Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I send mail or packages?
The Student Post Office (aka the SPO) provides thorough instructions on their website. Please note that if you are mailing items over the summer, prior to the start of the academic year, it is possible that the SPO may not have your student's name in their database. To be on the safe side, please include your student's name and class year on all packages to help them easily identify the recipient (e.g., "Jane Doe, C'30").
How far away is the closest Walmart/CVS/Target/Chick-fil-A? How do students get to these places?
There are three Walmarts that are all about 25 minutes from campus. There are Target stores is in Chattanooga or Murfreesboro. There is a CVS in Monteagle and one in Winchester. There is a Walgreens in Winchester, too. There are Chick-fil-A restaurants in Manchester and Tullahoma.
How can I make my student feel special on their birthday when they are far from home?
Order them a birthday cupcake or custom cake from Sewanee Catering or a customized gift basket or other fun treat from Word of Mouth Provisions.
Should my student bring a car? What about a bike?
Your student does not really need a car. Plenty of students will bring cars, and there is always a friend or roommate that can likely give them a ride. That said, if they do bring a car, please make sure to register your vehicle asap! More information about places to park and policies are provided by the Sewanee Police Department.
Most students will walk or ride their bike on campus. If your student brings a bicycle, please make sure they lock it and register it with the SPD. Also, it's not a bad idea to take a photo of it. Here is the bike registration form.
What if my student gets sick?
University Health Services (UHS) is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students can schedule appointments online through the patient portal. If your student is sick and no appointments are available online, encourage them to call 931.598.1777. UHS reserves same-day appointments that may not appear in the online scheduling system.
UHS also has a small on-site dispensary, and UHS providers can prescribe many commonly used medications that are available for pickup during the visit. UHS bills for services and accepts most major insurance plans. For additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the UHS website.
Sick meals are available for all students to provide comfort and sustenance to get them back on their feet as soon as possible. Students may order sick meals using this form and then have a friend pick up a meal to-go for them.
How does the Sewanee Police Department address campus security?
The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is the top priority for the Sewanee Police Department. Our fully deputized officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and take a proactive approach to campus safety rather than simply responding to calls for service.
Throughout each shift, officers conduct routine security checks of both academic buildings and residence halls. During these patrols, they look for propped or unsecured doors, suspicious or abnormal behavior, and vehicles that do not display the required University parking permit. These proactive checks allow officers to identify and address potential concerns before they become larger issues.
In addition to patrolling campus buildings, officers regularly conduct security checks of popular student gathering areas, including Lake Cheston, the Memorial Cross, Morgan’s Steep, Green’s View overlook, and Abbo’s Alley trail. These high-visibility patrols help deter criminal activity while ensuring officers remain accessible to students throughout campus.
Equally important to the SPD's mission is building relationships with Sewanee's students. They recognize that many students are living away from home for the first time, and want them to view officers as approachable, trusted resources—not just when something goes wrong, but also every day. Sewanee's officers make a conscious effort to engage students during patrols, attend campus events, and have casual conversations throughout the day. As a result, many of our officers know many students by their first names. These personal connections help foster trust, encourage students to seek assistance when needed, and create an environment where they feel safe and supported in their new surroundings.
The Sewanee Police Department continually evaluates safety procedures, training, and security practices to adapt to today’s changing environment. They work closely with University colleagues to identify vulnerabilities, improve campus security, and maintain a safe learning and living environment. While no campus can ever promise that incidents will never occur, the SPD's commitment is to remain vigilant, prepared, and proactive in protecting the Sewanee community.
The SPD's goal is to assure parents that campus safety is not something taken for granted. It is a responsibility we embrace every day through visible patrols, proactive policing, meaningful engagement with our students, ongoing training, and strong partnerships across the University.
Have a question?
Email sewaneeparents@sewanee.edu. We may include it here to help other families!
