Undergraduate Catalog

Academic Services

Academic Advising

wiu.edu/academicadvising/directory

At Western Illinois University, academic advising is an intentional, educational partnership between advisors and students. Grounded in teaching and learning, and approached from a developmental perspective, this multidimensional process considers and respects students’ diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities, while facilitating the identification and achievement of educational, career, and life goals. Students are assigned academic advisors based on the selected major or their admission program. Once a student is admitted, information about the advisor can be found on the online student record system (STARS).

Center for Global Studies

Memorial Hall 346; (309) 298-1920
wiu.edu/global

The Center for Global Studies manages the marketing of WIU abroad. Primarily focused on the recruitment of international students, Global Studies engages partner institutions, agencies, faculty, and individual students worldwide to begin the familiarization process with WIU.

In addition, the Center for Global Studies (CGS) offers a wide variety of programs including conferences, workshops, short-term international programs, sponsored credit, and residential programs coordinated through the Office of Study Abroad and Outreach. Students may participate in Study Abroad throughout the year in many countries worldwide. Staff development programs are offered independently, as well as in cooperation with University departments.

CGS collaborates with the Graduate School in processing international admissions as well as enabling the process for visas and resolving immigration problems. CGS also provides a comprehensive orientation program for new international students and coordinates special cultural programs such as Diwali and Garba.

Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards (CAGAS)

Sherman Hall 110; (309) 298-3101
wiu.edu/registrar/cagas

This Faculty Senate council (CAGAS) may be contacted through the Office of the Registrar in Sherman Hall. Undergraduate students seeking information concerning academic appeals (e.g., late withdrawals, course substitutions, and waivers of University requirements) may contact CAGAS at (309) 298-3101 or CAGAS@wiu.edu. Students filing such appeals may send them to CAGAS, Sherman Hall 110, or to the email address indicated above.

First Year Advising Center (FYAC)

Memorial Hall Lower Level; (309) 298-1871
wiu.edu/academicsuccess

The First Year Advising Center specializes in supporting the transition of all new freshmen from high school to college. Students in our University Advising Program (undecided), Reach Program, and high school students who are taking dual credit courses are advised in the FYAC. Through multiple meetings, your FY advisor will help you choose appropriate courses for your first two semesters, explain University policies and procedures, and make referrals to resources and services available at WIU. Your FY advisor can also provide assistance if you decide to change your major. Incoming freshmen not in the Reach program, transfer students, and students pursuing an online only degree will be advised by an advisor in their academic department.

Graduate Studies

Sherman Hall 116; (309) 298-1806
wiu.edu/grad

The School of Graduate Studies is the coordinating agency for the University’s graduate programs and international admissions. The Graduate School processes graduate student admissions, writes graduate assistantship contracts, verifies degree completion, and provides immigration services to all graduate and international students at the University. The School of Graduate Studies is responsible for implementing the policies, procedures, and academic standards established by the Graduate Council, a representative body elected by members of the graduate faculty.

Registrar

Sherman Hall 110; (309) 298-1891
wiu.edu/registrar

The Office of the Registrar determines the residency status of students, administers the registration of students, verifies degree completion, maintains student academic records, and reviews applications for undergraduate reentry. The office is also responsible for certifying NCAA academic eligibility, issuing official transcripts and verifications, printing diplomas, publishing class schedules, coordinating Commencement, issuing grade reports, processing student requests to change a major, minor, or address, and administering academic room scheduling. The Office of the Registrar also facilitates the GradTrac program.

University Libraries

(309) 298-2705
wiu.edu/libraries

University Libraries is comprised of the main Leslie F. Malpass Library, the Music Library, the Curriculum Library, and the WIU—Quad Cities Library in Moline. Together the libraries house an extensive collection; deliver online access to thousands of journals, documents, and e-books; offer research assistance both in person and virtually; and provide library instruction. All branches offer group study spaces, wireless access, computers, and printers. WIU Libraries is a member of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois, giving our users easy access to the collections of 88 other libraries throughout the state. In addition, WIU Libraries participates in the federal and Illinois depository programs and is a designated Patent and Trademark Resource Center. Archives & Special Collections is the official repository for university records and scholarship, and collects materials that document the cultural, economic, and natural heritage of west-central Illinois. For more information, please visit wiu.edu/libraries.

University Technology

Stipes Hall 126; (309) 298-TECH
wiu.edu/utech

University Technology (uTech) supports computer resources used by students and faculty for research and instruction. Computers are available for use in most instructional and residential buildings on both the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Wireless access is available in all academic buildings, residence halls, and some outdoor greenspaces.

Computer labs are staffed by trained student personnel and are available for student use in Stipes, Horrabin, Memorial, and Morgan Halls and at Western Illinois University—Quad Cities. Residence hall students in Macomb may use computer labs in each hall complex. Two labs are available 24 hours a day, while late-night access is available for off-campus students in the University Union and Malpass Library. Internet access is available in all residence hall rooms, including graduate and family housing.

Each student is provided a WIU email account and access to Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, and more). Discounted software is also available for purchase. Details regarding discounted and free software available to students can be found on the WIU website (wiu.edu/studentsoftware/).

The uTech Support Center provides walk-in support for student, faculty, and staff technology needs. Walk-in technical support is available in Stipes Hall 126 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday. For technical assistance, please contact the uTech Support Center at (309) 298-TECH [(309) 298-8324] or support@wiu.edu. You can also visit us online at wiu.edu/utech.

Western Illinois University—Quad Cities

3300 River Drive, Moline, IL; (309) 762-9481
wiu.edu/qc

Located in a metropolitan area with a population over 380,000, WIU—Quad Cities is the public University in the Quad Cities area. WIU—Quad Cities offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate certificate programs. WIU—Quad Cities welcomes freshmen, transfers, and graduate students who seek an engaging university experience in and out of the classroom, with opportunities for experiential and service learning, networking, and internships that prepare students for a career and life after WIU.

Writing Center

Malpass Library, Third Floor (Macomb); Quad Cities Complex, Room 2219 (QC); (309) 298-2815
wiu.edu/uwc

The University Writing Center (UWC), including the QC-based U.S. Bank Writing Center, provides a wide range of writing services to students, faculty, and staff. The UWC is staffed by highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students who can assist with writing from any discipline, at any academic level, and at any point in the writing process. For more information on locations and hours or to self-schedule an appointment, please visit us at wiu.edu/uwc.