Graduate Student Life

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Residential Living. The university’s residence halls are an integral part of campus life, offering a variety of experiences that contribute to intellectual, personal, and social development. The residence halls are staffed by Resident Directors, professional staff responsible for both community and personal growth and development.

The residence halls are open to all students, undergraduate and graduate, to the extent available. Freshmen are required to live on campus. This requirement may be waived if the student is married or lives with parents in Jackson, Macon, Haywood, or Swain County. Waivers for other reasons are decided upon by the Assistant Director for Operations.

A variety of accommodations are available; however, most rooms are designated for double occupancy. Each room is furnished with computer data ports, single beds, study desks, chairs, dressers, and closets. Students provide their own pillows, bed linens, towels, lamps, clocks, wastebaskets, and telephones. They also bring radios, stereos, and televisions. Cable television is provided in student rooms, as well as designated public areas. Other amenities include vending machines, washers, and dryers. Mail service is provided to all residential students at the mail center located in Hinds University Center. Mailing addresses are assigned by the Department of Residential Living and will be provided when students receive housing assignments. Local telephone service is included in the housing fee. Long distance is not provided, but access can be obtained through the use of a personal calling card.

Room Reservations and Advance Partial Payment. Any new, transfer, readmitted, or graduate student may reserve a room in the residence halls by submitting the advance partial payment of $100 and a signed Residence Hall Agreement to the University One Stop. Returning students are to submit the signed agreement with $150 advanced partial payment. These payments for the fall semester should be submitted no later than June 1. Deadline for submission of the Residence Hall Agreement for Spring Semester is December 1. All checks should be made payable to Western Carolina University. Advance partial payments and Residence Hall Agreements received after the deadline will be accepted on a space-available basis. Financial aid awards may not be used to cover advance partial payments.

Students may move into the residence halls the weekend prior to August orientation and the beginning of classes. Information on the designated move-in day will be provided with assignment information. Unless the Department of Residential Living is notified of late arrival, reservations expire at 5 p.m. on the first day of classes.

Residence Hall Agreement. Each student residing in a residence hall signs the Residence Hall Agreement with the University for the entire academic year, or any part of the year remaining when the student moves into the residence hall. The agreement outlines the responsibilities of the student and the University, and is a legally binding contract. It may be cancelled by the student or the University under conditions outlined in the agreement.

Summer Terms. Students who begin their enrollment in summer terms (May, June, or July) are not required to submit the advance housing payment but must submit the Residence Hall Agreement if they wish to reside on campus.

Refund Policy. Students who have paid the advance housing payment and choose not to attend Western are eligible for a 100 percent refund if notification of cancellation is received prior to June 1 (December 1 for spring). Cancellations received after June 1 and prior to acceptance of residence hall room keys (or the first day of classes) will be subject to a $50 administrative processing fee. Students who move out of the residence halls after acceptance of keys will be eligible for a pro-rated refund, but they will be assessed a $400 breach of contract fee.

Housing for Married and Graduate Students. Robertson Hall is available for married students, and consists of 37 efficiency and 5 one-bedroom apartments. Madison Hall is available for graduate students and offers 41 private rooms with private baths and is an airconditioned, nonsmoking hall.

Residence Hall Regulations. The Department of Residential Living, in order to provide a positive environment conducive to individual and community living and learning, has established specific policies and regulations related to personal conduct. These policies are available in the Student Handbook. In an effort to meet a variety of student desires and needs, each residence hall may have variations of certain policies, including visitation hours and smoking options. Please refer to the Student Handbook upon move-in to familiarize yourself with these policies and regulations, as well as student rights and responsibilities.

Off-Campus Housing. Students who plan to live off campus must make their own living arrangements. Students who move from the residence halls to off-campus locations must officially check out of their residence hall rooms and are subject to a breach of contract fee of $400 if the move occurs during the period of the Residence Hall Agreement. Students living off campus are still governed by the rules and regulations of the University while on campus.

Dining

Western Carolina University provides food services for students at the following campus locations:

Brown Cafeteria (on the upper campus)
Cyber Cafe (Dodson)
Dodson Cafeteria (on the lower campus)
Hinds University Center Food Court
Java City (Hunter Library) and Java City (University Center)
Convenience Store located at both Dodson and Brown

Food service may not be provided when dining locations are closed during holidays and other periods when the university is not in session.

Students living in university residence halls are required to purchase a campus meal plan each semester. Participation in a food service plan is optional for commuting students. Special dietary requirements are accommodated by contacting WCU Dining at 227-7396.

The various food service plans offered are described in the fees section of this catalog. For additional information and frequently asked questions, visit the Dining Web site under Life on Campus at www.wcu.edu.

Law Enforcement

The University Police department is responsible for providing law enforcement, criminal investigation, and protective services on campus. University Police officers are certified by the N.C. Attorney General’s Office and meet all standards set by the Attorney General for law enforcement officers in this state.

All crimes that occur on the campus of WCU should be reported to the University Police Department. Emergencies should be reported by dialing 911 from a University telephone or by dialing 828-227-7301 from your cellular telephone; non-emergencies may also be reported by dialing 828-227-7301. Reports for crimes may be filed by visiting the University Police Department, located in the University Outreach Center Annex, or by contacting an officer on patrol. Officers may also be summoned for emergencies by activating any of the emergency blue-light callboxes which are placed at various locations throughout campus.

Information regarding crime statistics and crime prevention programs is available at the University Police department. This same information is made available online at http://police.wcu.edu. For Clery Act Report information, see the Student Affairs homepage.

To better serve and enhance relationships with students, the University Police Department, in cooperation with Residential Living, maintains a substation in Leatherwood Hall.

Traffic and Parking. The University Police department is responsible for the administration of Western’s parking system, vehicle registration, and traffic and parking regulations enforcement. State statutes provide that campus traffic and parking regulations have the full-authority of law, and violators may be subject to the penalties such law prescribes.

Everyone parking a vehicle on campus must register that vehicle with the Parking Services Office and display a current decal on that vehicle. Visitors who park a vehicle on campus less than three days per semester do not need to register their vehicle. Parking and traffic regulations literature is made available in the Parking Services Office, located in the Outreach Center Annex. These same regulations are made available on-line at http://police.wcu.edu/parking.htm.

The Parking, Traffic, and Safety Committee, composed of students, faculty, and staff, functions as an appellate board for faculty and staff members wishing to contest parking citations that they have received. Appeals concerning student violations are heard by a similar SGA appellate committee. The faculty and staff parking citation appeal form is available in the Parking Services Office. The student parking citation appeal form is available online at http://paws.wcu.edu/sga/. For more information, contact the University Parking Services Office at 828-227-7275 (PARK).

Student Shuttle Bus System (CAT-TRAN)
The student shuttle bus system, or Cat-Tran, is operated through the University Police Department. Cat-Tran provides student shuttle service according to prescribed routes throughout the semester during day class hours. Reduced shuttle service is available during evening, weekend, and summer hours. The Cat-Tran does not operate during holidays, spring or fall breaks, or semester breaks. Because the Cat-Tran is supported by a student fee, this service is restricted to student use. Additionally, Cat-Tran is an on-campus service and is not available for off-campus or special event use. For information regarding routes, hours of operation, or other issues, please visit the Cat-Tran web site at http://www.wcu.edu/cattran/ or call the Cat-Tran office at 828.227.8726 (TRAN).

Health Services

Routine medical care is provided by the University Health Center. General health care is provided free of charge through payment of the student health fee. The Health Center offers a comprehensive women’s health clinic and a limited pharmacy program for students. There is a charge for these specialty services. Students enrolled in less than six hours may be subject to additional charges for special procedures and lab work.

The Health Center does not assume responsibility for complicated or chronic mental or physical illness, surgical and dental operations, X-ray procedures, and needs that require the care of specialists. However, referral service is available.

The Center’s medical staff include physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, laboratory personnel, a nutritionist, and a wellness coordinator. The Health Center is located in the Bird Building where consultation hours are posted. For emergency referrals and health service information, please call 828-227-7640. In the event of medical emergencies, please dial 911.

A complete medical record is required of all students entering the university. Additional information for updating during the period of actual attendance may be requested. All students are required by North Carolina General Statute 130-A-155.1 to have the following current immunizations: diptheria-pertussis-tetanus or tetanus-diptheria, measles (rubeola), rubella, and polio. Evidence of the immunizations must be in the student’s records at the time of registration. If this evidence is not present, the student will not be allowed to register for classes. Information concerning the immunization requirements is located on the University Health Center’s Web site.

Insurance. Group medical insurance is available to students on a voluntary basis and may be obtained any time during the term. The university strongly recommends that students avail themselves of these coverages where appropriate or have coverage from some other source. Health insurance coverage is mandatory for international students. International students must purchase or prove coverage of comprehensive medical insurance before being allowed to register for classes. The insurance must be paid in full in advance and be in effect for the entire academic year.

Information concerning all insurance programs is available from the University Health Center, Bird Building, 828-227-7640.

Counseling and Psychological Services. The Counseling and Psychological Services Center provides free and confidential individual and group counseling, crisis counseling, assessment and referral services, outreach presentations and programs, and consultation and training services to the campus community. Appointments can be made by calling 828-227-7469, Bird Building (second floor).

Career Services Office. The Career Services Office offers career counseling and testing, cooperative education, and job search assistance.

Educator Licensure Assistance. All students and alumni seeking initial or subsequent education licensure will find assistance in the Office of Field Experience and Licensure in Killian Building, 828-227-7314.

Mail Service. Students residing on campus are assigned a residence hall mailbox with their room assignment. All other students may rent a mailbox in the Cullowhee Post Office. U.S. postal regulations do not permit receipt of mail addressed as general delivery after an initial 30-day period. A postal commodity machine offering stamps, envelopes, post cards or aero grams, overseas services, and other features is located in the lobby of the A.K. Hinds University Center.

Books and Supplies. The WCU Bookstore offers students a wide variety of merchandise, including textbooks and course materials. WCU clothing and gift items are located at Catamount Clothing and Gifts in the University Center. An extensive selection of books is offered for class use and pleasure reading and books may be special-ordered if not in stock. All books for 500-, 600-, 700-, and 800-level courses are sold by the store. Books for graduate students taking courses numbered below 500 are sold by the book rental department located in the store. Graduation caps, gowns, invitations, and class rings also may be purchased at the bookstore. For more information visit the Web site at www.wcubookstore.wcu.edu.

Bank Services. A branch office of Wachovia Bank and Trust Company is located in Cullowhee. ATM machines installed by State Employees Credit Union and BB&T are located in the Hinds University Center. In addition, branch offices of Wachovia, Carolina Community Bank, Century South Bank of the Carolinas, First Charter Bank, First Citizens Bank and Trust, Community Bank and Trust Company, Jackson Savings Bank, Macon Bank, and the State Employees Credit Union are located in or near Sylva.

Schools for Elementary and High School Students. Cullowhee Valley School, located near the campus in Cullowhee, is a Jackson County school, grades K-8. Smoky Mountain High School and Fairview Elementary School, also Jackson County Schools, are located on the Sylva highway about five miles from the university.

Recreation and Fitness. The facilities of Reid Health and Physical Education Building, including the Fitness Center, Breese Gymnasium, and A.K. Hinds University Center make possible a rich recreational program. Indoor and outdoor recreation includes tennis, volleyball, basketball, swimming, handball, softball, badminton, racquetball, table tennis, and kayak rolling.

The Fitness Center provides Cybex Circuit Selectorized equipment and a free weight room for strength training along with a complete line of cardiovascular equipment. Also provided by the Fitness Center are programs and activities such as land and water aerobics, personal training, body composition analysis and a variety of fitness related programs offered throughout the year.

Cullowhee’s location offers excellent opportunities for hiking, whitewater rafting, fishing, skiing, hunting, golfing, boating, and camping. Students may easily visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, and other nearby places of interest.

Wellness Program. The goal of the Wellness Program is to provide students, faculty, and staff a positive and healthy environment in which to live and grow. The program provides services on health and wellness issues, including health presentations; resources to help individuals with projects and personal issues; a wellness resource library; and events centered on national awareness topics such as fitness, nutrition, AIDS, and alcohol. For further information, call 828-227-7640.

The University Center (UC) is the hub of campus activity - the living room of campus. The UC houses offices of the Student Government Association (SGA); Last Minute Productions (LMP); Women’s Center; Multicultural Center; Lectures, Concerts and Exhibits (LCE); and University Center staff. Western Encourages Leadership Enhancement and Development (WE LEAD) provides a variety of programs to help students develop and hone leadership skills. Base Camp Cullowhee (BCC) offers outdoor programs and equipment rental. Meetings, activities and events are held in the ballroom, movie theater, meeting rooms and conference rooms. The food court features Chic-Fil-A, Montagues’s Deli, and the Burger Factory. Java City serves coffee and custom beverages. The UC provides services such as ATMs, Student Mail Center, Catamount Clothing, student lounges, e-mail stations and fax service. Throughout the year, the UC produces activities including films, dances, concerts, outdoor trips, late night programs and interactive activities. Many activities are planned and organized by WCU students through the student-run program board, Last Minute Production (LMP).

The largest multi-purpose facility west of Charlotte, with a seating capacity of 8,000, the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center is host to a wide variety of programs and activities. Through a network of movable curtains, the main arena can be transformed from a major concert venue or sports arena to a more intimate theatrical setting. Notable performers and speakers have included Aerosmith, Tim McGraw, Ludacris, Bon Jovi, former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, Danny Glover and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Lech Walesa, in addition to numerous other company programs.

The RAC is home to Western’s athletics offices and is the home court for Catamount basketball and volleyball teams. The staff of the Ramsey Center provides leadership for the annual CulloWHEE! ArtsFest series, that consists of a variety of cultural arts events that range from dance and symphony orchestra performances to concerts by nationally known musical entertainers and acclaimed authors. Also available in the building are conference facilities, an in-line hockey rink and five handball courts.

In addition to the different events offered by the Ramsey Center, there are numerous student employment opportunities available for full time and part time students. Students play a big part in the operation of the Ramsey Center and are an integral part of our day to day operations. There are approximately 40 students employed at the Center ranging from stage crew and lighting operators who help with concerts and other productions to Student Managers who are responsible for managing the facility during the evenings and weekends. These job assignments are set up to accommodate the student’s class schedule.

For more information about the Ramsey Center or a current schedule of events, visit us at ramsey.wcu.edu.