Academic Resources

Academic Computing Center

The Information Technology Division provides a wide range of academic computing services to students and employees. The primary computer laboratory is located in the Academic Library. This computer laboratory, consisting of Windows and Apple computers, is spread across the four floors of the library. The computers are equipped with software applications such as Microsoft Office, SPSS, Mathematica, Adobe, among others. Printing, scanning, and photocopying services are readily available on the first floor. Remote access to the library databases is also available with a CSU email username and password. Additional laboratories are operated by the academic departments throughout the campus buildings and are for use by the respective student majors. Wireless network is available in all University buildings for immediate connectivity to the Internet. Helpdesk is located on the first floor of the library and can be reached at 773-995-3963 or helpdesk@csu.edu.

Assessment: Publicizing Learning

Assessment at Chicago State University is integrally related to the university’s mission of providing quality graduate and undergraduate programs. Academic assessment emerges from the university’s commitment to excellence in teaching and effective learning and is grounded in faculty’s expectations of what students should know. The graduate assessment program at Chicago State University develops an assessment of student work in the chosen degree program. Academic programs are assessed using a uniform plan that includes multiple instruments. Program assessment information is available on departmental websites.

Faculty members have incorporated several measures and methods to assess students’ acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These include but are not limited to

• certification or professional examinations
• exit interviews, opinion surveys
• external evaluators, focus groups
• faculty developed tests
• graduation and retention rates
• graduate follow-up studies
• interviews
• job placement data
• juried reviews and performances
• master’s thesis
• oral and written examinations, internships
• performance on licensure
• portfolio collections of student work

standardized national examinations. These assessments are closely linked to outcomes and expectations for which faculty have designed learning experiences. The results of the assessment of academic achievement are used by faculty to improve instruction and student learning. Refer to individual academic departments for assessment requirements.

Athletics

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics considers athletics to be an integral part of the university community and thus follows and honors Chicago State University’s overall institutional mission. As such, Intercollegiate Athletics must strive for the excellence just as academic units strive for greatness in teaching, research, and services. This commitment to excellence in athletics compels Intercollegiate Athletics to provide exemplary leadership, employ diverse yet dedicated individuals who are successfully competitive in their sport, and is committed to providing appropriate facilities and support services that will allow its student-athletes to compete at the highest level of intercollegiate competition, and reach their educational and academic objectives. The successful completion of our mission culminates with the graduation of student-athletes while producing winning programs that attain regional and national recognition.

The university is a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) at the Division I level. Intercollegiate sports for men are basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, and tennis. Intercollegiate sports for women include basketball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, Soccer, tennis and volleyball.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics embraces the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s “Principles of Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct” and believes that student-athletes, coaches, and staff should adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty, and responsibility. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is also committed to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action. The university provides equal opportunity to education, employment, and participation in university-sponsored activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender equity.

Integrity is indispensable to an intercollegiate athletics program, for without it sport loses its true meaning. The department believes that administrators, coaches, and student-athletes, in concert with all members of the university community, must share a total commitment to abiding by the rules of the NCAA, the conference, and the institution, in their endeavor to be successful.

Both full and partial scholarships are available to qualifying student-athletes. Questions on eligibility should be referred to the coach of the sport in which a student is interested. The Athletics Department offers an extensive study and tutorial assistance program for all athletes.

For more information regarding employment, programs, and services please contact Athletics at 773-995-2295 or visit our website at www.gocsucougars.com

Breakey Theater

The Breakey Theater is housed in the Douglas Hall, Room 102. With a seating capacity of 300, the theater provides a space that can be utilized for recreational, entertainment, or ceremonial purposes. The Breakey Theater is the home for displaying such talents as the CSU Dance works, the Music Department, and is a classroom, performance and rehearsal space for the Communications, Media Arts, and Theatre Department.

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry seeks to support, encourage, and develop the faith/spiritual life of the university community, students, administrators, faculty, and students. Campus Ministry offers opportunities for Bible study, worship, counseling, retreats, community service, and peace and justice awareness. Campus Ministry is located in Douglas Hall, Room 304, and the telephone number is 773/995-3869.

Campus Recreation

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of the individuals within the Chicago State University community by providing a variety of fun-filled, health promoting, recreational and leisure programs conducive to wellness and personal development. The Campus Recreation program engages students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the surrounding community to participate in these activities through the following structured programs and services: intramural sports, open recreation, sport clubs, special events, and instructional programs.

Current CSU students and individuals that have a current Alumni membership are automatically members of Campus Recreation for that semester. Campus Recreation also offers affordable membership packages to community members. Current membership with Campus Recreation includes access to the indoor facilities in the Jacoby Dickens Center and entry into our various recreational programs. Within those facilities and programs, members may take advantage of:

• Cardio and strength training equipment
• Group fitness, strength, and aquatic classes
• Intramural sports
• Multipurpose courts
• Indoor track
• Locker rooms and Dry sauna
• Open, lap swimming and private swim lessons
• For more information regarding employment, programs, and services please contact Campus Recreation at 773-995-2254, e-mail at campusrec@csu.edu, or visit our website at www.gocsucougars.com/campusrec

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center assists students with developing the skills needed to engage in an active, focused, and successful job search. The Career Development Center strives to help Chicago State University students and alumni meet their overall career and employment related goals. Services include helping students to choose a career path, professional development, workshops, job search assistance and document assistance, mock interviews, and career assessment. The Career Development Center is located in the Cordell Reed Student Union, Room 231, and the telephone number is 773/995-2327.

Counseling Center

All college students must balance personal and career aspirations with the demands posed by school, work, and home. These demands may result in high levels of personal stress or in social/emotional obstacles that prevent students from attaining the skills needed for academic achievement, social participation, and self-fulfillment. The university’s Counseling Center offers all Chicago State University students opportunities to address these problems in a confidential setting with approachable, qualified mental health counselors on an individual basis or in-group programs.

Special programs in the areas of study skills and academic self-development are offered throughout the year. Workshops, presentations, and referrals on a variety of topics such as domestic violence, family and interpersonal relationships, emotional difficulties, alcohol and drug screening, and anger management are also offered. Psychological assessment for career exploration, choosing a major, or learning more about a specific learning difficulty is also available. In addition, the Counseling Center provides consultative services to other campus offices, faculty, and staff, and the center assists the university community in understanding the student body through involvement in educational planning and decision making.

Services are free, strictly confidential, and available to all students. Professional confidentiality is maintained. The Counseling Center is located in the Cordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 231, and the telephone number is 773/995-2383.

Abilities Office

For students with disabilities to overcome limitations to the pursuit of their education, the Abilities Office of Student Disability Services provides services classified as reasonable accommodations such as note takers, readers, sign language interpreters, equipment loans, priority registration, advocacy, and other accommodations. These services are provided to students who provide verification of the existence of a disabling condition. A person is considered disabled when he or she has a mental or physical impairment that hinders the performance of one or more major life functions such as mobility, hearing, sight, and learning. These services are provided in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Services are provided at no cost to all Chicago State students with verified disabilities. Students who need special parking permits should apply at the Secretary of State driving facility located at 99th Street and King Drive. The Abilities Office is located in the Counseling Center in the Cordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 198, and the telephone number is 773/995-4401 (Voice) and 773/995-3761 (TTY).

Distance Learning

Specific Requirements

Chicago State University’s Distance Learning programs are designed for technologically literate students with an interest in learning from a distance. However, other interested students can receive hands-on training from the CTRE in order to prepare for distance learning courses. Various computer-training workshops are offered several times a year. A key element to successful completion of these programs is access to course delivery systems. For example, online courses require students to have immediate access to the Internet, electronic mail, and electronic discussion sessions. Online courses require students to have immediate access to the Internet and a CSU electronic mail account.

Licensure Services

The College of Education has the responsibility of recommending students completing an entitlement program for all educator licenses, and for additional endorsements at the time of licensure. No one may be recommended for licensure to teach or supervise in the public schools of Illinois who is not of good character, in good health, at least twenty years of age, and legally present and eligible for employment and who has not completed all requirements in the approved licensure program, including state licensure tests and compliance with the College criminal background check policy and related state and federal statutes.

Workshops are held each semester for all students completing teacher, administrative, and school service personnel licensure programs. At these workshops, students expecting to complete all requirements that term receive all materials and instructions to begin the process for applying for their licenses and additional endorsements. All candidates who complete all requirements of a licensure program will receive a recommendation for licensure once final grades and/or degrees are posted and within the compliance recommendations of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, handicap or lack of access to programs.

Early and continual consultation and careful planning are essential for students who are seeking to satisfy educator licensure requirements. Please call (773) 995-2519 for further information.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Chicago State University supports the principles of equal opportunity in employment and education. The university seeks to ensure that no person will encounter discrimination in employment or education on the basis of age, color, disability, sex, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. This policy is applicable to both the employment practices and administration of programs and activities within the university. It is the policy of the university that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or in any way be subject to discrimination in any program or activity in the university. The Office of Labor and Legal Affairs handles complaints of discrimination. Any employee or student may at any time contact Legal Affairs to discuss an alleged discrimination complaint and/or to seek a formal or informal resolution of a complaint. The office is located in the Cook Administration Building, Room 318, and the phone number is 773/995-2462.

Community Outreach & Field Placement Services (COFPS)

The Community Outreach and Field Placement Services (COFPS), Located in ED 322, primary mission is to provide a high-quality field experience program for teacher education candidates in the College of Education. The COFPS office provides financial support and opportunities to assist pre-service and student teacher candidates for their diverse field experiences in urban, suburban, rural, and international settings. A record of each teacher candidate’s field experiences is maintained in COFPS as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. In addition, the office provides a range of outreach services to support enrollment, retention, and graduation. COFPS follows up on leads to assist in the establishment of alternative route Cohorts and administers the Field Based Teacher Internship Program (FB/TIP).

Extension Services

The Extension Services Program is designed to meet the needs of continuing the professional education of adults in off-campus locations throughout the city and state. The university works cooperatively in this program with other educational institutions, organizations and agencies. A variety of in-service training programs, continuing education units (CEU’s) and institutes are offered. Extension opportunities can be scheduled at locations convenient to places of employment or residence by request from the Dean of Continuing Education and Non-Traditional Degree Programs.

Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing

The Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing, founded in 1990, is a literary and cultural center invested in researching, teaching, and disseminating information about acclaimed Black writers, especially the life and works of Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), former poet laureate of Illinois and distinguished professor of English at CSU. The Brooks Center’s mission is to promote the study of Black writers and to strengthen the humanities, especially literature, history, art, music, culture, and health awareness, by engaging in collaborative and interactive programming for students, faculty, and the general public. The center’s broad selection of culturally insightful and academically stimulating programs includes the annual Gwendolyn Brooks Writers’ Conference, Black ` Month Video and Film Festival, Women’s History Month Lecture and Workshop Series, and the Poetry Month Festival, in addition to other literary events.