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Student Life

Resources for Commuters

Illinois Wesleyan University is a residential liberal arts university. Students are required to live in University-approved housing for six semesters. In specific circumstances, students may request a waiver of the residency requirement. Permission must be obtained through the Office of Residential Life (and/or Student Accessibility Services) by completing an online request form in MyHousing and further documentation may be required. If your request is approved, you may commute to campus instead of living in campus housing.

As a commuter student at IWU, you’ll have access to extracurricular groups, clubs, athletics, as well as lectures, and study groups. We recognize that being a commuter student is a different experience than living on campus and we’d like to provide some resources for you.

Have a look at the frequently asked questions below for answers about where to spend your time between classes, where to park when you come to class, and if there is a place to store your things while you are on campus. Other university-wide information such as deadlines to add/drop a class is available on the MyIWU portal and you can search for course specific information in Canvas.

 

FAQs

You will need to contact Campus Safety to get your (free) parking pass. Parking on campus is free, however, your student parking pass must be displayed on your vehicle in order to park in the student parking lots. Check out the interactive campus map. Selecting the Parking option will give you an option to specifically look for accessible parking, EV charging stations and student parking. Also, if your car is stuck in an IWU lot, or needs a battery jump or tires inflated, Campus Safety can help. Call (309) 556-1111.

Maps are posted around campus. Our online interactive campus map can help you locate ADA entrances, all gender bathrooms, and key offices on campus. 

Ames Library has lockers available. You can’t store food there, but it might be a great place to keep your laptop or an extra sweater. Lockers are located just to the right of the elevators on the first floor. Visit the Library Services desk to find out how to reserve a locker for the semester.

  • Ames Library:
    • Quiet spaces available.
    • Ames is a building you should spend some time exploring. Snacks are allowed in the library. There are vending machines for food, a popular reading collection, a variety of seating options including study carrels, group study rooms, and those cozy study pods. Don’t forget to visit the Bates and Merwin Reading Room on the fourth floor. (Quiet spaces on the third and fourth floors of the library.)

  • Dugout in The Memorial Center
    • Microwave and toaster available.
    • You can almost always find students in the Dugout. There is plenty of seating available and you can bring your own meal or snacks. There are toasters across from the Titan Brew coffee shop. As you exit The Dugout near the cashier station, you’ll find napkins, cutlery, and a microwave for student use.

  • Esports Arena:
    • Stop by the IWU Esports area. Our facility features two floors with Varsity, Academy, and free-play stations for all students.

  • Evelyn Chapel:
    • Quiet space
    • The lower level contains rooms regularly reserved for campus programs and  RSO (Registered Student Organization) meetings. The second floor, with seating set around a large picture window overlooking the Quad, is an especially quiet space and may be reserved for small group gatherings and meetings.

  • Hansen Student Center:
    • The balcony above Hansen Center Court has comfortable chairs and small tables. There is also a study booth and some seating near the bookstore on the main floor. Visit Tommy’s, the restaurant on the lower level of Hansen, for games and the large screen TV.

  •  IDEA Center in Memorial:
    • Looking for something to do on campus? This makerspace is currently located in the Underground of the Memorial Center. This makerspace is open to students. It is a space where you can create with 3D printers, sewing machines, and other equipment. Contact ideacenter@iwu.edu.

  • Multifaith Meditation Room in the Memorial Center:
    • Quiet space.
    • Located up the stairs by the Campus Safety Office in the Memorial Center (or take the elevator)  the Multifaith Meditation was designed as an inclusive space for all students. This room is open whenever the Memorial Center is open.

  •  Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation:
    • Did you know you have access to the fitness center? Bring your student ID because you may need it to access Shirk from the main parking lot. The Shirk Center features an indoor track, fitness center, and pool (Fort Natatorium) complete with locker room. There is also seating with booths available near the main entrance. Visit the information desk at the bottom of the stairs on the lower level for additional information.

  •  State Farm Hall:
    • Study rooms with whiteboards are available. Additionally, there are booths on the main floor available on a first come first serve basis.

  • Additional study space options: Study Space Map 2024.pdf

Sodexo offers multiple options for dining on campus. There are meal plans available for commuter students and you can add “munch money” to your student ID card to use for purchase at several locations across campus.

Don’t forget about the Titan Food Pantry which provides free food for IWU students. Take what you need from the lockers located on the 1st floor of Hansen Student Center across from the Office of Student Involvement.

The university website has information regarding policies and procedures in the event of an emergency. If the campus will be closed (classes canceled) or if the start of the day will be delayed due to weather, information will be sent via the emergency notification system. To enroll in text notifications, text ALERTIWU to 226787. Information is also typicall provided to local radio and television stations.