Student Life

Student Services provides a full range of activities and support services to assist each student in developing his or her full potential.

Student Services Division personnel strive to maintain a cultural, social, and spiritual environment at the Academy that stimulates student growth according to the “whole- person” concept.

Standards of Conduct

All students at the Academy are required to abide by the high standards of ethical behavior expected from professionals. A student administered honor code states simply that Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets and students will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor do they tolerate these acts from others.

Personal conduct, both on campus and off campus, is governed by the regulations and standards of the Regiment of Cadets. Hazing, or any abuse of power, is a serious violation of state law and Academy regulations. It will not be tolerated.

Regiment of Cadets

The Academy seeks young men and women with developing maturity, strong academic motivation, self-discipline, and leadership potential. Providing a direct, practical leadership experience, the Regiment of Cadets is central to a student’s college experience as he or she prepares to assume a responsible leadership role at sea or ashore.

Unless they volunteer for a military commissioning program, cadets do not have a military obligation at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and there is none after graduation.

All residential students must belong to the Regiment of Cadets, a program designed to enhance the character and abilities of each student. In choosing and being accepted by Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a student understands that he or she is enrolling in a unique and select college. The Academy provides a superb education and support structure for a cadet’s growth, and standards of conduct are necessarily high. Cadets meet a demand for academic excellence and adhere to rules and regulations designed to develop accountability, responsibility, and self-discipline. The principles of honor, personal integrity, and loyalty have traditionally characterized the professional officer. The Academy’s requirements, involving fortitude, honor, and integrity, are stringent in order to prepare the graduate for a successful professional career.

In addition to their pursuits in academic studies, cadets are trained as leaders. Within the Regiment, cadets practice leadership and management by supervising other cadets in a broad variety of activities, including the orientation of freshmen, room inspections, sea term planning, shipboard responsibilities, and competitive athletics. Cadets also apply professional knowledge and leadership while on annual sea terms on the USTS Patriot State II, while at cooperative education placements, and while undergoing training on Academy small craft.

The professional staff of Academy officers assigned to the Commandant of Cadets guide cadets in their leadership training and professional growth.

Specific rules and regulations involving student conduct may be found in the Regimental Manual, Chapter 3, sections 100-300. The Regimental Manual may be found online at https://www.maritime.edu/regiment. The appeals process, warning system, and means of improving behavior are also covered.

The Commandant of Cadets staff oversees all dorm room assignments and will restrict the age difference between roommates to no more than 10 years. Unless a cadet submits a change of gender identity request, the cadet will be assigned berthing (dorm rooms) and will use the facilities associated with the gender identification on record. A cadet may request to change the recorded gender identification at any time by presenting a request to the Office of the Commandant (after admission) or to the Admissions Department (during the application process).

Uniforms

Upon entering the Academy, all regimental students are required to purchase and maintain uniforms. Other clothing may be worn only as authorized by the Commandant of Cadets. Uniforms and equipment become the property of the student and may not be returned to the Academy.

Orientation Program

Immediately upon arrival at the Academy in mid-August, all cadet candidates receive indoctrination to the cadet way of life through a two-week orientation program. This program prepares the student to enter the Regiment equipped with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for the Academy’s regimental lifestyle. Emphasis is placed on military drill, physical fitness, familiarization with the training ship and equipment, instruction in cadet watch standing, wearing and stowage of uniforms and equipment, and mental conditioning to inculcate a sense of honor and duty towards academic studies and professional training. The fast, disciplined pace of orientation is a significant transition for most cadets. The pressures involved in the program teach teamwork, discipline, and self-control, as well as time management skills and effective performance under stress. Cadets must be mentally and physically prepared to successfully complete the demanding regimen of orientation before they can enroll at the Academy.