STUDENT LIFE

    The University accepts and practices the view that a liberal education concerns the whole person. Its residential and co-curricular life encourages students to develop their full potentials, complementing and enriching their academic curricula.

    The Office of the Assistant Provost for Student Affairs coordinates the services offered to students and promotes a wide range of campus activities which enhance residential living at Valparaiso.

Student Residences

    The majority of undergraduate students live in one of the eleven university residence halls and apartment buildings or in one of the eight fraternity houses located on or near the campus.

    Alumni, Brandt, Lankenau, and Wehrenberg Halls are residence halls with rooms for two students. All are co-ed halls with men and women living on alternate floors. Guild and Memorial Halls are recently renovated with two, three, and four student rooms. Guild Hall houses all women, while Memorial Hall is co-ed. The two buildings share a main entrance and large public area on the first floor. 807 Mound provides triple-occupancy rooms in a two-room suite layout. The hall is co-ed by floor. Scheele Hall is divided into individualized areas to provide accommodations for sororities and other upperclass women. Each hall has its own student council and peer judicial board. In addition, University Park Apartments and Linwood Apartments provide apartment-style living options for students. And, the Kade-Duesenberg German House and Cultural Center offers students the opportunity to live in a German language house.

    Two dining halls and the Valparaiso Union provide food services.

Student Conduct and the Honor System

    Valparaiso University holds to the ideal of a community of Christian scholars living together in freedom and civility, in an environment conducive to Christian faith and supportive of the Christian ethic. A minimum number of rules and regulations is necessary for this community; these are found principally in the Student Guide to University Life.

    Each student enrolling at Valparaiso University thereby accepts the rules, regulations and procedures as found in this catalog and the Student Guide. Conformity to the traditions and regulations of the University is expected. The University reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student at any time when, in the judgment of its authorities, that action is deemed to be in the best interests of the institution. Such a decision is normally made by the Assistant Provost for Student Affairs on the recommendation of the Campus Judiciary Board.

    The student-initiated Honor System has a long history at Valparaiso University and is a strong distinguishing characteristic of the institution. It is in every way consistent with the highest principles of Christian ethics and morality. In sanctioning the Honor System, the University presumes that students are able and willing to accept the duties and responsibilities of honorable conduct for the sake of the Valparaiso University community. Before they can enroll at the University, all entering students must sign and submit a statement that they understand the Honor System and are aware that all of their academic work must be submitted under their signature and that they have done this work in agreement with the Honor Code. The statement "I have neither given or received nor have I tolerated others' use of unauthorized aid" must be written out and signed on all written work.

    Under the Honor System, all written examinations of any length are taken in an atmosphere free from the surveillance of a proctor, unless requested by a student member of the class. Every student has the responsibility to keep academic work free of dishonesty; that is, neither to give nor to receive unauthorized aid. All students must report to the Honor Council any violation of the System of which they become aware. Students are required to sign a pledge on all work submitted for academic credit as indicated above.

    The Honor Council is an educational, preventive, remedial and judicial body with the duty of maintaining the Honor System in the academic community. The Council hears Honor Code cases and then makes decisions about whether or not a student has violated the code and assesses any penalties. The Council is composed of students and faculty who are chosen by the incumbent members subject to the approval of the President of the University.

The Arts

    The mission of the program in the visual and performing arts at Valparaiso University is to educate the minds of students by opening their eyes and ears to the best of their artistic heritage and the joy of artistic expression. The University offers its students a range of arts education opportunities through its general education curriculum; co-curricular activities in art, music, theatre, dance, and creative writing; and academic majors in the departments of visual and performing arts which permit students to make the arts the focus of a liberal education for personal and professional development and for creative leadership and service. At Valparaiso University, the arts serve primarily the students, while also serving the faculty and staff and the larger community of the region.

    Music. The Department of Music offers all students the opportunity to study and perform as singers and instrumentalists in an array of curricular and co-curricular ensembles. Students wishing to perform in selective ensembles may audition for the Valparaiso University Chorale, the University Symphony Orchestra, the Kantorei, and the Concert Band, as well as a variety of chamber ensembles including Woodwind Quintet, String Quartet, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and others. Other auditioned ensembles include: University Singers, Luce Band, Jazz Lab Band, and Gospel Choir. The University-Community Band is open to all students with no audition required. A number of additional student-organized performing groups (including Crusader Band, Handbell Choir, and Matins Choir) are also sheltered by the Department. For an additional charge, a limited number of students may enroll in private music lessons in voice, piano, guitar, organ, and most orchestral and band instruments.

    Theatre. The University Theatre brings the best of classic drama, new plays, musicals, and operas to the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts. Soul Purpose, a touring liturgical drama troupe, travels to churches throughout the nation, and Theatre Outreach Performances (TOP) performs plays on social issues for local and regional schools. Theatre opportunities are available for any student interested in dramatic arts. Theatre work is focused in performance, production, and management. Advanced students regularly supervise in all areas.

    Art. The Art Department offers basic studio courses in painting, drawing, digital art, design, graphic design, sculpture, photography, ceramics, fibers, art education, and art history. Galleries exhibit student work as well as distinguished work by visiting artists. The Sloan Collection of American Paintings is the core of the Brauer Museum of Art, with holdings of over 2,000 works of art. Summer programs of study overseas provide students with immediate experience of Western cultural heritages.

    Dance. The Union Street Dance Company is a student-organized and supervised organization which receives the support of faculty from the Department of Theatre and Television Arts. Many of these students have participated in a variety of dance activities before coming to Valparaiso University and the Union Street Dance Company allows them to continue their pursuit of dance while completing their degree programs in other academic areas. These experienced students are joined by members of the local dance community and by other Valparaiso University students who have always wanted to participate in dance activities but have not had the opportunity prior to attending Valparaiso University. The Union Street Dance Company offers classes throughout the academic year covering a wide variety of dance forms and annually produces a concert in the spring. Concert pieces are choreographed by students, faculty, and guest professionals.

    Creative and Professional Writing.  The English Department offers a minor with an emphasis in either creative or professional writing. The department sponsors the Margot Ann Uehling Scholarship, awarded annually for the best essay written by a Valparaiso University student. WORDFEST annually brings established writers to campus and awards prizes for fiction, poetry, and non-fiction prose. The Cresset internship provides experience in editing and publishing. The Lighter, a campus literary magazine, presents student work in award-winning form.

Athletics

    Valparaiso University provides a varied athletic program which assumes that sports can play a major role in college life by encouraging wide participation by the student body. The Athletics-Recreation Center is a major indoor facility. Outdoor facilities include tennis courts, all-purpose intramural fields, a hard surface track and fields for varsity baseball, football, and soccer. Although the University provides an experienced staff and takes every precaution to avoid injury to all participants in the intercollegiate and intramural programs, it assumes no responsibility for accidents; students participating in these activities do so at their own risk.

    Intramural Sports/Campus Recreation. Valparaiso University is committed to a comprehensive program of recreational sports. A wide variety of team and individual sports are scheduled throughout the academic year. Students are also encouraged to participate in the many informal recreational activities, special events, and clinics offered by the Athletics-Recreation Center staff.

    Intercollegiate Competition. Women's sports offered are: basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and volleyball. Membership is maintained in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The women's teams participate in the Mid-Continent Conference.

    Men's sports offered are: football, basketball, baseball, soccer, cross country, swimming, tennis and track. Membership is maintained in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The men's teams participate in the Mid-Continent Conference and the Pioneer Football League.

Publications and Broadcasting

    Students are encouraged to work in any aspect of campus publications and broadcasting, including writing, editing, advertising, sales, photography and layout. A student/faculty Committee on Media is responsible for the policies and regulations governing these activities.

    The Beacon. The Beacon, the University yearbook, is designed and edited by students. It offers experience in art work, editorial work and advertising.

    The Lighter. The Lighter, a student literary magazine, is published twice a year and welcomes contributions from all members of the University community. Art work, especially photography, is also a feature of this publication.

    The Torch. The Torch is the student newspaper. A weekly publication, it covers a wide range of campus activities and involves students interested in all aspects of journalism.

    WVUR. The campus radio station WVUR (95.1 FM) offers students a wide variety of experiences in radio broadcasting and management.

Organizations

    Student Senate. The Student Senate is empowered by the Instrument for Internal Governance of the University with executive, legislative and judicial powers over the student body. The Student Senate affords students the opportunity to assume the privileges and responsibilities of self-government. It also coordinates the major committees of Media, Residences, Union Board, Finance and Administration.

    Committee on Media. The Committee on Media is responsible for policies and regulations of the University's student publications, as well as policies and regulations for the campus radio station, WVUR.

    Committee on Residences. The Committee on Residences is responsible for making recommendations regarding residence hall policies, procedures, and programs.

    Administration Committee. The Administration Committee recognizes and monitors all Student Senate recognized organizations.

    Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and submitting a budget to the Student Senate and for reviewing all requests for special appropriations by student organizations.

    The Valparaiso Union Board. The Valparaiso Union Board develops, presents and coordinates social, recreational and educational events and programs to broaden student acquaintances and improve student life, and establishes policies for the use of the Valparaiso Union.

Fraternities and Sororities

    Active chapters of national Greek-letter social and philanthropic fraternities on campus include Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Pi, Sigma Tau Gamma and Theta Chi.

    National Greek-letter social and philanthropic sororities include Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi.

    The governing body of the sororities is the Panhellenic Council. The governing body of the fraternities is the Interfraternity Council.

    Fraternities are housed in their own individual residences. Sororities are housed in Scheele Hall, in individualized units with chapter rooms on the main floor of the building.

    Alpha Phi Omega. Alpha Phi Omega is the nation's largest service fraternity founded to develop leadership, promote friendship and give service to the campus, community and nation. Alpha Phi Omega is a co-ed organization whose goals are the development of the individual through both service and social events. Active membership in this service fraternity is open to all students of the University, and in no way interferes with membership in a social fraternity or sorority.

Clubs and Interest Groups

    Clubs and interest groups abound on the campus. They focus on a variety of activities including academic and professional interests, hobbies, recreational activities, cultural interests, activities connected with the Chapel, religious interests, politics and service projects.

    Black Student Organization (BSO). The Black Student Organization promotes cultural awareness of African-American culture through various programs and activities and provides avenues for networking and socializing. BSO event highlights include presenting at MLK Day, tutoring for the Running Rebels Program, coordinating field trips, attending an African-American Leadership Conference, sponsoring BET Comedy Night, planning Black History Month celebrations, and participating in forums and campus committees.

    Latinos in Valparaiso for Excellence (LIVE). LIVE's main focus is to promote academic excellence among Hispanic students and to support and cultivate the interest of Hispanic students through forums, socials, and other planned activities. LIVE also promotes programs and activities that encourage an appreciation for and an awareness of the many different Hispanic cultures represented on Valparaiso University's campus. LIVE event highlights include Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic Leadership Conference, Northwest Indiana Hispanic Scholarship Dinner, Cinco de Mayo, Hispanic FilmFest, and participating in forums and campus committees.

    Valparaiso International Student Association (VISA). VISA sponsors a number of social and cultural events throughout the year aimed at bridging cultural differences. Most notable is the annual international dinner, which features cuisine from around the world and an international talent show. Although VISA serves as the main support group for international students, it welcomes American members. The International Student House serves as the headquarters for VISA and has rooms for studying, cooking, meeting friends, and many other purposes. The International Student House is a tangible symbol of Valparaiso University's commitment to serve international students and to demonstrate the importance of international relationships between all members of the University community.

Involvement Center

    The Involvement Center provides a clearinghouse of opportunities for students who wish to volunteer their time in service to the community. Local agencies in need of volunteers provide structured opportunities. Students learn the rewards of volunteering, build self-esteem, develop social responsibility, and provide help to those in need. Students placed by the Involvement Center serve in a variety of positions including tutoring adults, teenagers and children; visiting with the elderly; working with handicapped and mentally challenged persons; and helping with Christmas in April.

The Valparaiso Union

    The Valparaiso Union, a community center for all the members of the campus, strives to provide quality facilities, services and conveniences needed by members and guests of the University. The Union also develops programs that are responsive to student developmental needs and to the cultural, social, recreational, and educational needs of the campus community.

    The Valparaiso Union provides students with a place to meet, relax and study; a headquarters on campus for commuters; a place where students, faculty and administration can develop acquaintances outside the classroom; a place to entertain and be entertained at programs, dinners and receptions; a place for recreation; and an information and service center.

    As one of Valparaiso University's largest student organizations, the Union Board provides films, lectures, concerts, dances, outdoor recreation trips, coffeehouses, special events activities, diversity programs, trips to Chicago, and much, much more. Union Board offers a telephone activities hot line (#5555), a prerecorded message listing the latest in campus activities.

    The Union staff help plan and present such programs as the Union Jazz Festival, the One Planet, One People Festival, the Madrigal Dinners, the Activities Fair, College Bowl (an academic question and answer tournament), merchandise sales in the lounge, and performing arts events. Many events planned by student organizations, faculty and staff departments also take place in the Union. The Beacon, Student Senate, Union Board, Torch, and other student organizations have offices, work and meeting spaces in the Union where they plan programs and perform their duties.

    The Valparaiso Union also offers students the opportunity to explore and develop their leadership potential through participation in student activities. These experiences allow students to explore the dynamics of effective leadership, making the Union an important place where education takes place as students and others come together on common ground to meet and exchange ideas. Assistance is available in the Union to support student groups with their activities and to promote the development of leadership skills.

    The Union Director's Office processes reservations for meetings and events that take place in the Valparaiso Union and in academic buildings and facilitates the arrangements for numerous summer conferences, camps and workshops. The Union Director's Office also compiles, prints and distributes the following: a monthly Activities Calendar, a weekly listing of events called VU This Week, and Cultural Arts Calendars to help inform the campus of activities.

    The Union Games Area (The Rack) offers billiards, electronic games, table soccer and table tennis. Outdoor recreation equipment availability allows students the opportunity to pursue a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Equipment such as mountain bikes, tents, backpacks, cross country skis and sleeping bags are available for rental. Union Board offers trips such as skiing, canoeing, camping, whitewater rafting, and backpacking.

    The Union also provides a 24-hour lounge, computer lab, commuter student facilities, student organization offices, meeting rooms, and a dining and social activities space called The Round Table. The Valparaiso Union is fully accessible to persons who are physically challenged.

    Union AdWorks is available to any campus group to publicize programs. Campus events may be advertised through posters, flyers, buttons, brochures, announcements and mail box stuffers. The Union Information Desk provides answers to questions and sells popcorn, candy, gum, sundries, newspapers, tickets for trips and special events, and discount movie tickets. Also offered are magazines to read during visits to the Union, a fax machine service, lost and found, a dictionary, and telephone directories.

    Other Union services include a ride board, a cash machine, bulletin boards, art exhibits, televisions, audio/visual services, copy machine, and event planning assistance.

    Dining Services operates Jesters, which provides daily breakfast, lunch and dinner items and a snack shop in The Round Table. Dining Services also provides catering services for banquets, luncheons, and receptions.

Campus Ministry

    The ministry of Word and Sacraments centers in the Chapel of the Resurrection. A ministry is also carried on in the residence halls and fraternity houses.

    Students and faculty participate with the University Pastor and University Associate Pastor in preparing a wide range of services. In addition to holding services on Sunday and throughout the week at various times, the University has appointed 11:15 for Morning Worship Monday through Friday when members of the community may come together for prayer and praise. Pastoral counseling is available at any time.

    Students participate in the Kantorei and University Singers, as well as other choirs which sing for chapel worship services; serve as organists for daily services; and serve as cantors and instrumentalists for Sunday and weekday services. Students plan chapel decorations and decorate the chapel for the seasons of Advent, Lent, Holy Week and Easter, as well as assist in the contribution of the arts for other chapel services.

    Students chair chapel ministry groups of worship, social concerns, and outreach, as well as chapel service groups such as Altar Care, acolytes and ushers. All students are invited to participate in these and other areas of ministry.

    St. Teresa's, the Roman Catholic Student Center at Valparaiso University, is located across the street from the university campus at 1511 LaPorte Avenue. The center is staffed by a full-time chaplain. Sunday and weekday Masses, as well as a full program of pastoral ministry, are conducted at the center.

    Every courtesy is shown to pastors of other Christian churches in Valparaiso who wish to conduct a ministry for students of their denomination. The Chapel Office will assist anyone seeking information regarding worship opportunities at area congregations and their ministry.

Services For Students

    Leadership Programs. The staff of the Valparaiso Union and the office of the Dean of Students provide students the opportunity to explore and develop their leadership potential through programs such as the Student Leaders Workshop and the All Campus Leadership Conference. These experiences allow students to explore the dynamics of effective leadership.

    The Office of Multicultural Programs. In collaboration with the campus community, the Office of Multicultural Programs (OMP) provides a variety of support programs and services designed to address the specific academic, cultural, and social needs of underrepresented groups (African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students).

    OMP develops and implements programs that build collaborative communities, improve human relations, and promote multicultural education and cultural awareness.

    The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center (MLKCC), located next to the School of Law, provides students from different cultures a place to relax, hold meetings or study. At the MLKCC, students may utilize the computer room, the Neal Multicultural Resource Library, a fully equipped kitchen, and a reception area.

    The Office of Multicultural Programs serves as a liaison and provides support to many Valparaiso University organizations and their programs. Student organizations include the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), the Black Student Organization (BSO), Latinos in Valparaiso for Excellence (LIVE), and the Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA).

    Program highlights include the M & M Mentoring Program, Identity & Culture Series, Hearst Scholarship, Book Loan Program, MOSAIC, Sister to Sister, Brother to Brother, and Multicultural Film Series.

    The Career Center. The Career Center is a comprehensive career services facility offering a wide array of services to students of all colleges, freshmen through seniors. Located in Alumni Hall, the Career Center houses a career library, conference/ workshop room, student interview lounge, private interview rooms, and staff offices.

    Services include career counseling, cooperative education information and orientation, and job search and employment assistance. Individual resume critiquing is provided as well as assistance with other job search writing tasks.

    On-campus interviews with a variety of employers also occur in the Career Center. Listings of full-time, part-time, internship and summer job opportunities are provided in the web-based Job Opportunities Bulletin (J.O.B.). Co-op opportunities are also posted on the Career Center website. A comprehensive career library comprised of books, videos, graduate school catalogs, directories, and employer literature assists students in formulating and implementing career and educational plans.

    Workshops offered by the Career Center inform students about cooperative education, on-campus interviewing, job fairs, and graduate schools. Two weeks of video interviews feature employers who donate a day of their time to assist students with interviewing skills. Additionally, the Career Center hosts an annual Career Fair to help connect Valparaiso University students with employers.

    The Career Center hours are 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. Appointments with a professional staff member may be made in person or by calling 464-5005. The website for the Career Center is <www.valpo.edu/career>.

    Student Counseling and Development Center. The services provided by the Student Counseling and Development Center emphasize both the prevention and remediation of problems of individuals and groups of the university and are confidential and free of charge. Specifically, the Student Counseling and Development Center offers individual and group counseling sessions for persons with emotional, interpersonal, or academic skills problems; psychological testing of personality and personal development; training on a wide variety of topics; a website and resource room; personal development materials; crisis intervention; and consultation services. The center is staffed by psychologists, counselors, social workers, a consulting psychiatrist, and support personnel. The counseling relationship is founded on respect for the individual and belief in his or her potential for growth. In the counseling process, the student and the professional work collaboratively to set and achieve mutually agreed upon goals. Choice and responsibility by the individual are emphasized.

    The Student Counseling and Development Center also provides study skills training and support to increase students' chances for academic success. Additionally, the Center's Outreach Services include the provision of numerous seminars and workshops on topics related to mental health and wellness.

    Sexual Assault Awareness and Facilitative Education Office. The Sexual Assault Awareness and Facilitative Education (SAAFE) Office provides advocacy services to individuals (male and female) who are survivors of sexual assault. Advocates meet with survivors at their request at a confidential location and provide the survivors with information about their rights, options that exist in dealing with the assault, and support in their decision making process. All of this occurs within the realm of confidentiality. The SAAFE Office also provides support services to the significant others of the victim, and support services for victims of sexual harassment. The Office offers individual and group counseling related to issues of gender, sexual issues, and relationship issues. The SAAFE Office also provides peer education as a means to broaden awareness of gender, sexual and relationship issues and to aid in the prevention of sexual assault. The SAAFE Office Resource Center contains videos and written materials available to students. All student organizations and campus groups may request a variety of programs ranging from informational to interactive workshops and related subjects. SAAFE Advocates and Peer Educators provide outreach programs for students through a Web page and e-mail, through various campus sponsored weeks such as the "Week of Challenge" and through various events such as a coffee house forum. The SAAFE Office is located on the second floor of the Health Center Building. To access the office, go to the back of the building and enter through the door to the stairwell. If an appointment is desired, please call 464-6860. Emergency access is available by calling 464-6789.

    Office of Alcohol and Drug Education. The Office of Alcohol and Drug Education provides substance abuse prevention efforts on campus through proactive outreach programs to student residences and organizations by means of peer education. It also offers education to at-risk students through the combined efforts of a referral, assessment and group program. A licensed, Masters level, clinical social worker provides screening and referral services to those experiencing problems with substance abuse, whether those problems lie in themselves or in those close to them. The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is located in Room 128 in the basement of Miller Hall (the Education building).

    The Valparaiso University Student Health Center. The Student Health Center provides an environment that enhances dignity and encourages individual student responsibility for maintaining health. It promotes health care through the services of advanced practice and registered nurses. Confidential services covered by student fees include assessment by a nurse and/or physician and minor laboratory tests. Illnesses or accidents which require more extensive treatment or services are referred to Porter Memorial Hospital adjacent to the campus or to physicians in the community. Students or their parents are expected to pay for the costs of such treatment if it is not covered by the Student Medical Plan.

    A Basic Student Medical Plan is provided to all full-time undergraduate and full-time law students of the University. The cost is covered by the general fees which a student pays at the beginning of each semester. So that a determination of benefits can be made, it is the student's responsibility to bring all itemized bills to the Health Center and complete the Medical Plan claim form for services covered by the Basic Plan.

    First-time, full-time undergraduate and law students, and part-time law students are required to file a complete Health History on the University's form. This report includes a medical history and documented verification of immunizations that are required by the University, and the specific dates they were given. Only health records in English or health records accompanied by certified translations into English will be accepted. A student is not considered in compliance with the University immunization requirements until the Health History/Required Immunization form has been received and approved by the Health Center. A $50.00 nonrefundable charge will be included on the student's billing if the Health History/Required Immunization form is not received and approved by July 1 for Fall admits and December 1 for Spring admits. If a student is admitted after the deadline date, the form must be submitted immediately, not to exceed 14 days after receipt of the form.

    The Health Center is open for full-time undergraduate and law student use between 8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on a walk-in and appointment basis, Monday through Friday, when undergraduate classes are in session. In case of emergency, when the Health Center is closed, students may use the services of the Emergency Room at Porter Memorial Hospital adjacent to campus at 814 LaPorte Avenue.

    A fee-for-service gynecological and consultation service is available for all full-time undergraduate and full-time law students through the Life Choices Center located in the Health Center. A nurse practitioner is available to see patients by appointment.

    The Health Center will also administer allergy injections during scheduled appointments on a fee-for-service basis. The Health History/Required Immunization form must be on file. In addition, a letter will also be needed from the physician who ordered the medication, listing the following: allergy physician's name, address, and phone number; student's allergies; recommended injection schedule; vial contents; serum concentration; special instructions; and instructions for missed injections.

    The ASK Center - Academic Support Keys. The ASK Center provides a referral service to various academic support programs at Valparaiso University and promotes academic success for all undergraduate students. The ASK Center is located in Huegli Hall 132 and the hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. By calling 219/464-5275 (5ASK) referrals can be made for Academic Advising, Disability Support Services, the Writing Center, Tutoring, and VU Strategies.

    Academic Advising. One of the benefits of an education at Valparaiso University is the availability of experienced faculty members for personal conferences and advising. Many of these sessions develop informally. A formal system of advising is in place in each of the colleges.

    Entering students are assigned to an academic adviser to assist them in selecting a curriculum, meeting University requirements and making the most of their studies.

    In the College of Arts and Sciences, students who have not declared a major are assigned a general adviser. As soon as students declare a major, they are assigned to a departmental adviser by the chair of their major department. Students in a special program are assigned a program adviser. The major field or interdisciplinary program of study should be chosen by the beginning of the sophomore year. Some majors and programs, for example teacher certification and pre-med, require students to declare their intentions and begin the programs at the beginning of the freshman year to make it possible to complete the degree or certification requirements in four years.

    All students must have their proposed schedule for the next semester signed by their academic adviser before it is filed with the registrar. If the student has more than one adviser (e.g. departmental, special program, Christ College), the student should have the signature of the special program adviser, after consulting with the other adviser(s). Advisers' signatures indicate only that they have counseled the student, not that they approve the schedule. Nor does the adviser's signature guarantee that the schedule will meet the requirements of the student's program.

    Disability Support Services. Valparaiso University, through its Mission Statement, strives to maintain a supportive environment which will promote the learning and well-being of all students. The following information is provided to assist those students with disabilities who are seeking academic accommodations and support.

    The student must have met all qualifications for admissions and be officially admitted to the University prior to seeking academic support services provided by Disability Support Services.

    Inquiries should be directed to the ASK Center at Huegli Hall, x5275.

    The University is committed to meeting its obligation to provide effective auxiliary aid and assistance to students who are disabled. The provision of auxiliary assistance is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Rehabilitation Services of the state in which the student maintains legal residence. If the request for assistance is denied by the local agency, Valparaiso University's provision of academic accommodations will be based upon a case by case analysis of an individual student's need and his/her eligibility under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its regulations.

    In order to be considered for academic accommodations, the student:

        1. May, but is not required to, apply to his/her local Department of Rehabilitation Services Office before attending
            Valparaiso University, or as soon as is reasonably possible upon diagnosis of a disability, in order to allow time
            for funding to be allocated. Upon request the University will assist in the application.

        2. Should be admitted to one of the colleges of the University.

        3. Must submit a written diagnosis of the disability and its impact on learning from appropriate professional
            personnel.

        4. Should notify the Director, Disability Support Services in writing before the first day of classes, or as soon as is
            reasonably possible upon diagnosis of a disability. Such notice is required to determine eligibility and to give the
            various academic and service areas a reasonable period of time to plan to meet the individual's special needs.

    The Writing Center. At the Writing Center in Schnabel Hall undergraduate or graduate students may discuss writing projects with professional or student tutors who will help with planning, revising, editing, and proofreading. Dictionaries and stylebooks, ample table space, and many computer resources make the Writing Center an excellent place of work. The Center supports the Freshman CORE by offering evening events related to assignments and writing conferences in offices in the freshman residence halls.

    CORE Tutors. Tutors are available in Alumni Hall, Brandt Hall, and Lankenau Hall who are supported by the Writing Center and trained in the daily work and readings of the CORE, the Human Experience course for all first-year students. Office hours and phone numbers are made available in the CORE classes and posted at the beginning of each semester, both at the Writing Center and in the residence halls.

    Tutoring. The ASK Office, located in Huegli Hall (phone 5ASK), supports various levels of tutoring. A semester-by-semester schedule of departmental help/study sessions is one of the services provided.

    In addition to publishing the departmental help sessions schedule, the ASK Office supports the following types of tutoring:

        1. Work with the professor—It is strongly suggested that the first option for help in a course is for the student to
            work directly with the professor. Frequently simple problems can be made more understandable with this
            communication.

        2. Study Groups—It is often suggested that students gather in small groups and work with each other in mastering
            class problems. This reinforces points from daily lectures and supports good study habits. On occasion the
            ASK Center will select a leader who has been successful in the course to help the group. This student is
            selected at the professor's recommendation. The ASK Center also hires a tutor who has satisfactorily
            completed the course or is a major in that discipline, who can lead the study group.

        3. One-on-One—In many instances a student will want direct and private tutoring. The ASK Center maintains
            a list of tutors for various subjects and will arrange for a student to have a tutor. These tutors are students
            who have completed the course with a satisfactory grade, and/or are majors from that discipline.

    A student experiencing difficulty in a course should not hesitate to go directly to the professor for assistance. Departmental help sessions are posted in the departmental offices and at various locations around campus. The ASK Center maintains a posting also. Students may start a study group and the ASK Center staff can assist in organizing the group. If a tutor is needed, students should not hesitate to call the ASK Center to get assistance.

    All tutoring sessions supported by the ASK Center uphold the standards set by the University's Honor Code. It is the student's responsibility to know what is authorized and unauthorized aid.

    VU Strategies. This course is designed for first year students who want to enhance their adjustment to college academic life by strengthening such skills as time management, assertiveness, organization, test-taking, note-taking, determination of learning style and study techniques. It is a seven-week course repeated three times throughout the year. It carries a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory outcome.

    The Valparaiso University Federal Credit Union. This is an independently operated federal credit union whose membership is open to all students, alumni, members of the faculty and employees of the University, as well as their respective families and others. Its purpose is to provide the University community with a full service, convenient financial facility. It is not governed nor operated by the University. The Credit Union is governed by a board of directors elected by the membership and is supervised by the National Credit Union Admission, an agency of the United States Government. All accounts up to $100,000 are insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Special student checking accounts and student Visa cards are available through the Credit Union.