Weeks of Welcome (WOW) begins a few days before classes begin in the fall and continues through the first two weeks of school. WOW is designed to both welcome new students to the Concordia community and returning students back to campus. Highlights of WOW include new information sessions about University services, Service of Welcome and Induction, Opening Service, Triangle Devotion, Welcome Back BBQ, Campus Awareness Day and the WOW Staff Skit Show.
Students who begin their studies at Concordia during the spring semester receive a personalized orientation to the services the University has to offer and the procedures that have been designed to facilitate their collegiate experience. For more information about Weeks of Welcome or Jump Start, Concordia’s orientation program, please contact the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at studentactivities@CUChicago.edu.
The Department of Residential Life at Concordia University Chicago is dedicated to providing housing to those students who need it. Due to the potential for limitations in housing space, priorities for housing are on a first-come, first-served basis. The Department of Residence Life makes extra efforts if necessary due to reaching housing capacity to work with our out-of-area undergraduates as beds fill up. We work to provide housing first to our traditional undergraduate populations, in double-occupancy rooms. Housing Agreements are binding for the entire school year.
All full-time freshman, sophomore and junior students are required to live in CUC residence halls. Degree-seeking students taking less than 12 semester hours in a 16-week semester (part-time students) are considered ineligible for campus housing but exceptions will be considered (subject to housing availability) on a case-by-case basis. Concordia, under its parietal rule (for bond revenue projects), reserves the right at any future dates to require all students to live in University housing. Exceptions to the required housing policy are:
1. Full-time senior students, based upon earned credit hours;
2. The student is living with parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and commuting to campus from that residence;
3. The student can claim an “independent” designation as defined by federal aid requirements and standards;
4. The student is married;
5. The student, because of a disability, provides the college with appropriate documentation for reasonable accommodations that the University is unable to provide;
6. The student is 22 years of age at or before the first day of the semester, or
7. The student has children or is the one that provides direct care for a legal guardian.
The housing agreement is viewed as a contract, according to the prescribed requested housing occupancy time by the resident at the time of application. For the majority of our residential students, this is for full Fall/Spring semesters. Any student cancelling a housing contract and approved by the Dean of Students to move off campus will be assessed a $200 cancellation penalty for breaking the agreed-upon housing contract.
The cancellation penalty will be assessed to returning beginning on July 1st of the summer prior to the upcoming year they have applied for and will be deducted automatically from any room and board refund they might be receiving, or after the 8-week point in the semester when no refund is available, will be added as a penalty charge. Payments for room and board are made each semester, and as such, the reimbursements only apply to payments already made. If a change of residency status occurs after July 1st for returning students and after occupancy for new students, the reimbursements occur according to the following timeline:
Full reimbursement: As established by the housing agreement, students who withdraw their housing application prior to occupancy, or by the end of the first week of classes for either semester, are eligible to a full reimbursement of paid charges, minus the $200 cancellation fee. If any meals or Cougar cash were used, then a student would be charged for that usage accordingly.
Fifty percent (50%) reimbursement: As established by the housing agreement, any student withdrawing from housing after the first week of classes, but prior to the end of the 8-week mark of the semester, are eligible for a 50 percent reimbursement of room and board charges for the semester, minus the $200 cancellation fee.
No reimbursement: As established by the housing agreement, any student withdrawing from housing, after the 8-week mark of the semester (the exception being hardship cases) will receive no reimbursement of room or board charges for the semester and will be charged a $200 cancellation fee.
If the cancellation of the housing contract or the change in housing status is due to a significant financial burden, the $200 cancellation fee and reimbursement for housing can be adjusted or waived with approval from the Dean of Students.
Special Accommodations
The office of Residential Life works with students who have a necessity for special accommodations in relationship to their room and board plan. The three accommodations are: Medical single room, Medically-required air conditioning and/or a special, altered or waived meal plan. Additional accommodations that are not listed here might be able to be met. Please discuss those in person with the Director of Student Housing.
Special accommodations can be made via the Special Accommodations Request Form available on CUConnect. All requests for accommodation are subject to review and approval prior to any allowable updates to status or account. Students must have a completed Special Accommodations Request form on file before any requested accommodations will be granted. Information that is incomplete or that has not been completed will be returned to the student without being approved. While every attempt is made to meet all reasonable requests, submission of the Special Accomodations Request form does not guarantee receipt of stated request.
Single rooms are awarded through lottery, if space permits, to those who apply for single rooms, but not until July when the majority of double occupancy needs have been met. To be eligible for the single room lottery, a student must be a senior or graduate student during the time of occupancy and have a Single Room Application on file with the Department of Residential Life by July 1 prior to the beginning of the fall occupying semester, or by December 1 prior to beginning of the spring occupying semester. Those who are awarded a single room will be contacted by the Department of Residential Life via their Concordia email address no later then August 1 to begin occupancy in the fall semester, or December 20 to begin occupancy in the spring semester. Students awarded a single room will have an additional charge for accommodations included with their room and board fee on their student account.
Students who require single room living options at the request of their physician for existing health issues are awarded single rooms based on appropriate ADA guidelines. Prior to receiving a medical single room, the student in need must have a Medical Single Room Approval Form, completed by his or her attending physician on file with the Department of Residential Life. Medically required single rooms do not have an additional charge associated with them.
Graduate student and non-traditional undergraduate (22 years old or older) student housing is available on campus as space permits. Students looking for non-traditional housing must contact the Department of Residential Life to inquire about and gain approval for on-campus housing based upon availability, suitability, and need. Currently, Concordia University Chicago does not offer on-campus housing for married students or families. The Department of Residential Life maintains an off-campus housing binder, accessible at the office in Krauss Hall, second floor, and will work with students to make referrals for off-campus housing options as questions arise.
Concordia is an institution that places significant emphasis on providing a quality liberal arts education within the Lutheran theological tradition. Although many students are Lutheran, a wide variety of Christian backgrounds, including Catholic and other Protestant denominations, are represented. Its educational philosophy is based on the biblical principles of service to God and humankind; Concordia remains a University centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this light, chapel services are conducted daily for the Concordia community as well as guests and visitors, with special festival services scheduled frequently. Attendance is voluntary, but all Christians are encouraged to regard chapel as a unique opportunity for spiritual growth. A Lutheran Service of Holy Communion is celebrated weekly as well as Sunday evening student-led prayer and praise, and other evening worship and devotional activities. Sunday morning campus worship is hosted by Resurrection Lutheran Church. Transportation can be arranged for students to participate in worship at area churches of various denominations.
A Student Handbook containing information about student activities and policies relative to student services is provided online at http://intranet.CUChicago.edu. Copies also are available in the Office of Student Services.
Concordia University Chicago offers a Sickness and Accident Plan to all students. However, all full-time undergraduates (excluding those in the Accelerated Degree Completion Program, all students living in the residence halls and all F-1 international students) are mandated to have major medical insurance. These students are charged the premium for the major medical coverage offered through the school. The University only will waive this premium for students who provide satisfactory evidence of comparable coverage by the deadline (the second Friday of the semester). In addition, students can enroll dependents in the plan for an additional premium. Information regarding this policy originates in the Student Services Office and is sent to all students before the beginning of the academic year. Any questions regarding this plan should be directed to the Student Services Office.
While the University does not have a health service on campus, students are advised to seek medical treatment from local health clinics covered by their own insurance. The University does refer resident students to two facilities associated with Resurrection Health Care. In an effort to assist resident students with costs not covered by their own insurance, Concordia has a group injury and sickness plan for such eligible students to use as needed.
All students who are mandated by the University to major medical insurance are automatically enrolled in this plan. Information is distributed by the Student Services Office.
Concordia University Chicago also carries an accident plan for all intercollegiate athletes. The plan covers eligible expenses not covered already by the student’s personal insurance or the group injury plan. Information on this plan can be obtained from the Athletic Director.
Residence directors and student resident assistants are the first direct line for advice and assistance to students in the residence halls. The Dean of Students and the Campus Pastor also are available for additional counseling. For situations warranting a more formal counseling setting, The Schmieding Counseling Center, located on the second floor of Krauss Hall, is staffed by licensed clinical social workers and is available to the entire campus community for professional, personal consultation. In some cases students also may be referred to special services in the area.
Illinois state law and University policy require that all students who are newly enrolled at Concordia University Chicago provide written evidence of current immune status or evidence of exemption from this requirement with respect to the following communicable diseases:
- Measles (Rubeola)
- German Measles (Rubella)
- Mumps
- Tetanus/Diphtheria (must be within the last 10 years)
- Tuberculosis (required as per University policy, must be within the last year)
The state law, which applies to all public and private colleges and universities in Illinois, went into effect July 1, 1989. Students who enrolled at Concordia in the fall 1989 quarter or later will be required to comply with the policy.
Previously enrolled students and students born prior to January 1, 1957 are exempt from this requirement. Evidence of immunization should be provided no later then the beginning of the student’s first term of enrollment at Concordia. The University requires that each student also must submit results of a chest X-ray or other test for tuberculosis administered within one year prior to entry. Failure to comply with the state law and University requirements before the end of the first term will result in the placing of encumbrances on the student’s record, which will prevent further enrollment.
Concordia’s food service, provided by Sodexo, includes a wide variety of flexibility and options for students. A meal plan is automatically included in the Residential Package for students living on campus. The default meal plan for that package is the Gold Meal Plan which consists of 160 meals per semester and $50 of Cougar Cash per semester. Cougar Cash is a declining balance that can be used for a la carte purchases in one of two a la carte locations: the Library Café or Charlie T’s. The meals are used in the Crossroads Dining Room for the purchase of lunch or dinner. All breakfast meals are a la carte.
Additional meal plans include the following:
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Maroon Meal Plan–120 meals per semester, plus $250 Cougar Cash per semester
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Cougar Meal Plan (additional $250 charge/semester) –160 meals per semeste,r plus $400 Cougar Cash per semester
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CU Every Meal Plan (additional $250 charge/semester) –14 meals per week plus $400 Cougar Cash per semester; allotment of meals expire weekly; no lunch meal exchange
The Gold, Maroon and Cougar Plan allow students to exchange any number of meals for $5 per meal in Cougar Cash. In addition, with these plans, students are allowed to utilize an unlimited number of allotted meals at any given mealtime in the Crossroads Dining Room. Meal exchanges are available at each campus food service outlet during all hours of operation. A meal exchange can be for up to $6 in product or one of the predetermined meal replacements offered. Any unused meals and Cougar Cash on the Gold, Maroon and Cougar plan carry over between fall and spring semester, but not between any other semesters.
Students involved in full-time, off-site student teaching or internships are able to receive a reduced rate meal option. Approval must be given by the Director of Residential Life.
The University suspends all activities during recess periods of seven calendar days or more, such as Spring Break and Christmas Break. It is the policy of the school at these times to close the residence halls and dining facilities. Students will not be excused to leave early or return late in order to extend vacations.
All students operating motorized vehicles while attending Concordia University Chicago are required to register their vehicles and obtain a parking permit from the Campus Security Office (Addison 140). There is no fee for Commuter permits, or for those who will not be parking vehicles on campus overnight. All vehicular traffic on the campus is subject to the requirements of the current edition of the “Comprehensive Campus Traffic and Parking Policy and Procedures” document, available through the Campus Security Office.
Failure to receive a permit or to follow the guidelines of the campus parking policy will result in ticketing and fines which will be applied to the student’s account. Street parking is discouraged strongly and is subject to local ordinances, which are enforced by the River Forest Police Department.
The campus bookstore is located on the lower level of the Koehneke Community Center (KCC). Available are all textbooks for courses, school supplies, gift items, greeting cards and clothing with University insignia.
The campus post office is located in the Koehneke Community Center and handles all on-campus mail, federal mail and international mail, as well as making stamps and other postal services available.
Student Leadership and Involvement
Fine Arts
The University perpetuates its rich musical heritage by offering students opportunities to participate in a variety of music ensembles. Under the leadership of the music department, these groups are arranged to meet a wide variety of student talent and interest. Performances, on- and off-campus, add an important dimension to student life. Off-campus performances allow students to share with the neighboring community the rich musical heritage of Concordia, as well as providing enjoyment and personal growth to the participants. The outreach to the community increases as both the Concordia Wind Symphony and Kapelle take extended tours during the spring break each year.
The Artists of Concordia Theatre provide a full program of dramatic activities throughout the year ranging from children’s theatre to full-scale musicals and student-directed one-act plays. These are performed regularly, giving students a variety of learning opportunities both on- and off-stage.
Students are encouraged to use their skills in whatever capacity possible, whether it be helping clean up after construction work, applying makeup and doing hair, or delivering lines on stage. Students are given the opportunity to act as leaders and teachers throughout the year, sharing the task of creating each successful production.
An outgrowth of the Artists of Concordia Theatre is the drama ministry team “Fish Out of Water.” This team offers an excellent way to make use of students’ dramatic and ministry talents. “Fish Out of Water” performs regularly in campus chapel services and takes its ministry to area churches and schools. The ensemble also has become ‘regular’ at several youth gatherings in neighboring states.
The Elizabeth Ferguson Gallery offers art students the opportunity to view and study the works of current artists, as well as offering the art majors the experience of exhibiting their work in the Senior Art Show. A wide range of artwork in a variety of media is displayed throughout the year. The art gallery is open to the public for viewing both the works of local arts, nationally knows artisans and the excellent work of Concordia’s own art students.
Student Organizations
A number of student organizations are available for student participation.
Student organizations may be organized around departmental interests or related to special talents. Some currently active groups on camps include Artists of Concordia Theatre Board (ACT Board), Black Student Union (BSU), Campus Activities Board (CAB), Latino Student Union (LUS), Pillars yearbook, Spectator newspaper, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Student-Led Campus Ministries (SLCM), Voice: CUC Student Government (Voice) and the WCGR Radio The Underground.
For more information on student organizations, please contact the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at studentactivities@CUChicago.edu.
Concordia University Chicago offers 14 intercollegiate sports to its student-athletes. Men’s teams compete in football; soccer; cross country; basketball; baseball; track and field and tennis. Women’s teams compete in volleyball; soccer; cross country; basketball; softball; track and field; and tennis.
The mission of the Concordia University Chicago Athletic Department is to provide a positive athletic experience to all individuals. Every experience should support and encourage the student-athlete’s academic development and personal growth in a program dedicated to quality and excellence at the NCAA Division III level.
The goal is to prepare student-athletes for productive careers, and active, responsible lives. It is our responsibility to help student-athletes graduate and be productive as Christian adults in the world. Concordia wishes to emphasize honesty, personal integrity and independent thinking. Intercollegiate athletics is intended to provide students with opportunities to enhance their educational experiences. It is a privilege to represent Concordia University Chicago and student-athletes need to consider it as such. Participation in the program, however, is secondary to the academic obligation of students.
The welfare, health and safety of student-athletes are primary concerns of the athletic department. Every student-athlete, in all sports, will receive fair and equitable treatment. Student-athletes will have no unique privileges in admission, grading, or living accommodations that a non-athlete would not receive as a student of Concordia University Chicago.
Concordia participates in the Northern Athletic Conference (NAC), which includes 13 private colleges and universities from Wisconsin and Illinois.
Academic Advising
The Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising partners with all undergraduate students and is focused on graduation. Academic advising is offered to all current undergraduate students to educate, assist and empower them in making well-informed decisions related to academic goals, student programs and supplemental learning experiences. Academic advisors are available by appointment to assist undergraduate students with meeting graduation goals for their programs of study in accordance with the University’s program requirements and the standards set by any certifying agency.
All students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor a minimum of once per academic year. Advisors frequently meet with students who want to declare or remove majors or minors, review an unofficial degree audit or develop graduation plans. Advisors have student success in mind and also will encourage and refer students to other academic support services available on campus to enhance academic success. Other academic questions or concerns may be addressed to the student’s academic advisor as needed. Every student is required to attend mandatory advising information sessions that clearly describe policies and procedures as they relate to freshman, sophomore, junior and senior status students.
Students who declare a major are automatically assigned a faculty advisor who may assist with developing class schedules for registration, discuss possible internships and careers relating to the student’s major and serve as a mentor for those who are pursuing a major within the faculty advisor’s area of expertise. All students are encouraged to continue annual consultation with an academic advisor until the ultimate goal of graduation is met. The Advising Office is located in the lower level of Addison Hall 155.
Concordia University Chicago is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows the transfer of the completed Illinois General Education Core Curriculum between participating institutions. Completion of the transferable General Education Core Curriculum at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that lower division general education requirements for an associate or bachelor’s degree have been satisfied, excluding graduation and mission-related requirements. This agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree-granting institution as a first-time freshman in summer 1998 and thereafter.
The following codes identify qualifying general education courses:
If a student has completed only part of the Core Curriculum, or is transferring from a non-IAI participating institution, transfer credit for completed coursework will be awarded the same as if the Core had been completed. However, the remaining course work necessary to complete the bachelor’s degree will be determined according to Concordia’s current practices and policies. Concordia recognizes proficiency and CLEP credit, and will apply it toward IAI General Education Core Curriculum as appropriate. See an academic advisor for additional information and read about the IAI at www.itransfer.org.
Learning Assistance
The Learning Assistance Center provides academic support to all Concordia students. Our goal is to help students to be successful in their classes. Free peer tutoring is provided for students experiencing difficulty in a class. The Peer Tutoring Line is (708) 209-3462.
A one-credit course and individual advising also are available to review or sharpen study strategies. The Learning Assistance Center is located on the second floor of Krauss Hall.
Concordia University Chicago maintains two offices that provide placement/employment services:
The Synodical Placement Office deals with placement into Lutheran teaching and all programs offered by the University leading to professional work in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS).
The Career Services Office is not just about finding a job after college. Rather, it is about developing skills that are essential in managing a career at any point throughout the career development continuum. The goal is to assist students and alumni in every aspect of career exploration and goal fulfillment.
Career Services staff is available to meet with students to develop their job search strategies and assist in targeting employers utilizing a variety of online resources. Concordia’s affiliation with employers, as well as a consortium called the llinois Small College Placement Association (ISCPA) has resulted in a broad range of opportunities for students and alumni. The Concordia Online Career Center website links students to resources for résumé writing, job and internship searches, and announces career-related events such as job fairs
and workshops.
All students are encouraged to meet with a Career Services staff member. Career Services provides access to a variety of resources with information on occupations, projections and preparation. This will help prepare students to assess themselves successfully, research options, and use effective tools in their job search.
Career Services offers a wide range of programs to help students match their interests, values and activities with possible career paths. Services and programs are provided through the Concordia Career Services website and through individual appointments in the Career Services office. Career counseling is available to all students. If students have any questions, contact Career Services at (708) 209-3033.
The University is committed to providing quality services and opportunities for participation in co- and extra-curricular activities to all students, including those who commute to the campus from their homes in the community. The members of this group constitute nearly one-half of all Concordia University Chicago undergraduates and make invaluable contributions in the classrooms, on athletic teams, and in student organizations. Commuting students are strongly encouraged to taken full advantage of all the resources the University has to offer, as well as suggesting ways the University could strengthen its ties with the commuting population.
Students with disabilities should contact the Learning Assistance Center, located on the second floor of Krauss Hall, for information concerning accommodations in the classroom. A diagnosis and documentation of testing by a licensed professional must be submitted to the Learning Assistance Center before services may be received.
The Klinck Memorial Library provides print and electronic resources to support the University curriculum. The collection is complemented by many academic, special, and public libraries in the Chicagoland area. Klinck Memorial Library is home to more than 160,000 books and audiovisual materials, 237 print periodical subscriptions, 480,000 ERIC microfiche documents, and 50 electronic databases with remote access. A special collection of musical scores, long-playing vinyl albums, and CDs also is available for use by library patrons. There are 38 public computers, and wireless Internet access is provided. A group study and the Center for Church Music, as well as the audiovisual listening and viewing center, are part of the library.
The Christopher Resource Center, located in the Christopher Center Building on the west end of campus, is an integral part of the Klinck Memorial Library. The Resource Center contains a large collection of both fiction and non-fiction materials from pre-K to young adult, as well as an extensive curriculum collection, representing textbooks and teaching materials from different publishers in all levels and subject areas. It houses a production room, which includes a laminator, die cut machines with various die cuts, a binding machine and construction paper. The Instructional Design, Teaching and Learning Center also is located in the Resource Center. This lab is used by faculty for online, hybrid and web-enhanced instructional design.
The Klinck Memorial Library is a member of the Metropolitan Library System, LIBRAS, and CARLI. LIBRAS membership consists of 17 private college and university libraries located in the Chicago metropolitan area focusing on promoting cooperation, continuing education and networking among its members. CARLI member libraries share resources, including the I-Share online catalog, among 71 academic and research libraries. In addition, Concordia University Chicago is a member of the University Center of Lake County which provides bachelor’s completion, graduate, and advanced professional development programs to those who work and reside in Lake County.
CougarNet provides all information and technology services for Concordia students, faculty and staff, including computer support services, audiovisual resources and setup, and assistance with BannerWeb, Concordia’s administrative software. CougarNet plays an essential role in providing the information resources students, faculty and staff need to achieve academic excellence.
Media Production operates the campus video network, an interactive video conferencing classroom, a television production studio, an audio production studio and a student-run radio station. Three satellite dishes are used to downlink a broad variety of academic and entertainment programming for the campus. Cable television outlets are provided at more than 700 locations throughout the campus, including every residence hall room and classroom.
Information Technology Services (ITS) provides and supports the campus data network. ITS provides network services on the campus for computing devices by managing a 1000Mbps fiber optic backbone connecting Ethernet data jacks in all residence halls, classrooms, offices, libraries and other campus buildings. Wireless connectivity also is available in several buildings around campus for students to access the network with laptop computers. A high-speed, dedicated Internet link provides the campus network with full access to the Internet.
ITS provides and supports a full range of server resources including usernames/passwords, email and Web hosting, network disk space, and print queue management. ITS also maintains more than 200 email lists for sending messages to various campus populations. ITS conducts regular training sessions on various application software packages used across campus and provides audio and visual listening and viewing stations, personal computers, and graphic, photographic and multimedia resources for classes and special events. ITS can serve as a resource for students who wish to purchase their own computer, laptop, or software and also operates the CougarNet Help Desk, which provides technical assistance to campus technology users.
ITS also supports two well-equipped, general-use computer labs for student use. One lab is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Computers are updated frequently and provide students with excellent access to the latest in computer hardware and applications. There also is a dedicated music computer lab and a science computer lab for class use. Workstations also are available for use in both campus libraries, as well as in select locations across campus.
Administrative Information Systems (AIS) supports and coordinates Concordia’s administrative software package (SCT Banner). Banner provides students and faculty with secure Web access to administrative data. Students have access to course schedules; personal class schedules; accounts; financial aid awards; grade reports; telephone bills and transcripts.
Managed by CAIS, the Concordia Connect Web portal—accessible at http://connect.cuchicago.edu—is a secure and personalized website designed to provide individuals with a single location to access many of the online resources commonly used at Concordia. The portal offers direct links into BannerWeb for common tasks such as registering for classes; viewing your grades; requesting a transcript; viewing your bills and making online payments. Others services accessible through the portal include Concordia Webmail; Blackboard; group communication tools; a calendar client and much more.
Web Services is a division of CougarNet responsible for the management and development of University and departmental webpages. Web Services also assists in University research, streaming media and the ConcordiaConnect Web Portal.
Telecom Services provides and supports the campus telephone/voice mail network. This network includes “dial tone” telephone instruments, local calling, long distance calling and voice mail services, as well as individual direct dial numbers to resident students, faculty members and staff members. Off-campus callers can dial directly the person they wish to speak with and conveniently leave a message if a party is unavailable.
Print Services provides and supports campus printing devices, including centrally located high-speed printers; copy machines; folding and sorting machines and color copiers, as well as distributed laser printers and digital copiers throughout the campus.