 STUDENT LIFE UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMING BOARD The University Programming Board is responsible for providing a variety of events throughout the year for the student body of FMU. UPB is comprised of student volunteers and advised by the Coordinator of Student Life. Past events include concerts, performances by comedians, dances, game shows, holiday activities, and festivals. Additionally, UPB sponsors recent feature films on a regular basis. All activities are open to FMU students, faculty, and staff members. UPB meets weekly during the academic year and encourages all students to get involved in selecting and planning upcoming events. Meetings are held in the Smith University Center every Tuesday at 5 p.m. during the academic year. The Office of Student Development sponsors a number of special events throughout the academic year, including Student Leadership training, Homecoming/Spirit Week Activities, the Ms. FMU Pageant, and the Student Life Awards. Housing and Residence Life supports the University mission by creating conditions in the residential system that foster student learning, promote active engagement and collaboration with others through mutual respect; motivate and inspire students to devote time and energy to educationally purposeful activities both inside and outside the classroom, encourage students to become lifelong learners, promote understanding and appreciation for diversity issues, and provide opportunities to attain leadership and community living skills. The mission of Campus Recreation Services is to enhance participants' fitness and wellness, knowledge, personal skills, and enjoyment by providing opportunities for a variety of activities that may contribute to individual physical fitness and wellness; opportunities for cooperative and competitive play activity in game and non-game form; and access to quality facilities, equipment, and programs. The Campus Recreation program has a variety of programming options and is open to all students, faculty, and staff. The Intramural Program provides an extensive competitive sports program for men and women designed to offer a wide range of activities to meet the needs and desires of the majority of the students. Competition has been organized in several sports ranging from basketball and flag football to table tennis and billiards. The Smith University Center, in partnership with Campus Recreation Services, offers a number of recreational and fitness activities for students, faculty, and staff as well as meeting space for groups and organizations. Activities available include basketball, billiards, table tennis, racquetball, and swimming. The outdoor recreational pool is open during late spring, summer, and early fall when weather permits. The Office of Multicultural Affairs serves as a liaison for Francis Marion University and the University's students of color (including African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, and Native-American students). The purpose of the office is to amplify the academic, social, and cultural development of students of color through counseling and programming. The office plans and implements programming that facilitates diverse student learning. Activities, including lectures, forums, and cultural and social events, are open to students, faculty, and staff. The Coordinator of the Multicultural Affairs office serves as adviser to the FMU Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and works in cooperation with other organizations that represent students of color to assist in fostering a student-centered learning environment on campus. The Office of International Student Affairs provides support to students who are not citizens of the United States through a variety of means, including personal support, opportunities for involvement, and social activities for international students. The office also provides information and support regarding immigration, foreign work permits, health insurance, taxes, and general counseling. Along with other academic and administrative offices, the Coordinator for International Student Affairs assists with the International Exchange programs. Additional information is available from the International Student Affairs Coordinator at 843-661-1185. Student publications are under the jurisdiction of a student-faculty-staff Publications Board. No student publication may be distributed on campus through University distribution facilities without the approval of the Publications Board. Publications are supervised by a staff coordinator who directs the activities of student writers and assistants.
Because intercollegiate athletic programs are recognized as valuable assets in developing campus spirit, the University strives to build a balanced, competitive athletic program. Teams compete in baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, and volleyball. All athletic teams are known as the Patriots and wear the colors red, white, and blue. The University is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. Francis Marion University is also a member of the Peach Belt Conference, competing in 12 intercollegiate conference sports. These affiliations permit student athletes to receive regional and national recognition for their accomplishments. Several of the University's teams have advanced to NCAA post-season competition over the last several years. FMU has been represented by student-athletes in NCAA Division II Tournament competitions every year since moving to NCAA membership in 1992. This includes a pair of tennis (doubles) national titles; eight trips to the men's tennis tournament; five appearances in the men's golf, women's basketball, and women's tennis tournaments; two appearances in women's soccer; and one in men's soccer. FMU has twice won the Commissioner's Cup of the Peach Belt Conference, indicative of having the best all-around program in the league. FMU also ranks among the conference leaders in the number of student-athletes named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll (3.0 GPA or B average). The University Choral Program offers two choral performance groups: the Concert Choir and Cut Time. Academic credit is given at the rate of one hour per semester. A total of three semester hours of credit may be applied toward graduation. Choral groups plan several off-campus performances as well as performances on campus for students, faculty, staff, and community. Additional information is available from the Director of the Choral Program. Francis Marion University offers three instrumental music performance ensembles: Wind Symphony, Jazz Express, and Chamber Jazz Ensemble. These are open to all students with experience on wind or percussion instruments. Academic credit is given at the rate of one hour per semester for each ensemble. A total of three semester hours of credit may be applied toward graduation. Scholarships are available, by audition, for participation in all ensembles. Additional information about all ensembles is available from the Director of Instrumental Activities. The University Theatre presents three or four major and several short experimental theatre productions involving approximately 150 students each year. Casts for the productions are selected by open acting auditions. Backstage work is done by student volunteers. Previous experience or training is not required to take part in the University Theatre, and all interested students are encouraged to participate. Each year programs are presented for the University community by outstanding artists and respected lecturers from a variety of fields. Planning of these programs is assigned to the Artist and Lecture Series Subcommittee composed of students and faculty members. This committee and the University Programming Board provide a broad range of offerings during the student's University experience.  Back
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