Student Life

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

The department of Campus Life is dedicated to enriching students’ experiences outside the classroom by providing social, cultural, recreational, and educational programs, services, and apprenticeships. The variety of events offered by Campus Activities include music, comedy, speakers, concerts, and performances. Special events include Homecoming, Family Weekend, Boo Central, Ware Fair, and Student Appreciation Day. Campus Life representatives serve on organizing committees for orientations, Wildcat Welcome Weekend, homecoming, recreation, and SURC operations. It employs many students in paraprofessional positions, offers internships and practicum experiences, and provides a range of services for university departments, student organizations, and the community.
 

Associated Students of CWU

The Associated Students of Central Washington University (ASCWU) board of directors (BOD) is the student government board advised by the senior director of Campus Life and the SURC. Executive responsibility is vested in the seven-member BOD and the senior director of Campus Life and the SURC. The board members are elected by the student body to serve as policy-development officers. As a vehicle from which students may share different views, the ASCWU is an integral part of the total decision-making process of CWU. Also included in this area is advisement and support for university student clubs, which average more than 125 clubs per year.

University Recreation

Housed in the 80,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art recreation center, University Recreation provides an array of programs to engage students in their personal fitness goals. Programs include intramural sports, sport clubs, personal training, group fitness, outdoor programs, equipment rentals, climbing wall, summer kids camp, and a myriad of special events.

Intramural Sports (IM Sports) is designed to provide opportunities for all members of the university to participate in women’s, men’s, and co-ed team sports.

Sport clubs allow opportunities for students, with mutual interests in a sporting activity, to represent CWU in intercollegiate competitive activities that are not available through the Athletics Department.

Personal training packages are available to all recreation center members. For a nominal charge, a personal trainer will develop a challenging workout routine specifically designed to your needs.

Group fitness classes are available to all recreation center members for a very small fee. From Spinning® to ballet, intense ab workouts to yoga, there’s something for everyone.

Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals provides both guided trips and equipment rentals to support students’ outdoor recreation desires. The fully-staffed 50-foot climbing wall in the Student Recreation Center offers bouldering and roped climbing, and certification courses in top-rope belay and lead climbing.

Little Cats’ Summer Kids Camp provides a quality day camp atmosphere for Ellensburg-area youth entering grades 1-5.

Special events include films, lectures, interactive programs, and instructional courses.

Student Union Recreation Center (SURC)

The SURC is the community center of the university, providing services, conveniences, and amenities for all members of the CWU community and their guests. The SURC houses the following offices and departments: ASCWU, Campus Life administration and accounting, Campus Activities, Center for Excellence in Leadership, Center for Student Empowerment, Civic Engagement Center, Connection Card, Dining Services, Diversity Education Center, Information Center, student radio station KCWU/88.1 the ’Burg, Publicity Center, SURC Operations and Scheduling Services, Ticketmaster/SURC Box Office, University Recreation, Wildcat Shop, and two tenant spaces, one of which houses the Wildcat Wellness Center. Facilities available for use include meeting rooms, the SURC pit, and a 345-seat theater and ballroom.

The David Wain Coon Center for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) provides leadership learning opportunities to all CWU students. Training opportunities include leadership retreats, workshops, internships, and a broad collection of resources.

Over 2,000 students participate in CEL programs each year. Current leadership programs include the Experience Leadership Project (a three-day retreat for first-year students), Cross-Cultural Leadership Program, Leadership Quest (mini-retreats for all CWU students), and the Executive Internship. Students can also choose to live in the Kennedy Leadership House, join Omicron Delta Kappa (the national leadership honor society), and build their official CWU Leadership Transcript.

In addition to leadership programs and workshops, the CEL collaborates with faculty from multiple departments to offer leadership courses. Currently, the Emerging Leaders course and Cross-Cultural Leadership program are credit-bearing opportunities. Additional leadership courses are currently being developed and proposed. The David Wain Coon Center for Excellence in Leadership recognizes that every student has leadership capacity and will have ample opportunities to demonstrate leadership throughout their lifetime. Through CEL programs, workshops, and resources, CWU students are equipped to make a positive difference within their communities. For more information, please contact the CEL by phone (509-963-5124) or via e-mail (cel@cwu.edu).

The Center for Student Empowerment, located on the second floor of the SURC, offers programs and services that support the affective and cognitive development of students in out-of-classroom settings. The Empowerment Center strives to empower students to reach their full potential, both academically and personally, by facilitating various types of learning opportunities focusing on gender, violence prevention, nontraditional- and commuter-student issues. We are proud of our collaborative efforts with CWU academic and university departments as well as the Ellensburg community.

Some examples of our educational programs are: Man-Up! (men’s activities and discussion groups), Women’s Achievement Celebration, National Women and Girls Sports Day, Operation E.L.F. (non-traditional student holiday event) and working collaboratively with the Non-Traditional Student Organization (NTSO). Past programs include V-Day: Until the Violence Stops, the Longest Revolution with Gloria Steinem, the Sexual Politics of Meat with Carol Adams, and You Throw Like a Girl with Don McPherson.

We offer two publications for non-traditional students; The Quest monthly newsletter and Making the Pieces Fit, a yearly resource handbook. Additionally, the center provides information and referral regarding campus and community resources.

A student transportation system, Central Transit, has been extremely popular. Highly visible mini-busses operate during the academic year, connecting students with the Ellensburg business community. Central Transit boasts 25 signed pick-up and drop-off locations both on- and off-campus. Central Transit experienced significant growth recently with more than 20,000 student rides. Students have enjoyed the convenient stops at shopping areas, restaurants, and movie theaters.

Central Transit operates seven days a week from 2 p.m. until midnight (1 a.m. weekends). Additional information about Central Transit is available at http://www.cwu.edu~police/transit_map.html.

The Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) provides early learning to the campus community serving children aged one-month to eight-years of age.  There are two sites; 1900 Brook Lane Village, Suite 100, serves children aged two years to eight years of age; Michaelsen Hall, Room 109, serves children aged one month to 28 months.  The program consists of early learning activities especially designed for young children; including music, language, physical activities, stories, science and math experiences, games, puzzles, blocks, and dramatic play. Nutritious meals and snacks are served throughout the day.  Operating hours during the academic year are 7:15 to 5:30, M-F.  Summer hours vary slightly according to need. Call 509-963-1744 or e-mail at eclc@cwu.edu for more information.

All students living in CWU residence halls are required to select a meal plan. There are five to choose from, and all are set up as a prepaid dining debit account, which allows for purchase of meals or snacks at any campus dining location. Students living off-campus may also purchase a meal plan for the convenience of dining and buying beverages and snacks on campus.

Dining Services’ staff is dedicated to your dining satisfaction. Our mission is to provide exceptional food service and customer service to the campus community. This is evident in fresh, appetizing, and nutritionally balanced menus along with the hospitality offered at each of our distinctly different dining locations on campus. These include:

• Holmes Dining Room, located in the SURC, offers an a la carte breakfast followed by all-you-can-eat service for brunch and dinner
• Central Marketplace, located in the SURC, offers a la carte service in six restaurants: Taglianno’s Pizza and Pasta, Totally Tossed Salads, Lion’s Rock Broiler, El Gato Loco, Pan Asia, and Wrap and Roll Deli Bar
• North Village Café, located in Green Hall on the north side of campus, offers a la carte service for meals and snacks throughout the day

You may also use your meal plan at any of CWU Dining Services’ espresso bars or convenience stores:

• Cat Trax East Espresso and Smoothie Bar, Cat Trax West Espresso, and Cat’s Convenience Store in the SURC
• Cat Trax North Espresso in the Brooks Library
• NVC Espresso Bar and NVC Store in the North Village Café and Store

Dining services are available on campus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night meal service on weekdays, and for brunch and dinner on weekends.

If you have questions about the dining options available at CWU Dining Services, call 509-963-1591, or contact us via our Web page at www.cwu.edu/~dining.

Nutritious Foundations
Dining Services offers nutritious menu selections, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food pyramid, to support your healthy campus lifestyle. We encourage you to adopt a diet rich in balance, variety, and moderation by exploring the nutrition foundation that Dining Services provides in all dining arenas.

Special Events
Several special dining events are offered quarterly to enrich your dining experience. Some of these events include the Welcome Back BBQ on the first day of class, a holiday season buffet, a seafood buffet extravaganza, theme and ethnic dinners, the Student Appreciation BBQ, and the commencement luncheon.

Employment Opportunities
Dining Services is the largest employer on campus, hiring between 200-300 students annually for part-time work. Consider joining our service and production team where you will meet new friends and earn money.

Dining Services is a member of the National Association of College and University Food Services, and an active supporter of the academic mission of the university through participation in many out-of-classroom events and activities held throughout campus.

The Center for Disability Services (CDS) facilitates access to university programs, activities, and services for students with disabilities. Utilizing documentation of disability and information obtained in consultation with the student, CDS staff assesses the affects of a student’s disability on his/her ability to access the educational process and identifies reasonable academic adjustments/accommodations. In addition, DSS works to sensitize university faculty and staff to the needs of students with disabilities and helps students obtain the materials, equipment, and assistance necessary to successfully pursue their education. Students wishing to request disability accommodations are responsible for contacting CDS.

Appropriate accommodations/academic adjustments are determined for each student on an individual basis. Examples of the types of accommodations available include textbooks and academic materials in accessible formats (digital audio, large print, Braille, electronic text), alternative examination procedures, sign language interpreters, speech to text transcription, tape-recorded lectures, note-taking assistance, early registration, priority snow removal, special classroom furniture, access technology, assistance with library research, and temporary disability parking permits.

The Diversity Education Center enhances a vibrant campus environment through intentional and thought-provoking programming that challenges students to strengthen intercultural competencies and develop transformative ideas and skills. We offer signature and outreach programs, coordinate the Bias Response Plan, and provide resources to students on a variety of topics including diverse populations, LGBT issues, and social justice. All students are invited to participate in the center’s activities.

Michaelsen Hall, Room 328
509-963-2785
www.cwu.edu/~frc

The Family Resource Center (FRC) serves CWU, Ellensburg, and Kittitas County by utilizing a family perspective to enrich and improve the quality of individual and family life. The FRC offers educational programming to support families throughout their lives, coordinates family related research and civic engagement opportunities, and serves as a clearinghouse of information for resources of interest to families in the region. The FRC can assist students or other members of the community to identify services that can help to meet their family related needs and advocate for the needs of families on campus. The FRC works in close collaboration with the Center for Student Empowerment and the Early Childhood Learning Center, and seeks to partner with academic departments and community agencies to improve the access to information and knowledge that can strengthen families at CWU and the surrounding community.
 

Each year approximately 80 percent of CWU students receive financial aid. To be eligible for federal aid a student must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen.

Financial aid is available to matriculated students seeking a degree or certification in an eligible program. Most financial aid programs require a minimum of half-time enrollment, which is six (6) credits at the undergraduate level and five (5) credits at the graduate level. Students who have a first baccalaureate degree and are not admitted to a master’s program will be classified as a post-baccalaureate student. Post-baccalaureate students are eligible for federal loans.

Students must apply and be accepted for admission to the University (matriculated) to receive financial aid. Students and their families must complete a Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). Paper copies are available in the financial aid office and at most high schools or libraries. The Web version is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The application should be submitted to the federal processor as soon as possible after Jan. 1. March 1 is the cutoff date for priority consideration for limited gift aid. Accurate preparation of the FAFSA and timely response to all requests for additional information or documentation are critical.

Students who have been admitted to the University and have listed Central Washington University Title IV code #003771 on the FAFSA will have a student financial aid file delivered to the University electronically. Once that file has been reviewed and verified, the student will receive an award letter. The award letter will indicate the estimated student budget, the federally determined expected family contribution, and an offer of aid including the type and amount. You must accept or cancel your aid on Safari. Loans are disbursed quarterly in equal amounts. If you have not already signed a master promissory note, you may sign electronically at http://dlenote.ed.gov.

Students are expected to maintain “good academic standing” while receiving financial aid. A minimum CWU cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for undergraduates after two year attendance; post-baccalaureates are required to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA; and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate students. Financial aid recipients are required to make reasonable progress toward a degree.

Additional financial aid information is available in the Financial Aid Office, Barge 115; the Student Employment Office, Barge 103; the Financial Aid Resource Room, Barge 102; and through the financial aid offices at each University Center, at (509) 963-1611, finaid@cwu.edu, or on the CWU financial aid homepage http://www.cwu.edu/~finaid/

University Housing provides well-maintained housing facilities, with an emphasis on student development, as part of the university’s academic environment, and works to augment classroom instruction with a learning environment that is supportive of students’ educational goals, personal and interpersonal growth, and cultural awareness. Programs such as Discover! New Student Orientation, Wildcat Welcome Weekend, and Wildcat Connections are part of new student programs.

CWU is a residential university with most students living on or near campus. The residence halls and apartments can house 3,300 students. CWU’s residence halls offer students a variety of quality living experiences and options.

The residences are within a few minutes walk of any classroom, library, or dining hall, which offers considerable convenience and flexibility to students. Residence hall staff provides crisis intervention and educational, cultural, social, and community services programs, as well as coordinating behavioral problem-solving interventions in cooperation with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

The residence halls offer a diverse selection of communities and environments. The residence halls, which house between 35- 476 occupants, offer programs and environments to enhance classroom experiences. Furniture, basic FM-TV cable service, Internet hookup, basic telephone service, and utilities and coin-operated laundry facilities are also provided. Many halls have their own pool table, piano, or ping-pong table. All residence halls are smoke-free.

Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) are available for students interested in the following areas: education, Science Talent Enhancement Program, aviation music, Casa Latina, Asian Pacific Islander American House, Students for the Dream, International House, Leadership House, or participating in the Douglas Honors College. Students may request a residence hall offering a living-learning enrichment opportunity. Hall staff and faculty from these areas of interest collaborate to provide residents with educational and social activities that integrate their field of study, enhancing their residence hall experience.

A computer lab, staffed with trained attendants, is available to all residence hall students in Barto Hall.
In the belief that the university is a total learning experience, Central requires all freshmen who are single and under 20 years-of-age to live in the residence halls for one academic year. Running Start students under 20 years-of-age, regardless of class standing, must also fulfill the live-in requirement. Students requesting an exception to the policy must apply through University Housing and New Student programs.

CWU also maintains 398 apartments (studio, one, two, or three bedrooms) designed for single students and those with families. The apartment complexes offer activities for residents that focus on their needs and priorities. Single student complexes feature programs and facilities that assist students in developing healthy, independent lifestyles. These programs might include wellness, self-defense, cultural awareness, lifestyle planning, career planning, and recreation. The communities in the family-student complexes enjoy programming and activities tailored for the needs and interest of families and older students. Many activities for children and families are presented, such as holiday events, child safety awareness programs, domestic violence programs, and career planning.

At different times of the year, demands for apartments may exceed availability. For this reason, waiting lists are provided. Applications are accepted from students who have not been officially accepted for admission to CWU, but who plan to attend classes during the dates listed on their application forms. To be eligible for apartment housing, a student must be currently enrolled in and must maintain at least 12 credit hours of coursework.

Students who are required to live in residence halls are not eligible to live in the apartments. Each tenant is required to sign a lease, which provides for renting an apartment on a month-to-month basis. Written notice must be given at least 30 days prior to vacating an apartment. Pets are not allowed in any area of CWU housing.

Discover! New Student Orientation: New students with less than 45 credits, and all students who participated in Running Start, are required to attend an on-campus orientation and registration program. For students starting fall quarter, this program takes place on a variety of dates in July. For winter quarter students it is held in December and for spring quarter students it is scheduled in March. New Ellensburg campus students with 45 or more credits are urged to attend the transfer orientation. Orientations for transfer students coming fall quarter are held in July or August. For those students coming for winter or spring quarter, the orientations are held in December and March, respectively. Students attending a campus other than Ellensburg need to contact the appropriate university center for information about their orientation and registration programs.

Central changed its procedure for student alcohol violations involving underage drinking, which is a violation of Washington State law as well as the CWU Student Conduct Code governing the conduct of students. The university has a comprehensive alcohol education and prevention program. Parental notification is one part of CWU’s comprehensive sanctioning procedure for underage alcohol use.

Scholarships are gifts of money which do not have to be repaid. Central Washington University’s Scholarship Office (Ellensburg Campus, Barge Hall 102) makes available the most recent scholarship application information at the Web site www.cwu.edu/~scholar.

Scholarship eligibility is based on a variety of criteria including, but not limited to, academic proficiency, specialized talent, community service, leadership, and financial need. College and departmental selection committees as well as the Financial Aid Office select scholarship recipients. To be fully considered for all scholarship opportunities students should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid, www.fafsa.ed.gov) and any college or departmental scholarship applications for which the student is eligible that are available in the Scholarship Office. In addition, students with talent in athletics, art, music, and/or theatre should contact the department(s) directly for specific audition or exhibition opportunities. Most institutional merit aid is awarded to meritorious students who submit a FAFSA (Need is not always a criteria.)

Community-sponsored scholarships include awards for which the recipients are chosen by organizations outside the University. Each organization establishes its own eligibility criteria and application process. More information can be found at the scholarship Web site (www.cwu.edu/ ~scholar) or by contacting the organizations directly. Recipients are to inform the CWU Financial Aid Office if they are receiving an award from a community organization. Checks should be made payable to “Central Washington University” for the benefit of (student’s name and identification number) and sent to the CWU Financial Aid Office, 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7495.

Scholarships are considered an educational funding source and may change a student’s eligibility in other state or federal aid programs.

CWU hires more than 2,000 students to work on campus each academic year. Work allows students to meet a portion of their college expenses and gain valuable work experience. The Office of Student Employment posts notices for on- and off-campus job openings on the bulletin board on first floor Barge Hall and on the student employment Web site. Summer job opportunities are also posted. Visit the Student Employment Office home page at: cwu.edu/~seo for additional information, and to view the on-line job board. Please visit the financial aid office regarding work-study opportunities. Students must submit a tutorial request to be considered for work study. See the CWU financial aid homepage for details at http://www.cwu.edu/~finaid/

A staff of professionals offers a variety of medical, psychological and wellness services for CWU students. Students who are registered for six or more credits are required to pay a mandatory health and counseling charge and are eligible for services. There may be additional charges for specific services. All students are encouraged to check with the office regarding fees and charges each year.

Services are offered at the Health and Counseling Services building. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and until 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The office is closed on holidays and during breaks. Health/medical services are also available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except during breaks and surrounding holidays). Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when classes are in session.

The Student Health Center (963-1881) is a complete out-patient, on-campus facility available to registered students. Service is provided by the medical staff, which consists of a family practice physician, certified physicians assistants, certified nurse practitioner, nurses and laboratory X-ray technicians. The Student Health Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.

The staff provides routine and urgent-care services, which include direct care of medical problems such as illness, injuries and infections like colds, flu and sexually transmitted diseases. It also offers routine physical examinations, sports physicals, pap smears, pregnancy testing and diagnostic laboratory tests and X-rays. In keeping with the educational mission of the University, special emphasis is placed on education regarding treatment and prevention of illness.

Medical appointments are taken by phone from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Students are encouraged to make their appointments as early as possible for the best selection of appointment times.

Emergency medical services are available at the Kittitas Valley Community Hospital when the center is not open. The costs are at the student’s expense. A University-sponsored student accident and health insurance plan is available and recommended to help defray medical costs.

The Counseling Center (963-1391) staff consists of psychologists and master’s-level counselors who function primarily as generalists, though each has areas of expertise and interest. In keeping with the role of the University as a center for education, the service includes predoctoral interns who work under the supervision of the senior staff.

Services offered include personal and group counseling for issues such as relationship difficulties, anxiety or depression, study skills and career decisions. Group topics include eating disorders, depression, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, relationship issues and special programs for campus groups on request.

Wildcat Wellness Center (963-3213): The Wildcat Wellness Center is located in room 129 in the Student Union building (SURC). Services and programs delivered through the center include: alcohol/drug screenings and prevention, “Prime For Life” classes, peer education programs, safe-ride/escort program, sexual assault/harassment prevention and response coordination, lifestyle management, health education and referral services.

Sexual Assault Response Coordinator: This service is provided by the director of the Wellness Center. Students may call 963-3214 and leave a confidential message and/or drop by the Wellness Center in room 139 of the SURC. Services include confidential counseling, referral, advocacy, information and crisis response for victims, survivors and significant others.

Sexual Assault Facts and Education (SAFE) ia a peer education program sponsored by the Wellness Center and advised by the Wellness Center’s health educator. They can be reached by phoning 509-963-3213.

Campus Community Coalition works with students, university personnel and community members to reduce high-risk and underage drinking at Central and throughout Kittitas County. For information, stop by SURC 139, visit the Web site at http://www.cwu.edu/~ccc/ or contact the coordinator at (509) 963-3240.

The Office of Veterans Affairs is located in Mitchell Hall. Students wishing to receive education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) must contact the Veterans Affairs Office. Notification is NOT automatically sent to the DVA when a veteran or other eligible person enrolls.

Selected programs of study are approved by a Washington State Approving Agency for enrollment of those eligible for benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code.

The Wildcat Shop sells textbooks, general interest and reference books, magazines, computer software, computer hardware, electronics, clothing and gifts, school and art supplies, greeting cards and novelty gifts, health and beauty aids, stamps, and snack foods. We also provide laminating, binding, copying (color or black and white), mat board cutting, DVD and CD recording, check cashing, money back on debit purchases, computer repair, and fax services. The Wildcat Shop can also special order any book, computer product, or electronic product at no additional cost. We buy back books from students throughout the quarter. Our selling prices on textbooks are within the lowest four percent in the country as compared with all college bookstores. Contact the Wildcat Shop at 509-963-1311, 800- 280-1186, or online at www.cwu.edu/~store.