2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
    Dec 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Resources and Services



Purdue Northwest Alumni Community

Hammond:  Lawshe Hall, Room 314

Phone: 219-989-2308

Email: alumni@pnw.edu

Website: pnw.edu/alumni

Purdue Northwest graduates are automatically part of PNW Alumni. As an alumni, you will have access to the Career Center, exclusive alumni events, valuable networking opportunities, meaningful mentoring experiences and much more. Stay connected on social media and visit pnw.edu/alumni to take advantage of the many benefits of being a PNW alumni.

The Career Center

Hammond:  SULB, Room 349
Hours:  Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Westville:  TECH, Room 157
Hours:  Tuesday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or by appointment

The Career Center assists students and alumni of Purdue University Northwest in developing professional skills. As a bridge from college life to the world of work, it is our mission to facilitate connections between employers and students that lead to successful outcomes and satisfying futures. Services offered include:

Career Advising-By Appointment Only

Students can schedule 30 or 60-minute Career Advising appointments for the following:

  • Exploring majors and career options
  • Mock Interview Preparation
  • Job/Internship Search Strategies
  • Developing a Career Plan
  • Graduate School Interview Preparation
  • Creating a LinkedIn Profile
  • Developing a Personal Statement
  • Adapting Resumes to CV’s
  • Resume, CV, Cover Letter Review
  • Internship & Job Search Strategies
  • Access to Purdue Northwest Handshake

Handshake at Purdue University Northwest

PNW’s job/internship portal that provides students and alumni with advanced searching strategies available on all devices, including mobile technology. This system provides:

  • Relevant feed of job and internship opportunities
  • News feeds containing the latest information from the Career Center and your favorite employers
  • Resources that specifically match your interests
  • Appointment scheduling with select Career Center staff
  • Employer events feed of live recruitment opportunities hosted with the Career Center

Access to Handshake is available to actively enrolled, degree seeking students and alumni of Purdue. You can create your Handshake account by logging in here.

Online Career Center

PNW students also have exclusive access to curated presentations and interactive modules to best showcase skills you’ve developed in your coursework, jobs, internships, volunteer experiences, etc. These range from personalizing your resume to best job search strategies to negotiating your job offer. Enjoy these modules and complete them on your own time on Brightspace’s Non-Academic courses section.

Employer Recruitment and Development Events

Any PNW student or alumni interested in connecting live with an employer can attend live recruitment and development events hosted with employers who recruit with PNW. Events include in person job fairs, information sessions, live interviewing, employer panels, networking events, and professional development with recruiting employers.

The Counseling Center

Hammond:  Riley Center, Suite 104

Westville:  Technology Building, Room 101

Phone:  219-989-2366

Website:  www.pnw.edu/counseling/

The Counseling Center offers a range of psychological counseling services at no additional cost to currently enrolled students at Purdue University Northwest.  Services will be delivered in-person or via a video HIPAA compliant telehealth platform (doxy.me) to currently enrolled PNW students.  Services are provided in an individual or group format and may include brief counseling and psychotherapy and psychological assessment.  Referral, consultation and psycho-educational outreach presentations are also provided.  Personal issues such as adjustment to college/work, relationship concerns, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug use, body image/eating problems are only some of the many concerns that may be addressed in counseling.  Referrals to qualified professionals in the community are also made available.  Counseling Center staff also refer out to medical providers as needed for students who are in need of psychotropic medication(s).  All services are provided by licensed mental health professionals and doctoral externs under their supervision, and all psychological services are confidential as protected by law.

Office of the Dean of Students

Hammond:  Classroom Office Building, Room 152

Westville: Library Student Faculty Building, Room 103

Phone: (219) 989-4141 (Hammond); (219) 785-5230 (Westville)

Email:  dos@pnw.edu

Website:  http://www.pnw.edu/dean-of-students

The Dean of Students Office connects individuals to resources, provides support, administers student policies, and promotes initiatives which help strengthen the campus community. 

The Dean of Students Office promotes responsibility and encourages honesty, integrity, and respect among Purdue Northwest students through education, compliance with standards of conduct, and support of individual rights.

To sustain this mission. we are committed to:

  • Working collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an ethical and safe environment in which learning and discovery can flourish.
  • Promoting good citizenship among students and administering conduct standards in a fair, respectful, and equitable manner.
  • Disseminating and interpreting University regulations and standards to students, faculty, staff, parents, and the community.
  • Promoting compliance with the spirit and intent of the PNW Code of Conduct and other University policies.
  • Serving as a resource and information source for students, faculty, staff, parents and others concerning student rights and standards of conduct.
  • Guiding students toward a greater sense of personal responsibility and mature and ethical behavior that enhances the quality of the University and community environment.
  • Providing guidance and educational experiences to assist students in making appropriate choices and developing ethical behavior.
  • Encouraging students to understand the consequences of their decisions and actions in order to guide their holistic development as good citizens.

Advocacy for Students

Professional advocates for students are located on each campus in the Office of the Dean of Students. Advocates work to address a wide variety of student needs and help students understand University resources, policies and procedures. Referral to community resources can be made as necessary and appropriate. Advocacy is a primary function of this office, and includes student concerns including financial difficulties, disagreements with instructors or other complaints, and illness or other circumstances requiring absence from school.

Specialized support and advocacy are available to students who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking.

Campus Safety & Conduct Management

The Office of the Dean of Students is charged with maintaining the safety and integrity of the Purdue Northwest community, and promoting student responsibility and ethical conduct, by enforcing the policy document titled “Regulations Governing Student Conduct, Disciplinary Proceedings and Appeals,” also known as the Code of Conduct. The Office of the Dean of Students is authorized to receive and investigate complaints, make findings, and impose sanctions as described in the Code of Conduct

Respect Boundaries: Sexual Violence Awareness Program

Purdue Northwest is committed to maintaining a positive and safe environment free from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment. In addition, the University complies with federal laws, including the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act. SaVE requires students to receive primary prevention and education awareness about sexual violence. Through the Office of the Dean of Students, PNW provides a mandatory online course known as “Respect Boundaries” for students new to PNW, graduate students, and transfer students. In compliance with the SaVE act, Respect Boundaries includes training in PNW policy, risk reduction and prevention, relationship violence, bystander intervention, and supporting survivors.

Please contact the Office of the Dean of Students for questions regarding the Respect Boundaries Program.

Student Academic Support (SAS)

Hammond: Gyte Building, Room 102

Westville: Technology Building, Room 157

Phone: 219/989-3227 (Hammond); 219/785-5628 (Westville)

Email: sas@pnw.edu

Website: www.pnw.edu/sas

Student Academic Support (SAS) provides free academic assistance to all Purdue University Northwest students in a friendly and nurturing environment. Our goal is to help students not only increase understanding, but improve study skills and build confidence. Highly qualified, faculty recommended students are hired as tutors and Supplemental Instruction (S.I.) Leaders. SAS services include Supplemental Instruction and tutoring. Employment opportunities are available. For more information, visit our website or contact our office.  You may also contact Lyndsey Schaap - schaapl@pnw.edu.

Tutoring

Walk-in and individual tutoring is available in numerous major subject areas and is conducted by peer tutors. Schedules are available on our website (pnw.edu/sas) and by visiting the First Year Advising office in Gyte 102 (Hammond) or TECH 157 (Westville).

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support program that targets historically difficult courses. It is a non-remedial approach to learning enrichment that increases student performance and retention. SI offers regularly scheduled, out-of-class review sessions to all students enrolled in a targeted course. SI sessions are facilitated by SI Leaders, students who have successfully completed the course and now sit in on every class with you. These sessions are interactive and give students the opportunity to review notes, discuss readings, practice problem solving and prepare for examinations.

Office of Veteran Services

Hammond:  Student Union Library Building, Room 335

Westville:  Dworkin Student Services and Activies Complex Building, Room 1002

Phone:  219-785-5368

Email:  veteranservices@pnw.edu

Website:  https://www.pnw.edu/veteran-services

Along with University services including Priority Registration, Fee Deferment, and assistance with VA certification, the Office of Veteran Services offers a combination of services to aid in the successful degree completion by providing support in the transition from the military environment into the academic environment with referrals to appropriate University support services and guidance during military deployment. Both locations on the Hammond (SUL 335) and Westville (DSAC 1002) campuses offer a dedicated space with access to computers, CAC Readers, television, complimentary snacks and beverages and an informal location to network and study.  Purdue Northwest has been designated a Military Friendly institution, which means the University makes a commitment and effort to have a benefit to the campus and military community.

Military and Veteran Certification Services

To ensure veteran educational benefits can be processed in a timely manner, veterans planning on using their educational benefits should communicate early with the Veterans Certifying Officials in the Office of the Registrar:

Hammond:  Lawshe Room 130, (219) 989-1109

Westville:  Schwarz Hall Room 40, (219) 785-5342         

GI Bill® Delayed Payment Policy

All Chapter 31 VocRehab and Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® students that have submitted their GI Bill® Enrollment Certification form and have been certified by the University, will not be restricted in any way for the first 90 days of a semester if the reason for the delay in making payments for the certified semester is due to a delay in receipt of benefits from the VA.  This will include assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds. After the 90 days, the University will treat each Veteran on a case-by-case basis.  Please contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@pnw.edu or the Office of Veteran Services at veterans@pnw.edu for more information.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Military Service Excusal Policy

Purdue University Northwest recognizes that those who are actively serving in the Reserves or National Guard of the United States are required by their military contract to attend mandatory training, with failure to attend punishable under law.  The University therefore provides rights to students required by their military contract to attend mandatory training through the Military Absence Policy for Students (MAPS).  Please see the Academic Regulations section of this catalog for the MAPS Policy .

Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

Hammond:  Lawshe Hall, Room 352

Westville:  Schwarz Hall, Room 136

Phone:  219-989-2367

The Office of Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (VCEMSA) is responsible for coordinating services which are designed to recruit and enroll students in a campus environment in which students are able to develop and succeed, academically, intellectually, and personally. Enrollment Management and Student Affairs includes the following offices: Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar Office, EMSA Reporting and Operational Intelligence, Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives, Housing and Residential Education, Office of the Dean of Students, Student Life, Student Organization and Leadership Development, Student Government, Counseling Center, PNW Accessibility Center, TRIO/Educational Opportunity Program, Office of Veterans Services, McNair Achievement Program, 21st Century Scholars Program, Upward Bound Program, and University Welcome Centers.

The Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs staff assist with creating a student-centered environment designed for student success through services and programs administered outside of and in conjunction with academic programs. The staff, faculty, and the student leaders with whom they partner are committed to a team approach to creating this supportive environment that is the hallmark of a Purdue University Northwest.

Housing and Residential Education

Phone:  (219) 989-4150

Email:  housing@pnw.edu

Website:  www.pnw.edu/housing

University Village, located on the Hammond Campus, provides fully furnished apartments as well as social resources to any student that wants to take their PNW education to the next level.

Each apartment features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a common living room and a fully equipped and furnished kitchen/living room. There are single occupant rooms as well as double occupancy rooms to help make living on campus more affordable. The facilities are designed to provide convenience and comfort in an environment that supports the academic success of its residents.

The University Village community is overseen by the staff of the Department of Housing and Residential Education and is located at the south end of the Hammond campus, along 173rd Street, right next to the Fitness and Recreation Center. The Department of Housing and Residential Education offers an academic year (August to May) housing contract for students with the option to add a summer stay (May to August). Students interested in living on-campus are encouraged to visit the Department of Housing and Residential Education website and can email or call the office for more information.

Amenities

  • Apartment-style living
  • 24-hour service desks located in each building
  • Full kitchen with dishwasher and garbage disposal
  • Wi-Fi throughout the complex
  • A streaming movie service
  • Laundry rooms on each floor
  • 24-hour computer labs
  • 24-hour emergency response staff to handle resident concerns
  • Swipe card access to buildings and apartments
  • A music practice room
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Quiet study rooms
  • Well-lit on-site parking

Information Services

Information Services provides a number of resources for students to facilitate success in their academic program. Some of these services include:

Customer Service Center (CSC)

Hammond: Powers Building, Room 216

Westville:  LSF, Room 265 (Library Circulation Desk)

Phone: 219-989-2888

Email:  csc@pnw.edu

Website:  http://www.pnw.edu/csc

For hours of operation, please visit our website.

The Customer Service Center is the single point of contact and the channel between users and Information Services for dealing with a variety of technology service activities.  This includes incidents, inquiries, outages, access and service requests for assistance.  The CSC logs and monitors incidents and service requests in the centralized ticket system.

Walk-In Knowledge Bar & Tech Support

  • Easily accessible at both campuses
  • Walk-up support
  • Updated comfortable seating
  • Charging stations, power outlets and data ports to keep you powered up
  • Password changes
  • Outlook Support, etc.

Wireless Network (eduroam)

eduroam is Purdue University Northwest’s secure wireless network

  • Connects wireless-ready laptops, tablets, and phones to the PNW network and the Internet
  • Accessible throughout all campus buildings and select green spaces
  • All connections to eduroam are authenticated and encrypted in order to help protect your data
  • Login with careeraccount@pnw.edu as your username and your career account password
  • eduroam wireless network is available to PNW faculty/staff/students in thousands of locations across 100 countries

IT Status

Website: https://pnw.edu/status

Quickly check the status of PNW Information Service Systems for current outages and disruptions and to be aware of upcoming scheduled maintenance.

MyPNW

  • http://www.pnw.edu/mypnw
  • The MyPNW portal is a one stop shop for all student, faculty and staff to access their email, Banner and Brightspace
  • MyPNW requires Boilerkey to log into this service

Email

  • Each student is provided with a university email account.
  • Email is an essential communication tool used by faculty, staff, and students on campus.  We encourage you to check your university e-mail account regularly to ensure you do not miss receiving important information related to your classes and status within the University.

Computer Labs

Telephone: 219-989-2888

Website:  https://www.pnw.edu/information-services/services/computer-labs-classrooms/ 

Computer labs are always open when the building is open.

Open Access Computers:

  • Provide basic computing services such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Open to all students
  • Software available that can be utilized for homework, research and class projects
  • Boilerkey is not required for computer access

Hammond Campus Locations:

  • Gyte Learning Commons, Gyte 035, 040, 044, 045 & 048
  • Anderson, Classroom Office (CLO) and Porter Buildings
  • University Village – Peregrine and Griffin Hall
  • Library – Student Union Library (SUL) Building, 2nd floor
  • Specialized computer labs available through your academic department

Westville Campus Locations:

  • Tech Building 053
  • Library – Library Student Faculty (LSF) Building, 2nd floor
  • Specialized computer labs available through your academic department

Note: Use of all technology resources at PNW is subject to adherence with the Acceptable Use Policy (VILA.4)

Office of Instructional Technology

Hammond: PWRS 224

Email:  oit@pnw.edu

Phone: 219-989-2888

Click here for a Zoom Consultation!

Website:  http://www.pnw.edu/oit

Mission

The Office of Instructional Technology (OIT) supports innovative education for students through analysis and collaborative discussion. OIT provides solutions that enhance faculty instruction and increase efficiencies for student success and learning.

Brightspace

The PNW Learning Management System, Brightspace, is where you can access the content for your courses, complete activities, receive grades, and communicate with your instructor(s).  

 

Other PNW Tools

  Webpages Resource in Brightspace (requires Purdue account to access

Learning Management System

Brightspace for Students Brightspace Student Training Course
Screen Recording

Kaltura
Camtasica (labs only)

Record or watch lectures
Exam Testing LockDown Browser&
Monitor
Practice LockDown Browser Exam
Collaboration Microsoft Office 365
Google Apps
Google and Microsoft
Classroom Response iClicker Cloud  

Enterprise Applications

Email: eas_staff@pnw.edu

Website: https://www.pnw.edu/information-services/about/enterprise-applications/

Enterprise Applications provides the PNW community with authorized access to MyPNW and the related student information systems and applications while ensuring that security best practices are utilized.  We do minor custom application development and support integrations among the various administrative applications that support PNW, as well as perform administrative and database operations in support of these applications.

University Library

Hammond: SULB, 2nd floor, 219-989-2224

Westville: LSF, 2nd floor, 219-785-5248

Website:  http://www.pnw.edu/library/

For hours of operation, please visit our website.

  • Accessible, trusted, and indispensable learning environment, fundamental to student academic achievement in college
  • Deliver high quality information for our diverse community, provide excellent guidance in its use
  • Develop collections and facilitate access to information resources using the most innovative and cost-effective methods
  • Help lead the university in user-based initiatives, such as retention, with professional and scholarly guidance
  • Promote learning in technologically advanced, attractive and personally comfortable environment

PNW Sports and Recreation

Recreation

Fitness and Recreational Sports provides a wide range of opportunities to improve and maintain your health. A comprehensive package of recreational activities includes intramural sports, fitness activities, outdoor recreation and special events. Campus facilities for recreation include basketball courts, disc golf course, group fitness classes, locker rooms, and indoor game rooms at both campus locations. The Westville campus’ facilities include walking/jogging trails. Both campus locations have a dedicated fitness center, including the one located in the James B. Dworkin Student Activities Center in Westville, and the Fitness & Recreation Center (FNRC) in Hammond.

Sports

Purdue University Northwest fields varsity teams at the NCAA Division II level in baseball, men and women’s basketball, men and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s golf, men and women’s soccer, softball, stunt, men and women’s tennis, women’s volleyball.   Men’s ice hockey competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and Esports is a member of the Midwest Esports Conference.  A cheerleading squad as well as a dance team supports athletics and other campus activities.

Intercollegiate Student-Athlete Academic Support Program

Student-Athlete Academic Support’s (SAAS) goal is to cultivate the development of student-athletes as they balance academics with athletics while pursuing a postsecondary and/or graduate degree. A number of services, such as academic monitoring, referral services, webinars, academic advising and academic/personal development workshops are employed within the Student-Athlete Academic Support to aid student-athletes in successfully pursuing their academic goals.  All student-athletes are subject to academic monitoring and may be referred to other service areas on campus for assistance in academic areas.  

Testing Center

Hammond:  SULB, Room 318

Westville:  TECH, Room 265

Phone:  219-989-2504 (Hammond); 219-785-5326 (Westville)

Email:  testingcenter@pnw.edu (Hammond); testingservices@pnw.edu (Westville)

Website: https://www.pnw.edu/testing-center/  

Purdue Northwest has testing centers at each location – Hammond and Westville. Both centers offer academic exams, placement testing for English, Math and Foreign Languages, CLEP examinations, proctored testing and make-up exams. Placement testing for math (ALEKS) and for English is completed in the center at both locations. Foreign Language placement (WebCAPE) testing may be completed remotely through the MyPNW Portal at https://www.purdue.edu/apps/account/cas/login. 

Schedule your exams online at:

Hammond: https://www.registerblast.com/pnw/Exam/List

Westville: https://www.registerblast.com/pnw-westville/Exam/List 

University Police

The PNW University Police Department conducts motorized, foot and bike patrols throughout the campus and responds to all calls for service. Our officers embrace community policing while patrolling the area around campus. The department is equally responsible for traffic and parking enforcement and investigating all suspicious or criminal activity, motor vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies. Motorists in need of assistance may call the police department.

Escorts on campus are handled on request, University Police also oversees building access control. .

Purdue Northwest Hammond Police Department Office is located at the east entrance of the Schneider Avenue Building located at the corner of 169th St. and Osborne. Emergency: (To report emergencies dial 911. If using a campus phone dial 9-911) 219/989-2220; Business, Email - unpol@pnw.edu. Business Lobby Hours: 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Police Department Patrol Hours - 24/7

Purdue Northwest Westville Police Department Office is located at the Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex (DSAC) Room 1115. Emergency; (To report emergencies dial 911 from a campus phone. Dial 219/785-5220 from a cell phone.) 219/785-5220 - Business, Email - campus_police@pnw.edu. Hours of service are 7:00AM to 11:00PM.