Campus Life
Students at Francis Marion University are a hard-working bunch. They’re in college, first and foremost, to earn a degree. Many of them – a significantly higher percentage that at most universities – also work before, between and after classes, both on campus and off. Their “student” life starts with being a student.
But they like to have a little fun, too. To that end, FMU provides students with a robust assortment of organizations and activities built around student interests and designed to put the “life” into student life.
Get Involved!
Life On Campus
Leadership Opportunities
Leadership, volunteerism and citizenship education are essential elements for success on campus and within our communities. Students at FMU have an opportunity to explore a variety of leadership opportunities.
Leadership FMU
Leadership FMU is offered as a co-curricular hybrid (classroom and online) leadership program. Each student in the program agrees to meet with other students in a classroom setting to learn the basic concepts of leadership through case studies and engaging with other students, faculty, staff and community leaders. Graduates from the program have used their experiences in student government, honor societies and various student organizations on campus. The program was featured in the University’s Patriot Viewbook and described as a “movers and shakers” program. Graduates reported that their experiences have been beneficial as they pursue graduate school, embark on the job market or apply for other leadership opportunities on campus.
Student Leadership Conference and Case Study Competition
The Student Leadership Conference is an annual conference for students who have a commitment to taking advantage of the resources available at FMU. Student participants will attend sessions designed to assist in acquiring the essential skills necessary to become an outstanding leader. The Case Study Competition takes place annually at the Student Leadership Conference. Teams compete against other teams through case studies developed to test student leadership skills, presentation, teamwork and critical thinking.
Student Affairs Advisory Committee
The Student Affairs Advisory Committee is advised by the Vice President for Student Affairs and is composed of a diverse group of students, faculty and staff committed to making positive change on campus.
What's Happening at FMU
No matter the time of year, there’s always something happening on the FMU campus. From movie nights, watch parties for the big game or just fun student events like the President’s Bowl, Francis Marion has it all.
Here’s your complete guide — the place to stay up to date.
Athletics
FMU is proud of its Patriots and rightly so. FMU is a highly competitive member of the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference. The Patriots succeed on the court, and off it, too. Nearly half our athletes make Dean’s List each semester.
Students can attend any home contest at no charge and root their classmates on to victory.
Travel
The FMU experience means exposure to new people and new places. FMU has exchange programs in place with universities in Europe and Canada, and regularly sends Biology (and other students) on trips to FMU’s WildSumaco Research Station in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. Want your “foreign” experience at home? No problem. FMU always has a strong cadre of foreign students on campus. They’re friendly and look forward to meeting people just like you.
Student Government Association
Student Government Association (SGA) represents the student body at Francis Marion University by working to continually ensure that the FMU experience is the best it can be. SGA serves the students in areas such as campus safety, transparency and sustainability, student organization funding and overall student success.
Campus Activities Board (CAB)
What is CAB?
The Campus Activities Board is a vital and essential component of campus life for the students at Francis Marion University. CAB serves the student body by providing a variety of programs and services that enhance the out-of-the-classroom experience, promotes leadership and contributes to the overall mission of the Office of Student Affairs. CAB presents well planned social, cultural and educational events to students. The Board creates lasting memories and provides diverse opportunities for students, by students.
Join CAB
Recruitment for members of the board are conducted each Fall semester for the upcoming academic year. Positions remain open for incoming first year students.
Army ROTC
Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a coeducational program dedicated to developing college-educated men and women to serve in challenging positions of leadership, responsibility, and varied managerial positions; both as officers in the U.S. Army and civilians in corporate America.
Life on the FMU campus offers students the opportunity to be immersed fully in the college experience. The University’s annual Homecoming celebration is a weeklong series of events that includes the crowning of a Homecoming King and Queen, a parade, tailgating and several sporting events that give FMU students and alumni the chance to connect on campus.
Student Activities
National Panhellenic Council (NPC)
Alpha Delta Pi
Nickname: ADPi
Founded Nationally: May 15, 1851
at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, GA
Founded at FMU: May 11, 1980
National Philanthropy: The Ronald McDonald House
Kappa Delta
Nickname: KD
Founded Nationally: October 23, 1897
at Longwood University in Farmville, VA
Founded at FMU: April 20, 1985
National Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America and Girl Scouts of the USA
Zeta Tau Alpha
Nickname: Zeta
Founded Nationally: October 15, 1898
at Longwood University in Farmville, VA
Founded at FMU: November 9, 1974
National Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Education
and Awareness
Interfraternity Council (IFC)
Kappa Alpha Order
Nickname: KA
Founded Nationally: December 21, 1865
at Washington College in Lexington, VA
Founded at FMU: February 13, 1974
National Philanthropy: Muscular Dystrophy Association
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Nickname: TKE
Founded Nationally: January 10, 1899
at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL
Founded at FMU: May 1, 1995
National Philanthropies: Alzheimer’s Association, St. Jude, and the Boys Scouts of America
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Alpha Phi Alpha
Nickname: Alpha
Founded Nationally: December 4, 1906
at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
Founded at FMU: December 20, 1975
National Philanthropy: A. Charles Haston Brother’s Keeper; A Voteless People is a Hopeless People;
Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College; Project Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Nickname: AKA
Founded Nationally: 1908 at Howard University
in Washington, D.C.
National Philanthropy: ASCEND Youth Enrichment Program; One Million Backpacks; Think HBCU; Alzheimer’s Disease,
Stroke and Mental Illness awareness; Family Seasonal Wraps; AKA 1908 Playground Project
Kappa Alpha Psi
Founded Nationally: January 5, 1911 at Indiana University
Founded at FMU: September 7, 1985
National Philanthropy: Guide Right; Diamonds in the Rough; Kappa 100; Healthy Kappas, Healthy Communities;
Kappa League; Undergraduate Leadership Institute; Kappa Kamp; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated Achievement Academy
Omega Psi Phi
Nickname: Omega
Founded Nationally: November 17, 1911
at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Zeta Phi Beta
Nickname: Zeta
Founded Nationally: January 16, 1920
at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
National Philanthropy: Elder Care Initiative; Stork’s Nest; Zeta Prematurity Awareness Program (ZPAP);
Adopt-a-School; World Elder Abuse Awareness Day; International Women of Color; Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Sigma Gamma Rho
Founded Nationally: November 12, 1922
at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana
National Philanthropy: National Education Fund (NEF); Sigma Public Education
and Research Foundation (SPEAR); Seven Pearls Foundation
Iota Phi Theta
Nickname: Iota
Founded Nationally: September 19, 1963
at Morgan State College
National Philanthropy: The NAACP; The United Negro College Fund; Southern Christian
Leadership Conference; Project IMAGE; The National Federation of the Blind; The National Sickle Cell Foundation
University Sponsored
FMU Diplomats
FMU Cheerleaders
Multicultural Advisory Board
University Programming Board
South Carolina Student Legislature
Student Government Association
Honor
Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre)
Beta Beta Beta (Biology)
Beta Gamma Sigma (Business)
Honors Student Organization
Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership)
Phi Kappa Phi
Psi Chi (Psychology)
Sigma Tau Delta (English and Literature)
Sigma Theta Tau International (Nursing)
Phi Alpha Theta (History)
Academic
American Chemical Society
Math Club
Physician Assistant Program, FMU
Psychology Graduate Student Association
Sociology Club
Student Nurses Association
Special Interest
Alive in Christ Student Ministries
Association for Computing Machinery at FMU
Arts Anonymous
Baptist Collegiate Ministry
Biology Club, FMU
Catholic Campus Ministry
Challenging All Norms and Expectations (C.A.N.E)
College Democrats, FMU
College Republicans, FMU
Commuter’s Connected
Dimensions of Diversity Dancers
Finance Club, FMU
Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter, FMU
Health Occupation Students of America
Institute of Industrial and System Engineers
International-Domestic Student Ambassadors Organization (IDA)
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, FMU
Kinks, Waves, and Curls
National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP)
The Patriot Players
Physician Assistant Program, FMU
Praise In Motion Dance Ministry
Pre-Veterinary Club, FMU
Project Dance
Psychology Club, FMU
The Riot
The Society for Physics Students
Sociology Club
Student Media Association
Student Nursing Association
T.A.O.C.A.T.N.A.
Young, Gifted and Blessed Gospel Choir
The Campus Recreation Services Program at Francis Marion University is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles within the campus community. By offering various programs and services, the Campus Recreation Services Program is dedicated to providing safe, enjoyable, and educational activities for faculty, staff, and students. Involvement in Intramural Sports does not require a high degree of skill, knowledge, or physical fitness. Only a sincere desire to participate and have fun is necessary. Our goal is to provide every individual with the opportunity to participate and develop skills and interests in a friendly, competitive environment. The program offers all participants the chance to improve their health, relax from work and study, and the opportunity to meet new people and socialize with others.
Competitive sports range from basketball and flag football to table tennis and billiards.
The objectives of the Francis Marion University Campus Recreation Services Program are to provide:
- The opportunity to better health through satisfactory physical exercise.
- The opportunity for each participant to develop skills and interests which can serve them throughout their lifetime and enable them to live healthier and longer lives
- The opportunity to develop sportsmanship and honesty in regards to rules, officials, and opponents.
- Assistance in the fulfillment of the mission and goals of the Office of Student Affairs.
- A wide-range of activities and services for the diverse campus community.
All members of the FMU community are encourage to get involved and play safely!
Express Yourself
The FMU Department of Fine Arts presents many opportunities to express your creativity through the University Concert Choir, the Show Chorus, The University Theatre, the University Concert Band, the Music Industry Ensemble, the University String Ensemble, and the Fine Arts Chamber Recital Series.
In addition, it stages the music, dance and theatre performances brought in by the University Artist Series, and maintains the Art Gallery Series featuring a varied rotating program of two- and three-dimensional art exhibits in Hyman Fine Arts Center galleries.
Fine Arts Events
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Smith University Center
Recreational and athletic facilities located in the Smith University Center (UC) include a 3000-seat varsity gymnasium with two practice basketball courts, an eight-lane varsity swimming pool with three diving boards, a sauna, four handball/racquetball courts, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a canteen/game area with billiards and ping pong equipment, and a fitness room with free weights, exercise machines and cardiovascular equipment.
The University Center Commons serves as a lounge and recreational area for the University community on a daily basis. Throughout the year, numerous special events are held in the Commons and the UC lawn, including comedy shows, concerts, picnics, festivals, displays, and other activities.
Offices located in the UC include Student Affairs, Athletics, Dean of Students, Student Life, Campus Recreation, Multicultural Affairs, Career Development, The Patriot newspaper, University Programming Board, and Student Government Association. The Patriot Bookstore is located on the first floor of the UC.
Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs supports the educational mission of the University by providing programs, services, and co-curricular experiences that contribute to student development and the FMU intellectual community.
