Alumni Community

Community

Frequently Asked Questions about RockeNetwork

What is RockeNetwork?
This private, online community allows WIU alumni access to the basic functions of an online social network (to search for friends and colleagues), and to create your own personal network at rockenetwork.wiu.edu.

Alumni invite friends and colleagues to join this network (or “become their friend”). Once you create your network, you are also linked to the networks of all the people you know, continually increasing the power of the WIU network. You will be surprised at how many people you have a connection to – like Western's version of “six degrees of separation!”

Why would I want to join?

RockeNetwork is a powerful networking tool available to all WIU alumni – and we are on the leading edge of this technology among universities. RockeNetwork provides you the opportunity to:

Who can access RockeNetwork?
Only those who have graduated and hold a degree from Western Illinois University can access the network. Some WIU administrators, faculty and staff members can also utilize it.

How much does it cost me?
NOTHING! RockeNetwork is just one of the many benefits you receive as a member of the WIU Alumni Association. If you would like to see all the other benefits currently available to you as a NON-DUES paying member of the WIU Alumni Association, visit www.wiu.edu/alumni.

How do I login?
Visit rockenetwork.wiu.edu. If this is your first time, you must register. Use your last name and WIU ID number to register. (If you have a suffix such as Jr., Sr. or III, you must also type that suffix after your last name. If your last name has multiple capital letters in it such as McNeil, you must add a space as in Mc Neil.) If you do not know your WIU ID number, just log onto our online alumni directory at www.wiu.edu/alumni to find it. If you are still having problems registering, contact the Alumni Association at 309-298-1914. Once you have registered, use your email address and a password you choose to login every time.

What do I put in the Alumni ID field when registering?
Your Alumni ID number is your 9-digit WIU ID number. If you do not know your WIU ID number, go directly to the Online Alumni Directory at http://mvs.wiu.edu/stars.html and click on Launch STARS.

After I login, how do I get started?

How much information about me is available for others to see?
That is up to you. Each profile shows your name and graduation year. Once you activate your profile, you can modify your privacy settings and only people you designate who are part of the community can see your contact and personal information.

Why do you need my email address?
Your email address serves as your login name after you register. Email addresses also serve as a way to interact with other WIU alumni.

Can I use the same email address as another WIU alumnus (such as a spouse)?
No. Because your email address serves as your login name, it must be affiliated with only one user.

What should I do if my email address changes?
Just update your personal profile page and your new email address will appear immediately, continuing to be able to interact among the network. If you change email addresses, then always use the most current one to login.

Will my email address and any of my information ever be forwarded or sold for solicitation purposes?
No! WIU protects the privacy of our alumni to the greatest extent. No contact information (or any other information you entered) will be shared with anyone outside the University. RockeNetwork is property of the WIU Alumni Association.

How can I use RockeNetwork to find a job?

How can I use RockeNetwork to find a friend from college?
Simply look them up in the Search box. Keep in mind that some people change their names or go by a nickname. If you don't have luck using the keyword search, try the advanced search function.

What if I can not find my friend?
Do not give up! First, consider whether your friend goes by a nickname. For example, you will not find Joe Rocky if Joe's full name is Joseph Rocky. Try searching by the full name or first or last name only (most effective if the person has a less common name). Still can not find him or her? Use the advanced search function and use criteria like class year. If you still can't find a person, email us at A-Association@wiu.edu or call 309-298-1914.

Is it possible to block a particular person from contacting me?
Yes. Search for the person and click on his/her name. Underneath his/her name, you will see Block User. Click on that, and he/she will not be able to contact you through RockeNetwork.

I invited a friend and he/she did not respond to my invitation. Can I re-invite?
Yes. In order to re-invite someone, click on My Friends, then on Manage. Next to the person's name, you will see 'Pending,' which means an invitation has been sent but not responded to yet, or "Expired," meaning it has been more than 30 days since you invited him/her without a response. Before you can re-invite your friend, you must delete that invitation. Once the invitation has been deleted, you can re-invite using the process to add a friend.

What does “my network” mean?
This measures how many people are in your complete network and counts friends, friends-of-friends and friends-of-friends-of-friends.

What are the waving people icons that appear next to a person's name?
These indicate how you know someone. One icon means it is your friend (someone you know directly). Two waving people means it is a friend-of-friend, and three people means it is a friend-of-friend-of-friend.

My question is not answered here. Who can I contact?
Please contact the Western Illinois University Alumni Association at A-Association@wiu.edu or 309-298-1914.