Family Questions and Answers

International Students

I am an International student. What happens to my visa if I choose to take a semester or year off?

Returning Students: If you choose to take a semester off please be mindful of the expiration date of your current visa. If your visa expires prior to your return to campus you WILL need to apply for a new one. If you are in the USA and choose to take a semester off, you will need to leave the country as you will not be in status.

I am an International student. What happens to my SEVIS record if I choose to take a semester or year off?

Returning Students: If you choose to take some time away from Mudd, your SEVIS record will be terminated for Early Authorized Withdrawal. Please keep in mind that this may affect your ability to participate in CPT, OPT and AT. For F-1 students: If you plan to return within 5 months of the date of termination, there may be a possibility to reinstate your SEVIS record. If you do not return within the 5 month window, you will need to get a new SEVIS record and your employment clock will restart and you will need to be enrolled for 9 months (one academic school year) before you are eligible for CPT/OPT again. For J-1 students: you will need to get a new SEVIS record, there is no ability to reinstate your previous record. You will need to submit new documentation before a new I-20 or DS-2019 can be issued to you. If your visa will still be valid when you return, then you will not need to apply for a new one.

Please consult with the DSO (dso@g.hmc.edu) prior to considering a leave of absence, so you are aware of the process and implications.

Academics

What is the typical fall first year schedule?

More information on the Core, including typical schedules for students are available in the College Catalog.

What is the first day of school for fall?

Please reference our academic calendar for all helpful dates.

When are first-year exams?

The Academic Calendar is posted on the Registrar’s website. For first-year students, there is a faculty committee with one person from each department that looks at the schedule overall to make sure students are not overtaxed with too many exams too close together.

Holidays and Breaks

Are campus and residence halls closed for Thanksgiving holidays?

Residence halls will be available, but dining options will be limited.

If we plan to buy tickets to go home for Thanksgiving, what time will classes end?

We do not have classes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. As soon as students receive a schedule in late August, you will know what time their last Tuesday class ends and should be able to determine when they may fly home.

How long is winter break?

Roughly one month long. From mid-December until mid-January. Please reference the Academic Calendar for exact dates each academic year.

Residence Life and Move-in

Will we be allowed to move to campus early?

No. Only mentors and proctors are being allowed to move in early. If you believe you have a special circumstance, you will need to contact the Division of Student Affairs.

Do we give travel reimbursements to get to Mudd in August?

Most students who receive a need-based aid package will have the cost of two round trip tickets between their home and campus (one ticket to get to campus and one to return home for the winter break) included. The amount provided in your aid package is based on where you live and the distance from your home to the campus.

Is it safe to leave kitchen appliances in the shared kitchens in the residence hall?

While all of our students adhere to the College’s Honor Code, we encourage everyone to use common sense and not leave expensive equipment out in the open.

Should students bring their own utensils for cooking meals?

We encourage students to reach out to their suite-mates so they can discuss who will bring what and avoid bringing more than they need. Students may also want to come to campus first to see what is already available.

Do first-year students all live in one residence hall?

No; they are spread all over the residential end of campus; including the off-campus apartments at Arrow Vista apartments.

Will my student’s mailbox number stay the same each year? What is the address?

Students will have the same address during their four years at Mudd. You will be able to ship things to arrive a few days prior to your arrival at Mudd. The address format is:

Student Name & Mailbox #
340 E. Foothill Boulevard
Claremont, CA 91711-3116

Will fall athletes be able to move in earlier than the move in date?

Yes, based on CMS protocols. If your students early fall athletes, please make sure they contact their coaches to determine when their move-in dates are.

Is the early move in for athletes only for fall sports?

Yes. Winter sports may also have early move-in prior to the beginning of the Winter term.

Will roommates be the same for all four years?

No. Students have a choice each year of who their roommates will be.

What about room assignments for students who are gender nonbinary or nonconforming?

Students are encouraged to contact reslife@hmc.edu, and we will work with them on their room assignment.

Will first-year students be allowed to have cars on the campus?

No. First-year students are not allowed to have cars on campus. There are various other modes of transportation available to students in the Claremont area.

Have you had any problems with bicycles being stolen at Mudd? Are electric bicycles allowed on campus?

We always strongly encourage students to lock their bikes while leaving them on campus. Bike theft can occur if proper safety precautions are not taken. Students are allowed to have electric bicycles on campus.

Mental and Physical Wellbeing

Have all students who needed mental health services had access?

We believe so. We have a new service through TimelyCare that provides 24/7 support that is free for students. We also have offered a number of wellness activities and events and have seen an increasing number of students attending those. Please visit the Student Health Services website for more information

Does Mudd provide special insurance for student athletes?

No; they receive the same coverage as other students.

Are there doctors and medical help if students are not feeling well?

We have a medical clinic at Student Health Services as well as on-call physicians. In addition, there are local hospitals, and we will help students get to the hospital or urgent care if they need after hours/emergency treatment.

Are there pharmacies near campus?

Yes, the two closest are Von’s pharmacy and Hendricks Pharmacy.

Does Student Health Services accept health insurance the students already have?

Yes. Students will learn how to submit claim forms; Student Health Services does not bill your outside insurance.

Does student health insurance include vision and dental?

Yes, although there is an additional fee.

Events

Can parents see a list of student events?

A: We would love to have families to encourage their students to participate in events. The Division of Student Affairs has updates, and you also receive monthly emails through the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations. If you are not receiving monthly email newsletters from AFE, you can email parents@hmc.edu and ask to be added to the mailing list. You also can subscribe/follow the DSA social media accounts to see announcements about events.

Can students participate in athletic teams if they are not recruited athletes?

A: We have a strong intramural program that is open to all students. If students want to participate in CMS NCAA Division III Athletics, they should contact the coach for the particular sport they are interested in pursuing.