Please note that you are currently viewing a previous academic year's Undergraduate Catalog. As such, the information on this page is not accurate for the current term. View the current (2024-2025) Undergraduate Catalog by clicking here.

Academic Services

Academic Advising

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. Every student is assigned an academic advisor based on the student’s major or admission program. Once a student is admitted, information about the advisor can be found on the online student record system (STARS).

Advising and Academic Support Center

Memorial Hall Lower Level; (309) 298-1846 or -1871

The University Advising and Academic Support Center (UAASC) houses the First Year Advising Program and is responsible for the academic advisement of WIU’s new freshmen in all majors, including students admitted through the Reach Program. We also offer advising services to area high school students taking college classes while still in high school and guest students. During the school year, the UAASC helps students resolve academic problems by offering free tutoring and success workshops through our Rocky’s Resources Program. Students wanting individualized assistance can get it through our Academic Success Coaching Program.

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

Sherman Hall 110; (309) 298-3101

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.

Global Education and Outreach

Horrabin Hall 6; (309) 298-1929

The School of Global Education and Outreach (wiu.edu/global) includes non-credit programs, and distance learning. The School provides educational and public service opportunities through a variety of delivery technologies. Courses are offered in more than two dozen disciplines each term. Extension coursework is delivered on-site or through distance learning technology to locations throughout Illinois. WIU also provides online courses which allow individuals to study wherever they may be located.

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program offers a creative alternative for students interested in emerging fields, such as renewable energy and biofuels technology; renewable energy and wind technology; and renewable energy policy, planning, and management; and more generally for students whose academic needs and interests do not conform to the traditional academic major. The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program offers an individually designed curriculum option and is tailored to the personal academic and professional objective of each student.

A wide variety of programs in the form of conferences, workshops, short-term international programs, sponsored credit, and residential programs are coordinated through the Office of Study Abroad and Outreach. Staff develop programs independently as well as in cooperation with University departments.

Another component of the School is the Center for International Studies. This office is involved in coordination with government agencies for visas and immigration problems; provides an orientation program for new international students; coordinates special programs such as International Neighbors and Conversation Partners; University representation for international and intercultural matters; and publicity related to all University international activities. The Western English as a Second Language (WESL) Institute provides an intensive program in academic English for international students who are preparing to enter an American college or university. The Office of Study Abroad and Outreach sponsors a variety of educational programs in more than 60 countries worldwide. Students may participate in Study Abroad throughout the year.

Graduate Studies

Sherman Hall 116; (309) 298-1806

The School of Graduate Studies (wiu.edu/grad) 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

The Office of the Registrar (wiu.edu/registrar) determines the residency status of students, administers the registration of students, verifies degree completion, maintains student academic records, and reviews applications for undergraduate readmission. 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

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 90 other libraries. 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

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 and in residence halls.

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 e-mail account, space to create a personal home page, and file storage. Google Apps for Education and Office 365 accounts are free to all students. Discounted software is also available for purchase. Details regarding discounted and free software available to students can be found on the WIU website. WIU Mobile is a free mobile app available for download on Apple and Android devices. The app offers the ability to view important campus resources such as a campus map, dining menus, campus directory, news, Western Online, computer lab hours, and current events from the convenience of a mobile device.

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.

Western Illinois University—Quad Cities

3300 River Drive, Moline, IL; (309) 762-9481

Located in a community with a population over 380,000, WIU—Quad Cities is the public University in the Quad Cities area. WIU—Quad Cities is a metropolitan, commuter campus that 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

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 students, graduate students, and faculty 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.