FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

The First-Year Experience

The First Year Experience is a residentially-based program designed for the incoming class. As first year students arrive at IWU, we anticipate that they will have common areas of anxiety such as homesickness, transition to the college classroom, long-distance relationships, roommate conflicts and communication with their professors. The First Year Experience houses first year students together and attempts to smooth the transition from high school to college through a semester-long calendar of intentional, proactive programs led by the Residential Life professional staff of Residence Directors and the student staff of First Year Resident Advisors, along with IWU faculty and staff. This programming will provide opportunities for students to learn and grow together as they work through shared successes and common challenges as new members of the IWU community. The First Year Experience will help build a strong community that will lead to a shared and positive identity and ultimately long-term class unity and spirit.

First-Year Halls and Amenities

Illinois Wesleyan University houses all first year students in first year communities in Dolan, Ferguson, Gulick and Munsell Halls. First-year halls are staffed with student and professional staff members who are specially trained to be aware of and responsive to the specific needs that first year students will encounter. More information regarding the First Year Experience (FYE) will follow on this page.

The following chart describes the amenities available in the four first-year halls:

All rooms are smoke-free, have  air conditioning, network in rooms, cable TV, Titan TV and a fireplace in the hall.  The beds are all 80".

All First-Year Halls house both men and women on separate floors.  Specific floor assignments will be made based on the gender make-up of the incoming class.

Our mission is facilitating enjoyable, sustainable and inclusive communities that support and enhance students' academic achievement and personal development.