Parent FAQs

UMassD faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarly and creative works. They engage students in research activities and projects that develop both knowledge and leadership skills. Faculty bring innovative teaching methods into the classroom, and serve as mentors and role models. If your child needs assistance, encourage them to actively seek guidance and advice from their professors.

Our Honors College is part of the state-wide Commonwealth Honors Scholars Program.

Students are assigned an academic advisor during summer orientation based on their colleges or majors. Many faculty also advise students on an informal basis. The Academic Resource Center offers many academic and personal supports including professional and peer tutoring on a one-to-one and small-group basis.

Many of our students enroll as undeclared in the arts and sciences, business, engineering, or studio arts and finalize their choices of major after the first year of college. Academic advisors and faculty help guide student decision-making.

Students modify their schedules during the add/drop period at the start of each semester. After the first semester, students select classes with the assistance of faculty and staff advisors.

Your son/daughter will stay busy and continue to learn and grow outside of the classroom, with options such as:

• Our SAIL Office (Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership) offers activities 7 days a week in conjunction with campus student organizations. Students can participate in the Outdoors Club, academic organizations, sororities and fraternities, art and performance groups, and media outlets on campus—to name just a few.

• Study abroad provides new vistas for learning and personal growth, while opportunities for career development and internships help prepare students for professional success.

• The Office for Undergraduate Research supports and promotes student research.

• The Frederick Douglass Unity House offers cultural activities that celebrate the diversity of our campus.

• Corsair Athletics offers NCAA Division III teams, club and intramural sports and activities, and its Fitness Center.

• Students learn about and practice leadership skills via Student Government, student groups, peer-education and peer-advising opportunities, and orientation and residential leadership positions.

• The Leduc Center for Civic Engagement is UMassD's nationally-recognized organization for student service to the community at the local, national, and international levels.
• Residential students participate in activities specifically planned for them by the staff in the residence halls.

We encourage students to begin working with our Career Center early in their undergraduate careers. The Center provides students (and alumni) with an array of career-related services, including help with resumes, internship and job postings, and other guidance to help students find their career paths.

More than 85% of the students who apply for financial aid at UMass Dartmouth receive it. In addition, many students qualify for merit scholarships, which are awarded without regard to financial need.

The Financial Aid Office works with students and families to find as much federal, state, institutional, and private aid as possible. We offer a monthly payment plan that allows a budgeted approach to paying for college.

Most first-year students, 75 percent, choose to live on campus. Most of them are placed in traditional residence halls, usually in double occupancy rooms. Residential staff plan specific activities to help students get to know one another. We also offer honors housing. Students indicate their housing preferences and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Contracts are sent out in mid-May and assignments are made during the summer. Sophomores, juniors and seniors who live on campus can choose suites, apartments or townhouses.

Learn more about Housing & Residential Education

Residential and commuter students can select from several meal plan options to meet their specific needs. There are 14 locations with an abundance of food options, and an emphasis on locally grown foods. Many of the meal plans include complimentary guest passes for visitors and snack money to spend as the student wishes.

Learn more about Dining Services

Health Services Office is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm during the academic year. Our staff of nurse practitioners, nurses, and a consulting physician can evaluate and treat most student health issues.

The Counseling Center helps students with a variety of social and psychological concerns on both an appointment and emergency walk-in basis, with complete confidentiality.

Ensuring the safety of your daughter or son is our top priority. Here’s how we do it:

Safety: University police officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

UMassD Alert: UMassD Alert is a notification system designed to immediately deliver emergency information to students via multiple methods including mobile phone text and voice messaging. Types of notifications include weather-related closings and delays and environmental or violent crime emergencies that significantly disrupt daily activities or pose an immediate threat to health and safety.

Safe transportation: Our free transportation services are available throughout the campus starting early morning and continuing into the evening seven days a week. Safe transportation is also available to local shopping venues and our CVPA satellite campus in New Bedford.

Residence hall/apartment building safety: Only students who live in a specific building are given swipe-card access (UMass Pass) into that building. All other students and guests must sign in with the desk attendants, who are on duty from 7pm to 3am every day. Guests must sign in with their host and carry a guest pass at all times. Resident Assistants (RAs) are on duty in each building on weeknights from 7pm to 7am the next morning and on the weekend from 7pm on Friday night to 7am on Monday morning. RAs make rounds throughout the night to ensure safety. Resident Directors (RDs) are on-call 24 hours a day to respond to any emergencies. Additionally, the Student Affairs deans are on-call each night to provide assistance as needed.