Dear Parents,

Welcome to St. Mary’s. We are a strong residential community of students, faculty, and staff. We are delighted to have you, our parents, as partners. Let me share with you some of the priorities for our College this year.

A major undertaking for the faculty and staff this year will be planning for the implementation of the new core curriculum to be launched fall 2008. The faculty will meet early this fall to make final decisions on the framework of the curriculum. Following this, a steering committee made up of faculty and staff will begin work on directing the implementation. A first-year seminar, a comprehensive approach to writing skill development, and developing competencies in oral presentation and information literacy are among the goals of the new curriculum.

The strategic priority to internationalize the St. Mary’s experience is on a parallel track of high importance with so many students studying abroad now (236 in 2005-06 versus 112 in 2001-02). Faculty have taken the leadership in developing study tours and high quality exchange programs between St. Mary’s and institutions in China, Thailand, Costa Rica, France, Germany, and The Gambia. Furthermore, St. Mary’s has three flagship locations abroad now: Oxford, England; Alba, Italy; and The Gambia. To encourage study abroad this fall and to help manage the strong on-campus housing demand, we offered the incentive of paid airfare to the flagship sites.

Our campus continues to undergo tremendous change as we move forward with other initiatives. This summer the duct bank project was completed, including restoration of sidewalks and a new multi-media classroom built in Montgomery Hall. As strong stewards of our environment, we are reducing oil and electric consumption by 20% and water and sewer use by 30% as part of a comprehensive energy management program. Goodpaster Hall is our first green building and one of only two funded by the Maryland legislature. And as we complete these transitions, new signage will be implemented to identify roadways, walkways, and buildings.

The dean of students’ office is now relocated to the Campus Center with more centralized access to the student community. Mark Heidrich is acting dean of students and has been working with the staff in the area of student life to serve the needs of our students and campus community. Last year a campus-wide Sexual Assault Task Force developed a set of recommendations and a new policy. Communication in the next critical phase, from the acting dean of students, will engage students, faculty, and staff and a standing committee dedicated to assess the current College climate and to recommend adjustments and responses for all members of the community.

We hope that you will join us throughout the year to hear our faculty and distinguished lecturers and for athletic, performance and celebratory events. Thank you for being a special part of the St. Mary’s family.

Jane Margaret O’Brien
President of St. Mary's College of Maryland