Student Development

Academic, Counseling, and Testing Services

The Center for Student Success offers several services for student success, advising for success in college with resources for developing study skills and time management. Tutoring services are available on a limited basis in all basic education and many specialized courses. Tutoring helps to strengthen a student’s basic academic skills and course content knowledge so that he/she experiences improved academic development. Tutors are IWU students recommended by faculty, trained by professional staff, and paid to assist their fellow students. The program is beneficial for the students as well as the faculty.

Testing services include the SAT, MAT, CLEP, testing accommodations (see “Disability Services”), and counseling assessment. Tests are scheduled individually.

The Center for Student Success also houses a federally funded TRIO program that offers a range of services for eligible students. The main goal of the program is to provide additional support services necessary to increase college retention and graduation. The program is open to first generation students, low-income students and students with disabilities.

Counseling services focus on assisting each student in developing skills, abilities, and potential within the academic, social, spiritual, physical, and emotional climate of the campus. Counseling is professional and confidential. Personal counseling includes support for psychological and emotional issues, as well as behavioral transitions.

Athletics

The Indiana Wesleyan University athletic program is an integral part of the institution’s total education program, subject to the same aims, policies, and objectives as other institutional programs. The four core values of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics are Spiritual Growth, Academic Excellence, Leadership Development, and Athletic Excellence.

The Wildcat men compete in intercollegiate soccer, tennis, cross-country, basketball, baseball, golf, and track and field. Memberships are held in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association), and the MCC (Mid-Central Conference).

The Wildcat women compete in intercollegiate soccer, tennis, golf, cross-country, volleyball, basketball, softball, and track and field. Memberships are held in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association), and the MCC (Mid-Central Conference). Our co-ed competitive cheer team competes in NCA National Competitions as well as cheering at all home basketball games.

The physical education and intramural sports departments provide vital programs to the students as well. Lifetime sport participation is emphasized in the physical education instruction program, while the intramural sports program allows students to pursue leisure time needs and interests in an organized and competitive manner.

Commuter Students

Commuter students who have never lived in the residence halls are expected to abide by the community standards listed in the Student Handbook while on campus, in the presence of resident students or while attending university-related events. Handbooks are available online at http://www.indwes.edu/Residence-Life/.

Commuter students receive the same services and opportunities as all other students on campus. The Barnes Student Center has a lounge specifically designed for commuter students with a kitchen, lockers, lounge furniture, and tables for group studying. Commuter students have representatives on the Student Government Association to whom they may register concerns or work toward better services for commuter students. Questions concerning commuter students may be directed to the Student Development Office.

Community Standards

Indiana Wesleyan University, as a Christian university, is a community joined together to further academic achievement, personal development, and spiritual growth. Together the community seeks to honor Christ by integrating faith, learning, and living, while its members’ hearts and lives mature in relationships to Jesus Christ and each other. With this purpose, it is desired that each member of this community is either committed to Christ or has respect for a Christian perspective.

Living in a community of believers is a special privilege. This quality is emulated by demonstration of God’s grace. IWU, therefore, places great value on the following relationship characteristics: 1) being dependent and accountable to one another; 2) serving one another in the community, nation, and world; 3) supporting one another, especially those experiencing personal trials; 4) resolving problems through loving confrontation; and 5) restoring relationships that have been hurt.

Faith in God’s Word should lead to behavior that displays His authority in our lives. The following statements exhibit the university’s continuing desire to integrate faith and action in a relevant manner; however, these positions are not set forth as an index of Christianity.

Scripture teaches that certain attributes such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are to be manifested by members of the Christian community. By contrast, Scripture condemns such attitudes as greed, jealousy, pride, lust, needless anger, an unforgiving spirit, harmful discrimination, and prejudice. Furthermore, certain behaviors are expressly prohibited by Scripture. These include theft, lying, dishonesty, gossip, slander, profanity, vulgarity, adultery, homosexual behavior, premarital sex, drunkenness, gluttony, immodesty, and occult practices.

Corporate worship aids in community building and support of the body of Christ. We gather as a community at special times for nurture and admonition in the things of God. These activities include chapel, spiritual emphasis weeks, and other university-related religious events.

Scripture teaches that all actions (work, study, play) should be performed to the glory of God. The university endeavors, therefore, to be selective in choices of entertainment and recreation, promoting those which strengthen the body of Christ and avoiding those which would diminish sensitivity to Christian responsibility.

All Indiana Wesleyan University students are expected to keep the rules of the university from the time they are accepted for admission to the university until they either graduate or officially withdraw from school (this includes vacation times).

All public activities, such as social gatherings, outings, or campus programs sponsored by student groups or by an individual must have plans submitted for approval in advance to Student Development.

All automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles must be registered with Campus Police and a permit secured and positioned on the vehicle/bicycle properly to have permission to be parked on campus.

Students at the time of their application for admission agree to live within the framework of the university’s student code of conduct. Any violation of behavior standards of the university would be sufficient reason for placing the student on citizenship probation, suspension, dismissal, or in some instances, withdrawal from school.

Each student is responsible to be familiar with regulations concerning the residence hall, regulations published in the Student Handbook and other official university publications, and to abide by them consistently.

Disability Services - CAS and Pre-licensure Nursing

The Center for Student Success works to make programs and facilities available to students with a disability in a non-arbitrary and beneficial manner. The Director of Disability Services is responsible for receiving a request for academic or physical accommodations. The director will work with the student to obtain and review the required documentation and will assign reasonable accommodations based on documentation that supports the student's request. Academic accommodations include, but are not limited to, alternative testing environments, note-taking services, taping lectures, books in alternate format, and adaptive technology.

Drug Abuse Prevention

Drug abuse in the United States has become a major problem, and students at Indiana Wesleyan University are not immune. If you need assistance with a drug abuse problem, we encourage you to seek help at your local community drug abuse prevention center. To talk to someone in a strictly confidential atmosphere, please feel free to contact The Center for Student Success (800-332-6901) at our Marion campus. All conversations are private and will not affect your attendance at the university.

If you would like to talk to someone outside Indiana Wesleyan University, please feel free to call one of the following numbers, or a hospital or treatment center in your area:

1. The National Cocaine Hotline, 800-COCAINE, 800-262-2463.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10A-30, Rockville, MD 20857, 800-662-HELP, 800-662-4357.

Food

Within the Barnes Student Center there are a variety of campus dining options. The food service contractor provides well-balanced meals at reasonable cost.

A standard meal plan is automatically part of a resident student’s room and board contract. Residents dine in the Baldwin dining room for all their meals but have conversion meal options in the Wildcat Express (food court) as well. Due to cleanliness and health reasons, students are not allowed to cook in their residence hall rooms. During holiday vacations, between semesters, and during spring recess food service is not available.

Commuter students are encouraged to eat their meals in the Baldwin dining room or the Wildcat Express. Commuter students purchase points that are applied to their ID card and used on a declining balance system.

Health Services

Students must submit a health history with required immunizations and insurance information as part of the admissions process to Indiana Wesleyan University. The university Health Center is staffed by registered nurses and a nurse practitioner and serves students as well as faculty/staff. Students may be seen on a walk-in basis by a registered nurse or by appointment with the nurse practitioner. There is a fee to see the nurse practitioner, which can be billed to the student’s insurance or paid by students. The Health Center has some prescription medications, including antibiotics, for a fee.

IMPORTANT: All students need to provide for their own health insurance. Health insurance is strongly encouraged for all students. The university has available a student health insurance plan for students that are not covered through parents, guardian, or employee. For information regarding student health insurance contact the Health Center at healthcenter@indwes.edu.

Information Desk - Marion Campus

The Information Desk, located on the first floor of the Barnes Student Center, is the best location on campus to find details regarding phone numbers, campus events, and campus offices. Phone 765-677-4636 for more information.

Intercultural Student Services

The ISS Office approaches diversity from a biblical perspective affirming that diversity is an expression of God's image, love, and boundless creativity. We believe that all people, without exception, bear the image of God. Our pursuit of diversity involves fulfilling Christ's command to love our neighbors as ourselves. We support a diverse university as an expression of our submission to the Lordship of Christ. To that end, we submit to Christ and love one another as we appreciate individual uniqueness while pursuing the unity for which Jesus prayed. We demonstrate our commitment to the ministry of reconciliation by creating the space where we celebrate diversity, increase intercultural competence, and build community. Intercultural Student Services seeks to enhance the effect of our co-curricular programming and become a resource to all community members by providing cutting edge and impactful leadership and sensitivity training concerning matters of diversity, inclusion, and intercultural competence at IWU.

New Student Orientation

All entering undergraduate students are required to participate in an orientation conducted at the beginning of the semester or program. This orientation is designed to acquaint students with the university programs and services available from the various offices.

Performing Arts

The Phillippe Performing Arts Center hosts performances by the IWU Music Division and IWU Theatre Guild. Performances are open to the campus community and the public.

This mission remains focused on a higher goal: to experience the limitless, wondrous creativity of how God is revealed to us through ministry in the arts.

Publications

Staff positions on the Sojourn (the student newspaper) are available for students interested in writing, photography, layout, and editing for print media. Paid positions are available for students.

The Sojourn is usually published every other week and made available to students. The newspaper covers many aspects of campus life through accurate and investigative reporting.

The Caesura is a literary magazine that features the creative writing and visual art of students. Published each spring.

Recreation

The mission of the Department of Campus Recreation is to provide a wide variety of quality recreation, sports, fitness, and leisure activities that will increase the overall wellness of the campus community and to provide dynamic programming that enhances leadership and social development in an environment that is fair, safe, and Christ-centered.

All enrolled students (resident and commuters) as well as faculty, staff, administrators, and their spouses are eligible to participate in activities sponsored by the Department of Campus Recreation.

Activities include, but are not limited to: intramural sand volleyball, flag football, softball, racquetball, tennis, wallyball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, golf, ultimate Frisbee, bowling, table tennis, and billiards.

Students, faculty, staff and administrators also have access to a state-of-the-art recreation and wellness facility.

Residence Life

The Residence Life program at Indiana Wesleyan University is designed to provide each resident with the opportunity to grow not only academically but also socially and spiritually. The most successful students after graduation have mastered not only their course of study but have developed other areas of their lives, becoming well-rounded and balanced. With this in mind, the residence hall becomes much more than a place to sleep and study. It is a community of learning that helps students more effectively grow into the image of Christ. Our hope is that students will find the residence halls a place where individuals will join together as a family to learn from one another.

The Residence Life program is administered by the Associate Vice President for Residence Life. Each residence hall or area has a trained professional resident director (RD) living in the hall. Each living unit (approximately 35 students) has a specially selected and trained undergraduate resident assistant (RA). Residents are supported through the growth process by the RA, who also coordinates a weekly devotional Bible study for residents. In addition, the Resident Hall Chaplain supplies spiritual support and guidance for the residents. The Residence Life Staff and Unit Parent Program (where the families of faculty and staff interact with each unit) provides abundant opportunity for personal support. Residents are challenged to grow into the fullness of Christ through planned activities and programs.

The Residence Life program at IWU provides a developmental approach for housing students. Freshman through senior students live in one of the traditional residence halls. Reed Hall, Martin Hall, Evans Hall, Carmin Hall, and Hodson Hall are all traditional residence halls. Bowman House, Beckett Hall East and South Hall East are designated as "freshman" halls and house first-time students who desire an environment intentionally designed to meet their unique needs. Beckett Hall East and Beckett Hall West as well as South Hall East and South Hall West offer a purposeful environment, tied closely to the university's mentoring program. Sophomores, juniors and seniors have the opportunity to live in suite style units within Kem Hall, Scripture Hall, Beckett Hall West, and South Hall West. Junior and senior students may apply in one of the apartment-style living areas. These apartment areas include the Lodges and the Townhouse apartments. Resident students begin their stay on campus in the traditional residence halls with more support and accountability. As they grow developmentally and interdependently, students may transition into more independent-style living in the apartments if qualifications are met. Finally, the University Court offers housing and community for married students.

Prospective students interested in attending IWU and living on campus must submit a $100 tuition deposit prior to completing an online housing application. Room assignments will be made according to the date the tuition deposit is paid.

Returning students who wish to reserve a room must complete Returning Student Application with a $50 housing deposit (paid at the Student Account Services office, CAS). This money will be applied to their account after the drop-and-add period. All cancelations must be received prior to June 1 for a refund. Students may self-select a room online during housing selection, according to procedures outlined by the Housing Office.

The residence halls and apartments are closed during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break vacations. There is no food service offered during these periods. During these times students must secure their own housing and food arrangements. Student Development will assist students who are having difficulty securing break housing. Students will be charged for room damage beyond normal wear and tear.

All single students enrolled in seven credit hours or more must live in university-supervised housing unless they are 23 years of age, have attained 90 credit hours, or live with their parents. Documentation for all commuter students is required by the Housing Office. All exceptions must be granted by the Student Development Office.

We recognize that dancing is an issue about which committed Christians disagree and that discretion and maturity are required if dancing is to be an edifying activity. We therefore covenant together as a community to make decisions about our participation in dancing that reflect our commitment to Christ, our pursuit of holiness, our desire for purity in relationships, our adherence to biblical principles, and gracious sensitivity to others.

Resident Students

All residence hall students (or those who have resided on campus for at least one semester) are expected to live by these additional standards:

Since the body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit, deserving respect and preservation of its well-being, the university therefore prohibits of the use of tobacco in any form and the use of alcoholic beverages. Under no circumstances should controlled substances such as marijuana, hallucinogens, depressants, stimulants, cocaine, and narcotics be used, possessed, sold, or distributed on or away from campus unless prescribed by a physician. Students are also legally prohibited from sharing prescription drugs or abusing legal substances.

Scripture teaches the stewardship of God-given resources. Therefore, gambling (the exchange of money and goods by betting or wagering) in its various forms is prohibited.

Safety Policies and Campus Crime Statistics

IWU Safety Policies can be accessed at http://www.indwes.edu/safety and includes crime statistics on certain reportable crimes, as well as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime reporting and prevention, sexual assault and other related matters. Anyone wishing a paper copy of the policies may contact the Office of Institutional Research at 765-677-1566.

Spiritual Life

Providing spiritual growth opportunities for students has been a hallmark of Indiana Wesleyan University from its beginning. Students are introduced to many different growth opportunities. This includes what takes place in the classroom, where faculty integrate faith and learning and have a vital interest in the spiritual life of students.

Providing chapel for students is another spiritual growth opportunity. Chapel is held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the semester and on Tuesday during special emphasis weeks. Chapel is a time for the university community to join together for worship and growth. Being able to attend Chapel is a wonderful opportunity and privilege.

Regular attendance at chapel-convocation sessions is expected for all students and required for all resident students and full-time commuting students under the age of 23 who have classes both before and after the chapel period. Excessive absences must be made up. See the Student Handbook for details.

Residence halls also provide spiritual growth opportunities. Halls have weekly devotional times and students are encouraged to join a small group where Scripture memorization, accountability, prayer, and Bible study occur.

Soul-search adventure discipleship trips take students into God's creation to grow from lessons learned through camping, rock-climbing, trekking, and similar experiences.

Christian service teams minister in area churches, family camps, and youth camps through music, sermons, drama, and testimonies. The University Chorale, Wind Ensemble, and music teams travel extensively, ministering through Christian music. IWU, through World Impact, also plans and promotes several short-term mission trips through the year. A student can also find opportunities to serve through local community ministry organizations, churches and on-campus student organizations.

Spiritual growth and service opportunities are offered to students to help them to grow deeper in their relationship with God and for them to have a better understanding of how they can better serve Him and humankind with their gifts and talents.

Student Center

The Barnes Student Center is the community center of the university for all members of the university family--students, faculty, administration, alumni, and guests. It represents a well-considered plan for the community life of the university.

The Barnes Student Center provides for the services, conveniences, and amenities that the members of the university family need in their daily life on campus and for getting to know and understand one another through informal association outside the classroom.

The Barnes Student Center is part of the university educational process. It provides a social and recreational program, aiming to make free time activity a cooperative factor with study in education. Its goal is the development of persons as well as intellects.

Student Life and Activities

Student organizations and other activities provide co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities on campus in leadership and personal growth. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of campus student organizations and activities with the intent to develop leadership skills as well as grow spiritually. The following groups and activities are designed to meet students’ needs and interests.

Student Activities Council

The Student Activities Council (SAC) consists of student coordinators who organize campus activities. SAC activities are designed to promote spiritual growth, develop and maintain school spirit, and provide fun and meaningful programs for students, faculty, staff, and the IWU community. Activities planned by the council range in interest, appeal, and complexity. Traditional events include Homecoming activities, Family Weekend, Kids’ Day, SAC Weekend, and Spotted Cow Music Festival. The purpose of the Student Activities Council is to provide opportunities for students to interact socially, spiritually, and intellectually outside of the classroom.

Student Government Association

The Indiana Wesleyan University Student Government Association (SGA) represents students in matters of self-government and problems of mutual interest to the student body and the university. Student Government is comprised of an executive board (president and cabinet), senators for academic divisions, residence halls, and representatives from student organizations. The Indiana Wesleyan University Student Government Association represents the concerns of the students to the university administration and selects students to sit as members on university faculty committees.

Student Organizations

IWU proudly offers many opportunities for students to be involved in extracurricular activities. More than 30 student organizations are organized and run by students and are designed to meet a variety of interests. Student organizations represent interests in academic, social issues, recreation and student publications. Other student leadership opportunities exist in the New Student Orientation Program. For a listing of specific organizations, please contact the Student Development Office or visit the Wildcat page at http://wildcat.indwes.edu/Student-Organizations/.

Upward Bound

Upward Bound at IWU is a college preparatory program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It serves youth from local high schools that are from homes where parents meet certain income guidelines; do not have baccalaureate degrees and/or students that exhibit a high risk for academic failure. During the school year, support is given through weekly tutoring sessions and twice a month. Meetings focus on study skills, financial literacy, cultural experiences, college visits, assistance with college entrance exams, the college admissions process, and scholarship searches. Intensive academic instruction is offered by means of a six-week on-campus summer program. IWU students and staff are utilized to provide tutoring, workshops, residence hall supervision, and classroom instruction.