General Questions
Q: Like many parents, we are concerned about meeting college costs. We are interested in information about any loan programs.
A: Information about a number of loan funds, both within and outside of the University, is available in the University Catalog as well as the Financial Aid Office. These funds make possible low-cost financing of college expenses and constitute an important source of assistance. Students who wish to make application from any available funds must first complete the University's application for assistance and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to establish need. The Financial Aid Office can be reached at 309/556-3096 or by e-mail at Inich@titan.iwu.edu.
Q: Is there an ATM machine on campus?
A: There are ATM machines in the Hansen Student Center near the bookstore and at the base of the stairs to the Bertholf Dining Commons, which is located in the Memorial Student Center.
Q: We are sending our first off to college. Although we are very excited and think that we are prepared for this change in her life and ours -- any tips or words of wisdom for this transition time?
A: In the weeks leading to the often emotion-filled drive to campus parents and students are feeling their way through the excitement and anxiety of this important next step in maturation and independence. One writer described that the experience of letting her son go off to college felt like she had been given early retirement from a job she loved. Sometimes, students begin to test limits and family members feel a distancing even before the move to campus has taken place. Others report an increase in shared family time leading up to the departure for campus. As in most passages in life, there is no one way for this process to unfold. Most families plan some special family time, a favorite meal or family ritual, at some time shortly before the trip to campus. There are some good books that look at the first year experience for students and the changes parents and families often experience.
Q: Are there any buses that run from IWU for student use?
A: The Peoria Motor Coach has long served IWU students with bus runs that stop at these northern points: Pontiac, Louis Joliet Mall, Oakbrook Mall, River Road CTA, O'Hare Airport and Woodfield Mall. The motor coach service also has a run south to St. Louis, MO. In addition to regular weekend service, special buses run during breaks, vacations, exam weeks and other special occasions. Schedules are available at the Main Desk in the Memorial Student Center. You can also call 800/448-0572 or access information through their Web site at: www.peoriacharter.com
Local bus service is offered by the Bloomington Normal Public Transit System, http://www.bnpts.com/
Q: We selected a board plan that is working quite well for our student, but we would like to provide additional munch money -- is this possible?
A: Yes, munch money is set up as a debit system which allows students to "charge" meals and snack items through the Dug Out snack bar and other services. The Dug Out is used heavily by students in the off hours when the dining hall is closed. Munch money allows students to conveniently purchase items without having to carry cash. Munch money can be added at any time and is arranged through the Sodexho Food Service. Sodexho can be contacted at 309/556-3167 or go to the Sodexho Web site.
Q: Our student is still unsure about joining a Greek letter organization and has decided to wait before going through RUSH. Are there activities available to fill out-of-classroom time?
A: There are over 130 clubs and activities that students both Greek and Independent can choose from when considering how to fill out-of-class time. Students can choose from activities that are purely social or recreational to those with academic or pre-professional foci. As always, if we don't have the activities students are interested in, support is given to those who want to form new clubs. A searchable events calendar is available online at: http://star.iwu.edu:591/event/search.htm
Q: My student has met someone with whom he shares many interests -- they would like to room together, what can you advise?
A: ORL recommends that whenever changes in rooming situations are contemplated that roommates discuss matters first. When students who share affinities desire to live together, care should be given to the feelings of the roommates being left. Not all changes are the result of difficulties between the current roommates, but other friendships may develop, different halls may become more favorable or medical needs may dictate a change in residences and roommates. Communication may help to spare feelings and maintain friendships long after the roommate relationship has ended. Occasionally, the desire to change rooms may be fueled by conflicts between roommates.
ORL suggests that roommates discuss the difficulties and refer back to the roommate contracts that were developed at the start of the year. Some conflicts may be resolved short of changing rooms through clarification of agreements and expectations. Contracts might need to be amended as experiences or needs change. Staff assistance through this process is available when requested. Sadly, some roommate relationships may need to be terminated, and staff intervention is required to facilitate room changes. Because of the scarcity of vacancies in the halls, changes may not be immediately available. Interim agreements and cooperation are essential during the wait period for available spaces for changes.
Q: Whenever we visit, we love the energy on campus -- is there any way for us to keep abreast of what's currently happening?
A: Parents are encouraged to subscribe to e-Parent, a monthly e-mail newsletter. As always, the University welcomes questions from parents through written correspondence , telephone contact and Web site communication.
Q: We are concerned about fire safety on campus. What can you tell us about fire prevention at IWU?
A: Residence hall staff work with students to keep fire safety a priority in our buildings. Policies have been implemented to restrict items like open flame elements, halogen lamps, candles and incense from residences. Campus residences have excellent alarm systems that are both heat and smoke sensitive. Activated alarms bring both campus and fire department response immediately -- there are no pre-alarms in our buildings. Staff conduct fire drills and reiterate procedures to ensure safe and orderly building exits in the event of a fire. Safety equipment in the buildings, including extinguishers, standpipes and pull stations, are inspected daily through staff building rounds.
Q: What can students and parents expect at midterms?
A: Midterm examinations generally occur around the week of October 11, though some courses will test earlier or later than those dates. Some classes may not give a midterm exam at all, but may have papers or other projects due at that time. Midterms are an excellent time for students and parents to reflect together about academic performance to date. It is a good time to assess expectations and goals -- and may be a time to readjust some assumptions, expectations or habits. For some, it is a time to begin to think about a change in academic programs or majors as performance or interests may have changed. For others, it is a good time to explore some of the academic supports available such as talking to professors outside of class, meeting with First Year Advisors or engaging the assistance of tutors or the Writing Center. Finally, for those students who are achieving as desired, this is not a time to rest on one's laurels! It is never too soon to prepare for the second half of the semester, to work on final papers or to plan for final examinations.
Q: Our son just called to tell us that he received a parking ticket even though he was parked in a University lot. Why?
A. He might have violated a number of parking regulations such as parking in a fire lane, parking in a faculty/staff lot or handicap space. Our guess is that he has failed to register his vehicle. Failure to register vehicles is the most frequently violated parking policy on campus. Registration is mandatory for use of university parking lots. There is no charge to register a vehicle and it only take minutes to complete the process in the Security Building. Even if a student has temporary use of a vehicle from home, registration is required in order to use parking facilities on campus. It is recommended that payment for any parking ticket be made promptly; those penalties increase over time and can cause a hold to be placed on registration and/or transcript requests.
Q: Our daughter was very involved in athletic activities from childhood through high school, but decided to forego college team sports. Are there any athletic activities for her?
A: IWU has an Intramural Program that includes both team and individual sports. Organized through IWU Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs, the IM Program is an excellent way for students to participate in team and individual sports, to meet others and to recreate in a healthy manner. Athletes of any acumen are encouraged to participate.
Q: I've noticed that most of my son's friends have already registered for their fall classes. When do IWU entering students register?
A: First year students register for classes in August during the Fall Festival. Parents will learn more about advising and the curriculum when they attend parents' orientation sessions on Move-In Day. Parents will meet with student's advisors at this time. Students will register later in the week after consultation with their advisors.
Q: Are there any religious groups on campus for students? Is there a Fellowship of Christian Athletes at IWU?
A: Yes, students can choose from over 12 campus groups that have a religious affiliation or focus. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is among those organizations.
Q: Is the campus safe?
A: The Office of Security works diligently to promote good safety practices and attitudes. Safety and security are issues of both perception and reality. For all to do their best, our campus community must be safe and feel safe. Toward this end, Security provides patrol of the perimeter and campus proper by car, foot, and with a small-motorized vehicle that can tour the interior of the campus. Additionally, Security works closely with local police agencies to ensure patrol of the near neighborhood and quick response time to any campus concerns.
Programs on personal safety issues are presented regularly. Students are encouraged to become involved members of the community ;
Carry and use their keys
Observe closing hours of buildings
Walk in lighted and well-traveled areas
Call for an escort or walk with Peer Event Monitors when out late at night
Report any incident or individual of concern to campus officials immediately
IWU sits in the middle of a community of 110,000 and that reality highlights the need for students to be aware and proactive as they live and work on campus.
Information Technology Questions
Q: Are PCs provided in the rooms? If not, what is recommended? What is the technology fee?
A: There are PCs and Macs provided in open labs, but none are provided in student rooms. Students may bring whatever computing system best meets their needs. Students bring both PCs and Macs to campus -- and in recent years, we have seen an increase in laptops on campus. IWU does not charge a technology fee. From the comfort and convenience of their residence hall rooms, students can connect to the Internet as well as IWU's own Intranet. Once on campus, students are given assistance, through IT, for connecting to the network and gaining access to e-mail. All students are assigned e-mail addresses for use throughout their years at IWU.
Q: Who can my son/daughter go to when he/she needs computer assistance?
A: The Department of Information Technology provides computer related support to the students at no charge. IT offers the following complimentary services: Assistance with access to the network, general trouble-shooting of computer related problems, training on our standard software and equipment, distribution of virus protection software, and more. If you have any technology questions before arriving in August, please feel free to call us at (309)556-3900. Many more details about the available technology and support on campus will be provided through a summer mailing and in the IT Orientation Sessions.
Q: If my daughter/son doesn't have her/his own computer, where can she/he go to use one?
A: There are several labs on campus available to the students. These labs offer access to computers using the Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX operating systems. The most commonly used labs are located in these buildings: Buck Memorial Library, The Center for Natural Sciences, and Ames Library.
Additional information about technology at Illinois Wesleyan can be found in the Technology Q & A for New Students.