Frequently Asked Questions about Student Life at Marietta
Note: For questions related to student housing and residence life, you may also want to view this list of FAQs
- When is the first day of class? (General Calendar Questions)
- How many students are in Marietta College total?
- What do students do on the weekends?
- How many clubs and organizations are on campus?
- What are the percentages of different races at MC?
- Do you have Greek organizations? Can I join as a first semester freshman?
- How can I get involved in student organizations?
- What kind of activities does the College sponsor?
- What about your intramural/recreational program?
- Do you have a health center?
- Is there an infirmary as part of the Health Center?
- Will my family be notified if I am sick or hospitalized?
- Do you transport ill students to local area hospitals?
- Is there a bank on campus? What about an ATM machine?
- Will my parents know about any discipline situations?
- Is there a parents newsletter?
- When is parents weekend?
- What is Little Siblings Weekend?
- How safe is the campus?
- When do we get our email addresses?
- Is the Campus Wi-Fi equipped?
- Do you provide escort services?
- What happens if I get in trouble, either on campus or off?
- May freshmen have a car on campus? Does it have to be registered? What about a parking permit? How much does it cost?
- Can I get transportation to the airport?
- How do I add money to my a declining balance meal plan?
- Is Marietta a suitcase college? Do students leave on the weekends or do they stay on campus?
- What are Marietta's Mainstage theatre productions this year and where can I find a schedule? (General Fine Arts questions)
- Are there religious services on campus? Does the college have a chaplain?
- I have been accepted and returned my financial aid award papers. When will I recieve my packet?
- Are there any Medical requirements (shots needed, tests etc.)
- Where can I buy groceries?
- Having trouble locating the sheets to fit the bed size. Any suggestions of a store to get them from?
- What local restaurants and bars are there?
When is... (General Calendar Questions)
For important dates such as start of class, break periods, finals week, etc., please visit the Academic Calendar.
How many students are in Marietta College total?
Total enrollment for 2008-09 academic year was approximately 1,350 students from more than 40 states and more than 10 countries.
For more information see About Marietta.
What do students do on the weekends?
On the weekends, you'll find the majority of MC students involved in activities right on campus! Over 70 different student organizations are active on Marietta's campus, including Fraternities and Soroities, Academic Clubs, Political Groups, Cultural Groups, Religious Groups, and more. Campus organizations such as the College Union Board (CUB) are instrumental in planning weekend events such as Homecoming, Family Weekend, Little Sibs' Weekend, and a special Marietta College event called Doo-Dah Day. Concerts, comedians, and cultural presentations also appear at Marietta College throughout the year. In fact, the College has worked to bring major concerts to campus with bands such as Third Eye Blind, Three Doors Down, Fuel, Oleander, Taylor Swift, Juliana Hough and O.A.R. Of course, many students prefer to simply relax at the Gathering Place, a one-stop resource for student activities featuring game rooms, big screen TVs, wireless internet, a free snack bar, and more. If students choose to go beyond campus for weekend fun, they don't have to go far. The city and surrounding area of Marietta, Ohio offers a wealth of activities from outdoor concerts to casual dining to outdoor activities like hiking, camping, rock climbing, and biking.
How many clubs and organizations are on campus?
We have over 70 active clubs and organizations on campus. They include academic/professional clubs, athletic/recreational clubs, governing bodies, service honoraries, media/publications, religious offerings, Greek organizations and a variety of special interest groups, such as Cultural Initiatives, Psychology Club, Concert Choir, and many others.
What are the percentages of different races at MC?
The percentage of minority students on our campus is about 7 to 8%.
For more information see About Marietta and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Do you have Greek organizations? Can I join as a first semester freshman?
Marietta College currently has three fraternities and three sororities that are active on campus. The fraternities are Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Tau Delta, and Lambda Chi Alpha. The sororities are Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, and Sigma Kappa. Joining a Greek organization can help personalize your college experience by providing the opportunity to develop important leadership skills, to interact with faculty and staff, to give back to the community through service projects and develop lasting friendships.
As a first semester freshman you may join a fraternity or sorority. If you are interested in getting involved in a fraternity or sorority, recruitment is a time for interested students to take a closer look at Greek Life at Marietta College. You will meet members, learn about the different activities and programs of each group, and begin new friendships. Recruitment activities and events are announced campus-wide and take place in September.
How can I get involved in student organizations?
One benefit of a small college is that it is easy to get involved, but it does require initiative on your part! There are lots of ways to begin. Talk to your academic advisor, browse bulletin boards for postings, read the campus newspaper, look in the Student Handbook for a listing of organizations, and ask other students. At the beginning of each school year, the College conducts an organizational fair on the College Mall which provides an opportunity for you to sign up for organizations and activities that may be of interest. The fair is called Club MC and will be conducted one evening during the first full week of classes. More information on Club MC will be distributed to the campus community at the start of the school year.
What kind of activities does the College sponsor?
Our student-run programming board, the College Union Board (CUB), sponsors a variety of activities and events, including everything from lectures on various issues and topics, to movies, sporting event trips, and comedy showcases. Some of our most popular events include: Homecoming, Family Weekend, Little Siblings Weekend, major concerts (past performers include O.A.R., Third Eye Blind, Tonic, Fuel, Three Doors Down and Oleander), a spring break trip, and Greek Week. In addition to these offerings, the College provides a full Mens and Womens Intercollegiate Athletic Program.
What about your intramural/recreational program?
Intramural sports give you the opportunity to enjoy fitness while having fun! The Athletic Department organizes our intramural program which includes: basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, racquetball, and volleyball. Each participating team selects a student representative to serve as the liaison with the intramural staff.
In addition Marietta College has club sports and recreational programs to keep you active. Club sports and recreational programs offered at the College include: Cheerleading, Dance Team, Friends of Rowing Club, the Running Club, the Rugby Club, and the Ultimate Frisbee Organization.
The Dyson Baudo Recreation Center (DBRC), the Boathouse and the track at Don Drumm Stadium also provide opportunities for physical activity, including Nautilus/Universal weight training and other fitness exercising. The new $19 million Dyson Baudo recreation Center offers many opportunities associated with physical fitness, wellness, and leisure time activities. The DBRC contains the newly renovated Ban Johnson Arena as well as the addition of an 84,000 square-foot Field House. Facilities include: The Fenton Court for varsity athletic events, 200 meter six lane running track, four regulation size multi-purpose activity courts, two racquetball courts, a state-of-art weight room and fitness center with cardiovascular machines, a 35-foot high climbing wall, multi-purpose room, student, faculty, and staff locker rooms, as well as vending machine areas and casual activity and lounge spaces.
The Marietta College Department of Sports Medicine is also located in the DBRC. The Office of Recreation will provide campus programming in a variety of lifetime wellness and fitness activities. These recreational opportunities are designed to promote a positive mental and social attitude for the entire campus community.
Do you have a health center?
Yes. The Student Health Center is located at 210 Seventh Street directly across the street from the campus. It is operated as an outpatient facility through a mutual agreement with the Broughtons Health Center of Marietta Memorial Hospital. The Center is open fifteen (15) hours per week, Monday through Friday, during the academic year. When open the Center is staffed by qualified health care providers including a medical doctor.
The Health Center offers a wide variety of medical services, including (but not limited to) diagnosis and treatment of such problems as colds, flu, upper respiratory infections, laboratory services, injection therapy, pharmaceuticals, nutrition counseling and health education. Students are seen on a first-come, first-served basis, with those students requiring more urgent care seen first.
Is there an infirmary as part of the Health Center?
No. The Health Center operates as an outpatient facility and thus has no infirmary space. If you require hospitalization, you will be referred to one of the local hospitals. There are two hospitals within 5 minutes of campus.
Will my family be notified if I am sick or hospitalized?
Under normal circumstances, you are expected to keep family members informed of your illnesses. However, the Office of Student Life will notify your family in the event of serious illness or accident that requires extensive treatment or hospitalization.
Do you transport ill students to local area hospitals?
Transportation has been arranged with a local cab company to transport students to local medical services for routine matters. Students needing this service can pick up a voucher from their Residence Hall Director or College Police which covers the cost. For emergency and serious medical issues transportation is done by calling for an ambulance.
Is there a bank on campus? What about an ATM machine?
There is an ATM machine located on campus at The Gathering Place. Marietta has several banks within a five-minute walking distance from campus.
Will my parents know about any discipline situations?
Under our Parental Notification policy, parents of dependent students will be notified about behavioral problems upon serious violation of the College Creed or College Housing Policy. Your parents will be notified immediately if you are at risk of being removed from College Housing or from the College. The Dean of Student Life reserves the right to notify parents at any time when in the best interest of the student.
Is there a parents newsletter?
Yes, a newsletter is sent to parents twice per year. Also, parents receive the Navy Blue & White magazine and the Career Center newsletter.
When is family weekend?
Family weekend is usually in the early Fall. Check the Family Weekend page for details and this year's schedule.
What is Little Siblings Weekend?
Sponsored by the College Union Board, Little Siblings Weekend is a time for Marietta College students to invite their younger or older siblings to spend the weekend with them to discover what Marietta College is all about. The weekend is chock full of events, such as Bingo and Movie Night, that take students and their siblings all over the campus.
How safe is the campus?
Marietta is a small community and a closed campus. Our students feel very safe, even at night. For more information, visit the Safety & Well-being section of the website. In addition, the Office of College Police makes available information on Campus crime statistics.
When do we get our email addresses?
Students receive their email address, as well as campus id, as soon as they submit their application. See the Admission section for more details.
Is the Campus Wi-Fi equipped?
Yes! All campus-owned housing units have both wired and wireless access the Internet and to College systems such as the library, e-mail and College web site. Marietta College has wireless access available in the library and several classrooms and labs. We encourage students to bring a laptop with a wireless Wi-Fi card. If a desktop computer is what you would prefer, there is no need for a wireless network card. To connect to the campus network services, we suggest your computer meet the following system requirements:
- Pentium-class (or higher) processor
- Windows XP or higher
- Ethernet
- Wi-Fi card (802.11b or 802.11g compatible)
- PPC, G3, or G4 processor
- MacOS 10.3 (or Higher)
- Ethernet
- Airport or Airport Extreme (802.11b or 802.11g compatible)
Note: The 802.11b/g card is NOT needed for a desktop computer.
You will also need a patch cable to connect your computer to the Ethernet connection in your room. The length of this will vary depending on where you plan to put your computer. These cables are available in the campus bookstore. If you plan to bring your own, make sure that it is a standard patch cable and not a crossover or crossconnect cable. Visit the Technology Department for more information, or if you just need to know how to set up your wireless connection, click here. And for any Technology related questions or problems, you can always contact the IT Help Desk at 740-376-4860.
Do you provide escort services?
Escort services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year around the campus. If you would like an escort, call extension 4611 and a member of the Public Safety staff will gladly provide you with an escort. In addition, there are emergency telephones located on campus, so if you decide you would like an escort while you are walking, you can call for one.
What happens if I get in trouble, either on campus or off?
This is a complex question to answer. If you get into trouble off campus, the police agency that you dealt with will handle any criminal charges that may be filed against you. Additionally, if you get in trouble off campus and it is a crime of serious nature, you will have a campus creed charge placed against you for Conduct Unbecoming of a Marietta College student. On campus, if you are violating Federal, State or City laws or violations of the Marietta College Student Code of Conduct, we may handle the charges. Generally, College Police tries to handle all violations on campus. We will issue you a citation for the violation or infraction and turn the information over to the Student Conduct Officer to handle the judicial proceedings. However, if a violation of Federal, State or City law is severe, you could face criminal charges and be arrested by College Police for the violation. It is a case-by-case procedure. On campus or off, Marietta College expects you to act as an adult and take full responsibility for your actions.
May freshmen have a car on campus? Does it have to be registered? What about a parking permit? How much does it cost?
You may have a car on campus beginning freshman year as long as it is registered. Visit the Parking page for more info.
Can I get transportation to the airport?
Yes. Transportation to the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport is free while transportation to Port Columbus is available at a nominal fee. For a ride to the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport please notify the College Police Office a week in advance and for a ride to Port Columbus please notify them two weeks in advance. Anyone giving us less than a weeks notice may be denied transportation due to staffing shortage.
How do I add money to my a declining balance meal plan?
. You will need to contact the Dining Service Office (376-4786) or by email at chartwells@marietta.edu. Additional money added to a declining balance will tranfer from fall to spring semester but not into the next academic year.
Is Marietta a suitcase college? Do students leave on the weekends or do they stay on campus?
We are not considered a suitcase campus since we house the majority of students (approx. 92%) on campus. Few students commute so the student life office attempts to offer a variety of activities for students. For further information about what some students may do on the weekends, please see What do students do on the weekends?
What are Marietta's Mainstage theatre productions this year and where can I find a schedule? (General Fine Arts questions)
All plays, concerts, comedians, art shows, and other events are listed in the Fine Arts Events section of the website. Additionally, it's a good idea to check the specific department page, so for Theatre production you'd want to look at the Theatre Department site
Are there religious services on campus? Does the college have a chaplain?
Marietta College does not have a religious affiliation. However, there are a variety of religious organizations on campus, including Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and the Newman Community, a student organization that is centered on God. Newman is a primarily catholic organization yet members of any faith are welcome. In addition, there are nearly a dozen churches in walking distance of the College, each welcoming college students to join their worship services throughout the school year.
I have been accepted and returned my financial aid award papers. When will I recieve my info packet?
Our welcome packets, with all important information for incoming students, are sent to students by the beginning of May. If you have not received your packed, please contact Admission.
Are there any Medical requirements (shots needed, tests etc.)
Students living in residence halls are strongly urged to have up-to-date immunizations, including the Hepatitis B and the meningococcal vaccines. The College's Health Center, which is located in Suite 200 at 210 Seventh St., can refer students to the Marietta City Health Department for vaccinations.
Where can I buy groceries?
There are several locations within walking distance to the campus that sell food and groceries. Giant Eagle, Food for Less, Speedway, and several downtown shops provide a complete food service outside the college’s meal plans. You can also use declining balance to purchase food in Gilman Express, Izzy’s, and the Chlapaty Café.
Having trouble locating the sheets to fit the bed size. Any suggestions of a store to get them from?
All mattresses are 39" by 80". To ensure that your sheets fit properly, we recommend that you bring oversized twin sheets. Most stores that sell bedding materials should have these in stock.
What local restaurants and bars are there?
Like most urban areas, Marietta's drinking and dining options range from fast food to five-star. Your best bet is to explore the city (and nearby Parkersburg, WV) and discover for yourself, but use this partial list to get you started.