Graduate Catalog
Table of Contents

University Services and Special Programs - 2009/2010


Alumni Association

All Western Illinois University students automatically become members of the Alumni Association the day they graduate. As non-dues paying members, they are entitled to the following benefits and services provided by the Alumni Association: RockeNetwork, an online social network exclusively for WIU alumni; free monthly issues of the alumni e-newsletter, RockeNews; free quarterly issues of the alumni newsletter, Western News; networking opportunities with other alumni at more than 50 events hosted by the Alumni Association around the world each year; option to purchase an alumni membership to the Student Recreation Center; use of Western’s Leslie F. Malpass Library; access to WIU’s Office of Career Services; the WIU affinity credit card; comprehensive short- and long-term medical plan, disability, dental, home and auto insurance opportunities; Alumni Travel Abroad program; alumni class ring, diploma frame and WIU Illinois license plate programs; and access to the online directory exclusively for WIU alumni.

The Alumni Association continues with pride the lifelong relationship with graduates of the University and plays a crucial role in continuing the partnership between WIU and its more than 105,000 alumni.

For information about these services, visit wiu.edu/alumni or contact the Alumni Association at 309/298-1914 or a-association@wiu.edu.


Athletics

Western Illinois University provides opportunities for more than 500 student-athletes in a 20-sport National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program.  Both the men and women compete in the Summit League in all sports except football.  Football competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Western Illinois is a charter member of the Summit League and the Missouri Valley Football Conferences.

WIU sponsors the following intercollegiate athletic competition:
For men: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field.

For women: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics offers graduate assistantships in coaching, promotions and marketing, athletic training, and sports information.  Possibilities exist to assist in the administrative areas of finance and compliance.


Campus Recreation

Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center
(309) 298-1228
campusrec.wiu.edu
Harry Mussatto Golf Course
1215 Tower Road, Macomb
(309) 298-3676
golf.wiu.edu

Campus Recreation provides undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to pursue a healthy lifestyle and explore recreational interests through a variety of programs, facilities, and services. The newly expanded Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center features five multipurpose courts; two fitness studios; a 1/8-mile, newly resurfaced, elevated running track; expanded weight rooms; four cardio areas; 24 televisions; five racquetball courts; and an aquatics center free to fee-paying WIU students. Group fitness and water aerobic classes are offered daily, and informational programs and personal trainers are available to help students learn how to use the fitness equipment properly.  More than 50 intramural sport events are offered yearly with leagues, tournaments, and one-day events in men’s, women’s, and co-recreational divisions at competitive, intermediate, and fun levels of play. The Campus Recreation sport clubs provide opportunities for regional and national competition just below the intercollegiate level. Numerous outdoor facilities are located on campus for basketball, flag football, lacrosse, sand volleyball, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee. The Sipolt Memorial Disc Golf Course, east of Lincoln/Washington Halls, is designed for the serious disc golfer who likes an ambitious game. The scenic and challenging 18-hole Harry Mussatto Golf Course is a championship facility located north of the Macomb campus and offers reduced rates to students. It features beautiful vistas, spectacular elevation changes, four sets of tees, undulating greens, and bentgrass tees and greens. Green fees for students are $12 for 9 or 18 holes. In addition, the course provides a driving range, putting green, golf instruction, a nine-hole pitch and putt course, and a pro shop that carries a full line of quality golf equipment, logo apparel, and accessories. More information about the golf course and daily fee rates can be found at golf.wiu.edu.

Information about these and many more programs, facilities, and services can be found by visiting campusrec.wiu.edu or by stopping at the Campus Recreation Office in the Spencer Student Recreation Center.


Career Services

The Career Services Office offers centralized services to all constituents of the University. An interactive computerized registration system and online employer search capability are among the features of the office. Students and alumni of the University may register from the convenience of their homes or offices via the Internet. This service places the credentials of the registrant online and provides prospective employers with access to the student/alumni academic and workplace accomplishments.

The Career Services Office provides assistance in career development and occupational planning appropriate to the individual’s needs. The office’s resource library offers computerized job searching resources, as well as directories, business and government guides, and other professional publications. Career Service professionals are readily available to work with individuals or groups in developing resume and vita construction, along with professional communications letters. On-site mock interviews are conducted by appointment in addition to seminars providing professional employment preparation and self-marketing skills.

Career Services Office personnel teach the University 390 course, “Pre-Employment Preparation.” The class is an excellent opportunity to learn job search skills, resume preparation, and on-the-job survival techniques and skills. Annual career/job fairs are sponsored at the Macomb campus each year by the Career Services Office, in addition to online virtual career fairs. The fairs provide students and alumni the opportunity to meet employers and participate in on-site interviews.

Candidates for all degrees are encouraged to register with the Career Services Office throughout their college years.

A complete listing of all services is available at careers.wiu.edu.


Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center (UCC) provides personal, academic, study skills, and career counseling services to students. Both individual and group counseling are available. Sessions are confidential and free of charge to WIU students. In addition, a number of educational programs are offered on topics such as study skills, healthy relationships, depression, drug and alcohol concerns, and career information. A resource center is available with computers, books, videos, CDs, and other materials. A relaxation room, which includes a massage chair, light therapy, and a stress-reducing computer program, is available for student use. Complete vocational, psychological, and learning assessment is provided as well as consultant services to other offices and agencies.

The UCC is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services. All staff counselors hold master’s or doctoral level degrees and are certified and/or licensed in their respective disciplines. For more information, call (309) 298-2453 or visit ucc.wiu.edu.


Cultural Programs

Outstanding concerts, lectures, dramatic presentations, films, and dance events by nationally known performers are presented on campus by the Bureau of Cultural Affairs and the University Union Board. All students are admitted free or at a reasonable charge upon presentation of their student identification cards. Students also may participate in musical, dramatic, and debate productions for stage, radio, and closed-circuit television by joining one of several University groups. The Gwendolyn Brooks and Casa Latina cultural centers offer programs and activities focusing on African American, Hispanic American, and international cultures. Opportunities to view local, national, and international art exhibits are available at the University Art Gallery and the University Union. Exhibits are changed monthly, and admission to the galleries is free.


Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services (DSS), located in Seal Hall 117, (309) 298-2512 (voice),
(309) 298-1856 (TT), in accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, provides reasonable accommodations to ensure programs and activities are accessible for WIU students with disabilities (orthopedic, visual, hearing, learning, chronic health, psychological). Students needing auxiliary aids should contact DSS well in advance of intended enrollment. Western Illinois University publications are available in alternative format upon request.


Go West Transit Services

Go West Transit provides students with safe, convenient transportation from their nearby residences to campus and with service to local merchants. Carrying more than 1.5 million riders per year, Go West provides students with a reliable, low-cost public transportation system. For more information, call (309) 298-3353 or visit gowest.wiu.edu/.


International Education

The Center for International Studies administers and coordinates activities and programs designed to encourage international and cross-cultural understanding; and to prepare graduates to effectively live and work in an interdependent, global community. The Center oversees admission and academic advisement of English as a Second Language (ESL) students as well as undergraduate and graduate international students; immigration advisement for international students and faculty; study abroad programs; personal counseling for international students; comprehensive orientation for new international students; recruitment; educational programs; special activity programming; and ongoing support for the specific needs of international students.

The University participates in formal exchange programs—for both faculty and students—with distinguished colleges and universities overseas. An ongoing program of intensive courses in ESL is offered by Western's English as a Second Language (WESL) Institute for non-native speakers of English.

The Center sponsors many programs which promote cross-cultural understanding such as the Conversation Partners program for international students and American partners; International Neighbors program, in which American families offer friendship and hospitality to international students; World Café Coffee Hours, in which global issues are discussed in a social setting; and Cultural Café, where international students share cuisine and information of their home countries.


Medical Services

Beu Health Center, located on campus, provides medical services (consultation and treatment) for students and their spouses. The Health Center has its own pharmacy, laboratory, and x-ray facility. There is a user fee for most services.

Clinical services include diagnosis and treatment of acute illness/injury; diagnosis of chronic illness with appropriate referral; assistance in the management of chronic illness; immunizations; allergy injections; TB testing; diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and gynecological services. The Health Center also provides psychiatric services in coordination with the University Counseling Center.

Fees are charged for office visits and some services such as medications, x-rays, allergy shots, immunizations, laboratory tests, and certain office procedures. Payment is expected at the time of service. You can charge services to your student account or pay with cash, check, or MasterCard/VISA. Beu Health Center does not file claims to your insurance carrier. However, they will provide you with the necessary documentation for you to file with your insurance provider. You may wish to save receipts for tax or insurance purposes. 


Multicultural Services

The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center and the Casa Latina Cultural Center provide special facilities and programs to serve the unique needs of African American, Hispanic American and international students. Programming efforts include recruiting activities, academic support activities, cultural and fine arts events, social and recreational activities, speakers, financial assistance counseling, job placement opportunities, and fundraising events for minority student groups. Several performing groups in dance, theatre, and music are sponsored by the centers. The centers are committed to helping the campus community develop a multicultural and multiracial society that promotes equal opportunity not based on race, creed, sex, economic status, or position in life.


Parking Services

The Office of Parking Services provides services related to vehicle usage and control on campus. The office issues parking permits; regulates parking lot use; enforces parking rules and regulations; plans, maintains, and paves parking lots; controls the placement and maintenance of traffic signs; and provides emergency motorist assistance including battery assists, unlocking cars, emergency gasoline refuelings, and inflating tires. All vehicles using campus facilities must have either a permanent or temporary parking permit displayed on the vehicle during specified times except when the vehicle is parked at a parking meter. The office is located in Mowbray Hall, (309) 298-1921.


Public Safety

The Office of Public Safety is a multifaceted organization providing police, safety, and parking services to the community. These services include criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, medical transport and care, fire and crime prevention, safety programs, escort services, key control, motorist assistance, and other miscellaneous activities related to the safety and well-being of University faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round. All police officers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers in the State of Illinois and have full jurisdiction at the University and in the surrounding county. The office provides student emergency medical services with qualified emergency medical technicians on staff. The office also provides safety escorts from one campus location to another, from dusk to dawn, year round. The office is located in Mowbray Hall, (309) 298-1949, emergency 911.


Registration

Students may register for classes using the Student/Alumni Records System (STARS) available at wiu.edu/stars. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office, Sherman Hall 110, (309) 298-1891 or wiu.edu/registrar.


Student Judicial Programs

Student Judicial Programs promotes responsible individual and group behavior at Western Illinois University. This office informs students and organizations of their rights and responsibilities through publication of the Code of Student Conduct. Student Judicial Programs staff coordinate the disciplinary review process in response to allegations of misconduct and offer mediation services to students in conflict. For more information, call (309) 298-2436


Student Legal Services

A licensed practicing attorney represents students charged with traffic and misdemeanor offenses in McDonough County Court.  In addition, the attorney provides legal advice and counseling for a variety of issues, including landlord/tenant conflicts, consumer problems, small claims court, and rental lease questions.  No fees are charged for these services.  For more information or for directions to the office, call (309) 298-1003.


University Technology

University Technology (uTech) administers computing resources used by students and faculty for research and instruction. Computers in instructional, administrative, and residential buildings on the Macomb campus are connected to a campus network (LAN) in order to access hosts, software resources, laser printing, and the Internet.

Major computing labs for students, staffed by trained student personnel, are located in Horrabin, Stipes, and Morgan halls, with unstaffed computing resource centers (CRCs) located in other classroom buildings. Residence hall students may use student-staffed labs in each hall complex, including two 24-hour labs, while students who live off campus have late night access available in the Lincoln-Washington-Grote hall complex. Western Illinois University-Quad Cities also houses a full-service lab. Internet access is available in all residence halls, including graduate and family housing.

Each registered student has access to an individual electronic mail account, space to create a personal home page on the World Wide Web, 300MB of network file storage, and access to the Internet via the campus network (LAN). Students also have access to some UNIX-based systems and IBM mainframe services. With these systems students can use e-mail, the World Wide Web, and other tools to communicate electronically over the Internet worldwide networks. They can also use many programming languages, the CICS programming environment, and several statistics and symbolic math applications.

All labs and resource centers house networked Windows ™ compatible and Macintosh computers, laser printers, and scanners. Storage options include USB portable storage drives, DVD/CDRW, and server. Students have access to a variety of discipline-specific microcomputer software in versions for Macintosh and Windows. These include popular programming languages, word processors, spreadsheets, databases, graphic applications, multimedia, desktop publishing programs, and statistical packages.

The uTech Support Center provides computing documentation, disk file recovery, assistance, general information, optical scanning of answer sheets for test scoring and questionnaire analysis, and handles problems with student accounts in Stipes Hall 126.

Discounts for students, faculty, and staff for personal purchases of computers and computer- related products are available through the uTech Computer Store at wiu.edu/computerstore. The uTech Computer Store is located in the University Union and can be reached by calling (309) 298-1127. For more information, contact University Technology at (309) 298-4000. Contact uTech Support Center at (309) 298-2704, supportcenter@wiu.edu, or wiu.edu/utech.


University Foundation and Development

The Western Illinois University Foundation is a not-for-profit organization through which WIU alumni and friends can channel gifts to the University. The Foundation's resources are directed into student scholarships, faculty development, research, instructional equipment, and special projects not funded by state appropriations or student fees.

The WIU Foundation and Development Office coordinates a number of giving programs that encourage regular yearly contributions from alumni and friends. Contacts are made personally, through mail solicitations, and an annual phonathon.  Specially tailored funding proposals are presented to specific corporations, private foundations, and individuals. The WIU Foundation accepts many different types of giftsCgifts in the form of cash or pledges that can be paid over a period of time; gifts of stock, real estate, instructional and research equipment; and various forms of planned gifts including gift annuities and life income trusts.

For information about making a contribution; establishing a scholarship; bequests; or other forms of planned giving, contact the WIU Foundation and Development Office, Sherman Hall 303, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390, (309) 298-1861, WIUFoundation@wiu.edu, or visit wiu.edu/foundation.


Western's English as a Second Language Institute

Western’s English as a Second Language (WESL) Institute is part of the Center for International Studies and provides an intensive program in academic English for international students who are preparing to enter an American college or university. WESL Institute is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). The WESL curriculum is designed and taught by a professional faculty to prepare students academically, socially, and culturally for success as university students.

The English as a Second Language Program is offered during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. It consists of four levels of instruction: Foundation, Low Intermediate, Intermediate, and University Preparation. Upon arrival, students take the WESL Placement Test and are placed in the appropriate level. Students who place at the highest level and who meet WIU admission requirements may be admitted to the Dual level, in which they are enrolled part-time at WESL Institute and part-time at the University. (This program is not available in the summer.)

Full-time students attend classes five hours a day, four days a week. The curriculum integrates academic content with skill-building in English, combining textbook lessons and teacher-written materials. WESL has a multimedia computer lab and a wide range of interactive software. Students study at each level for a semester. The WESL program consists of two16-week semesters and an eight-week summer session, all of which follow the WIU academic calendar.

Students at WESL Institute have access to all University events and facilities. Services of the Center for International Studies are available to WESL students, including assistance with immigration matters.

To qualify for admission as a full-time University student, an applicant must demonstrate English proficiency.  Most students do so by submitting TOEFL scores.  Minimal TOEFL scores accepted by the University are 550 (paper), 213 (computer), and 80 (iBT). Some departments require higher scores. Students may also demonstrate their English proficiency by enrolling in and completing Western’s English as a Second Language program, WESL.


Writing Center

The University Writing Center (and its satellite centers in Thompson Hall, Wetzel Hall, and at WIU-Quad Cities) provides a wide range of across-the-curriculum writing assistance services to students, faculty, and staff at no cost.  The Writing Center is staffed by highly qualified graduate and undergraduate students from Western’s Department of English and Journalism and other departments. Consulting services are available for career and academic writing at all stages of the writing process. For more information, contact (309) 298-2815 or visit 341 Simpkins Hall or wiu.edu/uwc.