Information for Parents
Here is information that will help you support your student's success at Augustana. If you don't find the information you're looking for, please call the Dean of Students Office at (309) 794-7533 or (800) 798-8100. The staff will be happy to answer questions or refer you to a more appropriate resource.
| General information Academics Housing |
Student life Student employment Dining Services |
Campus Safety and Security Career and graduate school information Financial information |
General information
Who do I call when my student needs help? (Academic, Roommate issues, Major problems, etc.)
If a student is experiencing difficulties on campus, parents should first encourage him/her to contact the Dean of Students Office which can offer help pertaining to the specific problem. The Dean of Students manages all areas of student services, including:
- Residential Life and the Student Counseling Center.
- Student health issues
- Academic actions
- Parental questions and concerns
- Emergencies
Contact Dean of Students Dr. Evelyn Campbell,at (309) 794-7533 or at evelyncampbell@augustana.edu. Stephen Backmeyer, the associate dean of students, can be reached at (309) 794-7502 or at stephenbackmeyer@augustana.edu and Mark Anderson, assistant dean of students, can be reached (309) 794-7502 or at markanderson@augustana.edu.
Academics
How can I help my student pick classes, majors, and/or minors?
The choice of classes and major/minor programs should be made by the student in consultation with his/her academic advisor. The first-year academic advisors are familiar with the requirements for students and are able to assist them in planning their course schedules and lead them to the appropriate major/minor program.
Augustana College encourages parents to read the course catalog along with their student to gain knowledge of program and graduation requirements.
Does the staff make an effort to get to know students outside of the classroom? How?
Augustana advisors take many opportunities to get to know their students. They will meet with students to plan course schedules, discuss activities on campus that may be of interest, recommend visits to local attractions or areas of interest, and/or work on service projects. During the first year, academic advisors guide students to ensure they understand the general education and graduation requirements, and help the students in career exploration.
Often, faculty members meet with students outside of the classroom in various settings, such as Brew by the Slough, athletic events, during faculty office hours, in residence halls, and will travel with students for curricular trips. Many advising groups meet to engage in social activities throughout the school year as well.
Housing
What does the housing selection process entail? What options does my student have?
Housing options for a student are dependent upon the year that the student began at Augustana. All first-year, sophomore, and junior students are required to live on-campus, unless an off-campus release has been obtained. First-year students entering Augustana will receive their housing information in the mail in July before the Fall Term begins. Click here to view information on housing for incoming students from Augustana's Office of Residential Life.
To assign housing for current Augustana students, every student will receive a random computer-assigned lottery number based on his or her ID number (which reflects the year the student began at Augustana).
Any students planning to live together or who are seeking single rooms can obtain a room by using the lowest lottery number. In order to obtain a room, all beds in the room must be occupied. If neither roommate can attend the lottery during the assigned time, a proxy (friend) may be sent to obtain the room. The proxy must acquire a signed letter of permission from the absent student(s).
Students who do not select their housing by the end of the academic year (without off-campus release status) will be placed in rooms at random during the summer.
Students with senior status will be automatically granted off-campus release. There is no application necessary. Any student who currently has or is eligible for off-campus release will automatically decline release status if a room is selected during the housing selection process.
For more information on Augustana College's housing selection process, click here. You may also contact Carmen Rasso, director of residential life/assistant dean of students, at (309) 794-2686, or at carmenrasso@augustana.edu or Kelly Giovanine, assistant director of residential life/coordinator of medical support, at (309) 794-2693 or at kellygiovanine@augustana.edu.
Student life
What student events are occurring on campus?
There is always something going on for students on campus! See a complete list of on-campus events.
What student organizations are recommended for advancement in certain fields of study? Which groups are social and which are professional?
Augustana has many professional and departmental organizations for students to join. Your student can contact his/her academic advisor to find out which organizations are recommended for a particular area of academic interest. In addition to Professional and Departmental organizations, Augustana offers students the opportunity to participate in various social, religious, athletic, and special interest groups.
Your student may wish to participate in a variety of student groups to develop skills for advancement in a particular academic or career field, build leadership skills, or exercise an individual talent. Click here to view a list of Augustana's student groups.
Student employment
How can my student apply for a campus job?
Augustana students are not assigned jobs. Students are informed of various employment positions through openings being posted outside of the Student Employment Office, availabilities being sent through email, and current openings being posted on the CampusNet intranet job board. Students may apply within the department for the positions that interest them.
The Office of Student Employment welcomes any questions or comments relating to student employment. You can contact the office at (309) 794-7418, or by emailing afaby@augustana.edu .
Dining Services
Will my student have to come back to his/her residence hall to eat lunch?
With Dining Services providing two full-sized dining halls, a snack bar, a cafe and plenty of vending throughout the campus, there are plenty of options for our students. The Westerlin Dining Hall is the only cafeteria located inside of a residence hall. Click here for more information about Augustana Dining Services.
Can I arrange for cakes or special treats for my student?
A little treat is a great way to lift your student's spirits no matter what the occasion. Augustana Dining Services has many treat options available.
Feel free to call Dining Service with any questions (309) 794-7250.
Campus Safety and Security
What services are provided by Augustana's campus security?
Augustana Security is on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including foot, car and bicycle patrols by security officers. Depending on the time of day, there are one to three security staff members on duty. Additional security officers work nights and weekends and at certain times Augustana hires off-duty Rock Island Police Officers to patrol the campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. Finally, a switchboard operator is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to allow parents and students to obtain answers to their security questions.
While security staff members do not carry weapons, they are in radio contact with the Rock Island Police Department and can obtain fast assistance if necessary. Security staff members are trained in first aid and CPR and can provide medical emergency assistance when necessary.
For transportation needs, Augustana College provides students with ACES (the Augustana College Escort Service) a student-run van service. ACES operates from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. every day for transportation near campus.
Click here to view Augustana's Campus Security website.
Are the outlying neighborhoods around Augustana safe? What are they like?
Many senior students live in the outlying neighborhoods around Augustana College; these neighborhoods are generally safe. However, the college is not able to monitor these areas in the same manner as the college campus. We would encourage safety and caution in these areas. Crime stats are available online (click here) and in the student handbooks.
Where should my student go to be treated for an injury, illness, or other medical condition?
The Trinity Express Care Clinic is located on 19th Avenue and 7th Street in Moline. The clinic is open 7 days a week to assist students.
Augustana students may also use the free healthcare shuttle Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. to see any physicians in the Quad City area. For evenings and weekends, students may use Lucky Cab Company free of charge to be transported to a healthcare facility.
What are Augustana's policies on notifying parents of drug and alcohol violations?
A student's parents will be contacted in the event of a third violation of the college's alcohol policy, and after the second offense of an illegal drug violation. If an offense is likely to result in a disciplinary suspension, the college will ask the student to notify his/her parents. If parents are not contacted by the student, the college will contact the parents. Parent communication is allowed under recent amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Augustana's substance use policies can be viewed by clicking here.
Career and graduate school information
What help is given to get into professional/graduate school?
Individual assistance is available for students at the Augustana Career Center on professional/graduate school exploration and interview preparation. The Career Center can assist students in preparing applications and writing personal statements. Career counselors are available to assist students on an individual basis concerning professional/graduate school planning.
For more information about the Career Center, click here.
Upon graduation, does the Career Center help with job opportunities?
Augustana College has three professional staff members within the Career Center that provide students and alumni the opportunity to receive one-on-one career development assistance. The Career Center offers students many opportunities to explore career options, such as workshops and career fairs.
How can I help my student in his/her job or internship search?
Have your student contact the Career Center for information and help concerning internship or job searches. You can also get information on how to become a Career Center advisor. As an advisor you can help your child work on career development. Also, you can keep the Career Center informed of job and internship opportunities at your place of employment. For more information on how to become a Career Center advisor, click here.
Financial information
Can students cash checks on campus?
The Cashier's Office at Augustana College is available for students to cash certain checks with a $.75 per check. Click here to read the detailed check-cashing policy.
To whom are bills sent?
Bills are sent to both students and their parents. The original bill for each new term is sent to the home address as well as the student's campus mailbox. If billing is necessary during the term, a bill is sent to both parent and student unless it is under $20 and then it is only sent to the student.
Should my student have a bank account?
A bank account isn't necessary, but it can be very useful. Each student's spending habits vary so it really depends on how your family or student handles finances. College is a good opportunity for students to get used to a checking account and all the balancing and tracking that goes along with it while their number of personal expenses is less than when they establish their own households post-college.
Is it necessary to have insurance for personal belongings?
Augustana College is not responsible for personal property that is lost, stolen or damaged. We suggest that students get personal property insurance just in case they lose something valuable or it is stolen. Many students' belongings are covered by their parent's homeowners' insurance while enrolled in school, so look into that first. It's ultimately up to your family to decide.
Who do I talk to about financial assistance specific to foreign term?
Students who plan to spend a term abroad and receive financial assistance will receive all aid for the term. This amount will not decrease or increase due to student participation in the foreign term program.
Call the Office of Financial Assistance with questions about financial assistance for foreign terms at (800)798-8100 ext. 7207 or (309)794-7207. The office is located on the first floor of Seminary Residence Hall or you can email questions to financialassistance@augustana.edu.
