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 Academic and Student Life Offices conduct a comprehensive orientation program for all new students before classes begin. All new students (including transfers) must attend Orientation.

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.

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.

Special Need Support. Students entering Westmont College with a certified learning or physical disability are assisted on a case by case basis. The College makes use of ASL interpreters and assisted hearing devices, allows for taping of lectures, 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 services, they should contact the Director of First-Year Programs.

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 First-Year Programs 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 First-Year Programs.

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 is an active user of high-tech information retrieval systems. In addition to the computer-based on-line system called Roger, the library encourages access to a wealth of electronic databases through FirstSearch, a databank of over 60 databases, some of which provide full-text journal articles; EBSCOhost with over 1,000 full-text academic periodicals; and JSTOR with over 30 full-text and full-image journals. The library’s holdings of nearly 150,000 volumes are accessible through the academic computer, which is networked throughout the entire campus. The library also holds materials in CD-ROM format.

Media Services provides a broad range of support equipment and service for curriculum and student needs. Other services which are commonly used are inter-library loan, bibliographic instruction, and research counseling. 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 Technology, the offices of Career and Life Planning, Director of Multicultural Programs, Director of First-Year Programs and the Writer’s Corner. There are two computer laboratories, a general purpose laboratory and a language study and computer graphics laboratory.

Academic Facilities. Classrooms offices and laboratories are located in various structures throughout the campus.

The Mericos Whittier Science Building houses laboratories and equipment for the departments of chemistry and biology. The refurbished engineering physics building features a computational physics lab and a lecture room. Other multi-purpose lecture rooms are available in the Kerr Student Center, the Murchison Gymnasium complex and Clark Halls.

Porter Hall contains the 200 seat theater and classrooms. These and other classrooms feature the technology to project images from computers, like internet sites and other lecture materials, as well as CD, video and laser disc presentations. The library includes computing and language laboratories. A number of other classrooms, seminar rooms, music and theater studios are located in other buildings.

The Art Center is the focal point for the art program with its painting, design and printmaking studios and Reynolds Gallery. The gallery features professional and student exhibits through the year.