Welcome to Maine College of Art & Design! As a parent or family member we know you play an important role in your student’s life. We want to provide you with information and resources to help your student make the most out of their time here. We encourage you to support your student in learning how to help themselves throughout their academic experience.
At Maine College of Art & Design, we are focused on our mission of “educating artists for life” and our core values of artistic excellence, creative entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Here, students are challenged to become well-rounded and well-grounded individuals who strive toward reaching their greatest potential.
Please visit Student Life for information about housing, orientation, counseling & wellness, disability services and more!
Parent or Family Concern
If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of your student, please email studentlife@meca.edu. This will connect you to the Student Life staff member during business hours.
FERPA
The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects student privacy and access to student records. More information on FERPA.
Stay in Touch
If you want to keep up on what’s happening at Maine College of Art & Design, sign up to receive our monthly email. Here is the sign-up form. This monthly email communication is full of information about visiting artists, special events, great art projects and breaking news about the College.
FAQs
How do you educate students about staying safe while living in a city?
As part of Orientation, first-year students attend a session on personal safety where an officer from the Portland Police Department speaks with them about ways of protecting themselves when walking around the city. The Portland Police Department has some safety tips on their website that we encourage all students to read over.
How can I get a meal plan?
You can visit the Cafe page to learn more about your meal plan options.
Where do we buy books & supplies?
Faculty provide book and supply lists. Most supplies are available at Art Mart, across the street from the Porteous Building. Many books are pre-ordered and available at Longfellow Books down the street or can be ordered on-line.
Is there someone my child can speak to about personal issues?
Everyone from faculty members to the counseling staff to the Resident Assistants in the residence halls to the Student Life staff members are all here and willing to help out whenever we can. If your child would rather talk with someone off-campus, our counseling staff will assist them on finding an off-campus resource to talk to.
What is FY-In?
All first year students participate in FY-In, our innovative first-year seminar. This seminar involves studio work, academic research, and involvement with a community partner. Its intent is to fully immerse students in art and design, to involve them in the Maine College of Art & Design and Portland communities, and to place their creative efforts in a real-world context. FY-In teaches the critical importance of combining research and practice, and serves as an introduction to collaborating with one another and with a community partner. Students read, write, research, make art, discuss and critique while working on specific projects in their section.
Do you have a career services office?
Yes! Go to Artists at Work and learn about Handshake, internships, on- and off-campus jobs, Artists at Work and more.
Are students allowed to have a microwave or other appliances in the residence halls?
Shepley and Miles Standish: Suites have apartment sized refrigerators. Microwaves are not provided. Students are allowed one microwave per unit.
Oak Street: Students living in Oak are allowed to have one micro-fridge (4.2 c/f max) and one microwave per room. There is a microwave and small refrigerator in the Oak lobby. We encourage students to talk with their roommate(s) about sharing.
Appliances with an exposed heating coil such as toasters and toaster-ovens are prohibited in the residence halls for safety reasons. Air conditioners and space heaters are also prohibited. Coffee makers, blenders, or juicers are allowed.