Navigating WCSU: A Quick Overview for Part-Time Faculty
Obtaining a faculty ID and parking permit
These are issued by the Public Safety Office (203-837-9311), in the lower level of Old Main. You will need to bring proof of employment, from Human Resources or your department chair. The faculty ID is called the WESTCONNECT Card and is unfortunately spelled using all capital letters.
Bookstore
The bookstore (203-837-8464) is located in the student center on the midtown campus, and on the westside campus in the classroom building (203) 837-8465. Faculty with a faculty ID are entitled to a 10% discount.
Computer Access
- To obtain an e-mail account, contact the university computing help desk at (203) 837-8467. WestConn Email is the e-mail program used by faculty and staff.
- Part-time faculty may use the Midtown Computing Center on the main floor of the Haas Library on the midtown campus (203) 837-9232, and the Westside Computing Center in Ancell room 117 on the westside (203) 837-8391. Hours are posted on the doors, but generally run from 8:30a.m. to past 9:30p.m. during the semester.
Adjunct Faculty Handbook
This comprehensive resource is produced by Academic Affairs, and it is usually distributed through departments in the fall semester. Some of the information on this page comes from this booklet. If you did not receive a copy, contact the Academic Affairs office (203-837-8400) and request one.
Food and Drink
- Faculty Dining Room (a.k.a. The Danbury Room) is located on the first floor of the Student Center on the midtown campus, and is open from 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
- The Food Court is located on the lower level of the Student Center, offering sandwiches, pizza, grilled items.
- The Westside campus Convenience Store is located on the first level of the Westside Classroom Building.
Questions about prices and hours of dining services should be directed to Wood Dining Services (203) 837-8764.
Libraries
A faculty ID is needed to borrow library materials.
Photocopying
Vendacards are available to adjunct faculty in the amount of 1,000 copies per course. Vendacards can be picked up in the Cashier's Office in Old Main (837-8371) during business hours, or at the Continuing Education Office (837-8230) during evening hours. Forms to request additional allotments are available through department secretaries. Vendacards can be renewed every semester at the Cashier's Office, or the University Media Center on the Westside campus.
Location of copy machines available for faculty use:
Midtown campus:
White Hall 013
Berkshire Hall 122g
Higgins Hall 018a
Haas Library -- see circulation desk for locations
Westside campus:
Westside building 246
Young Library -- see circulation desk for location
Recreation
- Bill Williams Gym and weight (includes cardio) room in Berkshire Hall
- O'Neill Athletic Center (203) 837-8609
- Westside Nature Preserve
Referring students for help
The Learning Centers are three independent labs based in the School of Arts and Sciences that provide academic services to students. Professional staff offer students help in three areas: study skills, writing, and math/computer science.
The Counseling Center (Student Center, Room 222, 203-837-8690) offers students confidential counseling on a short-term basis, for personal, career related, relationship focused, and academic concerns. If you are uncertain about how to make such a referral, a staff member will be glad to discuss it with you. You may also consult with the counselors about students who display psychological problems through their classroom behavior or through their academic work.
Chronicle of Higher Education columnist Jill Carroll, who writes a column for adjuncts, wrote one of her columns about dealing with nasty students.
AAUP Membership
Your participation in AAUP is important not only to you but to the entire university community. Membership in CSU-AAUP links you to a larger national organization that has as one of its goals the enhancement of part-time faculty. Your signature on the membership form is an important show of support that also entitles you to AAUP membership benefits. Your dues are deducted automatically but your active membership requires your signature.
Need Further Help?
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