Category: Announcements

ELS Homestay is now in the process of securing homestay families in the community for those students who choose this option over a dorm setting:  

Give your family the World

Host an International Student in 2011!

 Hosting an international student provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about other cultures and languages. As a host family you will make lifelong friendships with people from around the world!

 The ELS Language Centers Program at the University of Mary Washington brings students from around the world to study English. The students prefer to live with American host families because they want to learn about American culture as well as study our language.  

Host families will provide:  

• Accommodations for 4 weeks (ELS sessions are in 4 week increments; most students will stay 4-6 sessions)
• 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner)
• Access to laundry facilities
• Transportation to and from the ELS Language Center at Eagle Village Complex

 Host Families Receive:

• Compensation
• Fabulous opportunity for your family to learn about other cultures

 If you have a spare bedroom, a curiosity about other cultures and a loving heart, perhaps YOU would make a wonderful host parent. Everyone benefits. 

Contact: Allison Jerdan, ELS Homestay Coordinator at (540) 840-9820 or at  fredhomestay@hotmail.com if you are interested.   

For more information about ELS Language Centers, please visit our website at www.els.edu 

If you have further questions, please contact:  

Fred A. Pierce III

Associate Provost, Enrollment Management and Student Services

University of Mary Washington

1301 College Avenue

Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

540-654-2164

Don’t miss the next Fred-for-All concert next Wednesday (9/28) featuring the group Jackass Flatts.

It’s the third of four being held each Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at Eagle Village Shopping Center near the UMW Pedestrian Bridge.

Tickets are $5 at the door and proceeds will benefit the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic.

The final concert in the series is October 5 featuring the band Tropikiimba.

For more information, go to http://www.hometeamgrill.com/fredforall.html.

Campus Community: 

The Fredericksburg Forum featuring Karl Rove is only a few weeks away! Tickets for faculty/staff and students are available for $15, limit two. Please call the Office of University Events and Conferencing at 540/654-1065 or visit us in George Washington Hall, Room 308, to purchase your tickets and reserve your seat in Dodd Auditorium.

Be sure to sign-up for EagleOne payroll deductions. In appreciation for signing up, you will receive a punch-card good for one free meal per month in the Seacobeck dining hall. The minimum is only $10 per pay period.       You may withdraw from the plan at any time. EagleOne payroll deduction forms may be found at: http://www.umw.edu/payroll/forms/documents/EagleOnePayrollDeductionForm.pdf

 What is the UMW Cares Team?

In 2009 the University of Mary Washington established the UMW Cares Team, a system used to identify and support students, faculty, and staff during high risk situations.  This multidisciplinary team functions as the central collection point and repository for information when concerns are raised about a student or employee who may be at risk for harming self or others and/or who may pose a significant disruption to the campus environment. The goal of the team is to identify, prevent, and reduce the risk of violence on campus and to promote the safety and well-being of all members of the University community.  The team meets regularly to identify and evaluate campus concerns and intervene to re-establish a safe environment for our students, employees and visitors.

 Should I report concerning, threatening, or dangerous behavior? “It may be nothing, but …”

 If you experience or are informed of any behavior which may present a concern/threat to the University community, or you are aware of circumstances where Cares Team intervention may support or engage a student at a critical moment in his/her educational experience, please call and report the information to a UMW Cares Team member.  Even concerns that may seem minimal can be part of a broad issue impacting a student or community member.  We want to hear from you.

What should be reported?

There are many behaviors that may cause concern for the safety and well-being of an individual or the campus as a whole. The following is not an exhaustive list, but provides examples of concerning behaviors or situations:

 Unusual or abrupt changes in behaviors or patterns;

• Extreme reaction to a loss or traumatic event;
• Preoccupation with weapons, violent events, or persons who have engaged in violent acts;
• Uncharacteristically poor performance;
• References to harming others or planning a violent or destructive event;
• Evidence of depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts/plans;
• Inappropriate responses such as prolonged irritability, angry outbursts, or intense reactions;
• Strained interpersonal relations, isolating behaviors, or low self-esteem;
• Significant change in life circumstances such as loss of job or relationship.

(Randazzo and Plummer, 2009, pp.123-125)

It is important to share the name of the individual(s) involved and specific behavioral observations.  UMW will accept anonymous reports, but having limited information minimizes options when addressing the situation.

When should I make a report?

Early intervention is essential… and allows members of the UMW community to address concerns and issues in the timeliest manner possible.  Through early detection many problems may be averted and situations resolved without incident.

How do I make a report?

 If you are aware of an emergency or an immediate safety concern, report the situation to law enforcement.  To contact law enforcement call 4444 from a campus phone.  If you are calling from a cell phone dial 911 or 540-654-4444.

If you are concerned about threatening behavior or a disturbing situation that is NOT an emergency event, contact the University of Mary Washington Police Department.  In non-emergency situations you may also call a member of the UMW Cares Team to discuss the circumstances of the situation and initiate a report.

Doug Searcy, (ext. 1062) Vice President for Student Affairs (Team Leader)

• Cedric Rucker, (ext. 1200) Dean of Student Life (Behavioral Intervention Team Leader) 
• Susan Knick, (ext. 1025) Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Community Services
• Sabrina Johnson, (ext. 1046) Associate Vice President for Human Resources
• Dan Hubbard, (ext. 1460) Associate Professor, College of Business
• Chris Porter, (ext. 1058) Director of Residence Life and Commuter Student Services
• Counseling and Psychological Services Consultant,  (ext. 1053)  All staff counselors
• Sallie Braxton, (286-8016) Associate Dean of Advising Services (Stafford Campus Academic Representative)

What will happen to the information you share?

The goal of the team is to resolve all issues with dignity using appropriate discretion.  Your identity will be treated privately to support a positive outcome while ensuring safety as the central priority.  The primary purpose of all intervention is to sustain a safe community and garner support for individuals in need.

Why UMW Cares?

The UMW Cares Team was formed as part of legislation passed by the 2008 Session of the General Assembly (§23-9.2:10 of the Code of Virginia) requiring state institutions to form a collaborative approach to threat assessment. Although this function is state-mandated, UMW recognizes its essential value to the University community and fully endorses the mission of the team to support the community and further the educational mission of the institution.  The Mary Washington Board of Visitors officially endorsed the structure and function of the UMW Cares Team in spring 2010.

Doug Searcy, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
University of Mary Washington
540-654-1062