University Technology

WESTEL Student Housing Telephone Service

uTech Telecommunications administers the WESTEL telephone service for students living in campus housing at Western. Students are able to take advantage of telephone service provided by WESTEL within their residence hall room. Students must request a telephone line through STARS at a charge of $18 per month.  

Free Telephone Features

    • See the PDF Dialing Instructions brochure for information on how to dial campus, local, and long distance numbers from your residence hall telephone.
    • The free calling features of WESTEL phone services are provided below.

Free student telephone services include:

  • E911
  • Call Forward
  • Call Waiting
  • Caller ID
  • Customer Originated Trace
  • Voice Mail
  • Long distance to service to anywhere in the United States at a rate of 10 cents/minute
  • Anonymous Call Rejection
  • Automatic Recall
  • Automatic Callback
  • Call Transfer
  • Permanent Hold
  • Selective Call Forwarding
  • Selective Call Rejection
  • Selective Call Acceptance
  • Speed Calling
  • Three-Way Conference

In addition, you can download our PDF Calling Features brochure to learn more about these features and how to use them.

Usage and Billing

WESTEL Billing

Students receive an itemized invoice via their University student email account the second business day of each month for all long distance calls placed with their WESTEL code. The invoiced amount will be applied each month to the student's University account. If no calls or selected any additional features were made during the invoice period, students will not receive an invoice.

If there is a question concerning your WESTEL invoice, it should be brought to the attention of the WESTEL Office as soon as possible. Any discrepancy must be resolved before the next invoice is processed.

Payments are made through the Student Service Center in the University Union and will be reflected on your university account. Any questions should be directed to the WESTEL office in Sherman Hall, Room 22, or by calling (309) 298-2713.

WESTEL Usage Limits

Students who use a WESTEL authorization code will have a $500 usage limit, per semester. Semester time periods are: August 1 through December 31, January 1 through May 31, and June 1 through July 31. WESTEL will send a notice to each student when his/her account has reached $100 monthly, as a courtesy, plus notices when accounts have reached $400 and $500 per semester. To ensure uninterrupted long distance service, after receiving the $400 usage notification, and before receiving the $500 disconnect notification, an increase must be requested at the Billing and Receivables Office in Sherman Hall 106. The semester usage limit includes the previous billings of the current semester and the current charges combined. The current charges are compiled during normal working hours.

Once the $500 usage has been reached, your WESTEL authorization code will be DISCONNECTED, unless approval to increase the limit has been granted by the Billing and Receivables Office in Sherman Hall 106. The Billing and Receivables Office will review your account and will approve or disapprove an increase, while you are in the office. The WESTEL Office will be notified when WESTEL increases are approved or disapproved.

Students are encouraged to call WESTEL at (309) 298-2713 during normal business hours to obtain the current balance on their WESTEL account.

WESTEL Usage Penalties

To avoid a $15.00 per call penalty in addition to the cost of the call, DO NOT have any service billed to your room telephone number. These services include, but are not limited to, calling cards, collect calls, memberships, psychic hotlines, operator assisted calls, adult entertainment, etc.

Hours & Contact Info

  • Office Hours: 8am-4:30pm
  • 22 Sherman Hall (lower level)
  • Email: telecom@wiu.edu
  • uTech Telecommunications
    (309) 298-2713
  • WESTEL
    (309) 298-2713

Important Numbers

  • Campus Information
    (309) 298-1414
    M-F, 8am-4:30pm
    Sat, 1pm-5pm
  • Emergency Assistance
    911
  • Office of Public Safety
    (309) 298-1949
  • University Fax Center
    (309) 298-2713