Student Affairs
Curry College is committed to a philosophy that the total college experience permeates an individual’s life and that all aspects of living in a college community are learning experiences. The Division of Student Affairs encourages and supports students in developing autonomy within a framework of interdependence, in developing mature interpersonal relationships, and in developing life purposes and career direction. It seeks to provide a campus environment wherein community members explore alternatives and learn to be responsible for their explorations, for their actions, and for themselves. In accepting admission to Curry College, each student also accepts responsibility for compliance with the College’s basic principles, policies, procedures, and codes of behavior, as outlined in the Student Handbook, published on the Curry College website.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Summer Orientation
All new students will be welcomed to the community during an orientation session held in the summer. It is an important time for students to meet with faculty members, upper class students and administrators while becoming familiar with our many campus resources. Students will participate in some fun and informational workshops. Orientation is a great way to start your college experience and meet some of your new classmates! Students are required to attend one of the sessions. Family sessions are also offered during Orientation.
CAMPUS LIFE
Residence Life & Housing
The residence halls offer a unique opportunity for students to recognize the interpersonal nature of the learning process. Through the experience of residence hall living, a student will gain an understanding of living in a diverse and interconnected community. Living in a residence hall is a privilege. To be eligible to live in the residence halls, students must read and understand the rules applicable to residence life on campus and conduct themselves in a responsible manner consistent with Curry’s rules and expectations for students. This responsibility includes interacting with and treating peers in a respectful and responsible manner while taking accountability for their own actions.
Residence halls offer experiences for the development of the whole student through establishing attitudes, appreciation, and characteristics associated with civility and responsibility. In addition to being a place to sleep and keep one’s belongings, a residence hall offers the opportunity for students to build lasting friendships. Curry College offers a variety of residence hall options that support our department’s mission to both challenge and support personal growth.
Full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per term) undergraduate students and students enrolled in a participating 5th year program are eligible for campus housing. Resident students who remain enrolled at the College but drop below full-time status may petition the Director of Residence Life & Housing to remain in housing. If the petition is approved, the resident remains responsible for the terms and conditions of the housing agreement. The College may administratively move students as necessary in the residence halls. Inability to adhere to the College’s published policies may impact a student’s housing eligibility.
Living off Campus
All commuters are encouraged to use the Student Center as a central gathering place when you are on campus. In addition to the Dining Marketplace located in the Student Center, there are retail dining locations located in the Hafer Academic Building, the Learning Commons, and the Kennedy Academic Building. All commuters are encouraged to become actively involved in campus life through membership in clubs and organizations as well as participation in both intramural and interscholastic activities. Commuting students are an integral part of the Curry community and are welcome at all events. If you choose to live off campus, we want you to represent yourself and Curry College in a positive way as stated in our Code of Conduct: “Curry College expects its students to be good citizens and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times whether on or off campus.” We hold all students to the same standards of conduct on or off campus. Students living off campus are invited to take advantage of dining services through the purchase of a meal plan or a pay-by-meal basis. The College offers the Colonel Cash program which allows you to add funds to your Curry ID. Commuter students receive a discounted rate at the Dining Marketplace when purchasing their meal with Colonel Cash.
All Commuters are required to communicate with the Registrar's Office about any local address or change of address.
Office of Student Engagement
The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) works with student-run clubs and organizations, provides leadership development and opportunities, coordinates orientation and Welcome Weekend for first-year Curry students, and works collaboratively with the Division of Student Affairs and the Curry community to enhance student engagement opportunities.
The OSE is home to approximately 40 clubs and organizations. With help from professional staff, club and organization leadership receive assistance in managing their organization, planning events and are encouraged to use the many resources available in the office. Particular emphasis is placed on students’ involvement in the event planning process of activities in anticipation that they will develop the necessary leadership and organizational skills needed to become well-rounded individuals. Students at Curry are encouraged to participate in the co-curricular life of the College. The OSE staff will provide assistance in helping to form new clubs as new interests develop. The OSE also coordinates and organizes community service and volunteer opportunities, hosts leadership development opportunities, designs the yearbook, plans senior celebrations throughout the year and Spring Weekend, as well as a variety of other events throughout the year.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association is primarily designed to lead and unify the student body and to promote communication among students, faculty, and administration. The Student Government Association (SGA) is considered the main governing body of all the clubs and organizations on campus. SGA serve as a representative voice of the Curry students to the administration, faculty, and staff. Consisting of an Executive Board, and representatives from each class, meetings are held weekly on Wednesdays and are open to all members of the Curry community.
Athletics
The Intercollegiate Athletic program at Curry College places its highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience. This involves the integration of objectives and programs in athletics with academic developmental objectives. This is consistent with the mission of the College, to develop liberally educated persons who are able to gain and to apply knowledge humanely, intelligently, and effectively in a complex, changing world. The athletic program seeks to provide competition for men and women who have come to the college for both educational and athletic opportunities. Through this competition, the program provides the means for those involved to come to know themselves and to grow physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually.
Participation in the athletic program shall be encouraged by maximizing the number and variety of athletic opportunities in varsity, club and intramural sports. Sports for men and women shall be given equal emphasis and the desired quality of competition should be similar in all sports. In responding to participant interest, sports should not be downgraded or given special status. Primary emphasis should be given to in season competition, but exceptional teams and individuals may be encouraged through post-season championships. Students should be supported in their efforts to reach high levels of performance by providing them with adequate facilities, competent coaching and appropriate competitive opportunities with students from similar institutions.
The athletic program offers opportunities for participation to all students of the College, both on the intercollegiate and intramural levels.
The emphasis of the intercollegiate program is the pursuit of athletic excellence and the appreciation of competition with other highly skilled players. There is opportunity for post-season play on a regional and divisional level for all teams and individuals who qualify.
Curry is a Division III member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Curry also fields teams in 15 sports in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), which includes 9 New England Division III institutions.
The College fields varsity teams for men in football, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, baseball, lacrosse, cross-country, tennis and volleyball. Varsity sports for women include soccer, cross-country, basketball, lacrosse, ice hockey, softball, tennis and volleyball. To be eligible for intercollegiate athletics at Curry, a student must (1) be enrolled as a full-time matriculated student carrying at least 12 credits while in season, (2) maintain a satisfactory academic average as required by the College, and (3) be a student in good standing. Although Curry does not offer athletic scholarships, financial aid is available on the basis of need.
The intramural program offers organized recreational sports to all students, faculty, and staff members of Curry College. The program sponsors competition in any athletic activities for which there is interest, provided facilities are available. The current intramural offerings include volleyball, basketball, soccer, floor hockey, softball, flag football, ping pong, spikeball, and pickleball.
Student Center
The Student Center serves to promote and enhance campus life and unity. The Student Center is an open place for community members to relax and interact socially, as well as a space to promote activities, events and organizations complementary to the educational mission of the college. Within its walls are the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the Office of Student Engagement, Student Government, the mailroom/ copy center, bookstore, chapel, game room, Esports Lounge, the department of Athletics, and a fitness center. Host to the dining marketplace, the food service in the building is exciting, nutritious and delicious.
Fitness Center
The Fitness Center, located on the second floor of the Student Center, provides students the opportunity to participate in safe and effective fitness programs regardless of fitness level or experience. The Fitness Center has interactive cardiovascular exercise equipment, Matrix strength equipment, and free weights. Membership to the Fitness Center is open to all full-time on campus students. The Fitness Center offers a number of fitness workshops to teach proper technique and fitness programming throughout the year. Additionally, it plays host to several fitness programs that encourage students to compete to stay healthy and excited about fitness and wellness. Attached to the fitness center is a group exercise studio, which offers a variety of classes throughout the day including Yoga, Spin, Pilates and so much more. All classes are led by certified instructors and are great for people of any fitness level.
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides resources for self-help, relaxation training, psychological evaluation, and short-term individual and group psychotherapy as well as crisis intervention services to help students identify, understand and problem solve the issues that they face. Relaxation training and self-help services include the Mind Spa and online self-help to assist with stress reduction by focusing on psychoeducation about ways to manage anxiety, depression and engagement in mindfulness exercises. Services are available Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm and some evenings. Services are available by appointment, though walk-in services are available for emergencies. Services are provided by licensed mental health professionals and supervised graduate (master’s and/or doctoral) level interns. The Counseling Center’s anonymous online self-help software is available to all members of the Curry College community for free download on our web-page.
The Counseling Center at Curry College is designed to support students’ personal growth, development, and academic success. Our services provide students with an opportunity to understand their own emotional wellness and to develop skills they can utilize to make healthy choices. In addition, our services offer students a place to learn about ways to manage stressors that affect them personally, as well as their academic progress and goals. Such services strengthen students’ abilities to problem solve and pursue their academic and personal goals.
Why Seek Counseling?
For most students, the transition to college and some of the changes that occur during college may feel stressful at times. Such stress is normative and short-term counseling can assist by helping students to identify coping activities to support transition to college and adulthood. However, because our services are available on a short-term basis, counseling is intended to encourage student independence, self-reliance and empowerment to manage distress and other mental health concerns. Many students seek treatment services to address a variety of mental health concerns, symptoms and life stressors. Services are typically short-term in nature, and may often be five sessions or less and delivered on a biweekly basis or as arranged by the Counseling Center. For longer term, more intensive, frequent and/or specialized treatment/support services, the Counseling Center will typically provide students with appropriate community based providers, best suited to their needs.
Confidentiality
Protecting your privacy as a student is very important. Our services are confidential, meaning that Counseling Center staff cannot disclose information about your treatment to anyone who is not directly involved in your care without your written permission, or as required by law. However, in some emergency or legal situations, confidentiality may be broken.
Club Sports
Curry College has a growing coed club sports program. The Curry Club Sports Program offers students the opportunity to participate in competitive athletic programs not offered as a varsity intercollegiate athletic program. Club sports contribute to the student’s physical, emotional and social growth experience. Our teams pride themselves in sportsmanship and professional conduct on and off the field of play. Currently, the College holds teams for Men’s Rugby, Equestrian, Men's and Women’s Ice Hockey, Dance Team, Golf, and Karate. The established equestrian team has qualified and competed in the national championships. To be eligible for club sports at Curry, a student must (1) be enrolled as a full-time matriculated student carrying at least 12 credits while in season, (2) maintain a satisfactory academic average as required by the College, and (3) be a student in academic, social and financial good standing.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Curry College, diversity is central to excellence in education, not a separate goal. We are an inclusive community where embracing differences is essential to creating a safe and welcoming environment for exploration and learning, as well as personal and professional growth. Being a member of the Curry community means that your unique voice is a vital and valued part of all we do.
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion works to increase diversity representation among students, faculty and staff while ensuring that all members have an equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to the Curry community. We strive to create and maintain a community where differences are recognized and valued as essential elements to fostering a stimulating environment for exploration, learning and development.
The office is responsible for the coordination of the College’s efforts to foster an inclusive campus community that attracts and supports diversity in many forms. Through working with students, staff and faculty, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion is responsible for the design, oversight and planning of programs, workshops and training sessions that promote this goal. We work collaboratively with the campus community in addressing issues related to under-represented or marginalized students and are responsible for the implementation of strategic initiatives that will support an inclusive learning environment for all students.
Health Services
The College maintains an outpatient clinic, staffed by two full-time nurse practitioners and a consulting physician. These professionals specialize in addressing the healthcare of college students and work together to provide quality medical care for routine, acute, and chronic health problems and injuries. All fulltime students who carry at least 12 credits are eligible to use Health Services. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when classes are scheduled.
Health Services offers a range of medical services and can perform rapid strep, mono and flu tests, pregnancy tests, urine tests, STI testing and TB tests. Medications and prescriptions are provided to students if medically indicated. Health Services has a partnership with a local pharmacy, Osco Pharmacy, which provides free next day delivery to the Health Center. We have the ability to draw blood and send other diagnostic testing to Quest Diagnostics Laboratory. Students that require x-rays, other imaging tests or emergency services are sent to Milton Hospital, an affiliate of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, which is 2.5 miles from campus. Public Safety or an ambulance will transport students who require emergency services to Milton Hospital.
Health Services does not attempt to replace the student’s private physician or assume total responsibility for medical needs. Students requiring facilities beyond the scope of the health clinic are referred to specialists in the area at the student’s expense. We are available to coordinate services for chronic conditions with your current health care provider.
Although students’ health insurance will be billed for services rendered in the Health Center, students (and their families) will not be responsible for co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles or denied claims due for specified services as these are covered by the comprehensive fee, which all students are assessed through their regular student bill. The student’s insurance will be billed for any laboratory testing, imaging, written prescriptions or specialty care. For these services, co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles or the balance from a denied or partially denied claim may be due, as outlined in the student’s insurance plan.
Prior to matriculation, all Students are required by Massachusetts State Law to submit immunization records completed by their healthcare provider. Students who fail to comply with the state requirements will have a health hold placed on their student account, which will prevent them from registering for classes. State Law requires every full-time student enrolled in an institution of higher learning to participate in a qualifying student health insurance program (QSHIP) or in a health benefit plan with comparable coverage. Please visit www.curry.edu/healthservices or contact Student Financial Services for more details.
Spiritual Life
The Office of Spiritual Life offers programming and resources to support and nurture the spiritual and religious well-being of all students. Activities and programs include presentations and discussions on a variety of spiritual or religious topics- as well as stress reduction meditation and activities. Worship services (Catholic Mass, Shabbat services, Ash Wednesday and Holy Week services, Passover Seder, Muslim prayer, Bible study, etc.) are held in The O’Toole Chapel, located on the second floor of the Student Center. Information and transportation are also available for students seeking off-campus places of worship in the Curry College neighborhood.
If you would like more information or to explore specific spiritual questions or needs, such as dealing with grief and loss, please contact Campus Life, at 617-333-2256.
Public Safety
The Curry College Department of Public Safety’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for the entire community. This is accomplished by using officers to patrol campus twentyfour hours a day 365 days a year, card access on all residence halls, forty-three blue light safety phones, and video cameras monitoring of the perimeter of campus and parking lots. Public Safety is everyone’s responsibility; we ask the entire Curry College Community to get involved. If you need assistance on campus please contact us at (617) 333-2222.
Motor Vehicles
Entering, first-year resident students are not permitted to have vehicles on campus. On campus parking privileges are for upperclass students only. Students who have completed two (2) full semesters at Curry College or have at least 24 credits of study may have a vehicle on campus. A transfer student who has spent two (2) semesters as a full-time matriculating student at an accredited institution of higher education will be allowed a vehicle on campus during his or her first semester. Curry’s parking policy reflects our commitment to wanting first-year students to become truly engaged in and contribute to the academic and community life of the college. We believe that vehicles represent an unhelpful distraction for first-year students.
All students who are permitted use of automobiles and other motor vehicles are subject to conditions outlined in the Motor Vehicle Code. Each student with a motor vehicle is required to purchase a parking sticker and to follow campus vehicle regulations as published in the Motor Vehicle Code, which is available in the Public Safety Office. To receive a parking permit you will need to produce your license, registration and Curry ID to the Public Safety Office. In addition, all out of state students must register their vehicle with Public Safety and the Town of Milton. Students will be instructed as to which lots are available to them according to their status whether it be CE, resident or commuter. Operating a motor vehicle on campus is considered a privilege, not a right. Failure to comply with College regulations may result in the loss of the privilege to operate a motor vehicle on campus.
Recreation & Intramurals
The Department of Recreation and Fitness offers several recreation programs as well an eclectic mix of intramural sports leagues. The recreation programs can be seen in outdoor fitness classes, fun runs, daytime intramural tournaments, seasonal events and so much more. The Intramural program boasts over 10 leagues to choose from each season ranging from flag football and soccer to softball and basketball. Students have the opportunity to play in gender specific leagues or in coed leagues which allows additional opportunities for everyone.
Community Standards and Accountability
The mission of the Office of Community Standards and Accountability is to educate and foster student development by upholding the College’s Code of Conduct. We accomplish this by collaborating with other departments to disseminate, interpret, and enforce college policies, as well as provide proactive opportunities that promote community building, communication and civility.
Consistent with the College’s Personal Integrity Statement, all Curry College students are expected to act with integrity, demonstrate responsible personal behavior and be respectful of the College community on and off campus. Students of Curry College must adhere to appropriate standards of behavior, comply with College policies, follow directions from College officials and act in accordance with the College’s Personal Integrity Statement once enrolled at the College. Students who do not do so may be subjected to disciplinary actions.
The Community Standards Process and Code of Conduct are available in the Student Handbook, available at www.curry.edu/ handbook or on the Community Standards and Accountability Portal page, located under Student Life.