Academic Services
Academic Support Services
Viterbo University
is committed to providing support and services that encourage all students to
achieve their potential. Viterbo University offers the following academic
services that contribute to retention and graduation of students.
Academic
Advising
Academic
advising is an integral part of each student's academic program. All students
are assigned to an academic advisor within their program of study by the Academic
Advising Coordinator. The goal of all academic advising is to assist students
to take responsibility for developing meaningful educational plans that are
reflective of their potential and their career and life goals. Students are strongly urged to meet
with their academic advisor periodically throughout the semester and are
expected to consult with their advisor in making any major decisions regarding
their academic program or career plans. It is the responsibility of the student
to collaborate with his/her advisor and be informed about course placements,
based on entry test information and the prerequisite requirements established
by academic departments, and to make progress toward an academic degree.
A further delineation
of the responsibilities of the academic advisor and the student advisee may be
found in the Student Handbook or through the Viterbo University Academic Advising Web page.
Academic Early
Alert
The Academic Early Alert program is designed to identify
students who are having academic difficulty at any point in their education at
Viterbo University. By identifying these students, the Academic Early Alert
team can attempt to address their needs by providing the interventions needed,
thereby increasing the likelihood of their success. Through Academic Early
Alert, faculty and staff contribute directly to retention by assisting
with the early detection of students who are doing poorly in class, chronically
absent from class, or experiencing other kinds of problems that affect academic
performance.
How does the Academic Early Alert system
work?
- A member of
the Viterbo University faculty or staff submits a referral through the
online form available in VitNet.
- The Early
Alert team will review the referral to see what follow-up action is
needed.
- The
referring faculty or staff member is contacted via email to confirm the
follow-up action that is taken with the student. (Information that is
considered confidential will not be revealed.)
Further information on Academic Early Alert
may be found on Viterbo University’s Web page at
http://www.viterbo.edu/earlyalert/.
Academic
Resource Center
The
Academic Resource Center provides tutoring, writing assistance, classes, and
workshops for students. Courses for credit are offered in reading, writing,
math, and study skills. Workshop topics focus on strategies vital for academic
success. Nursing math workshops assist students preparing for the nursing math
competency exam. Individual and small group tutoring is provided by staff and
peers.
Student
Support Services, a federally funded TRiO program, is administered through the
Academic Resource Center. This program targets 200 first-generation students
and offers them additional support through academic counseling, peer mentoring,
and social gatherings.
Disability Services
Viterbo University fosters an accessible learning
environment where students with disabilities can participate in the educational
experience. Through partnerships with students, faculty and staff, we promote
student independence. Viterbo
University complies with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Regulations to the extent applicable to Viterbo
University. Students eligible for services should contact the Director of
Disability Services in the Academic Resource Center.
Retention
Both the Academic
Resource Center and academic advising enhance the learning process at Viterbo University
and aid in student retention. Recent studies indicate that approximately 70
percent of the freshmen who enter Viterbo University return one year later,
approximately 58 percent return two years later, approximately 54 percent
return three years later, and approximately 50 percent graduate from Viterbo
University.
Career Services
The Office of Career
Services provides professional and quality developmental career planning
services to students that will prepare them for careers consistent with their
interests, values, personality, and skills. Career services will provide
Viterbo University students:
- individualized assessment and career
counseling
- career planning courses and workshops
- mock interviews and resume reviews
- career panels and career fairs
- experiential learning internships
- professional job connections and
opportunities
All students are
encouraged to stop by and meet with a counselor concerning their career
planning. Career planning is a process that students need to start early to
contribute to their life-long success.
Library
Services
Todd Wehr Memorial Library
is a key partner in fulfilling the mission of Viterbo University by educating
students and enhancing the scholarship of the institution. The library engages
students in a variety of learning activities and provides responsive, reliable,
and user-centered information services. Services and resources include research
and reference help, electronic and print materials, interlibrary loan, computer
access, and study spaces for individuals and groups.
Library services may be
accessed in person on the first floor of Murphy Center, by phone at
1-800-848-3726 ext. 3270, by email at reference@viterbo.edu, or through the library’s Web page at http://www.viterbo.edu/library. For assistance with any resource
or service, please contact the library.
Technology
Support
All semester-based students are given a
Blackboard, email account, and VitNet account. Blackboard is Viterbo University’s
online course management software
for most programs. Blackboard also serves as a repository for certain
guidelines and forms for communication. Further instruction in its use will be
given during orientation. The assigned email address is used throughout the
length of the student’s time at Viterbo
University and is the official means of communication to students. Students are responsible for reviewing all information
transmitted to their Viterbo account, and are advised to check it daily. Students may forward the Viterbo University
email to a another email address. VitNet is the online student
information system and is used for registration, grades, degree progress,
financial aid, and billing. Students will find documents on how to use VitNet
on the Viterbo University Web page. A Help Desk is available at (608)-796-3870
or helpdesk@viterbo.edu
for assistance with computer, Internet, and Blackboard issues.