Student Right to Know

  1. Policies
  2. Student Right to Know

In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, you have the right to know certain information about Saint Martin's University including a variety of academic information, financial assistance information, institutional information, information on completion or graduation rates, institutional security policies and crime statistics. As part of our compliance with this regulation, we present the reference chart below. 

Your safety

The safety of our students is a priority at Saint Martin's University. Historically, this has been a safe haven from the busy world. Our campus and isolated wooded acres, recently encroached upon by the increasingly rapid growth of the City of Lacey and surrounding Thurston County, are beginning to experience the pressure of a growing population. No community is totally risk-free in today’s sometimes violent society. We recognize the potential for increased crime associated with local growth and development and its location near Interstate-5, the West’s Coast’s main north-south corridor. In this section, we provide the campus safety report, including crime rates, as well as tips to keep our students secure while they attend the university.

All security concerns should be reported to the Saint Martin's University Office of Public Safety immediately.

Your right to privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords you certain rights with respect to your education records. A complete copy of University policy regarding FERPA is available in the Registrar's Office.

Learn about FERPA at Saint Martin's.

Financial aid and scholarship information

For information about tuition costs, refund policy, FAFSA, financial aid, scholarships and more, visit the Student Financial Services Center.

Academic programs

To learn about the academic programs offered at Saint Martin's University, visit Programs and Schools.

Accreditation information

As an accredited university, Saint Martin's University has the ability to offer a wide variety of services and opportunities to its students.

Saint Martin's University is a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Established in 1895, Saint Martin’s is the educational apostolate of Saint Martin’s Abbey, a Benedictine monastery of the Roman Catholic Church, whose members pray, work and live together on the University’s campus.

Saint Martin's University is regionally accredited by the Northwest [Description: Old Main] Commission on Colleges and Universities. Our undergraduate civil engineering and mechanical engineering programs are accredited by ABET, Inc., and our education programs are accredited by the Washington State Board of Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).

The University is a member of the American Association of Colleges’ Association of Higher Education, Council for Independent Colleges, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Independent Colleges of Washington, National Catholic Education Association, Northwest Association of Private Colleges and Universities, Washington Friends of Higher Education, Service Members Opportunity Colleges and American Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities.

Saint Martin's University programs of study are approved by the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (HECB/SAA) for enrollment of people eligible to receive educational benefits under Title 38 and Title 10. This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Saint Martin’s University reserved the right to make changes it deems necessary in procedures, policies, calendar, curriculum, overall academic programs or majors and costs.

Campus facilities

This map of the Saint Martin's University campus allows you to browse physical facilities, buildings and residence halls.

View campus map

Graduation statistics

For graduation statistics, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Rights and responsibilities

For details about student rights and responsibilities, including information regarding the code of conduct and the complaint process, visit the Student rights page.

Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint. Visit www.wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.

For additional information

For additional information, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@stmartin.edu

More information

Historically, this has been a safe haven from the busy world. SMU’s campus and isolated wooded acres, recently encroached upon by the increasingly rapid growth of the City of Lacey and surrounding Thurston County, are beginning to experience the pressure of a growing population. No community is totally risk-free I today’s sometimes violent society. SMU recognizes the potential for increased crime associated with local growth and development and its location near Interstate-5, the West’s Coast’s main north-south corridor.

Saint Martin’s University works hard to ensure the safety of its community, faculty, staff, and students; however, each must take responsibility for their own personal property and safety. Crime does not magically stop at the edge of campus; the key to preventing crime is awareness, heightened through education. Public safety, campus and residence life and other employees and students help share responsibility for safety. The majority of crime on campus can be avoided with recognition that basic precautions will prevent most victimization. Basic precautions are the most effective means of maintaining personal security. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity; an individual walking alone in a dark area is susceptible to personal crime. Property left openly on a vehicle seat begs to be stolen. Common sense and good judgment can reduce a criminal’s opportunity and help reduce crime, creating a safe and secure environment for faculty, staff, students, and the public. For example, when walking across campus, or in parking areas at night, walk in groups or in pairs; additionally, SMU public safety offers an escort service to assist persons moving about campus after dark. Students living in SMU residence halls are reminded to keep their room doors locked at all times and never prop open the external doors to residence halls. guests of residence hall students must register their vehicles with the residence hall manager or resident advisor (RA) and display a SMU guest pass in the vehicle; guests should be escorted by a resident student at all times. All security concerns should be reported to the SMU Office of Public Safety immediately.

Valuable personal property should be engraved with the owner’s driver’s license number using equipment provided through SMU Office of Public Safety. Bicycles should be registered and secured with a good lock. Lock parked vehicles in a well-lit area with valuables removed or stored in the trunk. Notify SMU Office of Public Safety of any and all individuals present in a building or on campus who appears to have no legitimate business there or who arouses suspicion in any way. History and experience reveal that not all crimes/criminal activity is reported. SMU Office of Public Safety encourages reporting of all suspicious activity.

Crime prevention and reporting:

The risk of crime is ongoing. Crime can occur anyplace and anytime. Awareness, diligence and precautions are logical and useful tools in crime prevention. Here are some examples of preventative measures:

  • Keep vehicles locked.
  • Never walk alone, especially at night.
  • Request an escort from the Office of Public Safety.
  • Don't leave valuables unattended.
  • Promptly report any suspicious activity to the Office of Public Safety and / or local police.

Public Safety services & programs:

The Office of Public Safety offers a variety of programs to help safeguard members of the campus community. These programs include:

Escort and welfare check service.
Photo identity of personal property.
Serial number and property descriptions recording.
Property engraving.
Crime and safety awareness pamphlets.
Crime and safety awareness sessions.

Let the Saint Martin's University Office of Public Safety help you reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

Saint Martin's University is required to publish and distribute an annual report of campus crime statistics and security policies to all current students and employees in compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. This information is compiled and distributed in an annual report to students, faculty and staff.

Read the Saint Martin's University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

The statistics are also subdivided by geographic location. Included in the annual report is information on policy statements and program descriptions pertaining to campus security and specifically to sex offenses. 

Read the Campus Crime Statistics Report.

Clery Reports are available 24/7 upon request through:

Office of Public Safety
Room 251, Old Main 
Saint Martin's University 
5000 Abbey Way SE 
Lacey, WA 98503

Phone: 360-438-4555 
Fax: 360-459-4124
Email: security@stmartin.edu