WCSU Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

GENERAL INFORMATION

University History

Western Connecticut State University, founded in 1903, is located in Danbury, a major city in Fairfield County in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, 65 miles north of Manhattan and 50 miles west of Hartford. Western’s rural 364-acre Westside campus complements its 34-acre, 16-building Midtown campus in the heart of downtown Danbury. Constant planning, evaluation, and improvement of programs and curricula sharpen Western’s “edge of excellence” and keep it responsive to the progressive community it serves. The university works with and is supported by a forward-looking, innovative nonprofit, cultural, service, and business community and collaborates with several local, state, and regional community agencies and educational institutions.

Mission Statement

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. To achieve this, we 

1. Offer undergraduate and graduate programs that weave together liberal arts and professional education and instill a desire for life-long learning.

2. Sustain a vibrant, inclusive campus that connects individuals through co-curricular programs, cultural events, and service to the community.

3. Attract student-centered faculty who are passionate teachers and accomplished scholars.

4. Establish partnerships that create opportunities for internships, research, and experiential learning.

Values

Excellence. We value outstanding achievement realized through persistence, effort, honest feedback, and self-reflection.

Curiosity. We value the questions that drive learning, innovation, and creativity, which serve as the beginning and the desired outcome of education.

Dialogue. We value the conversations that explore diverse perspectives and encourage shared understanding.

Engagement. We value the interactions with ideas, peers, and community that are essential to a vibrant university environment.

Opportunity. We value the possibilities created by affordable, accessible educational environments in which students can grow into independent thinkers and confident leaders.

Respect. We value the right of all people to be treated with dignity and fairness and expect this in our policies, classroom, and community.

Vision. Western Connecticut State University will be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.

This Mission was approved by the University Senate (March 11, 2015) and the University President (March 24, 2015).

The University Values were approved by the University Senate (May 6, 2015) and the University President (May 7, 2015).

The University Vision was approved by the University Senate (January 18, 2017) and the University President (January 19, 2017).

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Graduate Studies

Mission, Role, and Scope of Graduate Programs                                                           

The graduate programs at Western offer advanced study under the direction of dedicated educators. Students in the graduate programs benefit from a faculty whose commitment to teaching, to research, and to other professional activities has resulted in national recognition in widely varying fields. Guidance from this faculty helps to strengthen the academic and professional ability of students by increasing their knowledge of a subject, improving their capacity for independent study, familiarizing them with research in their fields, and training them to conduct meaningful research of their own.

The mission of the graduate programs is not confined within the perimeters of the university. The programs also make a significant contribution to the community at large. As a result of their intense, concentrated study at Western, students are well prepared to enter society, not only as trained professionals and specialists, but also, in a wider context, as thoughtful, sensitive human beings with personal integrity and an appreciation of intellectual and political freedom. 

Much of this understanding is developed in professional in-service and preservice programs through cooperative efforts with regional businesses, industry, government, social service, and educational agencies. Western’s faculty and programs are dedicated to forging and maintaining such ties through the ongoing assessment of regional needs and continual interaction with community, business, professional, and academic organizations-an interaction that also helps to refine the graduate curriculum. 

Graduate Council

The Graduate Council is responsible for recommending overall graduate policy, approving programs, and maintaining high standards. Program proposals developed by academic departments, working with their school deans, must be approved by the Graduate Council before implementation. Its membership includes the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, school deans, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, the director of the Office of Graduate Studies, all graduate program coordinators, and two graduate student representatives.

Graduate Program Coordinators

Each graduate program has a qualified faculty member who serves as graduate coordinator. The coordinators are members of the Graduate Council and leaders in program development. A strength of graduate study at Western is that students enrolled in graduate programs are advised directly by the appropriate program coordinator as they plan their progress toward their degree.

Graduate Faculty

All faculty members who participate in graduate programs must have earned terminal degrees appropriate to their disciplines and to the graduate courses they teach or have significant and highly recognized accomplishments in the field relevant to the graduate courses they teach. Faculty members who participate in graduate programs at WCSU are active scholars who present and publish regularly in their relevant field of study, some having received national and international distinction.

Graduate Catalog Addendum

Western Connecticut State University produces its academic catalogs at the beginning of each academic year. Normally, curriculum changes approved in one academic year are implemented during the next academic year. Changes that require immediate implementation will appear as an addendum in the electronic version of the catalog until the next catalog is published.

Alumni Association

The Alumni Association of Western Connecticut State University, founded in 1919, promotes the general welfare of the university. The board of directors is composed of 21 directors (including 5 officers) and 5 Life members who meet regularly to discuss and plan programs, events, and volunteer opportunities for alumni.  

Alumni members receive a lifetime membership card which provides borrowing privileges at both the Ruth A. Haas and Robert Young libraries, use of computers in the Haas Library, and special membership benefits through the WCSU Save Program, which provides alumni with discounts at many businesses, both local and nationwide. All alumni receive the Cupola magazine, alumni e-newsletter, insurance and special affinity program discount offers, special access to career services, and invitations to special alumni programs and events.  

Scholarships are awarded each year by the Alumni Association to deserving Western students who meet academic requirements and show evidence of extracurricular involvement at the university and in the community.  

The Alumni Association keeps alumni connected to their alma mater through social networking activities, hosted on- and off-campus. Whether a graduate of Danbury Normal School, Danbury State Teacher’s College, Danbury State College, Western Connecticut State College, or Western Connecticut State University, alumni are part of campus history and the future of the university.

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Statements, Policies, and Reports

Rights Reserved Statement

Students attending Western Connecticut State University are required to familiarize themselves with the catalog. Primary responsibility for knowing and fulfilling all requirements rests on the individual student. The catalog in effect at the time of admission or readmission to a degree program governs degree requirements.  Western Connecticut State University administration reserves the right, whenever advisable, to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees and to withdraw, cancel, reschedule, or modify any course, program of study, or degree, or any requirement in connection with any of the foregoing.

This graduate catalog is provided to students and applicants for their general information and guidance only. It does not constitute a contract, either express or implied, and is subject to revision at the university’s discretion.

Educational Records and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Western Connecticut State University accords all the rights under the law to students. No one outside the university shall have access to, nor will the university disclose any information from, a student’s educational records without his/her written consent except to personnel within the university, to officials of other institutions in which the student seeks to enroll, to persons or organizations providing students financial aid, to accreditation groups, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons, or to parents of a student who is officially documented as their dependent for income tax purposes.

All these exceptions are permitted under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The university will maintain a record of all requests for and disclosure of information from a student’s educational records. The record will indicate the name of the party making the request, any additional party to whom it may be redisclosed, and the legitimate interest the party had in requesting or obtaining the information. The record may be reviewed by the eligible student.

Within the Western Connecticut State University community, only those university officials acting in the student’s educational interest are allowed access to education records.

A university official is any person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support-staff position; any person appointed to the Board of Regents for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities or any person employed by or under contract to the university or the State of Connecticut to perform a special task, such as an attorney or auditor.

A university official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is: performing a task that is specified in his/her position description or by contract agreement; performing a task related to a student’s education; performing a task relating to the discipline of a student; or providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student’s family, such as health care, counseling, job placement or financial aid.

The university may disclose directory information without a student’s prior written consent.  The university designates the following as directory information: student’s name; certain university-assigned identifiers (Western ID number); address;  telephone number;  photo ID; date of birth; major field of study; degree sought; student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.); dates of attendance; full-time or part-time enrollment status; expected date of completion; the previous educational agency or institution attended; degrees and awards received; class rosters; and participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, and other similar information including performance statistics, photographic likenesses and video of athletic team members. Students may withhold directory information by notifying the Office of the Dean of Students in writing. Such a request would be honored until such time students requested in writing that their directory information again be made public.

The law provides students the right to inspect and review information contained in their education records, to challenge the contents of their education records and to have a hearing on the matter. The Vice President for Student Affairs or designee at Western Connecticut State University has been designated to coordinate the inspection and review procedures for student educational records, which include admissions, personal, academic, financial, disciplinary, cooperative education and placement records.

Students wishing to review their educational records must make requests to the Registrar, listing the item of interest. Only records covered by the act will be made available within 45 days of the request. Students may have copies made of their records with certain exceptions (e.g., a copy of an academic record for which a financial “hold” exists, or a transcript of an original or source document which exists elsewhere).

Educational records do not include records of instructional, administrative and educational personnel, which are the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any individual except a temporary substitute; records of a law enforcement unit; student health records; employment records; or alumni records. Health records, however, may be reviewed by the physician of the student’s choosing.

Students may not inspect or review the following as outlined by the act: financial information submitted by their parents: confidential letters and recommendations associated with admissions, employment or job placement, or honors to which they have waived their rights of inspection and review; or education records containing information about more than one student. In this last case, the university will permit access only to that part of the record which pertains to the inquiring student.

The university is not required to permit students to inspect or review confidential letters and recommendations placed in their files prior to January 1, 1975, provided these letters were collected under established policies of confidentiality and were used only for the purpose for which they were collected.

Students who believe that their educational records contain information that is inaccurate or misleading or is otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights may discuss their problems informally with the Office of Student Affairs.

In the event a student’s request either to have access to a record or to amend information in a file has been denied, the student may ask for a formal hearing. The student must submit a written request for the hearing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The hearing panel will consist of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and the academic dean of his/her school. Decisions of the hearing panel are final.

Any alteration to the student’s record will be in accordance with the decision of the hearing panel and will become a permanent part of that record. The student has a right to add a statement to a challenged record if the panel’s decision is not to amend the record in accordance with the student’s request.

Students who believe that the adjudications of their challenges were unfair or not in keeping with the provisions of the act may request, in writing, assistance from the Vice President for Student Affairs to aid them in filing complaints with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202.

Affirmative Action Policy Statement

 Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) is grounded on a sound Affirmative Action foundation.  To that end, as President of WCSU, I am fully committed to the University’s philosophy of the intellectual and moral leadership responsibility to carry out this well-established philosophy, as well as the responsibility of the University leadership to advance social justice and equity by exercising Affirmative Action to remove all discriminatory barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility.  Accordingly, the University, through its Plan of Affirmative Action will, with conviction and effort, continue to undertake positive action to overcome the present effects of past practices, policies or barriers to equal employment opportunity, and to achieve the full and fair participation of African Americans/Blacks, Hispanic/Latinos, Whites, Asians/Pacific Islanders, American Indians/Alaskan Aleuts and/or those who self-identify in two or more races, found to be underutilized in the workforce.  The University through its Plan of Affirmative Action, with conviction and effort, will also continue to undertake positive action for the full and fair participation of the above groups and any other protected group found to be adversely impacted by University policies or practices.

WCSU’s Affirmative Action Plan incorporates and lists federal and state constitutional provisions, law regulations, guidelines and executive orders prohibiting or outlawing discrimination, identifying classes of persons protected based on race, color, religious creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, mental disability, genetic information, intellectual disability, physical disability, learning disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, and criminal record, except for bona fide occupational qualifications.

The University outlines its employment process as one of recruitment, selection, assignment, compensation, promotion and upgrading, training, educational assistance, transfers, terminations, layoffs and recall, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.  Affirmative Action is an integral consideration throughout the entire employment process.  Both the Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer are responsible for ensuring that affirmative action remains in the forefront of each step of the employment process.  An affirmative action discussion occurs throughout the employment process continuum.  All facets of the employment process are linked to affirmative action.

For more information on the Affirmative Action Policy Statement, please visit, www.wcsu.edu/diversity to review the entire policy statement and its full contents.

ADA Policy Statement

Western Connecticut State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the administration of, or access to, its programs, services or activities. Under this policy, a person with a disability is defined as “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment.”  Should you wish to notify either my office or the above-referenced offices of barriers that may exist in equal access to any program, service, or activity offered by Western Connecticut State University or to obtain information regarding the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and your rights, you are highly encouraged to contact the ADA Compliance Coordinator listed. If you feel that you need a reasonable accommodation as a result of your disability to allow you to perform the essential functions of your position, please review the below procedures and forms for requesting a reasonable accommodation (“RA”).

For more information on the ADA Policy Statement, please visit, www.wcsu.edu/diversity to review the entire policy statement and its full contents.

AccessAbility Services

The mission of the Office of AccessAbility Services is to ensure educational equity for students with documented disabilities by providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations and services. The primary goal of AccessAbility Services is to ensure equal access to programs and activities at Western Connecticut State University. AccessAbility Services calls upon the entire community to facilitate and advocate for the best university environment possible for individuals with disabilities. The AccessAbility Services staff work collaboratively with the university community to accomplish this mission.

Qualified students with documented disabilities who need disability services or reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact AccessAbility Services immediately. The university respects a student’s right to disclose or not to disclose a disability; however, the university is not responsible for providing services or accommodations for students who do not disclose a disability to AccessAbility Services. Students must complete an online Accommodation Intake Form and provide appropriate documentation to receive services. Communication of a disability to other sources does not serve as a substitute for official notification to AccessAbility Services.

For additional information, contact Elisabeth Werling Morel, AccessAbility Services Director.  AccessAbility Services is in White Hall Room 005 and can be reached at (203) 837-8225 (voice), (203) 837-3235 (TTY) or by email at aas@wcsu.edu. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of AccessAbility Services with questions or concerns. Additional information about AccessAbility Services is available at www.wcsu.edu/accessability.

Discrimination in programs and services due to a disability is prohibited at Western Connecticut State University and is a violation of state and federal law. To file a complaint of discrimination because of a disability, contact Fred Cratty, ADA Coordinator, University Hall 115, at (203) 837-8665 or crattyf@wcsu.eduPlease note that the discrimination complaint procedure does not replace and is not a substitute for other established university procedures such as judicial, grade appeal, housing, public safety or other such policies and procedures. Students with disabilities are held to the same standards and must follow established policies and procedures as other students at Western Connecticut State University.

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer, fully committed to the goal of providing equal opportunity and full participation in its educational programs, activities and employment without discrimination because of race, color, religious beliefs or association, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, physical disability, including but not limited to blindness, learning disability or mental retardation, past or present history of mental disorder, or prior conviction of a crime, in accordance with state and federal laws. To that end, this statement of policy has been put forth to ensure that no qualified person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the university.

To file a complaint of discrimination, or for inquiries concerning the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement, related laws and regulations for Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, please contact Mr. Fred Cratty, Chief Human Resources Officer, University Hall, Room 102, (203) 837-8665.

For more information on the Non-Discrimination Policy Statement, please visit, www.wcsu.edu/diversity to review the entire policy and its full contents.

Protection from Adverse Action

All individuals shall be free from all restraint, interference, coercion or reprisal on the part of their associates, supervisors and all others in making any complaint or appeal, in serving as a representative for a complaint, in appearing as a witness, or in seeking information. The above principles apply with equal force after a complaint has been resolved. Should these principles be violated, the facts shall be brought to the attention of the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer by the aggrieved party, his/her representative or any person affected. The Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer shall bring all such situations to the attention of the President for confidential discussion, review, the potential for early proactive intervention and appropriate action.

Individuals are advised of their legal options to file complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, and any other agencies, state, federal or local, that enforce laws concerning discrimination.

BOR/CSCU Sexual Misconduct Reporting, Support Services and Processes Policy

Statement of Policy

Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) will not tolerate sexual misconduct against students, staff, faculty, or visitors, whether it comes in the form of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation or sexual harassment, as defined in the BOR/CSCU policy. In an ongoing effort to prevent sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence on the CCSU campus, the University provides education and prevention programs for the CCSU community and pursues all criminal and administrative remedies for complaints of sexual misconduct.

WCSU is a community dependent upon trust and respect for its constituent members: students, faculty, staff and those visiting or under temporary contract. As noted in University’s Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy, members of the University community have the right to a safe and welcoming campus environment. Acts of sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence threaten personal safety and violate the standards of conduct expected of community members.

The Board of Regents for Higher Education (“BOR”) in conjunction with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (“CSCU”) is committed to insuring that each member of every BOR governed college and university community has the opportunity to participate fully in the process of education and development. The BOR and CSCU strive to maintain a safe and welcoming environment free from acts of sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence. It is the intent of the BOR and each of its colleges or universities to provide safety, privacy and support to victims of sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence.

The BOR strongly encourages victims to report any instance of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking and intimate partner violence, as an effective means of taking action by reporting such acts to the appropriate officials and pursuing criminal or disciplinary remedies, or both. The only way that action can be taken against anyone who violates another in such a manner is through reporting. Each and every BOR governed college and university shall provide those who report sexual misconduct with many supportive options, including referral to agencies that provide medical attention, counseling, legal services, advocacy, referrals and general information regarding sexual misconduct. Each and every BOR governed college and university will preserve the confidentiality of those who report sexual misconduct to the fullest extent possible and allowed by law. All BOR and CSCU employees, victim support persons and community victim advocates being consulted will make any limits of confidentiality clear before any disclosure of facts takes place. Other than confidential resources as defined above, in addition to employees who qualify as Campus Security Authorities under the Jeanne Clery Act, all BOR and CSCU employees are required to immediately communicate to the institution’s designated recipient any disclosure or report of sexual misconduct regardless of the age of the reported victim.

Sexual intimacy is permissible only if it is agreed to by all participants and all activity is affirmatively consensual at all times. Sexual misconduct, as defined herein, is a violation of BOR/CSCU policies and, in addition, may subject an accused student or employee to criminal penalties. The BOR and each of its governed colleges and universities are committed to providing an environment free of personal offenses. Sexual relationships of any kind between staff, faculty and students are discouraged pursuant to BOR/CSCU policy.

Definitions:

Consent is defined as an affirmed and given freely, willingly, and knowingly of each participant to desired physical/sexual involvement. Consent is a mutually affirmative, conscious decision – indicated clearly by words or actions – to engage in mutually accepted sexual contact. Consent may be revoked at any time during the sexual activity by any person engaged in the activity.

Affirmative consent is defined as a known, not assumed permission, to engage someone with no physical resistance or other negative response. A person who initially consents to sexual activity shall be deemed not to have affirmatively consented to any such activity which occurs after that consent is withdrawn. It is the responsibility of each person to assure that he or she has the affirmative consent of all persons engaged in the sexual activity to engage in the sexual activity and that affirmative consent is sustained throughout the sexual activity. It shall not be a valid excuse to an alleged lack of affirmative consent that the student or employee responding to the alleged violation believed that the student reporting or disclosing the alleged violation consented to the activity (i) because the responding student or employee was intoxicated or reckless or failed to take reasonable steps to ascertain whether the student or employee reporting or disclosing the alleged violation affirmatively consented, or (ii) if the responding student or employee knew or should have known that the student or employee reporting or disclosing the alleged violation was unable to consent because the student or employee was unconscious, asleep, unable to communicate due to a mental or physical condition, or incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. The existence of a past or current dating or sexual relationship between the persons involved in the alleged violation shall not be determinative of a finding of affirmative consent.

Report of sexual misconduct is defined as the receipt of a communication of an incident of sexual misconduct accompanied by a request for an investigation or adjudication by the institution.

Disclosure is defined as the receipt of any communication of an incident of sexual misconduct that is not accompanied by a request for an investigation or adjudication by the institution.

Sexual misconduct is defined as engaging in any of the following behaviors:

a)      Sexual harassment of employees and students at Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance or request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment; submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for academic or employment decisions affecting the student or employee; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an employee’s or student’s work performance or educational experience, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment. In an academic setting sexual harassment would also include any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual might affect academic or personal decisions that are subject to the influence of the person making the proposal.

Sexual harassment is discrimination on the basis of sex and a violation of the Connecticut General Statues, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Additionally, unwanted physical contact with another person is a violation of the Connecticut General Statues and may result in criminal prosecution.

Examples of conduct which may constitute sexual harassment include but are not limited to:

  • Sexual flirtation, touching, advances or propositions
  • Verbal abuse of a sexual nature
  • Pressure to engage in sexual activity
  • Graphic or suggestive comments about an individual’s dress or appearance
  • Use of sexually degrading words to describe an individual
  • Display of sexually suggestive objects, pictures or photographs
  • Sexual jokes
  • Stereotypic comments based upon gender
  • Threats, demands or suggestions that retention of one’s educational status is contingent upon toleration of or acquiescence in sexual advances.

Retaliation is defined as prohibited and occurs when a person is subjected to an adverse employment or educational action because he or she made a complaint under this policy or assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation.

b)      Sexual assault is defined as a violent act that shall include but is not limited to a sexual act directed against another person without the consent (as defined herein) of the other person or when that person is not capable of giving such consent. Sexual assault is further defined in sections 53a‐70, 53a‐70a, 53a‐70b, 53a‐71, 53a‐72a, 53a‐72b and 53a‐73a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

c)      Sexual exploitation is defined as an incident(s) when a person takes non‐consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for anyone’s advantage or benefit other than the person being exploited, and that behavior does not otherwise constitute one of the preceding sexual misconduct offenses.

Examples of behavior that could rise to the level of sexual exploitation include:

  • Prostituting another person;
  • Non‐consensual visual (e.g., video, photograph) or audio‐recording of sexual activity;
  • Non‐consensual distribution of photos, other images, or information of an individual’s sexual activity, intimate body parts, or nakedness, with the intent to or having the effect of embarrassing an individual who is the subject of such images or information;
  • Going beyond the bounds of consent (for example, an individual who allows friends to hide in the closet to watch him or her having consensual sex);
  • Engaging in non‐consensual voyeurism;
  • Knowingly transmitting an STI, such as HIV to another without disclosing your STI status;
  • Exposing one’s genitals in non‐consensual circumstances, or inducing another to expose his or her genitals; or
  • Possessing, distributing, viewing or forcing others to view illegal pornography.

Sexual exploitation is further defined as a crime in Connecticut State Law.

d)     Intimate partner, domestic and/or dating violence is defined as a means of any physical or sexual harm against an individual by a current or former spouse of or person in a dating or cohabitating relationship with such individual that results from any action by such spouse or such person that may be classified as a sexual assault under section 53a‐70, 53a‐70a, 53a‐70b, 53a‐71, 53a‐72a, 53a‐72b or 53a‐73a of the general statutes, stalking under section 53a‐181c, 53a‐181d or 53a‐181e of the general statutes, or domestic or family violence as designated under section 46b‐38h of the general statutes. This includes any physical or sexual harm against an individual by a current or former spouse or by a partner in a dating relationship that results from (1) sexual assault (2) sexual assault in a spousal or cohabiting relationship; (3) domestic violence; (4) sexual harassment (5) sexual exploitation, as such terms are defined in this policy.

Offenses that are designated as “domestic violence” are against family or household members or persons in dating or cohabitating relationships and include assaults, sexual assaults, stalking, and violations of protective or restraining orders issued by a Court. Intimate partner violence may also include physical abuse, threat of abuse, and emotional abuse.

  • Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, slapping, pulling hair or punching.
  • Threat of abuse includes but is not limited to, threatening to hit, harm or use a weapon on another (whether victim or acquaintance, friend or family member of the victim) or other forms of verbal threat.
  • Emotional abuse includes but is not limited to, damage to one’s property, driving recklessly to scare someone, name calling, threatening to hurt one’s family members or pets and humiliating another person.
  • Cohabitation occurs when two individuals dwell together in the same place as if married.
  • The determination of whether a “dating relationship” existed is to be based upon the following factors: the reporting victim’s statement as to whether such a relationship existed, the length of the relationship, the type of the relationship and the frequency of the interaction between the persons reported to be involved in the relationship.

e)      Stalking is defined as repeatedly contacting another person when contacting person knows or should know that the contact is unwanted by the other person; and the contact causes the other person reasonable apprehension of imminent physical harm or the contacting person knows or should know that the contact causes substantial impairment of the other person’s ability to perform the activities of daily life. As used in this definition, the term “contacting” includes, but is not limited to, communicating with (including internet communication via e‐mail, instant message, on‐ line community or any other internet communication) or remaining in the physical presence of the other person.

Report Sexual Harassment/Misconduct

The Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer also serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator and is responsible for overseeing sexual violence/misconduct matters and investigating complaints. To request a copy of the mentioned policy, complaint procedures and forms, to discuss a sexual misconduct concern, or to file a sexual misconduct complaint, you may visit the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer on the Midtown Campus, in University Hall, Room 202B or contact the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer by telephone at (203) 837-8444 or (203) 837-2777 or by email at ode@wcsu.edu.

Protection from Adverse Actions

All individuals shall be free from restraint, interference, coercion, or reprisal on the part of their associates, supervisors, and all others in making any complaint or appeal, in serving as a representative for a complaint, or in appearing as a witness or in seeking information. The above principles apply with equal force after a complaint has been resolved. Should these principles be violated, the facts shall be brought to the attention of the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer by the aggrieved party, his/her representative, or any person affected. The Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer shall bring all such situations to the attention of the President for confidential discussion, review, the potential for early proactive intervention and appropriate action.

Individuals are advised of their legal options to file complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division and any other agencies, state, federal or local that enforce laws concerning discrimination.

Options for Reporting an Incident of Sexual Misconduct

The University’s Campus Response and Resource Team (CaRRT), is available to assist and support any student who has experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence on or off campus.  Students’ confidentiality will be strictly protected in accordance with the law. To find more information about CaRRT and its membership, please visit: http://www.wcsu.edu/diversity/carrt/.

1. Formal Reporting: Contacting the University’s Police Department

Reporting any of the above incidents to police does not commit you to further legal action. However, the earlier you report any such incident, the easier it will be for police to investigate the crime and to prosecute the case successfully if that is your choice.

Protective and/or Restraining Orders

  • A protective and/or restraining order may be requested by the courts related to any of the above incidents.
  • A court issued protective and/or restraining order prohibits someone from communicating with an alleged victim, from entering the victim’s residence, workplace, school, or property and any place the victim may frequent. 
  • When informed that a protective and/or restraining order has been issued, the University will take immediate steps to enforce the order as it relates to activities on the campus. It is important that students alert the University’s Police Department that such an order has been issued (providing a copy of the order is strongly encouraged). For more information about protective and/or restraining orders students may contact the University’s Police Department at (203)837-9300.

Criminal Complaint(s)
Students may make criminal complaints with the University’s Police Department and/or with the assistance of the University Title IX Coordinator and/or the (onsite) Women’s Center for Greater Danbury. All involved parties will inform the students of their rights and options.

Either (or both) the University Title IX Coordinator or the University’s Police Department will conduct a confidential investigation and will keep the student apprised about any decision to prosecute. The University Police Department may review the case with the State’s Attorney’s Office. The State’s Attorney will make the final decision to prosecute under state law.
If you wish, the University’s Police Department will contact the (onsite) Women’s Center for Greater Danbury and an advocate will meet you at the police station.

2. University Disciplinary Action:

Students may wish to contact the University’s Office of Judicial Affairs after a sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner/domestic violence to pursue university disciplinary action. A complete and detailed description of the judicial process may be found in the Student Code of Conduct at: http://www.wcsu.edu/stuaffairs/PDFDOCS/Student_Code_of_Conduct.pdf

Judicial/Disciplinary Option(s)

  • External: If you wish to have the identified assailant prosecuted, the local police department and district attorney’s office will handle the legal proceedings without expense to you. You do not need to hire an attorney. 
  • Internal: If the identified perpetrator is a member of the WCSU community, you also have the option to file a complaint through the university’s disciplinary system (see Student Handbook). In either instance, a university representative will be available to assist you through the process.
  • Available on-campus assistance and community resources are given, including a Bill of Rights, to all involved parties in this matter, including a reporting (third) party.

Students also have the additional option of filing, simultaneously, a criminal complaint by reporting the incident to the University Police and/or the local police department.

3. Anonymous Reporting

Any individual has the right to report matters on the online Anonymous Incident Report System which can be found on http://www.wcsu.edu/police/anonymous-incident-report/.

This online form is available to permit any individual to report acts or incidents of discrimination, harassment and/or sexual violence/misconduct on campus. All information is kept confidential and private by the University to the extent allowed by law. No information regarding the sender (name, email, IP address, etc.) will be collected when submitting information to the University Title IX Coordinator and University Police Department through this online program. There is an optional request for personal identifying information (e.g., name, contact information, address). The purpose of this form is to refer immediate issues for review, handling and resolution, to collect statistical data, as well as to determine possible patterns that may exist on campus. Even with anonymous reporting, the university may investigate an incident to determine if the community is in potential danger.
* Note: As a responsible employee, all University employees who have direct contact with students are required to complete an online Anonymous Incident Report when made aware of an incident related to any form of sexual violence/misconduct (i.e. sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner/domestic violence). Responsible employee will advise you of their obligation to report any matter brought to their attention and offer available/known resources on campus, such as the Counseling Center, Office(s) of Health Services, University Title IX Coordinator, University Police Department and the Women’s Center for Greater Danbury.

Assistance in Changing Living Arrangements, Class Schedules, or On-campus Work Schedules
As a reasonable accommodations measure, the university recognizes that students may want to change their on-campus living arrangements, class schedules, and on-campus work arrangements. Students requesting these changes should contact the Title IX Coordinator at (203) 837-8444 or (203) 837-8277, the Director of Housing (203-837-8736) and/or the Dean of Students (203 837-8547). The mentioned parties will work collectively to address your request and seek the best possible resolution to your living arrangements and campus safety.
Students should not hesitate to make these requests, which will be addressed in a timely manner.

Smoking Policy

Western Connecticut State University is a public university authorized under State of Connecticut statutes.  In accordance with current statutes applicable to buildings owned and/or operated by the State of Connecticut and residence halls in public institutions of higher education, smoking* is prohibited inside all buildings. In addition, the university has established the policy that smoking is prohibited within a fifteen (15) foot distance of all building entrances, exits and open windows in order to reduce the infiltration of second-hand smoke into occupied spaces.

*For the purpose of this policy, smoking shall include the recreational use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, snus, snuff, chew, clove cigarettes and the use of e-cigarettes.

[Note: the definition of “smoking” has been clarified.]

Approved on September 19, 2007 by the WCSU University Senate – Resolution R-07-09-04

Approved on October 26, 2007 by Dr. James Schmotter, WCSU University President

Revised Senate Resolutions – Approved on January 15, 2015 by the WCSU University Senate – Resolution R-15-01-01

Approved on February 17, 2015 by Dr. James Schmotter, WCSU, University President

Annual Security Report

Western Connecticut State University is committed to assisting all members of the WCSU community in providing for their own safety and security. The annual security compliance document, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, 2015, is available on the University Police Department’s website at wcsu.edu/police/pdf/Annual-Campus-Security-Report-2015.pdf.

If you would like a copy of this report, you can stop by the University Police Department on Roberts Avenue, Midtown campus, Danbury, CT, at any time, day or night, or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling (203) 837-9304. Both the website and annual report provide information about campus security and topics such as crime prevention, university police law enforcement authority, and crime-reporting procedures. You will also find information about crime statistics for the previous three calendar years of reported crimes that occurred in both on-and off-campus facilities. This information is required by law and is provided by the university’s police department. 

The Annual Fire Safety Report, also required by law, is available at wcsu.edu/efs/firereport.

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The Campuses

Midtown Campus

The Midtown campus, Western’s original campus, is located in downtown Danbury. The many recent renovations, additions, and new buildings have transformed the Midtown campus into a modern college setting while retaining Western’s traditional character. The Midtown campus features:

ALUMNI HALL (AH), BERKSHIRE HALL (BR), FAIRFIELD HALL, HIGGINS HALL (HI), LITCHFIELD HALL, NEWBURY HALL, OLD MAIN (OM), RUTH A. HAAS LIBRARY, SCIENCE BUILDING (SB), STUDENT CENTER (SC), UNIVERSITY HALL (UH), WARNER HALL (WA), WHITE HALL (WH), FIFTH AVENUE GARAGE, WHITE STREET PARKING GARAGE

The Westside Campus

The 364-acre Westside campus features:

ATHLETIC STADIUM, CENTENNIAL HALL AND PARKING STRUCTURE, CLASSROOM BUILDING (WS), ELLA GRASSO HALL, PINNEY HALL, THE CHARLES IVES CENTER FOR THE ARTS, VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, WESTSIDE CAMPUS CENTER (CC), WESTSIDE NATURE PRESERVE (WNP), WESTSIDE OBSERVATORY, WILLIAM A. O’NEILL ATHLETIC AND CONVOCATION CENTER (ON) 

For more information on each building visit Our Campuses: https://www.wcsu.edu/planning/campuses/

Western at Waterbury

Western Connecticut State University at Waterbury is located on the Naugatuck Valley Community College campus, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. In addition to offering bachelor degree-completion programs in nursing and management, Western at Waterbury offers selected general education classes. For more information on these programs, contact Western at Waterbury, Founders Hall, Room 129, (203) 596-8777.

Campus Transportation

When classes are in session, the university offers a free shuttle bus service between the Westside and Midtown campuses. This service links the two campuses for curricular as well as co-curricular activities.      

The schedule is available online at www.wcsu.edu/shuttle. 

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Student Services

Student Affairs

The Student Affairs departments cultivate personal development through positive guidance and interaction with students so that they may make informed choices throughout their lives. The Division consists of various departments and oversees/is affiliated with a variety of services: AccessAbility Services; Center for Student Involvement; Club Sports; Commuters; Community Services; Counseling Center; Greek Life; Health Services; Housing & Residence Life; InterCultural Affairs; Intramurals; Judicial Affairs; Parent Services; Recreation; SGA/Student Organizations; Student Success (Orientation/SCT); Substance Abuse and Prevention Programs (CHOICES); Testing Services; and Veterans Affairs Programming. 

Counseling Services

The Counseling Services provides a wide range of services including confidential individual and group counseling, psycho-educational workshops, training and consultation to students, administration, faculty, staff, and parents.

Counseling is available to all matriculated undergraduate and graduate students at Western Connecticut State University. Students can contact the Counseling Services at (203) 837-8690 to make an appointment. The Counseling Services is located in the Student Health and Wellness Center across from the Police Station. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m, closed from 12-1.

Career Success Center

The Career Success Center (CSC) provides a very wide range of virtual and in-person services to graduate students, undergraduate students, alumni, teaching faculty and employers to make connections and opportunities a reality. An online, virtual career center offers a breathtaking array of information, services, curated content, career software and smart (artificial intelligence) applications. Doing personal assessments is a great way to begin, as well as registration with Handshake, the WCSU jobs/employer connection/event software. Researching future possibilities via Career Communities, information hubs unique to WCSU, that focus on interests, impact and opportunity to open up targeted knowledge, opportunities and connections. Professional skill development is essential to show value and chart success. Creating and engaging a network is a cornerstone of career success and will provide clarity, direction and options. Getting the right experiences through internships, jobs, and a myriad of other experiential learning opportunities will open professional doors. Popular, must-attend career events include live and virtual Career Fairs and a myriad of other events throughout the semester as listed on Handshake. Specialized workshops include Designing Your Life and LinkedIn; resume help and interview support are also available both online and as a workshop.

During the school year, all students can drop in for a live in-person (Westside Campus Center, Suite 300) and virtual career studio for on-the-spot personalized support. Specialized counseling sessions with career experts are also available. The Career and Life Design Guide is comprehensive in its breadth of the helpful services available at the Center and is available both online or hardcopy.

Career and life success is a process, so engaging with Career Success Center tools and services early and often is a must. Graduate students can start access to these important resources today via the Career Success Center Web Portal.

Career Success Center can be reached in person in the Westside Campus Center (Suite 300; M-F 10 am -5 pm), via email (careersuccess@wcsu.edu) or by calling (203) 837-8263.

International Student Services

Applications are accepted from F-1 international students who wish to pursue full-time graduate study at WCSU. The university is prohibited by law from considering non-immigrant students who wish to study part-time.  

Students applying for graduate admission are required to indicate their ability to finance their education. WCSU is unable to offer financial assistance to any student who does not hold U.S. citizenship. Applicants must demonstrate language ability and economic support in order to be considered for application. If a request for application is approved, appropriate academic transcripts must be sent to the university as soon as possible. In addition, the applicant is required to provide an official evaluation of his/her high school diploma and/or college- level courses that has been conducted by an international educational service that is approved by WCSU (https://www.wcsu.edu/admissions/credit-evaluation-services/). A high school diploma or its equivalent may be a document-to-document evaluation. College and university courses must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

The university accepts a score of 77 or higher on the Melab and 6 or higher on the IELTS (Band). Applicants must earn a 79 (internet-based exam), 213 (computer-based exam), 550 (paper-based exam) score or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International students living outside the U.S. should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (203) 837-8243 for graduate admission information.

All new students planning to enter the university in the fall semester must submit all application materials before March 1, while those wishing to enroll in the spring semester must submit all application materials before October 1. 

 For more information about post-admissions international student advisement, contact Donna Warner, International Services Coordinator at (203) 837-3270 or via email  warnerd@wcsu.edu.

Testing Center

The Campus and Student Centers’ Testing Center administers the College Level Examination (CLEP) for students wishing to earn undergraduate credit by examination and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), an entrance exam for many graduate programs. Distance learning examinations and Language Teaching International (LTI) exams are also proctored by the office. Visit wcsu.edu/testing, or call (203) 837-8877 for more information.   

WESTCONNect Cards (Student IDs)

The WESTCONNect Office issues identification cards (WESTCONNect Card) and security access codes and keys. In order to obtain your WESTCONNect Card, please visit our new student website at https://www.wcsu.edu/westconnect/new-student/ You may submit your photo online.

Your card will be used for security access and may also be used as a debit card for purchases on and off campus using the CONNect Cash program.  On campus printing requires purchase using CONNect Cash funds only. The card will allow use of the fitness facilities and the university shuttle bus. If purchased, the card will also be programmed with a meal plan. Additionally, you may use the card account for GrubHub locally and nationally, and you may order food online from the on campus food service locations.

There is a $15 charge for replacement cards: damaged, lost, or stolen. Please check the website for all card use terms and conditions and information on extended office hours offered at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

You can manage your card account online as well including marking your card as lost or stolen to avoid misuse. Need to check your balances? Need to freeze your account? Want to make a deposit? To see your CONNectCash, meal plan, or print credit balances, log on to https://csgold.wcsu.edu/login/ldap.php

Insurance Requirements

Accident Insurance: As part of the student fee, all full-time students are covered under an accident insurance plan, 24-hours a day, on and off campus, from August 1 to July 31 or until full-time enrollment is terminated. Benefits under the accident plan are paid on an excess basis. This means no expense is covered if it would be covered by another health care plan in the absence of this insurance. This insurance supplements, but does not replace, other health care coverage. 

Health Services

The Health Services office, located in the Student Health & Wellness Center on the Midtown Campus, provides students with acute care and health education when classes are in session. It is staffed by a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, and an administrative assistant.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments are strongly recommended. Changes in hours are reported to the Office of the Dean of Students, University Police, and the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

There is no change for office visits at Health Services, however, there is a cost for certain diagnostic tests, and/or medications dispensed at the office, and that cost is the student’s responsibility.

Immunizations

All students must complete the Connecticut State University Student Health Service Form found online at https://www.wcsu.edu/healthservices/onlineforms/. This form includes proof of two measles, two mumps, two rubella, and two varicella (exempt from varicella/chicken pox if born in the U.S. before 1/1/1980 and exempt from all proof of immunization if born prior to 12/31/1956). Lab results of positive titers (blood test) may be submitted in lieu of the immunization. All residents living in on-campus housing are required to show proof of having received a dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine within the past five years before a room is assigned. Forms should be uploaded to the Health Services Patient Portal at https://wcsu.medicatconnect.com/

Some academic and athletic programs may require additional immunizations or examinations prior to the student’s participation.  Students should refer to the individual departments for these requirements. 

Substance Abuse Prevention Program (CHOICES)  

The Substance Abuse Prevention Program at WCSU is called CHOICES (Cultivating Healthy Opportunities in College Environments). We believe that all students want to succeed both academically and personally and fulfill their potential during their college years. When substance abuse gets in the way, it can seriously derail those dreams. The goal of the office is to provide confidential counseling for substance abuse, resources, information, and services that help students make informed and responsible decisions about the use of alcohol and/or drugs; to collaborate with student organizations, faculty, and staff in planning exciting alternative activities that promote healthy lifestyle choices; and to work with students in creating positive changes on campus and to reduce underage and binge drinking.

The CHOICES Office provides accurate, current information on alcohol and other drugs; conducts individual screenings and assessments for students on a voluntary or referral basis; refers students to counseling and support services on and off campus; provides support for any student concerned about someone else’s use/abuse by advising ways the student can make a difference; plans educational workshops and presentations for residence halls, clubs, Greek Life, and athletic teams; and runs support groups for students who are trying to make positive changes in their lives. 

All services are confidential. We encourage all students to participate in our programs, activities, the Alcohol Task Force, and Choices Peer Educators Program. For more information, please call (203) 837-8899 or stop by the Midtown Student Center, Room 211, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. The website is www.wcsu.edu/CHOICES.

 Campus Ministries

WCSU’s campus ministries offer students a variety of activities and programs across several traditions.

The Catholic Campus Ministry invites students, faculty and staff alike to consider its Newman Center, located across the street from Newbury Hall on the Midtown campus, a home away from home. This hospitable Center is the heart of the Catholic Campus Ministry, which brings a range of worship, fellowship, outreach and educational opportunities to university life. All denominations, non-Catholic and non-Christians are welcome to be part of Newman Club or participate in any activities here with the Newman Club. The door is open to all.

The WCSU Campus Ministry, located in the Midtown Student Center 207, is a community where students find opportunities to ask questions, to grow, to serve and to belong. Congeniality and a sprit of focused involvement are key here. Both the Catholic Campus Ministry and WCSU Campus Ministry run other weekly programs and activities.

Students of other faiths can also find other spiritual counselors, activities and programs on campus.

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Information Technology Services

Our mission is to provide reliable, innovative, and sustainable technology to support teaching, learning and collaboration.  Our service areas include:

  • Instructional Technology, including Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Collaborate, Kaltura, WebEx, etc.
  • Information Systems such as Banner, Event Management System etc.
  • Media Services – digital video and technology to support instruction and promotion of the University
  • Office 365 – email plus new capabilities supporting file sharing and collaboration
  • Network, Server and Telecommunication services
  • Information Security – from our Network to the desktop and everything in between
  • Technology Operations for user services, a new and improved Service Desk and support for our computer labs.

Information Technology & Innovation (IT&I) supports five staffed computer labs, three 24 hour computer labs and technology classrooms on both of Western’s campuses. These facilities support a variety of software packages including: Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, Visio, SharePoint Designer and Adobe programs. These facilities also support specialized software on various machines and are equipped with both black and white and color laser printers and scanners. Students with a valid university ID card may use the computer facilities at Western. These facilities are staffed with student Computer Center Assistants to provide help if needed. Students who need extensive support and training should visit the Student Technology Training Center.  To learn more about accounts, visit https://support.wcsu.edu/ and select “Accounts”

Student Technology Training Center

The Student Technology Training Center (STTC) is located on the Midtown campus in the Student Center, Room 225. This facility provides students with a comfortable environment in which to learn technology. The primary goal of the STTC is to improve student life outside the classroom by creating and maintaining an environment in which all students can empower themselves with a practical understanding of current technology. This facility provides tutorials, hardware and software, workshops and individualized attention.

The staff of the STTC are dedicated to facilitating the technological empowerment of the university’s student body. Students who visit the STTC can learn about Microsoft Office and Adobe products and Web page design. The facility provides both PC’s and Macs.   All computers have the ability to print to both black and white and color laser printers.

To learn more, visit http://www.wcsu.edu/iti/computers/

To report any problems, or if you have any questions please call the Information-Technology & Innovation Help Desk at call (203) 837-8467 or email requestit@wcsu.edu or log into our Service Desk Portal at wcsu.samanage.com to report an issue. Also, visit our Knowledge Base at support.wcsu.edu.

Midtown and Westside 24-Hour Labs

There are three 24-Hour Labs, open seven days a week throughout the year. One lab is located in the Westside Classroom Building, Room 247c. The other labs are located on the Midtown campus in the Student Center, Room 214, and in the Science Building, Room 127. These facilities are equipped with black and white laser printers. To gain access to these labs, students must swipe their university ID card through the facility’s card reader. The 24-Hour Labs are not staffed but are monitored and maintained regularly. It is the responsibility of each student to use these facilities in accordance with CSCU and Western’s computer policies. These facilities have the same software as the staffed computer centers.

To learn more, visit http://www.wcsu.edu/iti/ and select “Computer Centers” under WestConn IT Essentials.

Student Accounts/Resources: All Western students are eligible for the following accounts:

WCSU User Account – Students who wish to use any of the computer facilities at WCSU (Computer Centers, technology classrooms, 24-Hour Labs, etc.) or access the wireless network must obtain a WCSU User Account. Accounts are automatically created when students are either 1) accepted into a degree program by Admissions, or 2) registered for a class. An informational message containing instructions for setting up a password is sent to the student’s personal email address given when applying through Admissions or first registering in person through the Registrar’s office. To learn more about accounts, visit https://support.wcsu.edu/ and select “Accounts”.

WestConnduit – WestConnduit is Western’s campus portal. It brings together campus announcements, upcoming events, social media and access to essential resources like Blackboard Learn (course management system) and Banner Web (see your grades, course schedules, financial aid information, register for classes and make payments).

To get to WestConnduit, visit http://conduit.wcsu.edu/

Office365 Account – The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System (Western, Eastern, Southern and Central) email policy states that university email will be considered an official means for communication. All students will be issued a university email for university business through Microsoft’s Office 365 suite of online services. In addition to email, Office 365 gives you access to online storage, collaboration tools and Office Web Apps.

Students can get free copies of the latest Microsoft Office suite on WCSU’s Office365 portal. For more information, visit https://support.wcsu.edu and select “Software.”

myWCSU – Western has a mobile app for quick, on-the-go access to important information and services including news, announcements, email, phone numbers and more. Visit your mobile device’s app store to and search for ‘myWCSU’ to download. myWCSU is accessible anytime, anywhere.

Western is Wireless Western is 100 percent wireless, including residence halls and wireless printing. To use the wireless network, your laptop or other mobile device must be equipped with a wireless network adapter. To use the Western wireless network and wireless printing, you must have a WCSU User Account.

To learn more about the wireless network and wireless printing, please visit https://support.wcsu.edu and select “Internet and WiFI.”

E-Learning at Western – Blackboard Learn is a course-management system that enables efficient delivery of online education and supplement on-ground and hybrid learning. Students may access their Blackboard courses by clicking on the Essentials tab on the homepage and then selecting Blackboard.

Technology Classrooms

We are proud to say that all Western classrooms are equipped with technology, offering an ideal, hands-on learning environment for both students and instructors.

Information Technology Policies –Learn about Western’s information technology policies at https://www.wcsu.edu/iti/policies/

  • Policies & Guidelines for Computer Use
  • CSU Network Policy
  • Electronic Monitoring Notice
  • Computer Center Usage Rules & Policies
  • CSUS Email Policy
  • Wireless Policy
  • Information Security Policy

As new policies become effective, they will be listed on this website.

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Housing

Department of Housing and Residence Life

On-Campus Housing

The Department of Housing and Residence Life offers apartment-style accommodations to graduate students matriculated into one of our many graduate programs. Generally, housing is offered to any full-time matriculated students who pay their yearly housing deposit (March for continuing students and May 1st for new students), provide proof of having a meningitis vaccine, and complete a housing application. Housing is offered on a limited basis to married couples.

Married couples must both be full-time students in order to live on campus. Couples agree to notify the Housing Office of any change in their status within 30 days of change or in advance if the couple decides to pursue separate living arrangements.  Falsification of any information regarding eligibility will result in termination of housing.

Off-Campus Housing

To assist graduate students who require off-campus accommodations, the Housing Office provides a listing service of off-campus facilities via its website (www.wcsu.edu/housing). The information contained on this website is designed to assist you in finding suitable off-campus housing. Also, we recommend using a local newspaper or performing a web search to obtain off-campus housing.

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Campus Life

Recreation

Amy Shanks, Associate Director of Recreation | Berkshire Hall Room 136, (203) 837-8609, wcsu.edu/recreation

Recreation

The recreation department at WestConn is dedicated to providing the campus community with a multitude of recreational activities to encourage physical fitness and promote a positive well-being. All students are invited to engage in one of the many recreation, intramural and club sports activities taking place on campus. The midtown facilities include: Colonial Fitness Zone, fitness studios, batting cages and gymnasium. The WestConnREC midtown offices and information desk are located in Berkshire Hall next to the Colonial Fitness Zone. There is also a Westside Colonial Fitness Zone and information desk located in Pinney Hall, which is on the westside campus. For up-to-date information, please visit our website, wcsu.edu/recreation.

Intramurals

Team and individual events are offered for women, men and coed divisions, and the programs are open to all current WestConn students, faculty, staff, and alumni.   

For a current listing of intramural leagues and seasons, please visit wcsu.edu/recreation.   

Club Sports

The club sports program provides opportunity for individuals who share a common interest in a recreational sport to improve their skill level and overall knowledge of the sport or activity. Club sports can be organized on either a recreational or a competitive level. Instructional activities range from informal play to regular practices in preparation for intercollegiate and tournament competition. Many clubs compete with other schools and are a part of a collegiate league of play. Examples of current active club sports include dance team, cheerleading, ice hockey, eSports and men’s and women’s rugby.

Campus and Student Centers

wcsu.edu/campuscenter

John A. Murphy, Director (203) 837-8343
Mark Gegeny, Associate Director (203) 837-8211

Both the Campus & Student Centers are your “home away from home.” You will find dining locations, lounges, university box office, a theater, conference and meeting rooms.

Additionally, the Midtown Student Center (SC) houses the Colonial Corner containing the MicroMart ( snack bar), commuter lounge and event space, bookstore, game room, Counseling Center, the Intercultural Affairs Office, Judicial Affairs, Mail Services, the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), and the Substance Abuse Prevention office. The Student Government Association, student newspaper, radio station, Program Activities Council, Greek Council and Student Veterans Association are also located in this building.

The Westside Campus Center (CC) additionally houses the Campus & Student Centers Administrative Offices and Career Success Center, the testing center, as well as a computer lab. The Daily Grind, our late-night dining and entertainment venue, features Starbucks coffee, Tazo teas, Island Oasis, Pepsi products, pastries and snacks all served in a beautiful lounge setting fully equipped with wireless internet.

The Center for Student Involvement

Dennis Leszko, Director of the Center for Student Involvement | Student Center 227, (203) 837-3954, studentlife@wcsu.edu, wcsu.edu/studentlife

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI), located in the Midtown Student Center, Room 227, is the main point of contact for students wanting to form a new club or organization and those currently involved with one. CSI is where student organizations register and receive information and support. The CSI staff advises in the operation of more than 80 student organizations, including the Student Government Association, the Program Activities Council, and the Recreation Council, and provides assistance with leadership development, university policies, and event planning. The CSI coordinates programs, events, and activities on campus organized by and for students through the Student Activities Master Calendar.

Clubs and Organizations

Student Government Association (SGA) | Student Center 215, (203) 837-8711

The SGA is the official voice of the student body. It appoints student representatives to university committees, allocates the student activities fee to student organizations, and protects student rights. If you are interested in serving your fellow students, stop by the office. 

The Echo | Student Center 217, (203) 837-8707

Get the story! Western’s student-run newspaper is available online at http://wcsuecho.wordpress.com/. All students, independent of their major, are eligible to write and work for The Echo. 

Greek Council | Student Center 219, (203) 837-8217

This is the governing body for all social Greek letter organizations. For information concerning any Greek organization, just call or stop by.

Inter-Residence Hall Association (IRHA) | Newbury Hall, (203) 837-8720 

The  IRHA is the governing body for each of the Residence Hall Councils. Representatives are elected from each residence hall. 

Program Activities Council (PAC) | Student Center 219, (203) 837-8421

PAC is the main programming board for student activities. Throughout the semester, PAC organizes various trips, game shows, comedians, movies, and more for your entertainment pleasure. If you have an interest in advertising or planning campus events, concerts, and shows, then stop by the office to join or attend a meeting – every Monday at 4 p.m. in the Student Center.

Campus and Student Centers Board | (203) 837-8504 

Great resources like our Midtown Student Center and Westside Campus Center need a collective student voice to keep them serving student needs and enriching university life.

Student Veterans Organization (SVO) | Student Center 208

The SVO is a club established in 2009 to acknowledge the needs of Western veterans who wish to better integrate into the university community. Officially recognized and endorsed by the Student Government Association, the SVO is comprised of student veterans who wish to support and serve other veterans – at WCSU and abroad – in a number of ways.

WXCI Campus Radio | Student Center 213, (203) 837- 8387

91.7 WXCI is a student-run college radio station located on the Midtown campus. Since its inception in 1973, WXCI has remained the second largest college station in Connecticut, pumping 3,000 watts of power through its transmitter. 

Other Student Organizations

For a complete list of student organizations, visit wcsu.edu/studentlife. 

Any group of students who have a common bond of interest is encouraged to form a student organization. As officially recognized student organizations, each group has an obligation to the educational advancement of its members as well as Western Connecticut State University. Applications to become a recognized student organization are available from the SGA office and the Center for Student Involvement. Check out the listings at the web address listed above. 

Governance

All full-time students of the university are members of the Student Government Association. The Association’s governing body is the student senate, with members chosen by university-wide election. The student senate prepares a budget to allocate student activity funds to campus organizations. The Program Activities Council and the Campus and Student Centers Board are responsible for sponsoring student activities throughout the year and for recommending improvements in the campus or student center buildings. These organizations give students the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills.

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Judicial Affairs

The Office of Judicial Affairs administers the student discipline process and serves as a liaison to all university departments regarding matters pertaining to student conduct. All Western students are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Formal complaints, as well as inquiries concerning the student discipline system and student discipline records, should be directed to the Director of Judicial Affairs at (203) 837-8770. Judicial Affairs is located in the Midtown Student Center room 220.

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Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct is intended to present a clear statement of student rights and responsibilities established by the Board of Regents for Higher Education. The BOR has charged the President of the Board of Regents for Higher Education with developing procedures to protect those rights and to address the abdication of responsibilities in collaboration with the four State Universities, the twelve Community Colleges and Charter Oak State College. The Student Code describes the type of acts not acceptable in an academic community. 

Preamble

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students and the general well-being of society. In line with this purpose, the Board of Regents for Higher Education (“BOR”) in conjunction with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (“CSCU”) has the duty to protect the freedoms of inquiry and expression, and furthermore, has the responsibility to encourage all of its members to develop the capacity for critical judgment in their sustained and independent search for truth.

CSCU has certain self-defined institutional values. Principal among these values is respect for the safety, dignity, rights, and individuality of each member of the CSCU community. The opportunity to live, study, and work in an institution which values diverse intellectual and cultural perspectives and encourages discussion and debate about competing ideas in an atmosphere of civility is a basic component of quality higher education.

All members of CSCU must at all times govern their social and academic interactions with tolerance and mutual respect so that the students who pass through a CSCU door are enriched by these experiences and are prepared for full and enlightened participation in a multi-cultural society. Because of the BOR’s and CSCU’s commitment to principles of pluralism, mutual respect, and civility, certain activities are not acceptable on CSCU campuses. Acts of intolerance, of hatred or violence based on race, religion, sexual orientation or expression, disability, gender, age, or ethnic background are antithetical to the BOR’s and CSCU’s fundamental principles and values. It is the BOR’s and CSCU’s responsibility to secure the students’ right to learn by establishing an environment of civility.      

The disciplinary process is intended to be part of the educational mission of CSCU. Student disciplinary proceedings are not criminal proceedings and are not subject to court rules of procedure and evidence.      

The complete “Student Code of Conduct” can be found in the Student Handbook, which is available on the WCSU website.