About the University and the Graduate School

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About the University

A member of the University of North Carolina System, Western Carolina University offers courses in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, technologies, healthcare, business, and professions. Students can elect degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level of study. Doctoral degrees are offered in educational leadership, physical therapy, psychology, and nursing with emphases in nurse anesthesia, nursing practice, and family nursing practice. As a regional comprehensive institution, WCU serves the people of North Carolina from its residential campus in Cullowhee and its site in Asheville, as well as online.

Mission

As Western North Carolina’s regional comprehensive university, Western Carolina University is dedicated to academic excellence, affordability, and access. WCU inspires student learning through innovative teaching, nationally recognized programs, exceptional support, and a robust connectedness with surrounding communities in Southern Appalachia, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Through a broad range of scholarly activities, our faculty and students seek to better understand our region, state, nation, and world. With an emphasis on engaging students both inside and outside the classroom, WCU’s bachelor’s, master’s, and professional doctoral programs in Cullowhee, Asheville, and online aim to improve lives and promote economic prosperity throughout Western North Carolina and beyond.

Our Core Values

• Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship
• Collaboration with and Respect for our Communities
• Free and Open Interchange of Ideas
• Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
• Robust and Engaging Student Experience
• Investment in our People
• Environmental Stewardship

Our Vision

Western Carolina University will be a national model for public comprehensive universities serving rural regions and an innovative driver for the social and economic mobility of its students. WCU will break barriers to student access and opportunity, and leverage the expertise of its faculty, staff, and students in confronting the complex health, educational, social, and economic challenges in its region and state.

Location

Western Carolina University is located in the scenic Southern Appalachian Mountains in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The university consists of the main residential campus in Cullowhee and an instructional site in Asheville, NC, serving the greater Buncombe-Henderson County areas.

A faculty of about 776 serves a student body of approximately 12,000 in resident and distance classes. The Cullowhee campus is in a rural valley between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, fifty-two miles west of Asheville and seven miles south of Sylva on North Carolina Highway 107. The location at the southern end of Cullowhee Valley in the heart of the Tuckasegee River basin gives it an unusually attractive setting. The closest commercial airport to the university is located in Asheville.

The central campus consists of about roughly 600 acres, including beautifully wooded areas and modern academic, student-residence, recreation, and athletic facilities on both the east and west sides of Highway 107 in Cullowhee. The Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Qualla Boundary (Cherokee), Fontana Lake, and numerous resort areas offer golfing, skiing, fishing, hunting, hiking, water sports, and other recreational opportunities nearby.

The university’s instructional site in Asheville is located at Biltmore Park Town Square along I-26 near the Asheville Regional Airport. WCU offers degree programs in nursing and engineering as well as graduate programs in accounting, business administration, public affairs, entrepreneurship, social work, physical therapy, and education at the Biltmore Park location.

Governance

Western Carolina University, a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina System, functions under the jurisdiction of the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University. Policies of the Board of Governors are administered by the president and the University of North Carolina System Office. The Board of Trustees receives its authority by delegation from the UNC Board of Governors.

The chancellor is the chief administrative officer of the university. The Faculty Senate, the principal policy-recommending body of the faculty, operates under the provisions of a faculty constitution and bylaws. The Staff Senate functions as the voice of staff and is advisory to the chancellor.

Land Acknowledgment

Western Carolina University is situated within the ancestral homelands of the Cherokee people, twenty miles from present-day Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian communities of the Qualla Boundary. The campus occupies Two Sparrows Place (Tali Tsisgwayahi, ᏔᎵ ᏥᏍᏆᏯᎯ), an ancient principal town with a mound and council house where Killian Building now stands. Cullowhee, the university’s home, is Tsul’kalawi (ᏧᎳᎦᎳᏫ) or Judaculla’s Place. This giant being was the Great Teacher and steward of the natural world, and ancient stories about Judaculla tell of the Creator and creation, the origin of humans, and the proper way to be Cherokee. We at Western Carolina University inherit these stories so that we may better understand the deep significance of this beloved place and our role here.

We are dedicated to supporting the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and all indigenous tribes throughout the world in achieving futures of their own making. We will continue to collaborate with tribal nations to address the challenges at hand, and we want each of you to accept the charge of learning and supporting our relationship with indigenous people during your time at WCU. This work acknowledges our sense of place and reinforces our mission at Western Carolina University.

Accreditation

Western Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Western Carolina University also may offer credentials, such as certificates and diplomas, at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Western Carolina University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

In addition to this institutional accreditation, other program-specific accreditation by appropriate agencies includes these:

AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

ABET, Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission

ABET, Computing Accreditation Commission
ABET, Engineering Accreditation Commission
ABET, Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission
American Chemical Society
American Dietetic Association
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the Council on Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association, and the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Professions
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Council on Accreditation of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Council on Social Work Education
Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER)
National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Science and Protection
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of School Psychologists
National Council of Teachers of English
North American Society for Sport Management/National Association for Sport and Physical Education
North Carolina Board of Nursing
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Project Management Institute, Inc.

The university is a member of appropriate state and national associations and organizations to which its professional programs are related. These include but are not limited to the following:

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Higher Education
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American College Dance Festival Association
American Council on Education
American Society of Allied Health Professions
Association for Continuing Higher Education
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
Association for Theatre in Higher Education

Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate
College Entrance Examination Board
Conference of Southern Graduate Schools
Cooperative Education Association
Council of Graduate Schools in the United States
Institute for International Education, Inc.
International Council for Small Business
Mathematics Association of America
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
National University Continuing Education Association
North American Association of Summer Sessions
North Carolina Academy of Science
North Carolina Association of Colleges and Universities

North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NCACTE)
North Carolina Bar Association
North Carolina Political Science Association
Southeastern Theatre Conference
Southern Atlantic States Association for Asian and African Studies
Southern Regional Education Board
Southern States Communication Association
Speech Communication Association
United States Distance Learning Association
United States Institute for Theatre Technology

Wilderness Education Association

The Register

History of The University of North Carolina

In North Carolina, all the public educational institutions that grant baccalaureate degrees are part of The University of North Carolina. Western Carolina University is one of the sixteen constituent institutions of the multi-campus state university.

The University of North Carolina, chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1789, was the first public university in the United States to open its doors and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century. The first class was admitted in Chapel Hill in 1795. For the next 136 years, the only campus of The University of North Carolina was at Chapel Hill.

In 1877, the North Carolina General Assembly began sponsoring additional institutions of higher education, diverse in origin and purpose. Five were historically black institutions, and another was founded to educate American Indians. Several were created to prepare teachers for the public schools. Others had a technological emphasis. One is a training school for performing artists.

In 1931, the North Carolina General Assembly redefined The University of North Carolina to include three state-supported institutions: the campus at Chapel Hill (now the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), North Carolina State College (now North Carolina State University at Raleigh), and Woman’s College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro). The new multi-campus university operated with one board of trustees and one president. By 1969, three additional campuses had joined the university through legislative action: the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

In 1971, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation bringing into the University of North Carolina the state’s ten remaining public senior institutions, each of which had until then been legally separate: Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, the North Carolina School of the Arts, Pembroke State University, Western Carolina University, and Winston-Salem State University. This action created the current sixteen-campus university. In 1985, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, a residential high school for gifted students, was declared an affiliated school of the university; and in 1996, Pembroke State University was renamed The University of North Carolina at Pembroke through legislative action.

The UNC Board of Governors is the policy-making body legally charged with the general determination, control, supervision, management, and governance of all affairs of the constituent institutions. It elects the president, who administers the university. The thirty-two voting members of the Board of Governors are elected by the North Carolina General Assembly for four-year terms. Former board chairmen and board members who are former governors of North Carolina may continue to serve for limited periods as non-voting members emeriti. The president of the UNC Association of Student Governments, or that student’s designee, is also a non-voting member.

Each of the sixteen constituent institutions is headed by a chancellor, who is chosen by the Board of Governors on the president’s nomination and is responsible to the president. Each institution has a board of trustees, consisting of eight members elected by the Board of Governors, four appointed by the governor, and the president of the student body, who serves ex officio. The North Carolina School of the Arts has two additional ex officio members. Each board of trustees holds extensive powers over academic and other operations of its institution on delegation from the Board of Governors.

Board of Governors

Wendy Floyd Murphy, Chair

Kellie Hunt Blue, Vice Chair

Pearl Burris-Floyd., Secretary

Dr. Lee Barnes

Kirk J. Bradley

Cameron Brown

Harry Brown

C. Philip Byers

Swadesh Chatterjee

Jimmy D. Clark

Carolyn Coward

Gene Davis

Joel Ford

John Fraley

Kathryn Crisp Greeley

Reginald Ronald Holley

Mark Holton

Terry Hutchens

J. Alex Mitchell

Sonja Phillips Nichols

Art Pope

Randy Ramsey

Temple Sloan

Woody White

Michael Williford

Officers of the University of North Carolina

Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University was founded in August 1889 as a semi-public school. Chartered as Cullowhee High School in 1891, it served the Cullowhee community and boarding students from neighboring counties and other states.

For Professor Robert Lee Madison, the institution’s founder, the aim of the school was teacher training. In 1893, with the first state appropriation of $1,500, a normal department was established. In 1905, the institution became Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School, a title it held for 20 years.

Beginning about 1912, the status of the school was gradually raised to that of a two-year normal school or junior college. With state support increasing and work at the secondary level discontinued, the name of the school was changed in 1925 to Cullowhee State Normal School.

In 1929, under a new charter authorizing the school to extend its work to the four-year level, the name Western Carolina Teachers College was adopted. Modifications in function and rapid growth climaxed in 1951 with the addition of the postgraduate year to the curriculum, and the granting of the Master of Arts in Education degree was authorized. Demands in the liberal arts, and for programs in other areas of learning, led to an expansion of its offerings and to a further change, in 1953, to the name Western Carolina College.

In 1967, the institution was designated a regional university by the North Carolina General Assembly and the name of the institution was changed to Western Carolina University.

In 1971, the state legislature reorganized higher education in North Carolina, and on July 1, 1972, Western Carolina University became a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina.

In 1996, Western Carolina University was approved by the University of North Carolina-General Administration and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer the Doctoral degree in education.

Board of Trustees

Administrative Officers

Office of the Chancellor

About the Graduate School

The Graduate School consists of a graduate faculty represented by the dean, who is the administrative officer, and the Graduate Council. The dean reports to the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor and is responsible for Graduate School and Research. Please see the Graduate Faculty & Staff web page for a current list of graduate faculty members.

Graduate Council

The Faculty Handbook defines the composition of the Graduate Council. Please see the Graduate Council web page for a current list of faculty and student members. The Graduate Council formulates and recommends policies and standards for the Graduate School, reviews and recommends all teaching personnel for graduate courses, and appraises and recommends new graduate degree programs and changes in existing programs.

Research Administration

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) provides comprehensive support services for faculty and students seeking external funding for research from public and private sources. These support services include assistance with project planning, funding searches, proposal development, internal and external electronic submission processes, budgeting, human and animal subject research, project administration, and compliance. Further information may be obtained by emailing Research Administration at researchadministration@wcu.edu, writing the Research Administration at 110 Cordelia Camp, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723, or by calling (828) 227-7212.

The Graduate School and Graduate Study at Western Carolina University

Graduate study is a personal experience, and the selection of a graduate school is one of the most important decisions a student is called upon to make. At Western Carolina University, graduate study is characterized by small classes, personal interaction with faculty members, and a pleasant atmosphere conducive to the pursuit of individual educational goals.

Western Carolina University is a state-supported coeducational institution with a student body of almost 12,000, of which over 1,700 are graduate students. Including its credit and noncredit instructional courses, continuing education offerings, workshops, conferences, and service programs, the university serves more than 12,000 persons each year. The Graduate School offers programs leading to 27 Master’s degrees in more than 50 professional and academic areas, the Specialist in School Psychology degree, and 6 Doctoral degrees.

The Graduate School provides programs to prepare members of the teaching profession for licensure at the Master’s and sixth-year levels, to prepare persons to teach in higher education, and to meet the needs of persons working in or preparing to work in other occupations and professions. A student interested in any of the following programs should request additional information from the Graduate School or the head of the appropriate department: accountancy, art, athletic training, biology, business administration, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, construction management, counseling, educational leadership, elementary education, English, engineering technology, experiential outdoor education, health sciences, higher education student affairs, history, human resources, innovation leadership & entrepreneurship, middle grades education, nursing, physical therapy, project management, psychology, public affairs, school administration, social sciences, social work, special education, or sport management.

The university operates on a semester system, with two semesters making up the regular academic year. In addition, a summer semester offers a wide variety of courses for both graduates and undergraduates.

Further information may be obtained by emailing the Graduate School at grad@wcu.edu, writing the Graduate School at 110 Cordelia Camp, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723, or by telephoning (828) 227-7398.

Division of Educational Outreach

Through the Division of Educational Outreach, the teaching resources of the university are made available to the residents of the region and the state. The division promotes and coordinates noncredit and off-site credit courses and programs, supports military students (residential and distance), manages distance learning student support, operates a testing center, and supports academic departments in non-credit offerings and conferences, camps and other events. Many workshops, institutes, conferences, seminars, and short courses are available for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit.

Distance Learning. Division of Educational Outreach collaborates with academic colleges, Information Technology, university student service units, community colleges, and businesses to provide support to distance learners. Distance Learning Student Services supports students by assisting with application and admission processes, providing online tutoring, supporting students through electronic and personal contact; supporting distance faculty where appropriate; and providing data for distance learning decisions. Distance learning extends the boundaries of the university by using a variety of telecommunications technologies in the online and off-campus delivery of UNC-approved distance programs. On occasion, students may meet in a regular classroom setting or on Saturdays for clinical activities at distant instructional sites. Distance learners may be required to attend an orientation on the campus of Western Carolina University or at an outreach site.

Cordelia Camp Building. The division manages a conference and training center, which is equipped with classrooms, computer labs, and interactive video facilities. The center serves businesses, agencies, and schools in Western North Carolina with continuing professional education workshops and retreats.

Camps and Conferences. The division provides support for educational conferences, camps, and special events and is the facilitator of faculty-led conferences on campus. Several annual conferences are held each year on campus with expert faculty from Western Carolina University and from throughout the U.S. Experienced staff can help develop budgets; assist in program planning; secure appropriate facilities; arrange for lodging, meals, banquets, and tours; provide brochure design, printing, and mailing service; handle registrations; and manage financial details. Depending on the university calendar and preference of the sponsors, conference participants may be housed in campus facilities or off-campus commercial settings.

Professional Growth and Enrichment. With the rapid explosion of new knowledge and technologies, up-to-date information is vital for today’s professional. A wide range of opportunities is available for continued learning in many fields. These include both online and face-to-face opportunities. There are non-credit opportunities for recertification or certification in a variety of fields including nursing, project management, and drug and alcohol. Programs can be tailored to meet specific organizational needs and to assist in corporate training efforts at any site.

Military Student Service-Educational Outreach houses military student services including the certification office for military-affiliated funding for active duty, veterans, spouses and dependents.   The Office acts as a one-stop for all things military from recruitment to graduation.  The Office advocates for military students and educates the campus as to the special circumstances of military students.  Additionally, the Office supports the Student Veterans Association. Visit the website at military.wcu.edu or contact the office by email at military@wcu.edu or call (828) 227-7397.

Testing Center. The Continuing Education Testing Center oversees administrations of a variety of tests.  Testing includes TEAS, SAT, CLEP, DSST, MAT, and other national exams.  The Center also serves as a testing site for a variety of high-stakes/professional exams and is an approved site for proctored testing for distance learners through UNC-Online Proctoring Network and the National College Testing Association. Western Carolina University distance students must also test at a testing center approved by one of these two organizations. Each test will have specific requirements for registration.  For a list of all testing and requirements, visit the website testing.wcu.edu.

Online students. The Center also serves distance students from other universities.  The Center provides testing for a variety of professional testing. Students should consult with faculty about proctored testing requirements.

Summer Sessions. A full summer academic program at the graduate and undergraduate levels is offered in Cullowhee, Asheville and on-line. Special short courses, workshops, and institutes in a number of subjects are available at these locations and in Cherokee. Visit the website at summer.wcu.edu for more information.

Western Carolina University Programs at Biltmore Park

WCU hosts a large instructional site in Asheville which offers a rich mix of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Most are programs designed for working professionals looking to complete their degrees while continuing their careers. At WCU Biltmore Park, the University offers two doctoral programs in Education and Nursing, and 10 master’s programs which include degrees in accounting, business, counseling, English, nursing, public affairs, social work, and technology. Additionally, WCU offers two baccalaureate completion programs in engineering and nursing.

WCU’s instructional site in Asheville is located at 28 Scheck Parkway, halfway between downtown Asheville and Hendersonville at Biltmore Park Town Square.  More information can be found at biltmorepark.wcu.edu or at (828) 654-6498.

Service and Research Centers

Faculty members and students participate in a wide range of service and research activities. The university’s service centers add impetus to the programs of the colleges and departments and provide significant assistance to the region in which the university is located.

Accessibility Resources. It is the mission of the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) to remove barriers and ensure equal access for all qualified students with disabilities. We accomplish this mission by providing accommodations and related support services for students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are provided when deemed necessary and reasonable for a particular student and are determined on a case-by-case basis through an interactive process between the student and the OAR. Accommodations may include but are not limited to, testing accommodations, note-taking accommodations, alternate format texts and materials, assistive technology, and communications assistance (such as sign-language interpreters or captioning services). It is the student’s responsibility to disclose their disability, request academic or physical accommodations, and provide documentation. The request can be made at any time; however, some accommodations may take time to put in place, so it is best to make the request as early as possible in the semester. The OAR also provides coaching, self-advocacy training, awareness events/activities, and training for faculty and staff. For more information, please visit go.wcu.edu/oar.

Center for Career and Professional Development. The Center for Career and Professional Development encompasses resources and services that support students’ self-assessment, career exploration, and pursuit of experiential and post-graduate opportunities.

Activities/services include the following:

• On-campus student employment
• JobCat and other accessible job listing programs
• Individual conferences with career counselors
• Vocational and interest testing
• Internship program assistance
• Resume and cover letter critiquing service
• An online mock interview program
• Career events

The Center for Career and Professional Development is located in the Reid Building Room 150. For more information careers.wcu.edu. 

The Rapid Center. The College of Engineering and Technology houses the Rapid Center, a research and development center whose primary mission is to partner with businesses, industry, and entrepreneurs to develop new products and processes. Within a dynamic environment for applied additive manufacturing and testing, our industry-experienced faculty and staff work with business partners to address their specific needs and to remove obstacles to product commercialization and process improvement. The Rapid Center fosters a culture of collaborative innovation helping clients refine existing products, develop new ones, and improve business practices. At the same time, our engineering, technology, and construction students, working with faculty mentors work with The Rapid Center to address real-world problems for project sponsors while gaining applied experiences during their senior capstone project. The Rapid Center’s offices, classrooms, and labs are located in the Belk Building and Center for Applied Technology on the Cullowhee campus. Our facilities are fully equipped with professional software and hardware that meets or exceeds, industry standards for product design, development, and advanced testing. The Rapid Center serves businesses and industries throughout the Southeast and beyond, providing access to world-class product development resources while working to achieve our goals of economic transformation and engaged learning.

The Rapid Center is partially funded by the Economic Development Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and is a partner of WCU’s EDA University Center. Collaborating with the Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in WCU’s College of Business, the Rapid Center assists individuals and companies whose combined successes will improve the economic strength of the state, the region, and the Southeast.

To learn more about the student/faculty projects and how to become involved with the Rapid Center, visit rapid.wcu.edu.

Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning helps WCU students, faculty, and staff find service opportunities in the region. The office plans and promotes volunteer opportunities, facilitates course-based service learning projects, and tracks and recognizes student engagement in service through the Lily Community Engagement Award program. Service opportunities are available at over 130 community agencies and include many types of projects. Through service learning, students can improve their understanding of course content, meet community needs, develop career-related skills, and become responsible citizens. Each year, WCU offers nearly 100 courses with service learning components, spread across every college and school of the university.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits. Western Carolina University is approved under the provisions of Title 38 United States Code, Chapter 36, to receive and process VA education benefits. Persons eligible and entitled under provisions of Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35 and Sections 901 and 903, and Title 10 United States Code, Chapter 1606 may enroll in programs approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency. All inquiries concerning Veterans Affairs educational benefits should be addressed to the VA Certifying Official, Military Student Services, 138 Camp Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723, telephone (828) 227-3074.

Highlands Biological Station.

The Highlands Biological Station (HBS) is a field station for biological research and education focused on southern Appalachian ecosystems and organisms. Founded in 1927, HBS has been an Inter-Institutional Center of the University of North Carolina since 1976. Western Carolina University has served as the administrative campus for HBS since 1981. Twenty regional colleges and universities also participate in the Station’s programs as member institutions.

HBS is located on the Blue Ridge Escarpment about 30 miles south of Cullowhee in the town of Highlands, North Carolina. The topography, latitude, and high rainfall of the area combine to yield extremely rich biotic and environmental diversity, making HBS an ideal locale for field studies in environmental biology, conservation, aquatic ecology, population biology, community and ecosystem ecology, and systematics. Its facilities are open to students and senior investigators engaged in research on the organisms and environments of the southern Appalachian region. Station facilities include housing (40 beds in several residences), a self-service dining hall, well-equipped research space, and teaching classrooms and laboratories. The 23-acre campus also includes the WPA-built Highlands Nature Center, which offers educational exhibits, K-12 outreach, and a wide variety of public programs, and the 12-acre Highlands Botanical Garden, which features hundreds of native plant species in a variety of southern Appalachian habitats. Both the Nature Center and Botanical Garden are free and open to the public.

Each summer HBS offers a series of one-to-two-week courses and workshops taught at the advanced undergraduate and introductory graduate levels, as well as short courses and workshops for general audiences. Academic credit through WCU or UNC-Chapel Hill is available for most courses and workshops. Limited financial aid is available for courses, and a research Grant-in-Aid program also provides financial assistance to graduate students conducting thesis research at HBS. Since 2001, the Station has hosted a fall semester-in-residence undergraduate program in environmental biology in cooperation with the Institute for the Environment at UNC-Chapel Hill. WCU students majoring in biology or environmental sciences are encouraged to apply to this unique program.

To learn more about the programs, courses, and research opportunities at the Highlands Biological Station, visit the HBS website at highlandsbiological.org or contact Dr. James T. Costa, Executive Director, Highlands Biological Station, 265 N. Sixth Street, Highlands, NC 28741; by phone at (828) 526-2602; or by email at costa@email.wcu.edu. 

Office of National and International Awards (ONIA). The Office of National and International Awards (ONIA) is the quintessential resource at Western Carolina University for providing qualifying students with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply for and win competitive national and international awards.  ONIA coordinates the institution’s support of students who wish to apply for competitive national and international awards, such as the Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, Truman, or Rhodes.  Please note that ONIA does not coordinate WCU financial aid, scholarships, or graduate fellowships.  For information on how to apply for external competitive awards at WCU, please contact the Director, Dr. Ingrid Bego, at ibego@wcu.edu or call (828) 227-3899.

Western Carolina University Cherokee Center. The Western Carolina University Center in Cherokee was established in 1975 in cooperation with the tribal government of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee Center and its staff serve as the collaborative hub between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Western Carolina University. The center offers pre-admissions counseling, academic advisement, financial aid assistance, and study-skills development services in addition to courses leading toward academic degrees and non-credit courses. The center also serves as a support system for the Native American Student Organization and the EBCI Western Alumni Club. The center serves Cherokee and the surrounding communities and is available to all the people of the region and serves anyone interested in attending any college or post-secondary institution. The office for the Cherokee Center is located at 1594 Acquoni Road, next to the Cherokee Youth Center. The Center operates Monday through Friday 8 am - 5 pm. Contact the Center by phone at (828) 497-7920.

Hunter Library

The Hunter Library provides high-quality information support services to students, staff, and faculty as its primary mission. Librarians provide both individualized research assistance and classroom instruction. The library is open more than 96 hours per week during the regular Fall and Spring semesters. The library’s vast digital resources are available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The collections and services that support student and faculty research include the following:

• Extensive books and periodicals. This collection is augmented by a cooperative agreement with UNC Asheville and Appalachian State University using a shared online catalog and delivery service. Students can readily borrow items from these other libraries and generally receive them in two days or less
• 200+ electronic databases and 70,000+ electronic journals that can be accessed remotely
• Electronic reserves collection that can be accessed remotely
• Free interlibrary loan service for all students and employees
• Special Collections, containing manuscript collections, books, photographs, and other resources documenting the history of western North Carolina and southern Appalachia, the history of the Cherokee Indians, and literary works and papers of western North Carolina authors
• Streaming and physical media
• Curriculum Materials, maintaining collections of state-adopted textbooks, curriculum guides, children’s literature, and other classroom instructional materials in support of the university’s professional education programs

Information Technology. The Division of Information Technology is responsible for providing technical assistance, information, and services in support of Western’s mission and aspirations. These services include providing information resources to students, faculty, and staff to support teaching, learning, research, and administrative and regional engagement efforts. Information Technology provides advice, planning, and technical guidance for the appropriate use of technology in support of the university’s educational endeavors. Information Technology is located in various campus buildings with assistance available at many of WCU’s facilities beyond the Cullowhee campus. The university is an active member of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The university is also a member of Internet2, a software and networking consortium led by members from the research and education communities, industry, and government.

Information Technology has over 80 staff and is comprised of the following units: The Office of the Chief Information Officer, Academic Engagement and IT Governance, Chief Technologist and IT Security Office, Coulter Faculty Commons, IT Applications and Systems, IT Project Management Office, Instructional Technology and Desktop Services, and Networking and Communications.

The university uses a state-of-the-art administrative system that allows students and faculty to do virtually all of their business with the university, such as register for courses or post grades, online. All students receive a WCU email account that allows them to communicate with their peers, faculty members, and university offices. The myWCU portal is the primary tool used by students to access email and other campus and course-related information. Canvas is the primary instructional delivery system in support of traditional classroom and online courses.

There are over 5,000 WCU-owned computers and mobile devices in offices, classrooms, and lab facilities, all with connections to high-speed broadband networks. Students enjoy high-speed network connectivity from their residence hall rooms or from the EDUROAM wireless network available throughout the Cullowhee campus. The Technology Commons, our IT walk-up location, which boasts a multitude of services, is located on the ground floor of Hunter Library. Their hours can be found at tc.wcu.edu, but the Technology Commons is always open 24 hours during the last two weeks of the fall and spring semesters. Users may call the Information Technology Help Desk locally at (828) 227-7487 or toll-free at (866) 928-7487 or visit the Online Help Desk/Self-Service page located at: help.wcu.edu for assistance with any Information Technology service or resource. Faculty routinely work with the Coulter Faculty Commons to integrate technology into their teaching activities.

Information Technology supports both Windows and Apple operating systems along with various software applications including a focus on Microsoft Office products. Office products are provided for faculty, staff, and students along with upgrades for the Windows operating system for university and personal computers. Information Technology also provides computer virus protection software to all students, faculty, and staff and is committed to keeping computers safe, secure, and current in a highly networked campus computing environment. Many software packages are centrally licensed with a limited number of licenses available in labs and classrooms, but they can also be accessed anytime/anywhere through our VCAT service. Visit vcat.wcu.edu for more information. Statistical packages and other specialized software, including digital media editing, geographical information systems, and engineering design programs, can be found in collaborative labs and classrooms.

IT Video Services provides consultation and technical support for campus video needs, including audio/video production, streaming, live event support, and video conferencing services through the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) website at doit.wcu.edu provides a variety of useful technology information and self-help resources, as well as links for downloading software for personally-owned computers and accessing computer purchasing information.

Office of Global Engagement. The Office of Global Engagement provides leadership and advocacy for international programs and activities on campus and coordinates the resources necessary to sustain their growth. IPS is the hub of international activities at WCU. IPS works with faculty, staff, and students on campus, in Western Carolina, and throughout the world to:

• Help develop WCU students into global citizens
• Manage WCU’s study abroad programs
• Develop and facilitate international engagement and partnerships
• Support international teaching and learning for example, through faculty-led study abroad programs, and Global Learning Academy
• Recruit and enroll international students
• Provide immigration services and transitional support for international students and scholars
• Provide English language training to international students
• Increase cross-cultural understanding through outreach programs, for example, K-12 outreach

McKee Assessment and Psychological Services Clinic. The McKee Assessment and Psychological Services Clinic at Western Carolina University is a state of the art, not-for-profit training clinic for students in our Clinical, School, and Health Service Psychology graduate programs. The McKee clinic provides comprehensive psychological evaluations, educational and therapeutic recommendations, and consultation services to schools, parents, students, and individuals from the community. All services are provided by master and doctoral-level graduate students under the close supervision of university faculty.

Mentoring and Persistence to Success (MAPS) (http://www.wcu.edu/learn/academic-success/student-retention/maps/) is a comprehensive academic support program which assists eligible students in choosing and working toward their academic, career, and personal goals with programs tailored to meet individual needs. Services include academic advising, career and personal coaching, and mentoring. Students may qualify for all free services if they meet one of the following criteria: they are first-generation college students; OR are independent status; OR meet U.S. Department of Education income guidelines. MAPS also coordinates freshman and early start and transition programs including the Academic Success Program (ASP), Catamount Gap, Catamount Gap Abroad, and STEM Enrichment.

Mountain Heritage Center. The center collects, interprets, and disseminates knowledge about the southern Appalachian region and its people. Its research and artifact collections promote public awareness of the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage using publications, exhibitions, and demonstrations presented both on campus and throughout western North Carolina. The center also collaborates with public schools in preparing programs for educational enrichment and provides a learning experience for university students through internships.

Myron L. Coulter Faculty Commons for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The Coulter Faculty Commons, founded in 1988, provides comprehensive support for all part-time and full-time faculty and Graduate Teaching Assistants in teaching, learning, research, and engagement. Located in Hunter Library, the CFC’s mission includes the enhancement of student learning, the facilitation of effectiveness in instructional technology, the planning and implementation of events/ professional development opportunities, and the support of faculty research. Graduate students and faculty who participate in CFC activities are able to document their participation and collaboration with the CFC to show evidence of professional development in teaching and learning. For more information, visit the CFC website at http://www.wcu.edu/learn/faculty/coulter-faculty-commons/

Activities and services include:

• One-on-one consultation and workshop opportunities on course design, syllabi, learning objectives, active learning, and effective teaching and learning strategies
• One-on-one consultation and workshop opportunities for research design, methodology, and assessment, particularly for research in the scholarship of teaching and learning.
• One-on-one consultations and workshop opportunities focused on using lecture-capture software and other digital media tools in teaching.
• Monthly newsletters with news, opportunities, and best practices in teaching and learning
• Training opportunities for using the LMS (Learning Management System) for instruction
• Support for the use of research software, including ArcGIS, Qualtrics (a survey tool), SPSS, SAS, and STATA.
• Support for research across the Boyer model, including the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The Coulter Faculty Commons can be reached at (828) 227-7196.

North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) was established by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1985 as a statewide center to recognize and support outstanding North Carolina pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade public school teachers and to enhance teaching as an art and profession with the ultimate goal being the retention of high-quality teachers in the classroom.  A center of The University of North Carolina, NCCAT is governed by a board of trustees, and its programs and activities are conducted by a professional staff of faculty and administrators.

School-University Teacher Education Partnership (SUTEP). SUTEP, housed in the College of Education and Allied Professions, partners with more than 100 schools in the 18 western North Carolina school systems. These partnerships are designed to enrich school-university relationships, strengthen teacher preparation, and provide professional development for teachers and school administrators.

Southern Appalachian Biodiversity and Ecology Center (SABEC). Faculty and students in Biology and Natural Resources Conservation and Management collaborate with Highlands Biological Station, regional groups, and public schools in education, research, and outreach focused on ecology and biotic diversity in the mountain ecosystems of western North Carolina and surrounding areas.

Speech and Hearing Clinic. The Speech and Hearing Clinic’s (SHC) fundamental mission is to provide quality clinical education for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in the discipline of communication disorders. As a critical adjunct, the SHC provides diagnostic, treatment, and consultative services to citizens of western North Carolina with known or suspected speech, language, and/or hearing disorders. The SHC also strives to serve as a community resource for allied professionals and agencies requiring information about human communication and communication disorders. The clinic derives its strength from a combined academic/clinical orientation that directly fosters the delivery of state-of-the-art services. The SHC’s services are available to people of all ages. In addition to traditional speech/language/hearing services, the SHC offers the following:

• Hearing aid evaluation and dispensing
• Otoacoustic emission testing
• Augmentative communication evaluation
• Interdisciplinary evaluation
• Assistive technology consultation and training
• Education on various topics related to communication disorders

The Small Business and Technology Development Center at Western Carolina University (SBTDC at WCU). The SBTDC center at WCU is staffed by four dedicated business professionals who provide comprehensive business counseling for small to medium-sized companies. These counselors serve the 14 western counties of North Carolina through two convenient locations on campus at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee and in downtown Asheville. 

Most business owners or their executives come to the SBTDC initially for confidential counseling to assess their business and develop a plan to make their business better. Together, the counselor and company select tools to implement that plan - financial analysis, market studies, focus groups, strategic needs assessments, government procurement assistance, and/or strategic planning retreats to name a few.  If funding is needed, the SBTDC provides hands-on assistance with loan package preparation and approaches to other capital sources (including angel investors).  For companies involved in scientific research & product development, our team assists with federal SBIR and STTR grant proposals.

As a program of the university system, the SBTDC strives to leverage the assets of WCU to benefit businesses in the region.  Each year, in partnership with professors from the College of Business well over 250 students from WCU participate in applied learning projects designed to assist companies with improvement and growth. These projects provide a hands-on learning experience for students and much-needed resources for businesses.  Finally, the Center administers a summer internship program for rising seniors at WCU who work with a small business in the region for eight weeks over the course of the summer.  Students apply for specific positions with companies who have expressed interest in hosting an intern.

For more information, visit the SBTDC at WCU Center page at http://www.sbtdc.org/offices/wcu/.

Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC) provides tutoring and academic support services to help students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to achieve academic excellence. Services include course tutoring, writing tutoring, academic skills consultations, international student consultations, and online writing resources.

Writing tutors collaborate with students from all classes and majors at every stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and prewriting to drafting and revising. Course tutors facilitate collaborative sessions and offer strategies for effective study. Academic skills consultants conduct in-class workshops and one-on-one consultations focused on improving students’ reading, note taking, time management, test preparation, and test taking skills. Visit tutoring.wcu.edu or call (828) 227-2274 to schedule appointments.

Tutoring services are available during fall, spring, and summer terms and are offered to enrolled students without charge.

In addition to using the WaLC’s online resources, distance students and students taking classes at Biltmore Park are encouraged to use Brainfuse, an online tutoring service provided by The Division of Educational Outreach. For more information about Brainfuse, visit onlinetutoring.wcu.edu.

The Mathematics Tutoring Center (MTC), located at Stillwell 437, is an associated service of the Writing and Learning Commons Group. We are closely connected with the Math and Computer Science Department.  We are mainly a drop-in tutoring service, serving students who are taking math and computer science courses at WCU, and we do offer some appointments for Math and Computer Science courses through Navigate. Our normal hours of operation are 9 am - 9 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 9 am - 5 pm on Fridays during the Fall and Spring semesters. The Director, Sibley Bryan, can be reached at (828) 227-3830 or at fsbryan@wcu.edu.

Centers and Institutes Affiliated with Graduate School and Research

Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines. The Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines (PSDS) is a research and educational outreach center. The primary mission of PSDS is to conduct scientific research into coastal processes and to translate that science into management and policy recommendations through a variety of professional and public outreach mechanisms. PSDS personnel foster faculty and student participation in these areas of research through grant writing and active engagement of students in research projects.

Public Policy Institute. The Public Policy Institute is a multidisciplinary applied research and outreach arm of the University concerned with promoting effective public policy in the region. Faculty and students from across the University participate in the institute in a variety of ways. Interested students and faculty should contact the director at ppi@wcu.edu, via email for more information.

Other Offices and Services

Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness. The Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness (OIPE) is responsible for coordinating the university’s institutional research, strategic planning, accreditation, and assessment activities. OIPE is responsible for the university’s state and federal reporting obligations, assists university departments with surveys, and provides university statistical information requested by other agencies. Visit the OIPE website at http://www.wcu.edu/learn/office-of-the-provost/oipe/.

Chancellor’s Division/Chief of Staff

The chancellor’s division includes units that deal strategically with internal controls, compliance, and external messaging and outreach.

Reporting to the chancellor are the chief of staff with responsibility for external affairs, the general counsel with responsibility for legal services and compliance, the chief diversity officer with responsibility for equal opportunity and inclusive excellence, and the chief audit officer with responsibility for internal audit and risk management.

Office of the Chief of Staff (External Affairs)

The chief of staff to the chancellor also serves as the university’s primary external affairs officer, providing strategic direction and vision to the university’s communication and outreach to external constituents such as governing boards, system officials and staff, elected and appointed officials, media, and prospective students and their influencers. Functions reporting to the chief of staff include marketing and communications, public relations, government relations, special events, and economic development and regional partnerships.

University Communications and Marketing. University Communications and Marketing is led by the chief marketing and communications officer and includes the university’s news, media relations, social media, creative services, photography, and videography functions.

Communications and Marketing is responsible for branding and licensing; external and internal communications; media relations; photography and videography; institutional content and design; the web; marketing and advertising; and social and emerging media. The team is dedicated to advancing the mission of WCU through strategic, integrated communication and outreach, and works to share the stories of the university, its people and programs, and its impact on the Western North Carolina region - and beyond.

External Relations. The Office of External Relations is led by the deputy chief of staff/director of external relations who functions as the university’s official liaison with elected and appointed officials from the municipal to the federal levels. External relations pursue funding opportunities and policy advocacy for WCU with congressional and state legislative leaders and other elected and appointed officials and agencies. External relations also oversees the function of university special events.

Special Events. The Office of Special Events is led by the director of special events and is responsible for the strategic direction, planning, and implementation of top-level, university-wide special events on behalf of the chancellor and the chief of staff, both on campus and off. The special events team also serves as advisors to the Chancellor’s Ambassador student organization providing leadership and event support for functions held by the chancellor and senior leadership. The team members also serve as event consultants for departments across campus.

Economic Development. The Office of Economic Development is led by the executive director of economic development and regional partnerships. The office functions to create partnerships that link university, nonprofit, government, and industry resources to address community and economic development needs primarily in the westernmost counties served by WCU.

Office of Legal Counsel and Compliance

The Office of University Counsel is led by the General Counsel and provides legal advice to the Board of Trustees, the chancellor, the administration, faculty, and staff on legal matters involving or affecting the institution; advises the university administration on a broad range of initiatives, policy matters, and issues; and serves as a liaison between the university and its related and affiliated entities on legal issues. In addition, the office of compliance supports administration, faculty, and staff in our mutual effort to maintain compliance with all rules and regulations applicable to WCU.

Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity is led by the Chief Diversity Officer and aspires to strengthen diversity as an integral component of academic excellence within WCU and, in the process, to establish the university as a leader within North Carolina in preparing its students for success in a culturally and racially diverse society.

Office of Internal Audit

The Office of Internal Audit is led by the chief audit officer and provides independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the university’s operations. The office’s primary goal is to help the university accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.

Office of Development. University Policy #55 assigns the Office of Development responsibility for private-sector fund-raising on behalf of University units and programs. The Office of Development receives, records, receipts, and acknowledges all private gifts to the University; conducts annual fundraising activities for support of academic and other programs; and guides and coordinates the systematic pursuit of major and planned gifts. Any fundraising activities for voluntary contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, or philanthropic agencies conducted on behalf of the University or any unit thereof must be coordinated through the Office of Development.

Student Life and Services

Services are provided at Western Carolina University to further each student’s academic and social development. The Division of Student Affairs has general responsibility in this area, and its functions include providing comfortable housing, offering counseling services and health care, and enhancing the college environment with recreational and leadership activities. The Division’s website is available at https://www.wcu.edu/experience/life-on-campus/student-affairs/index.aspx.

Housing

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 Area Coordinators and professionals responsible for both the residential community as well as each student’s personal growth and development.

The residence halls are open to all students, undergraduate and graduate, to the extent available. Freshmen, sophomores, and some transfer students are required to live on campus. This requirement may be waived if the student is married or lives with a legal parent/guardian in a county contiguous to Jackson County. For full details regarding the residency requirement, please read University Policy #96 at https://www.wcu.edu/discover/leadership/office-of-the-chancellor/legal-counsel-office/university-policies/numerical-index/university-policy-96.aspx.

A variety of accommodations are available including private and double rooms, suite-style buildings, and graduate housing. 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. (A list of suggested items to bring can be found on the Residential Living website.) Cable television is provided in student rooms and in designated public areas. Other amenities include vending machines, washers, and dryers. Mail service is provided to all residential students at the Student Mail Center located in the University Center. Mailing addresses are assigned by the Department of Residential Living and are provided when students receive housing assignments.

Please visit housing.wcu.edu to learn much more about Residential Living and life in the residence halls at Western Carolina University,

Off-Campus Housing. Students who are eligible under University Policy #96 to live off-campus and choose to do so are responsible for making those arrangements and the associated obligations. While the University does not endorse any off-campus housing, an online service is available to help University community members explore off-campus options: offcampushousing.wcu.edu.

Dining Services

Please review the Dining Services website at https://westerncarolina.campusdish.com/ for comprehensive information about eating on-campus.

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 (828) 227-7396.

Student Activities and Services

A variety of programs, activities, and services are available on campus. Students are encouraged to participate in activities outside of the classroom to enhance and broaden their academic pursuits. The student activity fee financially supports many of these activities and services which keeps participation for students at no or low cost.

A.K. Hinds University Center

Named for the late Anthony Keith Hinds, former dean, and professor of mathematics at Western Carolina University, the A.K. Hinds University Center (UC) is a gateway to involvement at WCU! The University Center provides an inclusive student-centered community that provides a wide range of services, leadership opportunities, programs, and organizations to improve student involvement and the college experience for students.

The University Center features meeting rooms, event spaces, study spaces, a 170-seat movie theater, Einstein Bros Bagels, the student mailroom, and Recognized Student Organization (RSO) suites. In the University Center, you will find the offices of Intercultural Affairs (ICA), Greek Student Engagement (GSED), and the Department of Campus Activities (DCA).

A vital part of the University Center are the student groups like the Student Media Groups (Western Carolinian, Gadfly, and Nomad), Last Minute Productions (LMP), and Student Government Association (SGA). These student groups provide student-initiated programming and engagement for the entirety of campus.

To find out more about the University Center and the Department of Campus Activities, please visit the website: https://www.wcu.edu/experience/campus-activities/.

Athletics

Western Carolina University is a NCAA Division I institution with membership in the Southern Conference. With over 300 student athletes competing in 16 sports, WCU students have many opportunities to support their Catamounts. The mandatory Athletic Fee provides support for WCU Athletics so students have free tickets to all Athletic events. More information about Catamount Athletics is available on the official website: http://www.catamountsports.com/.

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Campus Recreation and Wellness (CRW) is housed in the Campus Recreation Center and works to create a campus-wide culture of wellness by providing programs, services, and facilities for individuals to engage and sustain the active process of healthy living. CRW is home to club sports, the group exercise program, intramurals, our outdoor program - Base Camp Cullowhee. Please visit the CRW website for more information: reccenter.wcu.edu.

Base Camp Cullowhee. Located in Brown Hall, Base Camp Cullowhee (BCC) is the outdoor program of WCU. BCC provides outdoor trips and skills clinics to help students experience adventure in the great outdoors, learn new outdoor activities, challenge themselves to do more than they ever thought was possible, grow as people and leaders, connect with other people and friends, and explore their surroundings in wild western North Carolina. BCC also manages the Base Camp Climbing wall, a 50-foot-tall indoor climbing wall located in the Campus Recreation Center, and offers the campus community a rental program for outdoor equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, whitewater gear, and more. Many classes, clubs, and organizations take advantage of BCC’s teambuilding services to provide their group with unique training to reach their goals. For more detailed information, visit the BCC website: basecamp.wcu.edu.

Leadership Programs. Located in the University Center, Leadership Programs is committed to providing students with opportunities to continually enhance leadership skills and interests. 

Through the Center’s curricular and co-curricular programs, WCU students develop exposed to a variety of leadership skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. Students will experience advanced leadership opportunities and gain skills they can use in their daily lives or within their personal/professional leadership positions.  

Through such student clubs and organizations as the Leadership Institute, Greek Life, and the Student Government Association, or through programs such as the Freshman Leadership Institute, the Whee LEAD Conference, CatCamp, or any one of the LEAD Living-Learning Communities (LLC’s), students learn how to make a positive impact on campus and in the greater community.

In addition, the Leadership Programs partners with the Leadership minor (LEAD) which is home to over 30 leadership development courses WCU is one of a select few colleges or universities that offer a minor in Leadership. The Leadership minor consists of a total of 18 credit hours (9 credit hours of elective courses and 9 required credit hours).

More information about the Leadership Programs and the Leadership minor is available online: https://www.wcu.edu/experience/campus-activities/leadershipprograms.aspx.

Counseling and Psychological Services provides free and confidential short-term counseling and emergency services for students. Other services include support groups, consultations, psychiatric medication assessments, referrals, and outreach presentations and programs. Please refer to our website at http://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/caps/index.aspx for further information on our services, staff, and mental health resources. Initial appointments can be made in person (Bird Bldg. 2nd floor) or by phone (828) 227-7469. Please refer to our website for a list of our weekly groups, outreach presentation topics, and biofeedback services.

Department of Campus Activities: Located in the University Center, the Department of Campus Activities is the place for students to study or hang out with friends, attend movies and events, and explore new ideas and activities. The Campus Activities team plans concerts, trips, arts and cultural events, and more to educate and entertain students. Student organizations including the Student Government Association and the event planning board, Last Minute Productions, are housed within Campus Activities. Leadership opportunities such as the Freshmen Leadership Institute are also offered. For more information, visit dca.wcu.edu.

Educator Licensure Assistance. All students and alumni seeking initial or advanced teacher or school professional licensure will find assistance in the Office of Field Experience and Licensure, Room 230 Killian Building, (828) 227-2000.

Greek Student Engagement and Development: Located in the University Center, Greek Student Engagement and Development (GSED) supports 23 fraternities and sororities represented by the College Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. Membership in a fraternity or sorority can greatly enhance students’ collegiate experiences and help them cultivate positive connections, social growth, intellectual development, and values-driven decision-making. For more information, visit gogreek.wcu.edu.

Health Services. Health Services works to meet the healthcare needs of the WCU campus community. The staff includes physicians, physicians’ assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and a laboratory technician. Health Services also supports the student-run ambulance service that allows for on-campus coverage for emergencies. Specialty services offered include a women’s health clinic, allergy and immunization clinic, and some limited pharmacy services. For more information, visit: studenthealth.wcu.edu.

Intercultural Affairs

Intercultural Affairs (ICA) located in the University Center, works with all members of the University to provide a campus environment where students from different backgrounds and cultural groups feel appreciated, respected, and valued. Through educational, social, and leadership programs, ICA promotes inclusive values of social justice and human dignity, while preparing students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world. For more information, visit: ica.wcu.edu.

Ramsey Regional Activity Center

Western North Carolina’s most versatile entertainment complex, the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center provides quality programming for the entire community. The 8,000 seat arena hosts major concerts, national touring acts, commencement and Catamount basketball and volleyball. Student tickets to major events are often available at a discount. For more information, visit: https://www.wcu.edu/ramsey-center/index.aspx.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is an active, vital part of the university community. Each student has the right to vote in all student elections and may participate in SGA by running for office or applying for an appointed position. The SGA appoints voting members to various University committees, and the president of SGA is a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. Visit the SGA website at https://www.wcu.edu/experience/campus-activities/studentorganizations/sga/index.aspx for more information.

WCU Community Creed and the Code of Student Conduct

The Department of Student Community Ethics (DSCE) works with the University community to educate students about their rights and responsibilities as stated in the Western Carolina Creed, the Student Handbook, and the Code of Student Conduct. DSCE works to help students and organizations comply with University living and learning expectations and become more responsible members of the Western Carolina University Community. DSCE also collaborates with academic leaders and public safety officials to help keep our campus community safe and welcoming to everyone. The DSCE facilitates education about the Western Carolina University Community Creed:

Western Carolina University Community Creed

Creed: a system of beliefs, principles, and aspirations

• I will live by high standards of academic and personal integrity.
• I will embrace my responsibilities as a member of this community.
• I will respect the rights and well-being of others.
• I will value diversity, inclusive excellence, and individual differences.
• I will engage myself in the artistic cultural and academic life of my University.
• I will celebrate and express pride in Western Carolina University.

The WCU Community Creed also serves as the basis for the Code of Student Conduct. All students are held accountable to the principles expressed in the Community Creed and the standards for behavior found in the Code.

The DSCE website is found at dsce.wcu.edu and includes important information about the Community Creed, alcohol and drug education, as well as student rights and responsibilities under the WCU Code of Student Conduct.

WCU Campus Police and 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 NC. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission 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 8901 or 911 from a University telephone or by dialing (828) 227-8911 from your cellular telephone; non-emergencies may also be reported by dialing (828) 227-7301. Crimes may be reported by visiting the University Police Department, located in the Camp Building Annex, or by contacting an officer on patrol. Officers may also be summoned for emergencies by activating any of the emergency blue-light call boxes placed at various locations throughout campus. Information regarding crime reports, statistics, and prevention programs is available at the University Police department and on their website at police.wcu.edu.

The Parking and Transportation Department is responsible for the administration of WCU’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 prescribed by such laws.

Everyone parking a vehicle on campus must register that vehicle with the Parking Services Office and display a current decal on that vehicle.  Parking and traffic regulations literature is made available in the Parking Services Office, located on 3344 Old Cullowhee Road. These same regulations are made available online at https://www.wcu.edu/discover/campus-services-and-operations/parking-and-transportation/regulations/index.aspx.

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. Appeals concerning student violations are heard by a similar SGA appellate committee. The faculty and staff parking citation appeal form is available online at http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/police_appeal_form_faculty_staff.pdf, or in the Parking Services Office. The student parking citation appeal form is available online at https://wcuparking.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal. For more information, contact the University Parking Services Office at (828) 227-7275 (PARK).

Shuttle Bus System (CAT-TRAN).  Cat-Tran provides shuttle service along 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. The Cat-Tran buses are used for the daily shuttle routes and are not available for special events or group use. For information regarding routes, hours of operation, or other issues, please visit the Cat-Tran website at http://www.wcu.edu/discover/campus-services-and-operations/parking-and-transportation/cat-tran/index.aspx or call the Cat-Tran office at (828) 227-8726 (TRAN).

Campus Safety Report and Emergency Preparedness

Western Carolina University Police work to keep the campus community safe and help prepare the campus for emergencies. An annual safety report is posted on-line at http://www.wcu.edu/discover/campus-services-and-operations/university-police/ in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Crime Statistics Act (formerly the Campus Security Act). A link to an Emergency Information website is included at the bottom of all WCU web pages or can be opened at emergency.wcu.edu/ for details on campus preparedness and emergency notification systems. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to carefully review this information.

Department of Emergency Services

The Western Carolina University Department of Emergency Services (DES) is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining institution-wide programs that promote campus-wide security and safety, along with all-hazards emergency and disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery programs.  These programs include comprehensive planning, training, and exercise programs that enhance WCU’s ability and capability to manage large-scale incidents that affect the WCU campus and instructional sites.  The Department of Emergency Services closely coordinates with other WCU public safety departments, including WCU Police, WCU Emergency Medical Services, and WCU Safety and Risk Management.  Numerous preparedness resources can be found on the Department of Emergency Services website at https://www.wcu.edu/discover/campus-services-and-operations/emergency-services/. 

An Emergency Guide can be found at https://www.wcu.edu/discover/campus-services-and-operations/emergency-services/emergency-guide.aspx.  All students, staff, and faculty are strongly encouraged to review this information.

Other Services and Facilities

Bank Services. A Wells Fargo ATM is located on campus. State Employees Credit Union and BB&T ATMs are in the A.K. Hinds University Center. Additionally, branch offices of Wells Fargo, State Employees Credit Union, Sun Trust Bank, First Bank, Mountain Credit Union, United Community Bank, First Citizen’s Bank, and Jackson Savings Bank operate in or near Sylva.

Books and Supplies. The Catamount Bookstore offers students a variety of educational materials and supplies, as well as clothing, gifts, greeting cards, and miscellaneous items. An extensive selection of paperback books is offered for class use and extracurricular reading. All books for graduate students and, distance-learning students - as well as supplemental text- and course-related materials for undergraduates - are sold by the store. Caps and gowns, graduation invitations, and class rings may also be purchased at the store. For more information, call (828) 227-7346 or visit our website at books.wcu.edu.

Mail Service. Students residing on campus are assigned a mailbox with their room assignments. All other students may rent a box in the Cullowhee Post Office. The U.S. postal regulations do not permit receipt of mail through general delivery after an initial 30-day period. A postal commodity machine offering stamps, envelopes, postcards, aerograms, overseas services, and other features is located in the University Center.

Project Discovery-Talent Search. Talent Search is a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Education hosted here at Western Carolina University. Our mission is to assist first-generation college-bound students with enrollment in post-secondary schools. Talent Search provides a wide range of support services to 900 area middle- and high-school students. Academic, career, and financial aid counseling as well as a variety of summer and adventure educational experiences are also provided. Talent Search can be reached at (828) 227-7137 or by visiting https://www.wcu.edu/engage/project-discovery/index.aspx.

The Kneedler Child Development Center provides affordable, accessible childcare for approximately 60 children of students, faculty, staff, and community members. The center operates four classrooms (ages 1-5) staffed by qualified teachers who are committed to early childhood education. Each classroom offers developmentally-appropriate activities designed to stimulate social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. The facility is in the remodeled west wing area of the Cordelia Camp Building. For further information, visit https://www.wcu.edu/engage/kneedler-child-development-center/index.aspx or contact the center at (828) 293-1530.