Campus Life

Student Life FAQ

Student group at zipline course
Note: For questions related to student housing and residence life, you may also want to view this list of FAQs

When is... (General Calendar Questions)

For important dates such as the start of class, break periods, finals week, etc., please visit the Academic Calendar.

How many students are in Marietta College in total?

Total enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year is 1,085 students from more than 32 states and more than 14 countries. For more information, see About Marietta.

What do students do on the weekends?

On the weekends, you will find the majority of Marietta's students involved in activities right on campus! More than 50+ different student organizations are active on Marietta's campus, including fraternities and sororities, academic clubs, political groups, cultural groups, religious groups, and more. Campus organizations such as the Pioneer Activities Council (PAC) are instrumental in planning social events such as sporting event viewing parties, movies, concerts, and comedians, as well as special events such as Homecoming, Family Weekend, and Doo Dah Day. Many students enjoy attending athletic events with their friends or participating in an intramural league or tournament. 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 more than 50+ active clubs and organizations on campus. These groups include academic, religious, service, recreational, political, club sports, diversity and inclusion, and intramurals. If students are interested in starting a club or organization on campus, they can visit Kelsey Lavender in Student Life for assistance.

What are the percentages of different races at Marietta College?

The percentage of all minority students on our campus is about 13.9%. For more information, see About Marietta and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

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, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Delta Tau Delta. 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, interact with faculty and staff, 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.

To register to join a sorority, Visit this page.

How can I get involved in student organizations?

One benefit of a small college is that it is easy to get involved. At the beginning of each school year, the College conducts an organizational fair called the Involvement Fair on The Christy Mall, which provides an opportunity for you to sign up for organizations and activities that may be of interest. But this is not your only chance to get involved! MoreMarietta, a daily email all members of the Marietta College community receive, includes information about events and club meetings that are happening on campus, and student organizations frequently hang posters around campus and in the residence halls with information about their events and meetings. Your Resident Assistant can also help get you connected to clubs and other organizations, as well as Kelsey Lavender in Student Life.

What kind of activities does the College sponsor?

Our student-run programming board, the Pioneer Activities Council (PAC), sponsors a variety of activities and events, ranging from social events such as BINGO and trivia to movies, sporting event viewings, and comedians. Resident Assistants in the residence hall provide fun and educational programming for students to participate in without even leaving their hall! The College also sponsors events such as educational lectures, movie and film screenings, and discussions on current events. Students enjoy participating in campus-wide events such as Homecoming, Family Weekend, Doo Dah Day, and Finals Breakfast. Additionally, many students enjoy attending home games and meets for our varsity athletic teams.

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 Lindamood-VanVoorhis Boathouse, and the track at Don Drumm Stadium also provide opportunities for physical activity, including Nautilus/Universal weight training and other fitness exercises. The $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 Fenton Court for varsity athletic events, a 200-meter six-lane running track, four regulation-size multi-purpose activity courts, two racquetball courts, a state-of-art weight room, and a fitness center with cardiovascular machines, a 35-foot high climbing wall, a 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 Dr. J. Michael Harding Center for Health and Wellness (CHW) offers a full range of medical and mental health services. We provide medical and mental health services for all Marietta College students year-round and promote health and well­being. The Center for Health and Wellness medical services is staffed by a Physician Assistant and two Registered Nurses with an off-site supervisory physician. Our counseling side of the CHW is staffed with state-licensed, professional clinical counselors. We offer a wide variety of medical services including, but not limited to, small laceration repair, flu vaccinations, allergy and specialty injections, and diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses. We are also able to test for mono, strep, influenza, pregnancy, UTI, STI, and COVID. There is a small, onsite pharmacy located in our center that is stocked with over-the-counter medications and antibiotics. Prescriptions are provided as needed to the student's pharmacy of choice. Counseling services are provided for many issues, including homesickness, depression, anxiety, relationships, family conflict, academic/job struggles, grief, loss, stress, victimization, identity issues, life transitions, and self-esteem issues. Referrals can be made, when needed, to outside services, including psychiatry and inpatient services. To see a medical or counseling provider, please call 740.376.4477 or send an email to healthandwellness@marietta.edu. The CHW is located in Harrison Hall on the Seventh Street side between the two cream-colored pillars. The Center for Health and Wellness (CHW) is open Monday through Friday year-round from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

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 five 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 a serious illness or accident that requires extensive treatment or hospitalization.

Do you transport ill students to local area hospitals?

Transportation will be arranged on a case-by-case basis. For emergent and serious medical issues, we utilize local emergency services. 

Is there a bank on campus? What about an ATM machine?

There are two ATM machines located on campus — one is in the Library and the other is in the DBRC. Marietta has several banks within a five-minute walking distance from campus.

Will my parents know about any disciplinary situations?

Under our Parental Notification policy, parents of dependent students will be notified about behavioral problems upon serious violation of the College’s Student Code of Conduct or College Housing Policy. The Office of Student Life reserves the right to notify parents at any time when in the best interest of the student.

When is Family Weekend?

Family weekend is usually in the early Fall. Learn more about the details and this year's schedule.

How safe is the campus?

Marietta is a small community, our students feel very safe 24/7. For more information, visit the Safety & Well-being section of the website. In addition, the Marietta College Police Department makes available information on Campus crime statistics.

When do we get our email addresses?

Students receive their email address when they submit their $200 enrollment deposit.

Is the Campus Wi-Fi equipped?

Yes! Marietta College has Wi-Fi everywhere, both inside and outside. All campus-owned housing units have both wired and wireless access to the Internet. We encourage students to bring a desktop or laptop with a wireless Wi-Fi card. The residence halls only broadcast Wi-Fi on the 5GHz frequency, so your device will need to support "dual-band".  

Look for: 802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and "dual-band" indicators on your device for what networks are supported.

5GHz is the frequency we use for Wi-Fi in the Residence Halls. Devices should support the following network standards to work: 802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, or 802.11be. Note: 802.11n states it supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but it doesn't always. Look for one of the other 802.11 listings or "dual-band" support.

  • 2.4GHz is not running in the Residence Halls because microwaves and other devices are causing interference and disrupting Internet use.
  • Almost all devices made in the last eight years support 5GHz
  • KNOWN DEVICES that won't work:
    • Some newer TVs appear not to support this, so check for the 802.11 codes above on the box before buying, or pick up a Firestick or Roku that you can use with the TV that supports the 5GHz frequency
    • Roku models that do not support 4K — look for 802.11ac "dual-band" models
    • If you have an older laptop, then you can get a USB Wi-Fi adapter that supports 5GHz

If you plan to use the wired connection, then you will also need a patch cable to connect your computer. The length of this will vary depending on where you plan to put your computer. These cables are available in the campus bookstore, Walmart, or Amazon. If you plan to bring your own, make sure that it is a standard patch cable and not a crossover or cross-connect cable. For any technology-related questions or problems, you can always contact the IT Help Desk at 740.376.4860.

Do you provide Campus escorts?

Personal escorts are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year around the campus. If you would like an escort, call 740.376.3333, and a member of the Marietta College Police Department will gladly provide you with an escort. In addition, there are blue emergency call boxes 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?

On campus, if you are violating Federal, State, or City laws or violations of the Marietta College Student Code of Conduct, the Marietta College Police Department tries to handle all violations on campus. We will issue you a citation for the violation or infraction and submit the information to student conduct. However, if a violation of city, state, or federal law is severe, you could face criminal charges and be arrested by the Marietta College Police Department for the violation. Each violation is handled case by case. 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 may also be subject to the student conduct process for violating Marietta College’s Student Code of Conduct.

May freshmen have a car on campus? Does it have to be registered? What about a parking permit? How much does it cost?

Parking is limited. Freshmen students must apply for a permit. Visit the Parking page for more info.

How do I add Dining Dollars to my account?

Additional Dining Dollars can be purchased online or by calling 740.376.4786.

Is Marietta a suitcase college? Do students leave on the weekends, or do they stay on campus?

We are not a suitcase campus, as the majority of our students remain on campus during the weekends. As mentioned above, there is a wide variety of activities available for students to participate in during both the week and weekends, ranging from social events such as sporting event viewing parties, movies, concerts, and comedians to athletic events. There is never a shortage of things to do!

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 Events Calendar.

Are there religious services on campus?

There are no religious services on campus. There are, however, student organizations on campus devoted to different religious identities. In addition, there are houses of worship associated with a variety of religious traditions that can be found within easy walking distance of campus or a short drive away in the neighboring communities of Belpre, Ohio, and Williamstown and Parkersburg, West Virginia.

I have been accepted and returned my financial aid award papers. When will I receive 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 packet, please get in touch with 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, as well as COVID-19. The College's Health & Wellness Center, which is located in Harrison Hall, can refer students to the Marietta City Health Department for vaccinations.

Where can I buy groceries?

There are several locations within walking distance of the campus that sell food and groceries. Giant Eagle, Speedway, and several downtown shops provide a complete food service outside of the College's meal plans. You can also use declining balance to purchase food at Izzy's, Red Brick BBQ, Pioneer Pit Stop, and the Chlapaty Café.

What size bedsheets do I need for the bed in my residence hall?

All mattresses are 39" by 80" and require extra-long twin sheets. These can be found at most retailers, including Walmart, Target, Homegoods, or on Amazon.

What local restaurants are there?

Like most urban areas, Marietta's dining options range from fast food to five-star. Your best bet is to explore the city (and nearby Parkersburg, West Virginia) and discover for yourself. The Marietta Visitors Bureau has a dining guide that can be found at mariettaohio.org/dine/.