Academic Resources
The chief academic resource of any institution of higher education is its faculty and staff. But these committed people rely on programs and facilities which enhance learning.
Orientation. The Center for Leadership and Learning conducts a comprehensive orientation program for all new students before classes begin. All new students (including transfers) must attend summer orientation sessions.
First-Year Program. At Westmont we desire to establish first-year students on a strong academic footing and to assist them in developing sound relationships with faculty and peers. Our First-Year Program involves both the Academic and Student Life offices in order to best provide for the transition needs of new students. If first-year students have needs, they may contact the Director of Academic Advising and Disability Services.
Academic Advising. Incoming students are assigned a faculty advisor based upon their expressed major interest. Advisors assist students with the development of an academic program, adjustment to college and career development. In order for this relationship to be effective, students are encouraged to consult advisors on a regular basis. Students may change advisors as their interests or selection of major dictate. Course registration and adjustments in schedule must have advisor approval. Though advisors are available for advice and consultation, it is the student's responsibility to know and complete all requirements for a degree.
Disability Services. Students entering Westmont College with a certified learning, physical or psychological disability are assisted on a case by case basis. The College makes use of ASL interpreters and assisted hearing devices, makes provision for note takers, tutoring, extended testing time, and provides a listing of local services that may be contacted for additional assistance. If students require these or other services, they should contact the Director of Academic Advising and Disability Services.
Academic Resources Office. Westmont admits students with the abilities and aptitudes necessary to study college-level material. As these abilities may be uneven in certain areas, many students will profit from extra study or academic help in some of their courses. Students may need to strengthen academic skills and disciplines to learn increasingly difficult and complex material.
Academic support is available to all students in two areas: supplemental instruction and study skills. The College encourages all students to take advantage of these resources.
Supplemental Instruction. Clarification and practice are essential for learning. For this reason, small-group tutorial and pre-exam review sessions are available free of charge for some general education classes and selected upper-division courses. Students should take advantage of them early in the semester. A student who is having difficulty should speak to the professor and the Director of Academic Advising and Disability Services about receiving supplemental instruction.
Successful Scholars Seminar. Students who do well at Westmont possess good academic skills and discipline, and the ability to organize time and information in efficient and meaningful ways. This seminar is a six-week program which trains students in a variety of skills to help them succeed at Westmont College. If interested, students should contact the Director of Academic Advising and Disability Services.
Writer's Corner. All students can receive help with their writing by dropping in at the Writer's Corner on the upper floor of Voskuyl Library. The staff of student tutors is trained through the English Department.
Library & Information Services. Named after Westmont's third president, the Roger John Voskuyl Library provides access to both traditional hard copy library materials from its over 160,000 volume collection and online resources delivered over the Web. Access to the library's resources begins on the Web page (http://library.westmont.edu). From here, the library patron can go to Roger, the online catalog which provides information on the hard copy book and periodical holdings, audio and video collections and access to over 14,000 ebooks. From the Website, there are links to the many online database products, such as ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and LexisNexis. These provide campus-wide access to journal indexes, and in many cases full-text of journal articles. Links to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other online reference sources are also available. The library provides instruction in the use of these resources by offering subject-related study guide Web pages, in-class bibliographic instruction, and a self-paced Web tutorial. Student and faculty research is also supported by inter-library loan and individual research counseling.
Media Services provides a broad range of support equipment and service for curriculur and student needs. Open study carrels make up much of the seating capacity of the library, and study cubicles are available on a limited basis.
The Voskuyl Library building is also the home of other campus services including the Office of Information Thecnology, the offices of Life Planning, Inter-Cultural Programs, First-Year Programs and the Writer's Corner. The building also houses a general-purpose computer laboratory and a language study and computer graphics laboratory.