 RESOURCES AND SERVICES Francis Marion University is committed to providing professional and cost-effective health care for its students through Student Health Services. The goal of Student Health Services is to promote and maintain the health of students by providing preventive services, health education, acute and chronic medical care, and referral assistance so that students can best meet their educational objectives. There are modest fees for laboratory services. Fees for any off-site ancillary testing or referral physician visits are the responsibility of the student receiving care. Detailed information regarding health services can be found in the Student Handbook. • IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS — University regulations require that specific immunizations and testing be completed before a student is allowed to register or attend class. Each newly entering student must provide documentation to the University of the following immunizations and tests: DPT (Infant Tetanus Series), Tetanus Booster (must be within the past 10 years), Polio Vaccination, MMR Vaccination (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella – not required if born before Jan. 1, 1957), and a Tuberculin PPD test (within the past 12 months). Proof of these immunizations and tests must be provided on the FMU Immunization Record Form (signed by a physician or clinic staff) or by written documentation from a medical doctor or health clinic. Students will not be able to register without filing this completed form or health record. Health forms will be sent with a cover letter from Student Health Services or may be obtained from the offices of Counseling and Testing and Health Services. • INSURANCE — Students are encouraged to carry health insurance, since an unexpected illness or accident can cause financial hardships, making it difficult for students to complete their education. FMU has negotiated low rates for student health insurance through a local carrier, and information about this can be obtained through Student Health Services. Students should not assume that they are covered under their parents' policy but should check with their insurance companies to make sure. The FMU ID Card is an important part of campus life, providing opportunities for students to take advantage of a wide variety of services that are convenient and practical. The card allows students to:
The FMU Identification Card is issued during a student's initial registration at no cost and remains valid as long as he or she is officially enrolled and has paid all fees. Replacement cost is $15 and is generally non-refundable (marriages, name changes, or defective cards excepted). The card has the capability of carrying monetary value (debit account) and can be used by the person who holds the card to make purchases on campus without having to carry cash. The Patriot Bookstore, Ervin Dining Hall and University Café are equipped to use the debit portion of the card as payment. The card offers a 10 percent discount on all food purchases. In addition, students may use the card to pay transcript fees or other amounts due at the Cashier's Office. When a student uses the card, receipts will show the transaction amount and the remaining balance. Francis Marion University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all members of the campus community and its guests. The University operates a Department of Public Safety to provide around-the-clock police protection for the campus community. A series of policies and procedures has been developed to ensure that every possible precautionary measure is taken to protect all persons on campus. The University annually publishes the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act Report. This report is available to everyone. Anyone wishing to review the report on the web should click on the "Clery Report" on the Public Safety web page at www.fmarion.edu/~fmups. This report contains topics such as Access to Campus Facilities, Alcohol & Drug Laws and Policy, Crime Reporting, Crime Statistics & Crime Prevention suggestions, Crime Victim's Rights, Sexual Harassment Policy, Sexual Assault Procedures, and Weapons Possession Prohibitions. Anyone who would prefer a paper copy of the report may contact Public Safety at 843-661-1109. Campus police officers are certified state constables with full arrest authority for violations of federal or state laws and enforce all University regulations and policies. Officers are responsible for all law and traffic enforcement, security, and emergency response at FMU. Officers are also responsible for all crime reports, investigation of crimes and traffic accidents, fire and medical emergencies, and evacuations in cases of severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Outdoor emergency telephones and callboxes are strategically located throughout the campus. • WEAPONS — The possession and/or use of firearms (handguns, rifles, shotguns) on campus is prohibited under state law. Violations can result in the arrest and incarceration of the violator. The weapons will be confiscated and may be destroyed. Other weapons (BB guns, airguns, hatchets, knives with blades longer than 2 inches, bows/arrows, explosives, fireworks, dangerous chemical mixtures, or propelled missiles to name a few) are prohibited on campus and can result in removal from campus housing and/or suspension from the University for the person possessing the item. All prohibited items will be confiscated and may be destroyed. • PARKING AND TRAFFIC — All students, faculty, and staff members who operate motor vehicles on campus are subject to the motor vehicle laws of the state of South Carolina and Francis Marion University Traffic Regulations. The operation of motor vehicles on the campus of Francis Marion is a privilege granted by the Board of Trustees. The University reserves the right to withdraw motor vehicle privileges from any person at any time for cause. FMU, its officers and employees shall assume no responsibility for damage to or loss of any vehicle or its contents at any time while it is operated or parked on campus. Accidents, thefts, or damages to motor vehicles should be reported to Public Safety as soon as possible. Campus regulations are published in a traffic handbook, available to everyone. • VEHICLE REGISTRATION — Registration is required for every vehicle driven or parked on campus by a member of the campus community. Students may obtain permanent registration decals from the Cashier's Office in Stokes Administration Building. This decal is good for an academic year, from fall to fall. The only authorized locations for parking decals are permanently attached on the left rear bumper or to the bottom left rear exterior window glass of the vehicle. The decal must be attached to the vehicle using the supplied adhesive, and the decal is not transferable. The decal must be displayed in the most prominent place on mopeds, motorcycles, and motor scooters and must be clearly visible from the rear. Temporary parking permits, good for up to 10 days, are available for substitute vehicles under certain circumstances. The person seeking a temporary parking permit must have a vehicle permanently registered on campus for the current academic year. The temporary parking permit can be obtained from the Cashier's Office or Public Safety Department. UNIVERSITY HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE Francis Marion University offers a progressive residence life program for students who live on campus. Approximately 1,100 students live on campus in a variety of living arrangements. The Housing and Residence Life Office promotes academic success by providing safe, comfortable, attractive, modern, and well-maintained residential facilities and quality management operations. Campus housing is designed to accommodate full-time undergraduate students (registered for 12 hours or more) and graduate students (registered for at least six hours). Part-time undergraduate students and graduate students registered for less than six hours may receive assignments on a space available basis. Assignments are made in the six residence halls and 14 apartments on a first-come, first-served basis. Freshmen and sophomores are typically assigned to traditional residence halls where students live two to a room in a suite arrangement. Juniors, seniors and graduate students may live in residence halls or choose an apartment for four with four single bedrooms or an apartment for two with one bedroom. In both apartment arrangements, students share living, dining, bath, and kitchen facilities. All facilities are air-conditioned with a telephone and cable television access provided in each residence hall room and in each apartment commons area. Residence hall rooms and apartments are wired for computer and Internet access. Residence hall suites and apartments are furnished with smoke detectors and fire sprinklers in each room (plus fire extinguishers located in the corridors), shower curtains and rods, single-size beds and mattresses, wall shelves, wardrobes, study desks, and chairs. The floors are carpeted. Apartments are furnished with a single-size bed and mattress, wardrobe with insert chest, study desk and chair, and smoke/fire detector in each bedroom. Apartment commons areas are equipped with stoves, refrigerators, microwave ovens, dining table and chairs, sofas, shower curtains and rods, and fire extinguishers. Apartments are carpeted, except for tile areas in kitchens and bathrooms. Students should apply for housing immediately after acceptance to the University. Housing contract periods are: Fall, Spring, Late Spring, Summer I and/or Summer II, and run from the first day of the term until the last day of the term. Campus housing generally opens the Sunday prior to the beginning of classes for the fall and spring terms. The Smith University Center provides comprehensive athletic and recreational facilities as well as office space for Student Affairs, Athletics, the Student Government Association, the student newspaper, the Patriot Bookstore, and the University Café. Facilities include a 3,100-seat varsity gymnasium, an eight-lane varsity swimming pool with three diving boards, a University commons with game room activities, a television/ card playing room, four racquetball courts, a physical fitness room, a sauna, and related areas. Exterior athletic and recreational facilities include Cormell Field, a lighted baseball complex; Kassab Courts, eight tennis courts surfaced with plexipave, four of which are lighted; a reslite eight-lane track; a regulation soccer field; a regulation softball field; two natural grass intramural fields; and an outdoor recreational pool. The Patriot Bookstore exists to serve the textbook and supply needs of students, faculty, and staff. In addition to textbooks, the Bookstore offers FMU apparel, greeting cards, paperback bestsellers and magazines. Also available are personal fax sending and receiving services for a nominal charge. The Patriot Bookstore is a source of graduation supplies (caps, gowns, and hoods, invitations, and University class rings). Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students living on campus are assigned a campus number and a key to a mailbox. Mail will be posted in mailboxes by 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outgoing mail with proper postage may be placed in U.S. Postal Service boxes located on campus or taken to the University Mail Center in the Office Services building. The University provides telephone service to students living in residence halls. Local service is provided at no added cost, and residents may subscribe to the Student Long Distance Service and receive direct-dial, long-distance discounted rates through an agreement that is offered by FMU. There are pay telephones located throughout the campus, and emergency phones with direct access to campus police are strategically placed around campus. For the convenience of students, there is a laundry facility located adjacent to Ervin Dining Hall, open 24 hours a day. Coin-operated washers, dryers, vending machines with necessary laundry products, and beverage/snack machines are all in the complex. Other vending machines for beverages and snacks can be found at several other locations on campus. Refund information is posted at each location. The Ervin Dining Hall, located near the residence halls, provides a variety of meal plans from which to choose. Meals can also be purchased individually for a reasonable price. Hot meals are served daily in addition to a complete salad and sandwich bar. A full assortment of beverages and a dessert bar are also available. The University Center Café is located in the Walter D. Smith University Center and offers a variety of menu items such as salad, pizza, and deli selections. The Café also serves fresh baked pastries that are made daily in the University bakeshop. Spurred by the voluntary efforts of the Ecology Club, FMU has tried to be as environmentally responsible as possible through the years. FMU has an active campus-wide recycling program in place that was initiated in late 1995 in response to a call by the South Carolina legislature to reduce solid waste in the state. At that time, South Carolina residents were producing more than six pounds of solid waste per person per day. The University recycles office paper, newspapers, cardboard, aluminum, plastic,
and glass. Of these items, paper creates the largest volume of recycling
waste on campus. From the classrooms to the offices to the residence
halls, recycling is encouraged throughout campus, with readily available
drop-off points in all buildings. |
