunities on W&M GivePulse, our campus platform for community engagement. Fraternity & Sorority Life (Fraternities, Sororities, How to Join, Resources) - A community is comprised of many different components, and the Fraternity & Sorority Community at William & Mary is no different. Not only are we made up of 1600+ members belonging to approximately 32 chapters, but we are also a community with three governing councils (and executive boards), an honor organization, and staff. Residence Life (Move in, Move out, Housing, Community Engagement on Campus) - Residence Life provides a home where William & Mary students may flourish both personally and academically. We do this by partnering with our residents to create caring and responsible communities. Through our variety of living options and 150+ trained and talented student staff, we work to make your living experience safe, secure and Student Affairs (Campus Living, Career Development, Health & Wellness, Student Engagement & Leadership, Student Success, The Haven) - Through student-centered programs, policies, and services, the Division of Student Affairs prepares students to learn, lead, and live with integrity and purpose. Our vision is to create an engaging learning environment where community is strengthened and individuals flourish. Student Leadership Development (Clubs & Organizations, Greek Life, Leadership Development Initiatives, Student Assembly) - At William & Mary, we believe that student leadership development is a cornerstone in supporting our students to become engaged citizens. Leaders develop a skill set to adapt to change, craft creative solutions, and seize opportunities. Getting involved gives you a limitless practice field, and we're here to support you! Student Unions & Engagement (Event Planning, Alma Mater Productions (AMP), Student Employment, Student Unions Operation) - The mission of the Student Unions & Engagement Office is to provide excellent access to facilities, equipment, service, and assistance to all members of the W&M community for their events and activities. |
Support ServicesAcademic Wellbeing (TutorZone, Time Management Skills, Academic Support, Course Withdrawals, Emergency Notification Requests, Underloads, Overloads, Institutional Withdrawals/Re-Enrollments) - The office of Academic Wellbeing strives to guide students to the successful completion of their educational goals. By connecting students with professionals who understand that life extends beyond the classroom, Academic Wellbeing aims to take a holistic approach in helping students navigate both the academic and extracurricular aspects of their lives. Our team of student-centered professionals seeks to create an accessible, responsive, and constructive space in which students can learn and practice the skills necessary to be active, independent, and confident learners. In addition to assisting students with common academic concerns, our office helps students further develop a sense of personal responsibility and accountability, navigate and find avenues to participate in university and campus culture, and hone their decision-making skills. Recognizing that our students are people first, our goal is to support the overall person first and foremost. We hope that students leave our office feeling heard, understood, and connected to meaningful and thoughtful allies. Whether students need help tackling a particularly busy pre-break week, balancing the demands of a full-time job with their coursework, or something else, Academic Wellbeing is here to help. Care Support Services (Medical Modifications, Leave of Absence, Concerns of Wellbeing, HEART Fund) - Care Support Services provides outreach, advocacy, and support services that assist and empower students in identifying and managing interpersonal, academic, and wellness concerns. When students face significant challenges to their mental, physical, and social health, we help in identifying and accessing resources both on and off campus to meet students' needs. Career Development & Professional Engagement - We offer career development programs, services, connections, and resources, empowering students to achieve their career goals. Dean of Students Office (Academic Wellbeing, Care Support Services, Community Values & Restorative Practices, Parent & Family Programs, Student Accessibility Services) - The Dean of Students Office assists all students, graduate and undergraduate, from their initial orientation through the completion of their academic and personal goals. The Haven (Confidential Resource- Sexual Violence, Harassment, Abuse, Stalking) - The Haven is a confidential, welcoming and inclusive resource center for students impacted by sexual violence, sexual harassment, relationship abuse or intimate-partner violence, stalking, and other gender-based discrimination. Students can meet with either professional staff or a peer advocate. We provide support, information, and resources in a confidential setting. Informational Technology (Computer support, Support chat, Email, Passwords) - William & Mary Information Technology is a service-based organization, first and foremost. We will always be ready with creative solutions for all your technology needs. The Parent & Family Council (PFC) – The Parent & Family Council advances educational and career opportunities, enhances student life and wellbeing, and promotes William & Mary’s distinctive culture of community, tradition and innovation by investing leadership philanthropic support to the Parents Fund and other university priorities. As the development board for the Division of Student Affairs, council families make an annual leadership gift to the Parents Fund and commit to considering other giving opportunities that reflect their philanthropic capacity and areas of personal passion at William & Mary. The council comprises national and international representation, as well as both alumni and non-alumni families. Families attend meetings and events with university leaders, and act as advocates for families and effective ambassadors for the university. The Office of Parent & Family Giving helps the Council meet annual fundraising goals, including facilitating opportunities for families to engage in peer outreach and host events that foster a welcoming and inclusive community. Parent & Family Programs (Parent & Family Orientation, Family Weekend, Webinar Series, Care Packages) - We want parents and families to have all of the resources necessary for their William & Mary experience to be as enriching and rewarding as We recognize that having a student in college can be both an exciting and challenging experience. Our goal and vision is to help ease that process while providing resources, student stories, opportunities for involvement and a parent support network. Student Accessibility Services (Accessibility, Mobility, Accommodations) - Student Accessibility Services works to create equitable educational opportunities for students with disabilities. The staff work with faculty and university offices to offer a variety of services for all William & Mary students with disabilities. SAS provides students with reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the duration of their time at the university and seeks to empower students to be agents and advocates for their needs. Student Transition Engagement Programs (STEP) (Orientation, Move In, Distinctive Population Connections, Transition Support, First-Year Honor Societies) - STEP supports the transition of students through and out of their W&M community experience by helping to develop community while providing services, outreach, and support encompassed within year-round Community Initiatives and signature programs such as New Student Orientation and our Find, Form, and Focus Your Experience (F3YE) opportunities. Student Veteran Engagement (Applications, GI Bill Benefits, Transfer of Credits, Support Services) - The Office of Student Veteran Engagement (OSVE) supports veteran students in a variety of ways, from bolstering the efforts of veteran student organizations to connecting veterans with resources on and off-campus. The staff assist in finding internship and employment opportunities, coordinating initiatives across all schools and programs, working to expand veteran enrollment, and seeking support for other university veteran programs. |
Health & SafetyCenter for Mindfulness & Authentic Excellence (Authentic Excellence Initiative, Health Coaching, Building Connections & Bridging Differences) - The Center for Mindfulness and Authentic Excellence works to teach us tools for resilience and share the message that when we seek to optimize — versus maximize — our wellness across all eight dimensions, we flourish. Counseling Center (Mental Health, Relationships, Family Concerns, Identity Development, Personal Growth) - Located in the McLeod Tyler Wellness Center, we offer a range of mental health services to students wanting help with personal concerns. Our staff specializes in the developmental issues and clinical concerns common to college students such as relationship and family issues, academic and personal stress, identity development, and personal growth. Emergency Information (Tribe Alerts, Emergency Management Team, Emergency Notification System) - William & Mary is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, employees and visitors to learn, teach, work and enjoy our beautiful campus and all it offers. In pursuit of that goal, the university takes a comprehensive approach to protecting the campus community and preparing for any emergency. Although a university campus is among the safest places you can be, we work every day to make our campus safer. Using the university's emergency notification system, the Emergency Management Team will notify the campus community of any confirmed emergency or dangerous situation that presents an immediate threat to the health or safety of the community. Health Promotion (Workshops on Sleep, Nutrition, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Sexual Wellness) – Located in the McLeod Tyler Wellness Center, we work to enhance the overall health and wellness of the W&M campus community through evidence-informed prevention efforts. By advancing a holistic and multidimensional view of wellness, we promote a culture of healthy behavior and choices that improve quality of life. W&M Police Department - William & Mary police officers have the same training and police authority, including powers of arrest, as all other police officers in Virginia. We provide professional police, public safety, emergency communications, and emergency management services that include active police patrol 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week; crime prevention services; critical incident response; criminal investigation; security technology systems; student training on Response to an Active Shooter Incident, Alcohol and Other Drugs Awareness, and victim/witness support services. |
