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University Services and Special Programs (excerpted from 2011-2012 Graduate Catalog)

PDF version of Graduate Catalog

Alumni Association Library

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: access to 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; the 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; comprehensive short- and long-term medical plan, disability, dental, travel, home and auto insurance opportunities; Alumni Travel Abroad program; alumni class ring, diploma frame and WIU Illinois license plate programs; the WIU affinity credit card; and access to the online directory exclusively for WIU alumni.

The Western Illinois University Alumni Association strives to develop and sustain a lifelong relationship with WIU students, alumni, and friends in order to advance the University.

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 

Campus Recreation provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to pursue a healthy lifestyle and explore recreational interests through a variety of programs, facilities, and services. The Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center features five multipurpose courts, two group fitness studios, a 1/8-mile elevated track, weight rooms for weight training and lifting, three cardio areas, 24 televisions, five racquetball/walleyball courts, and the Aquatics Center. Group fitness classes, informational programs, and personal training options present multiple ways for students to accomplish and maintain their personal fitness goals. Class descriptions are available on the website. Currently, there are 31 different sport clubs available to students. Some clubs provide opportunities for regional and national competition just below the intercollegiate level, while others focus on skill development and educational goals. 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. Special events hosted by Campus Recreation include everything from the Rocky 5K Run and Big Pink Volleyball to Wheelchair Basketball and Dodgeball for Diabetes. The Aquatics Center, with a 25-yard, 6-lane pool, a hot tub, and a sauna, offers open/lap swim, aqua cardio tone, and incentive programs to challenge beginning and advanced swimmers. Students also have access to the Sipolt Memorial Disc Golf Course; Vince Grady Field for flag football, soccer, softball, lacrosse, and Ultimate (Frisbee); and several outdoor courts for basketball, volleyball (sand and grass), tennis, and rollerblade hockey.

Harry Mussatto Golf Course
1215 Tower Road, Macomb
(309) 298-3676
golf.wiu.edu

The scenic and challenging 18-hole Harry Mussatto Golf Course is a championship facility located north of campus and offers reduced rates for students. Visit golf.wiu.edu for the course layout, green fees, or to book a tee time.

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. 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) on the Macomb campus provides personal, academic, study skills, and career counseling services to students. Some students seek assistance for common life problems (i.e. relationships, stress, etc.) while others seek treatment for a mental health condition (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc.). Personal counseling services include individual counseling, couples counseling, and group counseling. Sessions are confidential and free of charge to WIU students. In addition, a number of educational programs are offered throughout the year and an education resource center is available. A relaxation room, which includes a massage chair, light therapy, and a stress-reducing computer program, is accessible for student use. Complete vocational, psychological, and learning assessment is provided as well as consultation services to other offices and agencies.

The UCC is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services. All staff counselors hold master 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.

Counseling Services

The Counseling Services office at the WIU-Quad Cities campus offers free and confidential counseling assistance to undergraduate and graduate students. Counseling is available for personal, academic and career related concerns. Students may seek services for a variety of concerns such as study skills, stress management, relationship issues, anxiety, and depression. In addition to individual counseling, the Counseling Services office is available for educational presentations that help students enhance their skills in a variety of areas such as study habits, self-esteem, relationships, and time management. For more information, call (309) 762-9481, ext. 288.

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 presenting their student identification cards. Students may also participate in musical, dramatic, and debate productions for stage, radio, and closed-circuit television by joining one of several University groups. Opportunities to view local, national, and international art exhibits are available at the University Art Gallery and the University Union. These exhibits are changed monthly and admission to the galleries is free. Also see Multicultural Services.

The newest addition to the WIU Macomb campus is the Multicultural Center, which houses the Casa Latina Cultural Center, the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, and the Women’s Center. Four themed lounges are featured, representing the diversity of the cultural centers, and the international community. This is the first building on campus constructed to LEED 2.2 Silver criteria, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The design is complete with a grass roof, energy-efficient lighting, geothermal heating and cooling, and recyclable materials like bamboo flooring.

Disability Support Services

Western Illinois University is committed to equity, social justice and diversity. To that end, Disability Resource Center (DRC) collaborates with faculty and staff to facilitate student inclusion and ensure accessibility to University programs for students with disabilities. Students experiencing issues with access or who are interested in accommodations, such as alternative testing accommodations, sign language interpreters, text conversion services (i.e. Braille, electronic, enlarged), and note-taking assistance should contact DRC at (309) 298-2512 or disability@wiu.edu. For more information visit wiu.edu/drc.

Go West Transit

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 Cafés, 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 or domestic partners. 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 limited psychiatric services.

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

Located in the new Multicultural Center building are the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, Casa Latina Cultural Center, and the Women’s Center. The centers provide a variety of multicultural services, including special facilities and programs to serve the unique needs of African American, Hispanic American, and international students. In addition, the Women’s Center promotes gender equity through education, support and advocacy to respond to issues affecting female students, faculty, and staff as well as, the community and society.

Among the variety of diverse multicultural services provided at the centers are recruiting activities; academic support services; cultural and fine arts events; social and recreational activities; speakers; financial assistance counseling; job placement opportunities; and fundraising events for minority student groups. Also, several performing groups in dance, theatre, and music are sponsored by the centers throughout the year. The centers are committed to helping the campus community develop a multicultural and multiracial society that promotes gender equity and equal opportunities that are not based on race, creed, sex, economic status, or position in life. Also see Cultural Programs.

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. 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. This office maintains student disciplinary records and completes law school, transfer applications, and other clearance forms. 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, and is available to help guide students with court matters outside of the county. 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 Foundation and Development

The Western Illinois University Foundation encourages and manages private support to strengthen and develop programs and facilities to enhance the educational experience for our students. Our vision is to make Western Illinois University the leading comprehensive university in the United States. This will require increasing private support from our alumni and many friends who share this vision for WIU— to build on its existing strengths and to meet the many challenges of delivering higher education in a constantly changing environment.

Private contributions, when added to state resources, add an extra dimension of support that otherwise would not be possible. Over the past five years, the WIU Foundation has provided more than $28 million in gifts, grants, and endowment-generated earnings to the University. The effects of these gifts are clearly visible in every aspect of University life:

Scholarships that bring the most talented students to Western, while keeping a college education affordable and accessible,

Faculty development programs that help ensure that our students will continue to learn the latest developments in their disciplines; and

Funding for advanced faculty and student research projects, instructional technologies, facility improvements, intercollegiate athletics, and a host of cultural events that represent a vitaldimension of University life.

For more information about the Foundation, campus fundraising efforts, or to make a contribution, visit wiu.edu/giving.

University Technology

University Technology (uTech) administers computer resources used by students and faculty for research and instruction. Computers connected to the campus network are available in most instructional and residential buildings on both the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Wireless access is available in all academic buildings and in public areas of residence halls.

WIU provides more than 1,800 computers for use in 42 labs, 43 teaching facilities and 20 computer resource centers throughout campus. The University also provides access to numerous software packages, the Internet, e-mail, campus information systems and other resources. Students have access to Macintosh and Windows-compatible computers, scanners, laser printers, CD/DVD readers/writers and Storage Area Network (SAN) accessible data storage. Thumb drives or jump drives may also be used in many labs and computer resource centers.              

Major computer labs are staffed by trained student personnel and are available for student use in Stipes, Horrabin, Memorial, and Morgan halls and at the Quad Cities 60th Street building. Residence hall students in Macomb may use student-staffed labs in each hall complex, including one 24-hour lab, while late-night access is available for off-campus students in the Lincoln-Washington-Grote hall complex. Internet access is available in all residence hall rooms including graduate and family housing.

Each student is provided a WIU e-mail account, space to create a personal home page, network attached data storage and access to mainframe services. The uTech Support Center in Stipes Hall 126 provides computing documentation, disk file recovery, one-on-one assistance, general information, optical scanning of answer sheets for test scoring and questionnaire analysis, and solves problems with student accounts.

Personal computer and software products are discounted and available for students, faculty and staff for demo and purchase through the uTech Computer Store, located in the University Union Concourse on the Macomb campus. The uTech Computer Store can be contacted at (309) 298-1127.

For technical assistance, contact the uTech Support Center at (309) 298-2704, SupportCenter@wiu.edu, or visit Western’s Knowledgebase at wiu.edu/kb.

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 three levels of instruction: Foundation, 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 20 hours minimum per week. The curriculum integrates academic content with real life skill-building in English, combining textbook lessons and teacher-written materials with opportunities for integrated language practice. WESL has a multimedia computer lab and a wide range of interactive software. Successful students study at each level for a semester. The WESL program consists of two 16-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.

Specific English-language requirements for prospective students can be found under the ‘Admission of International Students’ section of this catalog.

Writing Center

The University Writing Center (and its satellite centers in Thompson Hall, Bayliss/Henninger 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.