We’re excited to share the progress on several campus facilities projects and outline what’s coming up this fall. Below are summaries and estimated dates of the projects, with more information available on the Campus Construction website or linked with each project.

Monroe Hall is open for classes, following the completion of the roof restoration project.

Monroe Hall
Monroe Hall is open for classes, following the completion of the roof restoration project. In addition to the new slate roof, several areas of the building have new walls, ceilings, floors or carpeting, which was replaced following water damage from leaks in the roof. For more information on this two-year project, visit the construction website. Faculty have already moved back into Monroe Hall through the summer. For those who need to update office information, please submit it through the directory forms for profile updates and office moves.

Simpson Library
The stair tower repairs at Simpson Library are complete, with additional work to the building façade scheduled in this academic year. This extended project includes rebuilding the brickwork on the east face of the building. The library remains open during the project. Check the website for hours and more information.

Woodard Stream Restoration
Following the completion of the new waterline between Seacobeck and Woodard Halls this summer, we’ll start a stream restoration project adjacent to the building this fall. The project will stabilize the banks of the stream and prevent water erosion, as well as further preserve the Woodard walkway. It will also include native plants streamside plantings.

Alvey Parking Deck and Parking Lot Improvements
The top floor of the Alvey Parking Deck has reopened following repairs and resealing. North-side elevator repairs are in progress. The elevator is open on the south end of the building. Parking lot repaving and restriping took place this summer, with regrading and drainage improvements to the Sunken Road entrance. As a reminder, the Sunken Road lots are available for parking, as the Marshall and Russell lots have closed for construction of the new theatre.

Accessibility Improvements
Accessibility improvement planning and design is in progress for Combs Hall, Westmoreland Hall, Bushnell Hall and the Battleground Athletics Complex. We also continue walkway paver maintenance and brickwork throughout campus. A new accessible ramp is forthcoming for James Farmer Hall, and this academic year improvements will take place at Ball Hall, which is further detailed in the next section.

Ball Hall is offline in 2025-26 for accessibility improvements, including the addition of an elevator and room updates to the first floor to make several suites accessible.

Ball Hall
Ball Hall is offline in 2025-26 for accessibility improvements, including the addition of an elevator and room updates to the first floor to make several suites accessible. The work is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2026, and until then Bushnell Hall will be the all-female residence hall. In addition, potential water and sewer lines replacement may be conducted, including renovations to the bathrooms in the residence hall. Work is currently pending approval as to not conflict with other permitted project activities. Occasional debris removal or deliveries may occur around the work area and across Campus Walk, with minimal disruptions. Contractors may unload in the Fairfax Parking Lot.

Elevators
We’ve experienced an increase in elevator outages this past year, so this summer, we brought in a new contractor for elevator repairs and maintenance. This vendor has been on site each day since the start of their contract, reviewing and repairing persistent issues, prioritizing replacement parts, and determining where new elevators are needed. Final repairs are being made to the elevators in the Alvey Parking Deck and Lee Hall, and we are still waiting on the replacement part for the elevator in Virginia Hall. We understand that this is disappointing during move-in to the building, and we are working closely with Residence Life to support the efforts during the week and provide an extra lift in personnel during this time. This elevator vendor will have an active presence on campus this fall as they work to improve response times and facilitate repairs.

Updates to Houses on Campus
Brent House, which has been closed and offline since the police station move in 2022-23, was demolished this summer as part of the initial plan for the new theatre at the corner of William St. and Sunken Road. The nearly 100-year-old structure had been damaged from water intrusion, with major foundation and roof issues that made it too costly to repair. The site has been marked off with fencing and erosion control measures until the theatre project construction starts and will help us extend Campus Walk to the newest academic building when complete. Foundation work and repairs will take place at Fairfax, Tyler and Hamlet Houses, with general maintenance at the house at 1004 William St, known as the “Econ House.” Offices in these houses have been moved to other spaces on campus. The Economics Department has permanently moved to Woodard Hall. Please check the directory for more information.

Construction-related activities began this summer on UMW’s new theatre – a new academic home for the Department of Theatre and Dance.

New Theatre
We’re excited to announce that construction-related activities begin this summer on UMW’s new theatre – a new academic home for the Department of Theatre and Dance that will be a student-focused hub of arts enrichment designed to inspire creativity and foster student success. The Marshall hill roadway and the Marshall and Russell parking lots are closed for the duration of the project.

Construction traffic and noise will increase over the next few months, and we recognize the impacts you may experience. We’ll implement best-practice erosion control measures, including silt fencing, dust suppression systems, perimeter fencing and stabilized construction entrances. Dedicated environmental staff will conduct regular inspections to ensure all controls are functioning effectively, even in changing weather. Demolition and major work will take place in accordance with the City of Fredericksburg noise ordinance, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Updates are available on the campus construction website, as well as a community newsletter for this campus corner.

Additional Projects
In addition, the Student Paint Crew completed work in Mason Hall this summer, and we replaced the heat exchanger in Randolph Hall. We also completed critical HVAC equipment replacement projects throughout campus, including new window AC units throughout Jefferson Hall. A special thanks to our Housekeeping staff for their work throughout the summer to turnover residence rooms for summer events, intern housing and camps. Landscape and Grounds enhanced the landscaping around the UMW signs at the corners of campus and focused on renovations to the Jepson Science Center area storm detention pond. At the Battleground Athletic Complex, we replaced the D Field turf, along with fencing around B and C Fields.

Contact Info
We appreciate you working around these areas as the projects take place. In addition, if have concerns in campus buildings, including residence halls, please submit a work order online. We’ve had a humid summer, so our HVAC systems have been working hard to keep up. For any questions, contact Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Capital Outlay Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu.

Every year, we update the Student Handbook online, which has important information about the policies and regulations on campus as well as resources and procedures to support the Mary Washington student experience.

Some policies and links have been updated with this latest edition of the handbook, so whether this is your first semester at UMW or you’ve been here many years, you’ll want to review the information. It is the responsibility of every student to know and follow the policies outlined in the UMW Student Handbook along with federal, state, and local laws.

If you have any questions or concerns about the handbook, please contact studentaffairs@umw.edu.

Located between Melchers and Pollard Halls, duPont Hall is home to several art events open to all this semester.

As you prepare your syllabi and departmental calendars for the semester, consider adding and promoting the following art events. These are OPEN TO ALL, need no prior registration or ticketing, and offer excellent opportunities for student engagement, analysis, and dialogue.

More information will be available about each event as it approaches, but if you need more context now, please contact Director of UMW Galleries Tracy Stonestreet at tstonest@umw.edu or (540) 654-1381. If you’d like to bring your class to the galleries for a tour or activity during the semester, that can be scheduled too!

September 4, 5 – 7pm: 
Gallery Opening Receptions
Ridderhof Martin Gallery and duPont Gallery
Celebrate the start of the academic year with the opening receptions for Intersection, featuring abstract artworks by David Carlson and Chee Keong Kung, and Take a Painting, an interactive painting installation by Erika Stearly.
*These exhibitions run until October 10, 2025.

September 11, 5 – 6pm: 
Gallery Talk with Erika Stearly
duPont Gallery
Artist Erika Stearly discusses the ideas behind Take a Painting, a participatory project that invites visitors to exchange their own creations for one of hers, creating a continually evolving installation.

September 25, 5 – 6pm: 
A Celebration of American Prints (Visiting Artists and Speakers Program)
HCC 136
Join Clayton Lewis, Curator Emeritus of the Clements Library and President of the American Historical Print Collectors Society, in conversation with alumna Allison Stagg (’02), Research Professor at Technische Universität Darmstadt, as they explore the enduring appeal of American printmaking.

October 6, 5 – 6pm:
Dr. Tiffany Lynn Hunt, “Fabricated Boundaries: Filipina American Fiber and Textile Artists“
Location TBD
Adjunct professor Dr. Tiffany Hunt will discuss her curatorial research for the exhibition Fabricated Boundaries: Filipina American Fiber and Textile Artists, on display this fall at American University Museum at the Katzen Center in Washington, DC. This event is co-sponsored by the Leidecker Center for Asian Studies, the Department of Studio Art, Department of Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry, and UMW Galleries.

October 9, 5 – 6pm: 
Gallery Talk with David Carlson, Chee Keong Kung, and Sarah Hardesty 
Ridderhof Martin Gallery
Artists David Carlson and Chee Keong Kung reflect on their exhibition Intersection with curator Sarah Hardesty, discussing process, abstraction, and the dialogue between painting, sculpture, and installation.

October 23, 5 – 6pm: 
Erin Mallea, Artist Talk (Visiting Artists and Speakers Program)
HCC 136
Artist Erin Mallea speaks on her practice connecting art, ecology, and community, highlighting socially engaged projects that respond to place and history.

October 30, 5 – 7pm:
Gallery Opening Receptions
Ridderhof Martin Gallery and duPont Gallery
Join us for the opening receptions of Adaptation, Innovation, and Tradition: Art from the PatawomeckCommunity and the Annual Student Art Exhibition, juried by Dr. Clare van Loenen.

*These exhibitions run until December 7, 2025.

November 6, 5 – 6pm: 
Artist Round Table with members of the Patawomeck Tribe 
SEA 145
Artists and community members from the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia discuss the works featured in the exhibition and share perspectives on tradition, environment, and identity. This event is co-sponsored by UMW Galleries, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250).

November 20, 5 – 6pm: 
Juror Talk with Dr. Clare van Loenen (Visiting Artists and Speakers Program)
HCC 136
Dr. Clare van Loenen, Director of Museums at Sweet Briar College and juror of the Annual Student Art Exhibition, speaks on her curatorial work in the U.K. and United States, as well as her development of student exhibition practices.

Executive Office Manager in the Office of the President Diane Willinghan

UMW is pleased to welcome Diane Willinghan as Executive Office Manager in the Office of the President.

Willinghan brings extensive experience in executive support, office management, and event coordination in higher education and government. She previously served as assistant director of admission events and special projects at UMW. Most recently, she worked as events planner and project manager for the University of Virginia’s Office of Admissions, managing large-scale recruitment programs and high-profile events.

She will serve as the primary point of contact for all UMW Office of the President requests. Please join in welcoming Diane back to Mary Washington!

Don’t forget to take care of your health and wellness this semester!

Here are a few start-of-the-semester reminders for your health and wellness!

Vaccine Clinics

The Student Health Center is collaborating with Giant Pharmacy to offer on-campus vaccine clinics starting this Wednesday:

• Wednesday, August 20
• Tuesday, September 16
• Thursday, October 16
• Wednesday, November 12

Stop by the Cedric Rucker University Center living room areas from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each date. The clinics are open to students, faculty, and staff with no appointment needed. Vaccines for flu, Covid, shingles, meningitis, pneumonia and tetanus may be available, depending on availability on each date, typically at no cost with most insurance.

For more information call the Student Health Center at 540-654-1040 or contact Associate Director Rene Sanders at rsanders@umw.edu.

TimelyCare

Students have free access to mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via TimelyCare, an online, on-demand platform accessed via a web browser or app. Sign-ups are open now, and logging is the same single sign-on as other UMW systems, so you can set up your account for the fall semester or full year, whether you need it currently or might need it at a later date.

• Go to timelycare.com/umw or download the TimelyCare app to access care.
• Download via Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

TimelyCare uses single sign-on so you’ll access it with your UMW NetID – just using umw.edu at the end (mail.umw.edu will not work). Please note that you’ll complete an information form on your first visit to the site. This form can be completed before you seek services as soon as you join the UMW community, so it’s available to all active students now.

As part of UMW’s partnership with TimelyCare, students have access to services such as:

• TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.
• Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that best works for you. (12 visits per year)
• Health Coaching: Develop healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutrition, sleep habits, time management, and mindfulness.
• Psychiatry: Appointments are available through referrals.
• Self-Care Content: Visit the “Explore” page within TimelyCare for guided self-care content, including yoga and meditation sessions, as well as group conversations with our providers on a variety of health and well-being topics.

Students have access to TimelyCare services 365 days a year. That means you have access during breaks, after-hours, and any time you need support! Visit timelycare.com/UMW to get started.

For more information, visit the Talley Center for Counseling Services website, or if you seek additional service including in-person options, please visit the Talley Center on campus.

If you have questions about TimelyCare or Talley Center resources, contact Mental Health Coordinator and Staff Psychologist Amira Niori at aniori@umw.edu.

Student Health Center and After-Hours Advice

As a reminder, if you feel sick or test positive for flu or Covid, take additional precautions for yourself and those around you. The CDC provides prevention strategies online and outlines precautions when you will be around other people indoors.

We know you may also have medical questions or seek medical care outside of business hours. For students seeking care after hours, you have a few options:

• The Mary Gilson Self-Care room is located on the first floor of Lee Hall. It is open during Lee Hall’s hours (7:30 a.m.- 7 p.m., Monday-Friday).
• Mary Washington Hospital provides a free Nurse Advice Line, available daily from 7:00 AM to 12:00 midnight by calling 540-741-1000.
• Students with health insurance often have access to virtual care or a nurse advice line through their insurance provider.
• Several urgent care centers are located near campus. Find a starting list on the Student Health Center website.

On Tuesday, August 19, Orientation guests will utilize the George Washington Lot beginning at 8:00 am and will remain parked for the duration of the event. Any unused spaces will be released and made available to Faculty and Staff beginning at 10:00 am.

On Wednesday, August 20, the following lots will be reserved for residents moving-in:

• George Washington
• Jefferson Square
• Double Drive
• Randolph
• Monroe North and South

In addition, the Thornton Street Lot will be reserved for poarking for our Resource Fair partners.

During the weekend of August 23 and 24, the following lots will be reserved for residents moving-in:

• Jefferson Square
• George Washington
• Double Drive
• Randolph

We appreciate all of the faculty, staff and students working or volunteering during these busy move-in days. For open parking lots for faculty and staff, please drive to the Pizza Hut lot, Fairfax Lot, Simpson Lot, and Anderson Lot. The Sunken Road Lots and Alvey Parking Deck are open for parking as well. These lots are accessed from Rt. 1, with the lower gate at Sunken Road open Monday – Friday 7:45 am – 6:00 pm.

Remember that the Russell and Marshall Lots and the Marshall hill roadway are closed for construction. There is no access road to these lower lots or Sunken Road from the Bell Tower and Double Drive. Vehicles entering from Double Drive can circle around the Bell Tower or turn at the George Washington lot.

Residential students are invited to utilize the William Street lot in addition to the list of residential student (yellow decal) lots.

Any additional parking areas for unloading items during move-in will be indicated by signage or staff directions.

Please note any street signage if you choose to park on College Avenue or Sunken Road. Many of these areas are designated for city resident parking.

As a reminder:
Accessible parking spaces are available in all open lots to any vehicles with DMV-issued accessible placards or license plates.
The UMW Police Department provides escorts when needed and may be reached at ext. 1025. Please visit the Safety Escort webpage for more information.

For a calendar view of lot reservations visit the Parking Lot Reservations Calendar webpage.

Please contact Parking Management with any parking related questions: parking@umw.edu, 540-654-1129.

Help us welcome our newest Eagles!

UMW faculty and staff are invited (and, encouraged!) to help roll out the welcome mat for our incoming students! Peer mentors will be guiding their groups through various welcome events, but we still need additional volunteers at a few key locations.

New students arrive on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Review the available slots and sign up to lend a hand here: New Student Welcome Directing Sign Up

Thanks in advance from New Student Programs for your help!

Also, a reminder all faculty and staff are invited to:

• The President’s Welcome: Wednesday, Aug. 20 in Anderson Center @ 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Honor Convocation: Friday, Aug. 22 in Dodd Auditorium @ 4 – 5 p.m.
• Post-Convocation Reception immediately following Convocation on Aug. 22 @ approx. 5 p.m. on Campus Walk
• Eagle Gathering: Sunday, Aug. 24 in Ball Circle @ 7:30 p.m.

The Eagle’s Summit nomination process is NOW OPEN!

UMW employees are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 cohort of Eagle’s Summit: Advancing Supervisory Leadership at UMW, a year-long professional development experience designed to cultivate strong, forward-thinking leaders across campus.

Now entering its second year, Eagle’s Summit combines leadership theory, practical application and cross-campus collaboration to foster a deeper culture of growth and connection at Mary Washington. The program includes interactive workshops, coaching, mentoring and a capstone project, all grounded in UMW’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and its core competencies.

Nomination Form – Due Thursday, August 28

A supervisor can nominate a participant, or a participant can nominate themselves. Nominees should exhibit a desire to improve and connect with a team, consistently meet performance expectations, and have a desire to stay and grow within UMW. Additional standards for nominees include: having managed people or projects, or are expecting to do so in the next 12 months; has been employed at the University for a minimum of 2 years; has no disciplinary action, and has supervisor approval.

Learn more about Eagle’s Summit or Read about the inaugural cohort and their recognition ceremony held at UMW’s Stafford campus in May.

Nominate yourself or a colleague by August 28 to be part of this year’s transformative experience!