Helping students to “be successful and influential graduates through planned and strengthened extracurricular, co-curricular and career development activities”, is one of the strategic objectives articulated in the SMU Strategic Plan.

The Student Support Services Office (SSSO) works in collaboration with all academic units and offices to realize the vision and mission of the University. To ensure the provision of more focused and quality support services to students, the Student Support Services Office has been put in place at both the Undergraduate and Graduate campuses. Each office is staffed with qualified professionals and has been organized based on the peculiar needs and demands of the students of the respective campuses.

The SSSO at the Undergraduate Campus undertakes its activities through the Guidance and Counseling Unit, Student Wellness Unit, and the Student Union. The SSSO organizes and facilitates different co-curricular and extra-curricular activities at the Undergraduate Campus. Among the activities the office runs are, Thursday Talk Show and different club initiatives, which create vibrant student engagement, which, among others, include presenting and discussing literary works, providing voluntary services, exercising charity endeavors, etc. The Charity Club makes regular and periodic visits to humanitarian organizations, hospitals and other care centers; makes donations in kind and money; and does some voluntary activities. In addition, the Club in collaboration with the SSSO, mobilizes the University community to donate blood in the biannual blood donation events held at the Undergraduate Campus. Moreover, the SSSO holds different events that promote the 21st century skills students should develop.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICE (UG)

The Student Support Services Office (SSSO) works in collaboration with all departments and offices of St. Mary’s University (SMU) to support the vision and mission of the University. SSSO is responsible for overseeing the operations of all student support units: Guidance and Counseling, Student Wellness and Health Services, Student Development and Success Unit, Students’ Union and most student-related events. It also liaises between students and the administration of the SMU.

The ultimate goals of SSSO are to:

  • inspire a vibrant campus life and engage the student body;
  • maintain and exchange good practices;
  • create a sense of purpose;
  • enhance services that meet the needs of students; 
  • provide support to students and enable them be productive and creative citizens;
  • encourage students to be engaged in various extra-curricular activities, so that they develop healthy personality and avoid involving in harmful activities;
  • encourage students to participate in community services;
  • encourage students to search for and use their potential;
  • enhance the culture of team work among students; and
  • Assist students to develop skills to access resources and services at SMU which are helpful in transition to the University life.

The duties and responsibilities of SSSO are to:

  • advocate for students;
  • organize orientation for new students;
  • organize students’ day (welcome events);
  • organize farewell events;
  • provide students’ general information related to rules, regulations, procedures etc. of SMU in collaboration with other offices of SMU to enhance services that meet the needs of students;
  • take part during orientation;
  • facilitate the Thursday Talk Show;
  • organize the Question and Answer Competition;
  • give support to students that live with visible and invisible disabilities;
  • provide tutorials on major and supportive courses, and the English Language;
  • make sure that the classes of students with physical disability are on the lower floors of the buildings when it is aware of it ;
  • in collaboration with the Library and Documentation Office, fetch books to the students with physical disability;
  • support students with invisible disability according to their needs as much as it is possible for SMU;
  • work with the Language Enhancement Resource Centre to help students develop their English language, communication, oral presentation and writing skills; and
  • Hear students’ grievances and appeals, and coordinate meetings to address such issues.

Address

Undergraduate Campus

Phone: +251 11 553 8019

E-Mail: ssso@smuc.edu.et

P.O. Box: 1211 /18490

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia