Books and Materials
Indiana Wesleyan University’s programming for non-residential students has been, in part, designed to serve the needs of busy, working, adult students. With this in mind, our normal processes within the majority of our programs include IWU procuring all of the required textbook and resource materials for our students and shipping them directly to the address most convenient for the student. This is a service we are happy to provide, and is one that we believe allows our students to focus more of their valuable time on their coursework and learning.
We do, however, understand the desire for individual students to seek to maximize their educational dollars in various ways. This need prompts IWU to allow students the opportunity to choose their own personal textbook and materials procurement option. This choice will allow a student to opt out of Indiana Wesleyan University’s standard textbook and materials procurement and distribution processes and secure their required materials in whatever manner they so decide. More information about this option can be obtained by contacting IWU’s Textbook Distribution Department at textbook.distribution@indwes.edu or 1-800-621-8667 extension 2854.
For students choosing to participate in IWU’s normal material procurement and distribution methods, books and other course materials will be provided and will be delivered on or prior to the first class session. “Sharing of materials” is not an option and all books/materials must be purchased directly from IWU by each student. Students receive payment schedules during the registration process which indicate the total amount charged for books and materials. The university does have an arrangement with a vendor who conducts “book buybacks” several times a year for all IWU students. Students desiring more information may contact the traditional campus bookstore at 866-468-6498 ext. 2210.
Please note: Textbook and material changes are inevitable. Should it become necessary for a student to withdraw from a course, all books and materials should be returned immediately, if eligible, to avoid additional charges if/when the course is taken at a later date. If materials are not returned, and course materials change in the time between withdrawal and re-entry, the student will be charged for new materials. Materials are eligible for return credit within 60 days from the date of withdrawal provided the student has not attended any of the class sessions, or posted any assignments for online classes, and the materials have not been used or damaged (writing, highlighting, physical damage, CD’s & access codes intact in original sealed packaging, etc.) in any way.
Chaplaincy Program
Spiritcare, the Chaplaincy Program, is a ministry that seeks to care for the spiritual needs of adult students by introducing them to the person, teachings, and community of Jesus Christ. This is done primarily through classroom visits, outside contacts, multi-media presentations, and structured devotionals. The goal is to provide supportive opportunities for the growth of the complete person. On-site and online students have direct contact with a caring pastor. Spiritcare desires to change the world by changing the heart. Chaplains can provide the following:
- Confidential and caring support for student and family members as requested.
- Spiritual guidance and prayer support.
- Intervention and support during life crises.
- Referrals to counseling and support groups for special needs.
- An opportunity to be referred to a local pastor and a local congregation for students seeking to grow in their faith.
Students may obtain additional information about the Spiritcare Chaplaincy Program through the student portal at http://myiwu.indwes.edu/Chaplaincy/ or by contacting the Office of Student Services at 800-621-8667 ext. 2359.
Expectations for Personal and Professional Conduct
Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian university of higher education that upholds high standards of personal and professional conduct. Such standards include a classroom environment that promotes a positive learning environment and a professional instructional climate.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner with respect for the rights of both students and faculty. The university or its representatives reserve the right to act in situations where student behavior violates established policy or detracts from the ability of students or faculty to function effectively in the classroom. Such action may include disciplinary procedures issued by the faculty or suspension from the program. (NOTE: All discussion room and live chat postings for online courses are recorded and can be reviewed at the discretion of the university.)
Only regularly enrolled students may attend class unless granted permission by an administrator and arrangements are made with the instructor.
Inclement Weather Procedures
The university is reluctant to postpone or cancel classes because the schedule is already very compressed and it is difficult to schedule make-up classes. In order to make the most informed decisions possible, the university gathers information from the National Weather Service, State Police agencies, and site managers and personnel (when appropriate). Unfortunately, the university cannot make the decision based on an individual student's geographical situation and the driving distance to and from class. Students should be aware, however, that they are expected to use discretion and not to take unreasonable risks. If students choose not to attend class, they must notify their instructor and make appropriate arrangements for make-up work. Decisions to postpone or cancel classes will be announced by the university. Regional locations will be judged by the Regional Deans. In the event it becomes necessary for a Regional Dean to recommend to the Vice-President/Dean a weather related or emergency closing or postponement for an onsite cohort, the appropriate Program Director will work with affected faculty and students to make up the missed class session through an online alternative class session by observing the following guidelines:
Instructors will contact students on the date class is cancelled with written requirements for making up the cancelled class session through an online alternative.
In the event an onsite class session is cancelled that is deemed significant to the cohort (e.g., program orientation, the first class session of a program, the last class session of a program, etc.), the Regional Dean will petition the appropriate academic leaders to arrange a new date to make up the cancelled class session prior to the next scheduled class session.
To satisfy attendance requirements and earn participation points (if applicable), all assignments associated with the cancelled class session must be submitted prior to the start of the next scheduled class session.
Postponement decisions for evening classes will be made by approximately 3:00 p.m. on the day of class. Decisions about Saturday classes will be made the evening before, when possible, but may be made during the early morning hours on the Saturday of class if necessary. Postponement decisions will be announced through a variety of methods. In most cases the core group has a designated class representative who will be notified by the university. The representative should then activate the telephone calling tree to disseminate the information to the class. In cases where there is no class representative or calling tree, someone from IWU and/or the instructor will call the students. No notification will be made unless classes are postponed or cancelled. Information about postponements and/or cancellations will be announced on the university's Web site at http://www.indwes.edu/classinfo. Announcements will also be posted on the student portal at http://myIWU.indwes.edu and on the class information phone line at 1-800-621-8667 ext. 2022.
Library Services
Off Campus Library Services (OCLS) provides both mediated and direct access to resources and services designed specifically for the adult student. The Jackson Library in Marion has well over 272,000+ titles, including over 100,000 ebooks, more than 11,000+ audiovisual titles, and 1000+ print/e-print journal subscriptions, and provides access to thousands of online journals via searchable databases.
Each campus gives students full access to the library catalog and subscription-based periodical indexes available through the OCLS home web page, http://www.indwes.edu/ocls. Students near the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, Louisville, Marion, and Merrillville campuses can get personalized assistance from OCLS librarians. Any distance student (online or onsite) can contact OCLS via e-mail, Web page form, chat, or 800 telephone for help with research, document delivery, APA, and general explanation of services provided.
The library is part of a consortium, Academic Libraries of Indiana, which includes access to most library collections of Indiana higher education institutions. Students attending classes in Kentucky or Ohio may contact their regional OCLS librarian for information about other resources available in their area.
Low Enrollment in Onsite Cohorts
Should the total number of students enrolled in a cohort fall below six students for any reason, the University will seek alternative options for the remaining students to complete their degree. To ensure high academic quality, the possibility of combining cohorts or offering the option of completing the program online will be investigated.
In general, students will be given an opportunity to recruit students to join the cohort. If a cohort is nearing completion, this fact will be taken into consideration before any decision is made.
Services for Disabled Students
The process for serving a student with an impairment or disability enrolled in an adult and graduate program is as follows:
- Students who require special accommodation will be referred to the College’s appointed coordinator of special needs requests. The student will be required to supply a physician’s or other specialist’s verification of his or her special need and a recommendation concerning the nature of special assistance required.
- Once this documentation is in hand, the Office of Student Services will consult with the university’s designated disability officer (DDO) to ensure that the documentation is complete and in order. The disability officer will determine whether the university can reasonably accommodate the student’s need. The Office of Student Services, in coordination with the DDO, will then recommend a plan of accommodation to the student.
- The Office of Student Services will ensure that all relevant faculty, site, and student services departments are notified of the plan of accommodation, and that the plan is successfully implemented.
Students who believe that they have experienced discrimination on the basis of a disability can seek resolution by following the steps as outlined in the Student Grievance and Appeal Policy (Non-academic).
Student Address/Email Information
Students should notify the Office of Student Services of any change of address, telephone number, or name so that proper records can be maintained. Name change requests require submission of appropriate documentation.
IWU Student Email Accounts - Upon acceptance, students are given an IWU student e-mail account. This is the only account used by IWU for communication with the student. It is extremely important that the student checks this account on a regular basis as important academic and financial information as well as university announcements will be shared in this way.
