Marymount encourages and supports a varied and imaginative activities program in keeping with the aims of the University. The Office of Student Activities guides students in planning and implementing activities that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating, and recreational. Current student interest influences the kinds of programs that receive emphasis.
The Activities Programming Board (APB) schedules comedians, movies, concerts, trips, performing arts, social events, and co-curricular activities. Most are open to members of the Marymount community, local residents, and members of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Please refer to the Student Handbook for further information about clubs and organizations at Marymount.
The student governance system serves as a vehicle for building community among students, faculty, and administration, and as an organization through which students may make policy recommendations related to student issues. Student government members elect student representatives to participate in the work of the Admission, Progression, and Graduation; Academic Standards; Curriculum and Instruction; Student Services; and Learning Resources committees of the Faculty Council. Developing leadership, communication, and negotiating skills are valuable byproducts of participation in student government.
In accord with the mission of the University as a Catholic institution, the Campus Ministry program seeks to provide religious services, activities, and counseling that encourage the spiritual growth of all students. For Catholic students, Mass is celebrated daily and at convenient times. Confessions are heard regularly and a schedule is posted on the Campus Ministry Web site. Retreats, prayer services, sacramental preparations, religious education programs, and social service activities are sponsored by the Campus Ministry Office each semester. Campus Ministry also sponsors Universitywide volunteer service programs operated by students under the guidance of the assistant directors of Campus Ministry.
For students of other faiths and traditions, schedules for services at churches, temples, synagogues, and mosques easily accessible from the University and referrals for spiritual counseling are available through Campus Ministry. While attendance at any exclusively religious service is voluntary, all members of the community are invited to all Campus Ministry services and programs.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many fine resources of the nation’s capital and this region.
Students may wish to visit The Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, Arena Stage, Verizon Center, Constitution Hall, National Theatre, Wolf Trap, or Lisner Auditorium to enjoy popular, classical, and traditional programs in drama, music, and dance.
The University also arranges trips and encourages informal visits to such places as the Smithsonian Institution, as well as museums, art galleries, parks, and monuments. Most of these Washington resources are no more than 15 minutes from the University by car or are easily accessible by public and Marymount shuttle transportation. Many Washington museums and monuments do not charge admission.
Marymount University is a member of Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Varsity intercollegiate sports for men are basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, and swimming. Varsity intercollegiate sports for women are basketball, cross-country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and volleyball. The University is a member of the Capital Athletic Conference. Intramural sports and activities include most of the aforementioned sports as well as flag football, softball, aerobic dance, weight training, and water polo.
Students who are under 21 years of age and whose families do not live within approximately a 25-mile radius of the University are required to live on campus during their first two years of college. Due to space limitations, and in accord with the mission of the residence life program to provide a developmentally appropriate residential living experience, on-campus housing and University-sponsored off-campus housing are only available to undergraduate students who are 21 or under at the time they first become residents. Residence life policies are fully described in the Student Handbook. Please refer to this document for further information.
There are meal plan and retail dining choices at both the Main Campus and the Ballston Center. The Gerard Dining Hall, on the Main Campus, is an “all-you-can-eat” facility for students, faculty, and staff. Bernie’s café and Jazzman’s coffee kiosk, offering snacks, beverages, and “grab-and-go” meals, are located in the Rose Benté Lee Center. The cafeteria at the Ballston Center is an “all-you-can-eat” facility with à la carte breakfast.
All students are required to obtain a Marymount University photo identification card, which is used in conjunction with a card control system for access to certain campus locations and facilities, as well as for general identification purposes.
All cars parked on campus must be registered and display a current Marymount parking permit. Information about parking options, fees, and regulations is available from the Office of Campus Safety.
Students may take advantage of the University’s free shuttle bus service connecting the Main Campus, Ballston Center, and Ballston-MU Metro station. Shuttle timetables are arranged to accommodate class start and end times and service to the Metro on weekends. Security escort service is available by request to students, faculty, and staff 24 hours a day on the Main Campus and during class hours at the Ballston Center.