Student Services & Activities

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There are many sides to campus life outside the classroom at Montevallo. Whether it’s athletic, artistic, intellectual, or recreational, something is always happening on campus. This section of the Bulletin provides an introduction to the student community at Montevallo and to the campus and community advisers, directors, volunteers, and friends who provide student activities, programs, and services.

Student Affairs

Tammi Dahle, Dean of Students
Main Hall, Station 6020
telephone: (205) 665-6020
fax: (205) 665-6017
e-mail: dahlet@montevallo.edu

Staff in Student Affairs motivate, support, and challenge students in their pursuit of becoming meaningfully employed, responsible, and informed citizens by assisting students to identify and pursue their passions. In addition, they collaborate with faculty, students, staff, and the community to provide a unique liberal education experience rooted in the values of diversity and social justice in order to honor the unique talents of each individual.

In keeping with this mission, the following offices in Student Affairs provide an array of student services.

Housing and Residence Life

John Denson, Director
Main West (1st floor), Station 6235
telephone: (205) 665-6235
fax: (205) 665-8596
e-mail: jdenson1@montevallo.edu

Living on campus allows students to experience college life to its fullest. The UM residence halls provide not only convenience and a sense of community, but constant opportunities for intellectual, social, and emotional growth as well.

Living on campus puts you close to your classes, dining hall, student activity center, library, and all the campus activities.

Self-government is encouraged in all residence halls. Residence Hall Directors are aided by student Resident Assistants (RAs), who are responsible for the floors on which they live.

The Housing and Residence Life Office coordinates all on-campus housing assignments.

Residence Halls

There are eight air-conditioned residence halls on campus, with internet access and cable television service in each room.

Female

All freshmen under the age of 19 are required to live on campus unless they are married or living with parents or guardian. Students with special circumstances may contact the Director of Housing and Residence Life. In addition, in order to be eligible to live on campus, a student must be a high-school graduate and be enrolled for at least six hours of classes per term (three hours per summer term).

Research shows that living on campus is a very positive factor for a student’s success and, at Montevallo, helping all students succeed is a priority.

Career Development Center

Angie Kelly, Director
Farmer Hall (2nd floor), Station 6263
telephone: (205) 665-6262

The Career Development Center offers many tools and resources including assessments to empower students while uncovering their personal strengths, career interests, and work values to define a good academic and career fit. We have knowledge and information to assist students in understanding the variety of career options available, and how to pursue that field by finding a major that fits their interests and abilities. Career counselors can help students develop an individualized plan with the necessary steps to reach their career goals.

Career counselors also work with students individually to design a professional resumé, create targeted cover letters, and locate opportunities to get them started in their career field. If post-baccalaureate education is needed, staff can assist students with the graduate- or professional-school application process. Visit us online for job postings, internships, downloadable resources and helpful links, or call to schedule an appointment.

Find your purpose. Pursue your passion. Plan your future.

Counseling Services

Josh Miller, Director
Main Central (Lower Level), Station 6245
telephone: (205) 665-6245
fax: (205) 665-6255
e-mail: millerjd@montevallo.edu

Whether this is your first semester on campus, you are preparing to graduate, or you are somewhere in between, college can be challenging. The Counseling Services office is here to help! Our staff understands the pressures of being a college student and are available to meet with you. All services are free and confidential and are available to currently enrolled, degree-seeking students.

Our services include individual and group counseling. These services can help you as you learn to deal with relationships, live away from home, balance a variety of responsibilities, and handle everyday life, among other things. We are also involved in raising awareness on campus about mental-health issues that are relevant to you as a student.

To schedule an appointment with a counselor, stop by the lower level of Main Hall or call 665-6245. For more information about our services, visit the University’s website.

Disability Support Services

Deborah McCune, Director
Main Central (Lower Level), Station 6250
telephone: (205) 665-6250
fax: (205) 665-6255
e-mail: mccuned@montevallo.edu

Disability Support Services (DSS) coordinates access and services for qualified students. Disability documentation guidelines and DSS application may be found on the DSS web page. Services may include, but are not limited to, classroom and testing accommodations, alternate format texts, access to adaptive software/equipment, advising, and temporary/permanent accessible parking permits. The staff provide external referrals as needed, such as for testing/evaluation professionals or the Department of Rehabilitation Services. DSS also serves as a resource to faculty and staff, providing in-service and assistance in implementing student accommodations.

Health Services

Kim Moon, Director
Main East (1st floor), Station 6275
telephone: (205) 665-6275
fax: (205) 665-8180
e-mail: kmoon@montevallo.edu

Health Services provides direct, basic medical care and serves as a referral source for students needing care beyond that which is available on campus. The majority of services provided are covered by a mandatory undergraduate health fee. Expenses incurred for care beyond that provided by the University are the responsibility of the student. Graduate students may elect to pay the health fee to access services provided. To schedule an appointment, visit or call Health Services.

Student Life

Jenny Bell, Director
Farmer Hall (2nd floor), Station 6565
telephone: (205) 665-6565
fax: (205) 665-6566
e-mail: jbell8@montevallo.edu

The Student Life Office coordinates orientation, student organizations, intramural sports, and student events both on and off campus. The staff coordinates student leadership development programs, meets with the advisers to all campus groups, and advises the Panhellenic, National Pan-hellenic, and Interfraternity councils, the Student Government Association, and the University Program Council. The office also schedules functions at the Stewart Student Retreat, Farmer Hall Meeting Room, SGA Conference Room, and Student Life Center Stage.

Intercultural Life, inspired by the unique history of the University of Montevallo, is dedicated to implementing comprehensive educational, cultural, and social programs designed to combat bias, bigotry, and racism, while promoting intercultural dialogue, awareness of and respect for diversity. Intercultural Life works to further develop a culturally rich campus that prepares students to be global citizen leaders who make substantive contributions to their communities and throughout the world.

The Assistant Director of Student Life oversees intercultural life programs.

In addition to those services provided by the Student Affairs, the following services are also available to students.

Academic Affairs

Suzanne Ozment, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Calkins Hall, Station 6015
Telephone: (205) 665-6015
Fax: (205) 665-6018
e-mail: sozment@montevallo.edu

Academic Success Center

TyAnn Lindell, Executive Director
Main Hall, B 46, Station 6093
telephone: (205) 665-6093
fax: (205) 665-6096
e-mail: tlindell@montevallo.edu

The Academic Success Center (ASC) supports students in creating a foundation of academic and personal growth, encouraging them to take responsibility for their successful journeys to reach their goals. The following are areas in which the ASC works to increase student success:

• Academic Advising
• Early Intervention and Support
• First-Year Experience
• General Studies (undeclared) students
• Research on student success

Harbert Writing Center

Pearce Durst, Coordinator
Comer Hall 311, Station 6438
telephone: (205) 665-6438
fax: (205) 665-6422
e-mail: tdurst@montevallo.edu

The Harbert Writing Center offers assistance to any enrolled student in developing writing skills. Tutors are trained to offer basic grammar review or to assist students with writing assignments in any subject. There is no charge to the student. Teacher candidates preparing for the English Language Proficiency Examination and students using English as a second language may also seek help from the Writing Center. Word processors are available.

Inservice Center

Dwight Jinright, Director
2790 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124
telephone: (205) 358-8543
fax: (205) 358-8788
e-mail: jinrightd@montevallo.edu

The center serves eleven public school districts, facilitating professional development activities for teachers and administrators in those areas. It also offers Technology in Motion, Science in Motion, the Alabama Reading Initiative programs, and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative.

Learning Enrichment Center (Undergraduate Students)

Randi T. Northcutt, Director
Carmichael Library (lower level), Station 6113
telephone: (205) 665-6113
e-mail: tubbsrj@montevallo.edu

The Learning Enrichment Center provides a variety of services for UM students aimed at maximizing learning and achieving a successful transition to the University. In cooperation with academic areas, the office designs, manages, and assesses a tutoring program for undergraduates, with special attention to identified needs among freshmen. Additionally, the office designs, manages, and helps assess a group advising program for undeclared/general studies majors that supplements the Vocational Discernment program offered by Student Affairs and supports and enhances the work of advisement/registration undertaken by the designated master advisers. The office assists members of the University community with special projects related to various academic support services for freshmen, including momentUM, the National Honor Society for First-Year Students (Alpha Lambda Delta), student transition activities, the Learning Communities Program, the Freshman Early Alert System, and retention efforts.

Speech and Hearing Services

Kandis Chatman, Staff Clinical Director
Wallace Speech & Hearing Center, Station 6720
telephone: (205) 665-6720
fax: (205) 665-6721
e-mail: kchatman@montevallo.edu

The Speech and Language Clinic of the Department of Communication Science and Disorders provides assistance to students enrolled in the University, as well as the general public, who have problems with hearing, language, or speech. Any student may arrange for a hearing test by calling the Speech and Language Clinic and requesting an appointment for an evaluation. Evaluations of speech problems-voice, rhythm, articulation, and language-are provided at no charge. Needed therapeutic services are also provided at no cost to the student.

TRIO / McNair Scholars Program (Undergraduate Students)

Roberta Leichnitz, Director
Sharpe House (1st floor), Station 6570
telephone: (205) 665-6570
fax: (205) 665-6566
e-mail: rleichnitz@montevallo.edu

The McNair Scholars Program is designed to assist qualified undergraduate students in successfully completing the baccalaureate degree and entering graduate school. The McNair Program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The ultimate goal of the program is to assist students in earning the doctorate. Services provided to participants include graduate admissions assistance; graduate school and professional site visits; academic, professional, and personal development classes; admissions examination preparation; cultural enrichment opportunities; and an array of other services to assist students. The highlight of the program is a summer research opportunity where scholars are paired with faculty mentors to conduct scholarly research. Tuition, room, board, supplies, and a stipend are provided for the students during the research internship. The purpose is to prepare scholars for research they will encounter in graduate school. Students are encouraged to visit the McNair office during their sophomore year to inquire about eligibility criteria.

TRIO / Student Support Services / ASPIRE (Undergraduate Students)

R. Denise Myers, Director
Main Central (Lower Level), Station 6094
telephone: (205) 665-6094
fax: (205) 665-6096
e-mail: rmyers1@montevallo.edu

ASPIRE (formerly Student Support Services) is a program sponsored by the University of Montevallo and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It offers a variety of academic and personal support services that enhance students’ chances for success in college. Students may receive assistance from the ASPIRE program through tutoring, study-skills classes, academic counseling, career exploration, course advisement and registration, computer lab access, computer-assisted instruction, and cultural and social enrichment activities. A student may qualify if one or more of the following criteria are met: 1) neither parent (or guardian) has earned a four-year degree, 2) family income is within specified federal guidelines, and 3) the student has a documented learning or physical disability. Students are encouraged to visit the ASPIRE office to inquire about services and eligibility criteria.

TRIO / Upward Bound

Sharon Gilbert, Director
Sharpe House (2nd Floor), Station 6268
telephone: (205) 665-6268
fax: (205) 665-6271
e-mail: gilberts@montevallo.edu

UM students have an opportunity to serve as mentors or tutors for high school students who have the desire to pursue a post-secondary education. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound is designed for economically disadvantaged students and/or those whose parents do not have a college degree. The purpose is to provide academic skills, counseling, tutoring, cultural enrichment, and career mentoring necessary for students to successfully complete college. Students from Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby counties meet at the University two evenings per month during the academic year and participate in an intensive six-week residential program during the summer. The program employs UM students with a GPA of 3.0 or better to tutor program participants and assist instructors in classroom activities. Upward Bound further seeks UM student volunteers to serve as mentors. Mentors meet with Upward Bound students to answer questions, serve as role models, and help motivate educational persistence.

Additional Student Services

In addition to those services provided by Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, the following are also available to students.

Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center

Ed Langham, Director
McChesney Student Activity Center, Station 6611
telephone: (205) 665-6611
fax: (205) 665-6587
e-mail: elangham@montevallo.edu

The Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center provides a variety of recreational opportunities for students enrolled in the University. In addition to hosting home volleyball and basketball games, concerts, convocations, and other University-wide events, the McChesney Student Activity Center offers a state-of-the-art cardio-weight area, racquetball courts, multi-purpose rooms, an intercollegiate swimming pool, and a walking track. An 18-hole disc golf course has recently been added to the area outside the facility. The mission of the McChesney Student Activity Center is to support the student’s higher educational experience by providing comprehensive wellness components through recreational facilities and programs, including cardiovascular, weight conditioning, and aquatic activities.

Cultural Events

Students have access to a wide variety of opportunities for cultural enrichment.

Concert and Lecture Series

Distinguished speakers, lecturers, and artists appear several times each year. With few exceptions, there is no admission charge for these events.

Dancy Lectures

Launched in 1939, the Dancy Lecture Series brings a distinguished scholar of literature or the language arts to campus every two years. Scholars, critics, and writers who have served as Dancy lecturers include Joseph Campbell, Helen Vendler, Stephen Greenblatt, Houston Baker, Horton Foote, and Elaine Pagels.

Exhibitions

The Department of Art presents several professional and student exhibitions each semester, including regular showings of work by UM art faculty. Most professional exhibitions include a gallery talk or lecture by the artists.

Concerts and Recitals

The Department of Music presents a wide variety of recitals by faculty, students, and guest artists each semester. In addition, concerts are regularly presented featuring student choirs and instrumental ensembles.

Farmer Lectures

The Hallie Farmer lectures bring distinguished figures in the social sciences to Montevallo for two to three days of lectures and informal appearances. Guests have ranged from a former U.S. secretary of state to a Russian-American documentary filmmaker. The lecture series was established in 1985 in memory of Montevallo professor and civic leader Hallie Farmer.

Martha Allen Lecture Series in the Visual Arts

These annual lectures bring prominent artists, art historians, and critics to campus to deliver major public lectures and to meet directly with students and faculty.

University Theatre

Each year, the Department of Theatre presents a wide range of theatrical productions, including student-directed work, in three performance spaces. Auditions are open to any UM student.

Vacca Lectures

An eminent teacher-scholar in the liberal arts is invited periodically to Montevallo to teach a special undergraduate course and deliver public lectures as the Paschal P. Vacca Professor of Liberal Arts. The guest scholar also assists the faculty by reviewing the University’s curriculum and library holdings. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, Vacca professors contribute new perspectives to the learning experience at Montevallo.

Community School of Music

The Community School of Music (CSM) is located in Davis Hall. The CSM provides non-credit private and group lessons to all ages and levels of ability. Private lessons are available in piano, guitar, voice, organ, saxophone, violin, French horn, flute, trombone, trumpet, mandolin, bass guitar, clarinet, and percussion. Group lessons may be available in guitar, piano, and strings (violin, bass, and cello). A free Musicianship Class is available for children under the age of 15 during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Recitals are free of charge and open to the public each semester. To register, visit the University’s website or call 665-6678. For more information, send e-mail to UMCSM@montevallo.edu.

Student Activities

Opportunities abound for students to explore their interests through participation in a variety of activities.

Athletics

Athletics are an integral part of the total University program, complementing the goals of general education. The intercollegiate athletic program makes its contribution to individual development through competitive sports activities designed to improve individual fitness, develop neuromuscular skills, foster and maintain socially positive standards of conduct, and create desirable attitudes toward physical recreation, rest, and relaxation.

The ideal of the student-athlete is taken very seriously at Montevallo, where the coaching staff places a high priority on success in the classroom as well as in the game. As a result, Montevallo athletes exceed both state and national averages for academic success. Nine out of 10 intercollegiate athletes complete their eligibility having also earned a college degree.

The University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division II. Men compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, outdoor track and field, and soccer, while women compete in basketball, cross country, golf, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. Women’s lacrosse will begin its inaugural season in spring 2016. Additionally competitive cheerleading is set to begin during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Montevallo has an outstanding reputation for athletic excellence, with a long list of All-American athletes and frequent appearances in championship tournaments.

Students may request the University Athletic Program Equity in Athletics Disclosure by contacting the Director of Athletics.

Intramural Sports

The Student Life Office organizes intramural athletic events for men and women. Fall sports include ultimate frisbee, flag football, and basketball. Spring sports include volleyball, and softball.

Falcon Weekly

The University’s live-to-tape weekly newscast is reported and produced by students in a fully equipped TV studio in the Mass Communication building. Students also live-stream athletic events and produce a variety of student-run programming for the campus.

Music Ensembles

Students may audition for any of several choral and instrumental ensembles. Performing groups include the Concert Choir, University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber-Music Ensembles.

Publications

Montevallo’s newspaper, magazine, and yearbook are all published by students under the direction of student editors. All three publications are distributed free to students, and students are encouraged to apply for staff positions as writers, photographers, artists, editors, or salespeople.

The Alabamian

The campus newspaper was first published in 1922 and is issued semimonthly during the academic year.

Montage

Students have published an annual yearbook since 1907. Now known as the Montage, it was the first yearbook in Alabama to be produced with desktop-publishing equipment.

The Tower

Creative works by students are published in The Tower, the campus arts magazine since 1932.

Religious Life

Religious life on campus is enhanced by the Montevallo Campus Ministry Association, an ecumenical consortium of ministers who act as chaplains for the residence halls, sponsor special events, and provide places where students can find religious fellowship.

Assembly of God, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, and Methodist churches are all located within three blocks of campus, along with a Roman Catholic chapel and Baptist and Presbyterian campus-ministry buildings. The Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, and several other Baptist or independent churches are also active in Montevallo. Lutheran, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and other denominations are well-represented in the county. People of the Jewish and Muslim faiths meet at locations in Birmingham and Shelby County.

Student Government Association

Since 1916, the president and faculty have encouraged students to govern themselves in important areas of campus life. Every student is a voting member of the SGA, and meetings of the SGA Senate are open to students. Graduate students have representation in the SGA through one elected graduate senator who works with the SGA on programs of specific interest to graduate students. Each year the SGA updates The Fledgling (found on the University’s website), a student handbook containing pertinent information regarding student life on campus.

Student Organizations

Students at Montevallo have many opportunities for group participation and leadership experiences. There are clubs and organizations of all kinds-academic, honorary, professional, religious, and special interest. Additionally, some 17 percent of Montevallo students choose to affiliate with one of 14 national fraternities or sororities active at UM. A complete list of active student organizations, fraternities, and sororities is available on the University’s website.

Theatre Productions

Students are invited to participate as actors and technicians in plays and musicals regularly staged on campus. The University Theatre draws from many different authors, periods, countries, styles, and types of drama, from Shakespearean tragedy to contemporary farce to musicals. Student-directed productions enhance the annual cycle of productions.

University Program Council (UPC)

The purpose of the UPC is to arrange concerts, movies, recreation, and special entertainment events for students at Montevallo. Funded by the Student Government Association, the UPC is governed by students and is responsive to their needs for special programs.

College Night

College Night is known as the only Homecoming tradition of its kind in the nation. Selected as a “Local Legacy” for the Library of Congress’s bicentennial celebration in 2000, College Night is a festival of comedy, drama, music and athletics that actually lasts four nights.

College Night leaders are elected in the spring, and recruiting of new “Purples” and “Golds” begins during the Fall Semester.

Each February, hundreds of alumni return to campus for this annual event, which has taken place each year since its beginning in 1919. Students and alumni enjoy contests culminating in a pair of rival theatre productions.

The College Night shows, staged by the Purple and Gold teams, are original from the ground up. Scripts, music, sets, and costumes are all created by students, and students direct, conduct, and perform the final product. The climax comes late on a Saturday night, when a panel of independent judges chooses a winner.

In the words of a former student, “Saturday night of College Night can be the most thrilling, totally unique evening of your life, or the most disappointing, almost agonizing experience imaginable. But after being involved in it in some way, the feeling remains that, win or lose, either way, it was worth it.”