Student Services & Activities

There are many sides to campus life outside the classroom at Montevallo. Whether it is 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

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.

Refer to the Student Handbook for more information.

Housing and Residence Life

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 nine air-conditioned residence halls on campus, with Internet access and cable television service in each room.

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)
(205) 665-6262
https://www.montevallo.edu/campus-life/student-services/career-development-center/

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 resume, 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 local full-time and part-time jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, downloadable resources and helpful links, or call to schedule an appointment.

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

Counseling Services

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

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, note-taking support, alternate format texts, assistive software/equipment, disability-related housing and/or dietary needs, 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 training and assistance in implementing student accommodations.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services is an on-campus clinic that provides direct, basic medical care to all undergraduate students. A mandatory undergraduate health fee covers services provided.  Graduate students and continuing summer students may elect to pay the health fee to access Student Health Services. Student Health Services also serves as a referral source for students needing care beyond that available on campus. Expenses incurred from care provided off campus are the responsibility of the student. Appointments are required.

Student Life

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 Panhellenic, 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 dialogs, 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.

Public Safety

Providing the University of Montevallo Community with a safe and secure environment is our priority. The UM Police Department is a service orientated, professional department committed to the concept of Community Oriented Policing which is a philosophy of becoming involved with the people we serve, building collaborative partnerships, and working together as a team. Our goal is to support everyone in their educational pursuit by maintaining a safe community that is conducive to the spirit of learning. We provide the University with a full service Public Safety Agency that is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We encourage prompt reporting of all crimes and suspicious activity to the Campus Police to assist us in providing the best possible service. Working as a team in our community can only enhance the quality of life on our campus. Other services provided by the UMPD include vehicle registration, after-hours escort service, campus blue light phones, traffic appeals, and the UM Alert Emergency Notification System. For more information, visit the UMPD website.

Academic Affairs

Falcon Success Center

What makes a student successful at the University of Montevallo? Is it a high GPA? A sense of connection between personal and career goals and academic programs? Or maybe involvement in numerous campus organizations? In the Falcon Success Center (FSC), our goal is to provide student-centered, retention-focused services that empower students to define success and the process of attaining it. The FSC also explores how our student body, as a whole, persists and graduates from UM.

To accomplish this, the Falcon Success Center offers the following services to the campus community:

• Academic Advising research and initiatives
• Early Academic Alerts
• Data collection and research for retention, progression, and graduation initiatives
• General Studies advising
• Great Start Program
• Scholarship support and management
• Study Abroad and Domestic Student Exchanges
• Transfer student transition and integration
• Tutoring
• Withdrawal support

Harbert Writing Center

The Harbert Writing Center (HWC) offers free consultation services to students at all stages of the writing process. Our HWC writing consultants assist students with writing projects across the curriculum. “Walk-ins” are welcome to visit the Center in Comer Hall Room 311 during posted hours. Students wishing to make an appointment can visit https://montevallo.mywconline.com to access our online scheduling system. This service is free to all students and community members.

In-service Center

The mission of the University of Montevallo Regional In-Service Education Center (UM-RIEC) is to provide sustained, comprehensive, effective professional development that addresses the needs of all educators across the region. In doing so, we aim to enable educators to provide the best opportunities for all students to achieve educational success. Recognizing that becoming an effective educator is a continuous process, we are committed to providing ongoing opportunities to all educational personnel to maximize their understanding and abilities in specific content areas as well as in the areas of effective pedagogical methods and state-of-the-art technological applications. By developing and maintaining a community of learners among district and University of Montevallo personnel, we provide collaborative opportunities for cooperative work, research, and mentoring.

Programs and initiatives associated with the UM-RIEC include the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM), Technology in Motion (TIM), and the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Candidate Support Program.

The Center serves thirteen public school districts including Alabaster City, Bibb County, Chilton County, Coosa County, Homewood City, Hoover City, Mountain Brook City, Pelham City, Shelby County, Sylacauga City, Talladega County, Talladega City, and Vestavia Hills City.

Learning Enrichment Center (Undergraduate Students)

The Learning Enrichment Center (LEC) assists students in identifying their academic needs and provides them with support that will strengthen their academic skills, helping them become more confident students. We are also here to provide guidance for students as they begin to navigate their way through their college experience, leading them to the most helpful resources on campus. The LEC provides the following services:

• Individual Tutoring
• Drop-In Tutoring
• Small Group Tutoring
• Assessment of Academic Needs

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office supports the University by ensuring the accuracy and security of student academic records, providing exceptional service to students and their families, faculty, staff, and members of the University community, and acting in a manner of compliance with institutional policy as well as state and federal law.

The Registrar’s Office provides the following services:

• Registration information and support
• Verification and Certification of degree requirements, completion, and graduation
• Transcript request
• Enrollment and degree verifications
• Course withdrawal
• FERPA and privacy compliance
• Major, minor, and program resources
• Degree evaluation
• Residency status
• Transfer and transient credit
• Updating student information
• International student information and support.

Speech, Language, and Hearing Services

The Speech and Language Center of the Department of Communication Science and Disorders assist students enrolled in the University, as well as the public, who have difficulty with hearing, speech, or language. Any student may arrange for a hearing screening, speech evaluation (e.g., articulation, voice, fluency), and/or language evaluation by calling the Speech and Language Center and requesting an appointment. Evaluation and therapeutic services are provided at no charge.

TRIO McNair Scholars Program (Undergraduate Students)

The TRIO 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 (Undergraduate Students)

TRIO Student Support Services is a federally funded, comprehensive academic support program designed to increase the retention and graduation rates for students traditionally under-represented in higher education. TRIO SSS provides a wide array of services and resources that help participants develop the academic skills, mindset, and motivation necessary to be successful students, involved UM community members, and active TRIO alumni. Services include, but are not limited to, one-on-one tutoring, personal and academic counseling, advising and course selection/registration, career and graduate school preparation, financial literacy, and cultural/social events. Active participants also have access to a dedicated computer lab.

Students must meet at least one of these eligibility criteria to qualify: low-income student, first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a four-year college degree), or a student with a documented disability. TRIO Student Support Services is funded to serve only 200 students per year, so not all eligible students can be accepted. There is an application and screening process. Students interested in participating may apply online at www.montevallo.edu/sss or visit the TRIO SSS office for more information.

TRIO Upward Bound (Classic and Math & Science)

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, TRIO 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/mentor program participants and assist instructors in classroom activities. TRIO Upward Bound further seeks UM student volunteers to serve as mentors. Mentors meet with TRIO 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

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, outdoor basketball court, and outdoor volleyball court are available in 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.

Community School of Music

https://www.montevallo.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-fine-arts/departments/music/csm/

The Department of Music’s 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.

Concerts 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.

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.

Fine Arts Performances and Event Series: Gallery Shows, Concerts, Recitals, and Theatre Productions

The College of Fine Arts produces a unified season of approximately 60 performances and events annually, many of which are free. The Department of Art presents several professional and student BFA exhibitions each semester, including regular showings of work by UM art faculty. Most professional exhibitions include a gallery talk or lecture by the artists. The Department of Music presents an opera workshop, opera scenes, multiple concerts featuring student choirs and instrumental ensembles, and recitals by faculty, students, and guest artists. The Department of Theatre stages a wide range of theatre and musical theatre productions, guest artist workshops, BFA showcases, and student-directed works. Auditions are open to any UM student.

Forte Interdisciplinary Festival

https://www.montevallo.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-fine-arts/forte-festival/

This festival is a cross-college convening of faculty members and students in the colleges of Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences – artists, authors, journalists, poets, musicians, theatre practitioners, dancers, videographers, documentarians, social theorists, anthropologists and others. The Montevallo Arts Council and the community collaborate in the three-day celebration that focuses on a different festival theme each year.  

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.

Vacca Lectures

https://www.montevallo.edu/about-um/administration/academic-affairs/visiting-scholar-teachers/

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.

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, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, and tennis, while women compete in basketball, cross-country, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The University also offers competitive cheer as a varsity sport.

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

https://www.montevallo.edu/campus-life/student-life/intramurals/

The Student Life Office organizes intramural athletic events for students, faculty, and staff. Intramural sports include football, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, basketball, and kickball as well as smaller tournaments for yard games. Intramurals are played in September, October, November, February, March, and April.

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

The Montevallo Campus Ministry Association, an ecumenical consortium of ministers who act as chaplains for the residence halls, enhance religious life on campus by sponsoring special events and providing 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 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

https://www.montevallo.edu/campus-life/campus-events/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.”