Work, Life, Well-being

Colonial Williamburg Collegiate Pass

Quick link: W&M Collegiate Pass

Employees of William & Mary are eligible for a free Colonial Williamsburg Collegiate pass which provides unlimited admission to Colonial Williamsburg and other discounts in the Historic Area and Merchants Square. 

Exclusive Pass Benefits*:

• Unlimited admission to the Historic Area and our two world-class art museums
• 25% discount on tickets for Family & Friends
• 25% off Evening Programs. Exclusions apply
• 15% discount at Colonial Williamsburg hotels
• 10% discount on food and beverage purchases, retail store purchases, and on golf, tennis, spa and fitness
• Seasonal discounts on carriage rides

Employee Tuition Assistance Program

The Employee Tuition Assistance Program at William & Mary offers eligible employees either tuition waivers or financial assistance for approved classes at W&M.  This program covers up to 6 credit hours per semester, with a maximum of six courses allowed per calendar year. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 in tax-free benefits annually.

Entertainment, Retail, Travel & Other Discounts

Quick link: W&M - Other Benefits & Discounts; DHRM - Employee Discounts

Beneplace Retail Discounts
William & Mary partners with Beneplace to provide a boatload of discounts to employees.  To see the offers, you will need to create an account using your William & Mary login credentials.  

Example offers (2024):

• 20% off at the Williamsburg Baskin & Robbins, Wednesdays only (show you W&M ID)
• 20% off at the Cheese Shop, Wednesdays only (show you W&M ID)
• 20% off flowers and gifts at FTD.com
• discounted tickets for local movie theaters (AMC, Cinemark, Regal, and more)
• discounted tickets for theme parks (Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens)
• special pricing on Apple products
• discount offers on appliances, clothing, computers, services, vacation travel and much, much more.

Visit W&M - Other Benefits & Discounts on William & Mary's HR website for a full list of benefits & discounts offered for employees.

As state employees, we also have access to Virginia's DHRM - Employee Discounts.  Example discounts: Sam's Club membership, Planet Fitness, Wholesale Cabinets, Adventure Park @ the Virginia Aquarium

Newspaper, Magazine & Other Subscriptions (Swem Library)

Quick link: Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions; Full List of Databases & Subscriptions

William & Mary Libraries provides unlimited online access to the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic for current students, faculty, and staff.  Once you set up your account, you can go directly to the newspapers' website to read their articles.

Explore much more by linking to the host platforms through the Full List of Databases & Subscriptions (A-Z).  The list of options is very long and covers a wide range of genres.  A few highlights: American Music, Ancestry.com (Library version), Chronicle of Higher Education, Consumer Reports, National Geographic (Magazine, History and Traveler editions), PBS Streaming Video Collection, Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries (includes Smithonian Folkways Recordings)

Williamsburg Campus Child Care

Quick link: Williamsburg Campus Child Care

Start Here!

Quick links:  At a Glance; VIMS Overview; VIMS Campus Services; Getting to know William & Mary; New Employees (W&M Human Resources)

Get to know VIMS better by visiting At a Glance, where you can learn a bit of VIMS history, watch the VIMS Anthem video and explore the VIMS photo galleries. 

VIMS Overview and Campus Services provide a deeper dive on VIMS as a workplace.  

We strive to be a friendly, supportive and inclusive community.  There are many ways to connect with colleagues on the VIMS and W&M campuses (see Ways to Connect, below)!  

Getting to know William & Mary will introduce you to William & Mary and its traditions.

William & Mary Human Resources provides information related to employment, including general onboarding, required forms and paperwork, orientations, and what to expect in the first days as a new employee.  For VIMS-specific HR information, refer to Campus Services & General Support.

Campus Maps

Quick links: VIMS Campus Map; W&M Campus Map

Campus Center & Gathering Places on the VIMS Campus

Quick link: VIMS campus map

The VIMS Campus Center is located in Clayton House, between Watermens Hall and Davis Hall. VIMS faculty, staff and students share the first floor where they have access to a full kitchen, seating and dining areas, and two comfort rooms.  When the weather is nice, you can eat lunch at a picnic table under impressive shade trees on the water side of Clayton. Can you find the pomegranate tree?

Other gathering places around the VIMS campus include the green space and pavilion on the Davis Hall lawn (waterside), the Acuff Center patio, and various seating areas in and around campus buildings.  Pull up a chair and strike up a conversation!

Holidays Leave

Quick links: Pay Dates & Holidays; Observance of Religious Holidays; Religious Holiday Accommodations; 

In addition to vacation time, full-time employees receive 13 paid holidays per year.  You can view upcoming holidays on the Faculty & Staff Holiday Schedule calendar.  

Quiet Spaces

Quick link: VIMS Campus Map

VIMS offers comfort/quiet rooms that may be used for a personal break, prayer, meditation, nursing and other quiet space needs.  As of 2024, there are two rooms on the first floor of Clayton House and one room in Chesapeake Bay Hall (room 208).  Amenities include window shades for privacy and lockable doors.  The VIMS campus map shows the locations of these rooms on the VIMS campus and will be updated as new rooms are added.

If you're looking for a quiet space to work or think, Hargis Library offers study/group meeting rooms, work tables, carrels, comfortable chairs and a million dollar view.  For more of a coffee shop vibe, pull up a chair in Clayton House.

Single-Occupancy Restrooms

Quick link: VIMS Campus Map

Gender-inclusive and accessible single-occupancy restrooms are located throughout campus.  Refer to the VIMS campus map for locations.

W&M provides a list and campus map showing the locations of all-gender and accessible, single-occupancy restrooms on the Williamsburg campuses.

VIMS & W&M Event Calendars

Quick links: VIMS Internal Events; VIMS Public Events; W&M Featured Events

There's always something interesting happening on our campuses!  

Did you know?  At the bottom of every events calendar you will find links to other popular W&M events calendars, an option to view all calendars, and links to Williamsburg community event calendars. You can use the "View All Categories" feature on every page page to filter for specific categories of events, such as Health & Wellness, Sporting Events and Entertainment.

Introducing Family & Friends to VIMS
Our public events and programs are a wonderful way to introduce your family and friends to VIMS. 

Your Suggestions & Comments

Quick link: VIMS Suggestions & Comments (intranet)

If you're having trouble finding an answer to a question, have a suggestion for improving the portal, or have any general work-related comments, you can let us know by using the VIMS Suggestions & Comments form for faculty, staff & students (VIMS login required).

Annual Events

Chili Cook-Off: All VIMSers are invited to this event which is hosted by the VIMS Graduate Student Association. Students, staff, and faculty go head-to-head to show off their chili and cornbread recipes. Vegetarian options are also available.

Spring Party: All VIMSers and their families are invited to this event which is hosted by the VIMS Graduate Student Association. This ticketed party has been a campus tradition since at least the 1970s.  It's an all you can eat fish fry with all the sides and beverages, as well as music and fun activities for the kids.

Commencement Weekend: The main commencement ceremony takes place on the Williamsburg campus and is a ticketed event.  The VIMS community recognizes and celebrates our graduates and their achievements during the School of Marine Science Diploma Ceremony and Reception on the VIMS campus.  All are invited!  

Annual Photo Contest:  For over two decades, the VIMS Photo Contest has recognized the most noteworthy images captured by VIMS faculty, staff, and students while in the field and laboratory. The photos are on Flickr: Winners & Honorable Mentions 2023, Winners & Honorable Mentions 2022

Annual Awards Ceremony: This late spring gathering recognizes and honors years of service and exemplary performance by faculty, staff, and students during the previous calendar year.

Marine Science Day (MSD): For one day a year only, in late spring, nearly every corner of our campus is open to the public to speak to our scientists and students while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the important research and advisory services VIMS provides to the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond! Marine Science Day photo albums on Flickr: MSD 2023, MSD 2019

Marine Life Day: Marine Life Day is a public open house event offering the opportunity to the Eastern Shore community (and beyond) to explore marine organisms found in the region and meet researchers who are active on the Eastern Shore. It offers interactive and educational activities for all ages. Marine Life Day photo albums on Flickr: Marine Life Day 2023

Fall Party; Hosted by the VIMS Graduate Student Association, but all are invited. This ticketed party has been a campus tradition since at least the 1970s. It's an all you can eat Pig Roast with all the sides and beverages, as well as music and fun activities for the kids.

Holiday Gathering: VIMS faculty, staff and students gather in early December to celebrate community. Dancing encouraged!

First Fridays

The VIMS Dean & Director’s Office sponsors First Fridays on the first Friday of every month. Speakers make brief (15-20 min) presentations on topics that are of interest to a broad swath of the VIMS community. The reception following the presentation is an opportunity to connect for conversation and meet new people in the VIMS community.  We hope to see you there!

Inclusion & Belonging at VIMS

VIMS Diversity & Inclusion Committee (known as Dive-In) sponsors Pop-Up socials that will help you meet faculty, staff, and students on the VIMS campus.  They also sponsor trainings that are open to everyone in the VIMS community. Watch your VIMS email for announcements.

Daniel Ogunyemi is VIMS' Director of Inclusive Excellence & Belonging.  

Did you know?  The VIMS Principles of Community were endorsed by faculty, staff and students in 2016. 

Other Ways to Connect at VIMS

Members of the VIMS community regularly offer opportunities to participate in group yoga, Zumba, beach clean ups, crafting, gardening, and much more.  Watch your VIMS email for announcements.

The community garden provides the larger VIMS community with access to small plots to grow and maintain produce. Plots are 8’ x 10’ and are rented for the entire year for a small fee ($30 per year, or split between 2 people, $15 each). If interested, contact Dave Wilcox for more details. 

Quick link: Green Team

VIMS students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community have come together to address our impact on both the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the planet as a whole. The VIMS Green Team also works to make the campus greener by using energy and water-conservation measures and green products, along with a host of other activities. 

Affinity Groups @ W&M

• Black Faculty & Staff Forum
• EqualityW&M - The Faculty & Staff LGBT Organization
• Veteran Employee Resource Group
• Women's Network

Inclusion & Belonging 

Quick link: W&M Diversity & Inclusion

VOICES Newsletter provides an update on the university's diversity efforts in facilitating and supporting diversity and inclusion.

W&M Diversity & Inclusion celebrates inclusive excellence champions and supports professional development through a Lunch & Learn series, IDEA grants, Cornerstone Learning and an Annual Diversity & Inclusion Symposium.

CommonHealth & Weight Watchers

Quick links: CommonHealth @ W&M; Weight Watchers

CommonHealth is the employee wellness program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since 1986, the Commonwealth has offered CommonHealth to promote wellness in the workplace. Programs and campaigns cover a variety of health topics and are available in a range of formats to meet the needs of different workplaces.

Special Weight Watchers pricing is available to state employees, spouses and adult dependents through Virginia's CommonHealth program.  In addition, reimbursement for half of the cost of Weight Watchers services before taxes is open to W&M employees currently eligible to enroll in state health plans.  W&M Human Resources provides additional information and instructions.

W&M Health & Wellness

Quick links: Campus Recreation; Wellness & Recreation Centers

William & Mary Health & Wellness provides programs, services and facilities to support the wellbeing of the W&M community. 

The Department of Campus Recreation provides recreational opportunities on the Williamsburg campus to all members of the William & Mary community, including VIMS faculty, staff and students.

The Bee McLeod Recreation Center has standard gym equipment, offers classes and training and has a pool, climbing wall, racquetball & squash courts, and a sauna.  The Campus Recreation Tennis Courts, which are located off of Campus Drive next to the Cafeteria, are first-come, first-serve. Current faculty, and staff members at William & Mary, including VIMS, have a valid membership to the Bee McLeod Recreation Center. In addition, the Center is currently allowing family members & community members (18 years and older) to use the facility during Family Recreation Hours. Restrictions may apply. 

The McLeod Tyler Wellness Center offers yoga and mindfullness meditation training, creative art therapy, and has meditation alcoves, and various gardens that might be a nice place to decompress between meetings on the Williamsburg campus.

Reservations for classes and facilities are made using the Campus Recreation Reservation Portal.

Counseling

Quick link: TimelyCare

Free and confidential counseling services are available to the VIMS community on the VIMS campus by calling Dr. Donna Haygood-Jackson at (757) 367-9137 to schedule an appointment. Please note she is not available for crisis calls or situations that require immediate response. Range of services include stress management, personal, and family issues.

William & Mary staff and faculty also have access to TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform, at NO COST (regardless of insurance status). Schedule counseling sessions, access TalkNow, a 24/7 on-demand access to a mental health professional to discuss any level of concern (in the US or abroad) or engage in health coaching services. To access this resource, go to TimelyCare or download the TimelyCare app. Register with your W&M email address through the mobile app or your desktop and select from their menu the type of service you are interested in using.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Quick link: EAP

All health plans offered to employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs). Included are up to four sessions at no charge.

EAP counselors are available to assist employees with problems related to addictions (alcohol, drugs, gambling), health, finances, housing, child care, elder care, spousal/child/parent abuse, workplace, retirement, family, legal, mental health, grief, or career planning. In general, care must be authorized in advance.

Visit the W&M Human Resources EAP webpage for details.

Employee Reasonable Accommodation

Quick links: ADA Accommodation Request; Employee Reasonable Accommodation Policy & Procedure

William & Mary provides reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.  A reasonable accommodation is an accommodation that enables the employee to perform the essential functions of their position, is medically necessary, and does not create an undue hardship on the institution.

Some accommodations can be approved at the department level and others require a formal interactive process. (read more...)

Employee Tuition Assistance Program

The Employee Tuition Assistance Program at William & Mary offers eligible employees either tuition waivers or financial assistance for approved classes.  This program covers up to 6 credit hours per semester, with a maximum of six courses allowed per calendar year. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 in tax-free benefits annually.

The "Big List" of Resources - Compiled by the VIMS Graduate Student Association

Quick link: GSA DEI Resource List

Includes: Campus-wide Resources, Resources for People with non-US Citizenship, Marine Science-Related Communities, LGBTQIA+ Resources, Asian/Pacific Islander Resources, Black/African American Resources, Jewish/Semitic Resources, Latino/Latina/Latinx/Hispanic Resources, Native American/First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Resources, Resources for People with Disabilities, Resources for Women, Veteran/Military Resources, Childcare/Pregnancy/Lactation Resources, Resources for Low-Income Students, Resources for First-Generation Americans, Resources for International Students, Interfaith Resources, Resources for Neurodivergent Students and General Wellness, Resources for People with Incarcerated Loved Ones

The Haven

Quick link: The Haven

The Haven is a confidential, welcoming and inclusive resource center for those impacted by sexual violence and harassment, relationship abuse and intimate-partner violence, stalking and other gender-based discrimination. They welcome all who may have questions or concerns, who need support and resources, and who are seeking guidance and connection.

W&M Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs (ISSP)

Quick link: ISSP

The W&M Reves Center's Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs serves William & Mary's thriving community of international students, scholars, faculty, staff and their families.

W&M University Ombuds

Quick links: Ombuds Office; DIY Resources

The W&M Ombuds office offers confidential consultations on work-related concerns to all faculty and staff members. The office serves as a confidential, independent, and informal resource for all categories of employees and faculty who would like to talk about any work-related concern, no matter how big or small. The ombuds can also consult in confidence on managing workplace conflict. The Ombuds office can be contacted at ombuds@wm.edu or you can leave a message at 757-221-2222.  Their DIY Resources, such as a conflict resolution worksheet and articles on topics such as "Leading While Young" and "Dealing With Abrasive Behaviors", may be all you need if you are attempting to navigate a workplace issue.