Student Services

The mission of the Office of Student Services is to offer a broad range of services in the arena outside the formal boundaries of the classroom that support, enhance, nurture, and promote the growth and development of Midwestern University students by contributing to their professional, cultural, social, intellectual, physical, and emotional well being. It is within the mission of Student Services to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance of all individuals in a diverse world society and to promote a sense of respect, appreciation, and community among the colleges that can be carried on throughout students' professional lives.

The Office of Student Services on the Downers Grove Campus is composed of the Dean of Students, Associate and Assistant Deans, Student Activities, Residence Life, Academic Support, Disability Services, Student Counseling, the Wellness Center, and Campus Recreation. The Office of Student Services supports all colleges and interacts with students to develop and support programs and services that enrich students' experiences on campus. Examples of these programs include: MWU Student Government, MWU Tutoring Program, disability services, student social and recreational activities, orientation, academic counseling, stress and time management seminars, multicultural and diversity programming, crisis intervention and personal counseling, intramural sports, and other developmental activities. The Office of Student Services, housed in The Commons, has an open-door policy and is available to students on a continuing basis offering the support, advice, and encouragement needed to meet students' concerns and challenges.

New Student Orientation

Orientation programs are planned each year to welcome and facilitate the integration of new students into each of the colleges of the University. In addition, students are provided with opportunities to interact socially with peers, meet faculty, administration, and staff members, learn about University services available on campus and develop a sense of belonging to the University community as well as individual college communities. New Student Orientation is mandatory for all matriculating students.

Student Government

Student government provides a forum for discussing and resolving student concerns, initiating recognition of new student organizations, and conducting reviews of existing student organizations. Student government functions at two levels: (1) the University and (2) the College. The following is a brief description of how student government functions at both levels.

University Level 
All students are represented through a campus-wide Student Senate. The Student Senate is composed of representatives from CCOM, CPDG, CHS, CGS, CDMI, and CCO. The members of the Executive Board are the Speaker of the Student Senate, the Vice Speaker, and the Secretary. Meeting every month, the Student Senate provides a mechanism for governance of campus-wide activities and functions. It also provides a vehicle for the exchange of ideas and perceptions concerning student issues that cross college lines.

College Level 
Individual college student councils/student government associations function to provide governance for student issues related to the individual colleges, as well as conducting all class and college-wide elections. Adoption of bylaws governing the individual college student councils/student government associations is at the discretion of the elected/appointed officers of these councils/associations. College student councils/student government associations are encouraged to adopt bylaws that are consistent with the bylaws of the governing bodies of the other colleges.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are recognized by the Student Senate, respective student councils/student government associations, and the Dean of Students. Students interested in obtaining more information about existing organizations or having any questions concerning how to apply for membership should contact the president(s) of the respective organization(s). A listing and description of each organization is found in the Student Handbook.

Student Counseling 

On-campus Student Counselors are available to help students effectively deal with many issues through individual, couples, and family counseling. Counseling by the Student Counselors is subsidized through student activity fees and is provided free of charge to all students of Midwestern University. Based on an assessment by a Counselor, it may be necessary at times to utilize alternate resources for specialized interventions. Referrals will be made to an appropriate specialist; however, these referrals may or may not be covered under the student's health plan. Under these circumstances, the student is required to meet expenses not covered under their health plan. Additionally, Academic Live Care is available to all students as a mental health resource.

Academic Support

Midwestern University offers multiple opportunities to students for academic support, including peer lecture review and tutoring services coordinated through Student Services and the individual colleges/programs, and the services of a Learning Specialist. Academic support is designed to enhance test-taking skills, modify study habits, and/or focus on critical material and content.

Disability Services

It is the policy of Midwestern University to ensure that no qualified student with a disability is excluded from participation in or subject to discrimination in any University program, activity, or event. Midwestern University makes reasonable accommodations for the physical and mental limitations of students with documented qualified disabilities.

Student Health

As deemed appropriate for the protection of students and patients, and in accordance with our clinical affiliation agreements, Midwestern University requires that all students submit to a physical exam and provide documented proof of immunity against certain diseases prior to and during their enrollment.

Students can find full service primary care at Midwestern’s Family Practice Clinic at the Multispecialty Clinic. Care includes physicals, annual wellness checks, treatment for acute illnesses and injuries, and management of chronic diseases. Midwestern’s student health requirements for immunizations, titers, and TB testing are available at the Family Practice Clinic for students who are established patients.

Wellness and Recreation Hall (Rec Center) and Campus Recreation

Committed to the concept of wellness, Midwestern University encourages students to utilize the facilities available in the Wellness and Recreation Hall (Rec Center). These facilities include a craft room, a music room, gymnasium, a fully equipped weight room, an aerobic exercise room, racquetball/handball courts and athletic fields for various intramural sports. Additionally, students may participate in numerous on-campus activities sponsored by the University, including volleyball, soccer, basketball, dodgeball and softball competitions, and group activities such as yoga, sewing, knitting, beading, stained glass making and varied aerobic classes.

On- Campus Housing

On-campus housing is available to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the Office of Student Services at il-studentservices@midwestern.edu for information.