February 10, 2012
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Faculty Handbook

• Introduction
• University Organization
• University Governance
• University Policy and Procedures
• University Services
• Table of Forms
•  
• PDF Version

Faculty Handbook

Division of Student Affairs

Vice President for Student Affairs
The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for the entire area encompassing Student Affairs.  Student Affairs is responsible for the fiscal and budgetary processes in this Division, as well as the recruitment, selection, and evaluation of support staff for the following student services areas: AccessAbility Services, Intercollegiate Athletics, Campus Ministry, Campus Police, Career Development Center, Counseling Center, Health Service, Housing and Residence Life, Pre-Collegiate & Access Programs, Recreation, Intramurals & Club Sports, Student Life/Student Activities Office, Midtown Student Center, Westside Campus Center, Substance Abuse Prevention Program and University Judicial Affairs.

Campus & Student Centers
This office administers the programs and facilities of the Westside Campus Center and the Midtown Student Center.  Both facilities include dining areas, conference rooms, lounges, computer facilities and recreational facilities.  The Campus Center features The Daily Grind, a late-night dining and entertainment venue featuring Seattle's Best Coffee, Tazo tea and snacks.  The Student Center houses some student organizations.  Both facilities offer wireless connections.  The office also oversees the operation of university auxiliary services including food service, bookstore, vending and shuttle services as well as manages the university-wide box office system providing ticketing needs for all university events.

To schedule an event in either facility, please email the details to campuscenter@wcsu.edu.

Dean of Student Affairs
The Dean of Student Affairs reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and is responsible for developing, supervising, evaluating and coordinating the following activities:  AccessAbility Services, Campus Ministry, Career Development, Counseling, Assistant Dean of Students, Health Service, Housing and Residence Life, Judicial Affairs, Student Life/Student Activities, and Student Orientation.

AccessAbility Services
The Office of AccessAbility Services directs and coordinates all necessary services for students with disabilities that impact on their educational experience.  The office provides advocacy, early registration, confidential counseling, empowerment counseling, complaint processing, accommodation planning, accommodation referrals, referrals to other university services, exam proctoring, accessibility, and other services that are of value and consequence to students with disabilities.

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs reports to the Dean of Student Affairs and is responsible for working with all Greek organizations, commuter students, commuter students e-newsletter and the commuter student organization (CSO), multicultural student programming, serves as the appeals officer for judicial affairs, co-chairs the parent program, is one of three appointed veteran services liaisons and is involved in New Student Orientation.

Campus Ministries
Three religious denominations have ministries at WestConn (Catholic, Protestant and Jewish), and each welcomes students to come in and chat or join in services and outreach programs to the community.

Career Development Center
The Career Development Center (CDC) assists students with their career planning and job searches by providing a wide range of career related services including:

1. Career counseling on an appointment basis.  "Drop-in" hours are also held for quick questions around career or job search issues.  An-online career assessment tool (SIGI3) is also available for students.
2. Cooperative Education Internship Program for undergraduate juniors, seniors, and upper-level sophomores seeking practical work experience related to their career interest or major. Co-op positions are developed in area businesses, corporations, government and nonprofit agencies. Co-ops carry elective credit, and in many cases also provide a salary.
3. An on-line job referral system that includes both full and part-time employment opportunities for students and alumni. An On-Campus Recruiting Program is also available to seniors who are seeking full-time employment upon graduation. An Annual Career Fair is held each spring for full-time professional positions as well as part-time, summer and co-op internship opportunities.
4. A career library is available to students, staff, and alumni with materials on career opportunities, graduate school and company information.
5. Career development workshops and seminars are offered on a regular basis to inform students, staff, and alumni of the career opportunities available and techniques to conduct a successful job search.  CDC staff members frequently visit classes on request to present information or workshops on the above topics.  contact:  203-837-8263 or www.wcsu.edu/CDC for additional information.

Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides a safe, confidential and supportive environment to discuss life concerns, challenges and opportunities at no charge to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a matriculated program at WestConn.  The Counseling Center has a consulting psychiatrist to assist students with any medication needs, also at no charge.  A student must attend therapy sessions with a Counseling Center therapist for appointments with the psychiatrist.  Services are limited in the summer.  The Counseling Center is also a proud member of the CARP team (the Campus Alliance for Response and Prevention of Interpersonal Violence) and is trained as first responders to incidents of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and dating/domestic violence.  The Counseling Center provides presentations, workshops and consultations to administration, faculty, staff and parents.

A brief word about confidentiality:  All therapists at the Counseling Center are legally and ethically bound to maintain confidentiality except in those instances of imminent risk to self or others or knowledge of ongoing abuse or neglect of children, elderly or disabled adults.

Health Service
The University Health Service Office provides quality health care services, including primary and preventive care, and promotes health awareness for WestConn’s students and academic community through educational programs and counseling.

Housing and Residence Life
The department of Housing and Residence Life believes that our residence halls are crossroads where we promote academic excellence, build communities, and support student development.  Students are encouraged to actively participate in creating vibrant communities through programming and personal involvement.  The CULTURE^TM program (Creating Undergraduate Learning Through Unique Residential Experiences) is the structure we use to accomplish this.  Included in CULTURE^TM are a variety of services and programs designed to assist students in achieving their own academic goals.  Each building has one or more Academic Resource Mentors (ARMs) who act as resources to campus and community services which can assist residents.  PASS tutors (Peer Academic Support Services) are volunteers who offer assistance to fellow residents in areas where they personally excel.

The six residence halls provide a variety of living options, as well as enable students to gain valuable leadership and work experience as hall council members, information desk workers, administrative assistants, resident assistants (RAs), and academic resource mentors.  The Midtown campus has three buildings (Fairfield, Litchfield and Newbury Halls) which house first year students in traditional-style halls.  On Westside, freshmen and other upper class students may choose to live in Centennial Hall, a suite style building.  Upper class students may opt for residency in one of the two apartment style halls, Grasso Hall or Pinney Hall.

Office of Judicial Affairs
This office administers the university’s student discipline process, serving as liaison to all university departments regarding matters pertaining to student conduct.  All WestConn students are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and Statement of Judicial Procedures.  Formal complaints, as well as any inquires concerning the student discipline system and student discipline records, should be directed to this office.

Student Life/Student Activities Office
The Student Life/Student Activities Office is the main point of contact for students wanting to form a new club or organization and those currently involved with one.  This is where clubs register and receive information and support.  The office also provides assistance with leadership development, university policies and event planning.  The Student Life/Student Activities Office also coordinates programs, events and activities on campus organized by and for students. 

Intercollegiate Athletics
WestConn offers a variety of opportunities for the student athlete to excel at the regional and national levels of competition.  Different sporting events are scheduled throughout the academic calendar year to provide participation by interested parties.  Opportunities are provided for male and female teams. The men and women both belong to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.  The football program is a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference.  The 13 other intercollegiate athletic programs are members of the Little East Conference.  In addition, the men and women’s programs hold membership in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).  The University belongs to conferences and associations appropriate to the specific athletic activity.

Pre-Collegiate & Access Programs
The Pre-Collegiate Programs insure that middle and high school students have the opportunity to develop the academic potential required for college admission.  The Educational Achievement & Access Program provides under-prepared students, applying to the university, with the opportunity and support they need to obtain a college education, which includes a challenging introductory five-week summer program that assists students in developing their academic skills.

Recreation, Intramurals, and Club Sports
Life’s about balance-get out and get active!  The Recreation Department here at WestConn is located in the Center for Student Development and is dedicated to providing the campus community with a multitude of various recreational activities to encourage physical fitness and promote a positive well-being.  The Intramural and Club Sports programs provide opportunities for individuals who share a common interest in a recreational sport, to improve their skill level and overall knowledge of the sport or activity.  Our university is unique in that the WestConn community can utilize athletic facilities on two different campuses. 

Substance Abuse Prevention Program (CHOICES)
The Substance Abuse Prevention Program (CHOICES) provides services to students including:  1) confidential screening and assessments for students currently abusing substances; 2) confidential help and information on the symptoms, resources and treatment available on campus or within the community; 3) peer support groups; 4) educational programs that positively affect attitudes and behaviors regarding alcohol and other drug use on campus and throughout life.  The office also houses a video and lending library for students and referrals to campus and community 12-step recovery meetings.

University Police

The Director of University Police reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and is responsible for directing a campus wide program of police and public safety protection to provide for the safety and quality of campus life for students, faculty, staff and visitors to the University.