Services for students

Dean of Students Office

The Dean of Students Office and division of Student Life is dedicated to ensuring students have a successful and enjoyable experience while attending Augustana College. Ensuring vibrant, enriching campus life occurs outside of the classroom is the primary responsibility of the Dean of Students Office. Student well-being, a sense of belonging, and community safety are areas of focus for the Dean’s Office. Emergencies and general questions can be directed to the Dean of Students Office.  Please contact the Dean of Students Office with any questions or if there is an emergency, and staff will respond or refer you to the appropriate office. Common issues the Dean of Students Office helps with are:

• Family emergencies
• Poor performance in class
• Unusual or special needs
• Withdrawal from and re-enrollment to the institution

Students with disabilities

Updated July 22, 2019

Our commitment to students with disabilities

• Augustana College and the office of Disability Services are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all students with disabilities who attend. Additionally, the office of Disability Services will work to provide students with disabilities a learning and community environment that affords them full participation, equal access, and reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
• Accommodations including academic, social, and campus accessibility related are coordinated through the office of Disability Services. Housing accommodations are coordinated through the office of Residence Life.
• Augustana provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with a documented disability, which is defined as “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability” (adata.org, 2019). Augustana College’s office of Disability Services will assess each student on a case by case basis.

To initiate this process:

1. Students seeking accommodations must register with the office of Disability Services by attaching appropriate supporting documentation (please click https://www.augustana.edu/student-life/residential-life/disability-services to access the accommodations request form).
2. Please upload supporting documentation. Every effort will be made to expedite review, but students should note processing and final accommodations arrangements normally take two to three weeks.
3. Schedule an appointment to meet with the director of Disability Services.

Disability Services is located in the Tredway Library on the third floor in office 314. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Email  disabilityservices@augustana.edu or call at 309-794-7145 Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for any questions.

Reading/Writing Center

Located in the Learning Commons on the fourth floor of the Gerber Center, the Reading/Writing Center (RWC) offers all Augustana students the opportunity for one-on-one instruction and advice on their writing and reading. The Center is staffed by three faculty members and more than two dozen peer tutors who conduct one-time or multiple sessions designed to promote academic self-confidence, skills and knowledge.

All peer tutors have been recommended by two faculty members, undergone a competitive hiring process, and taken two classes on tutoring theory and practice. They represent over 30 majors and minors and are trained to work with reading and writing across multiple disciplines.
Whether you are a first-year student or a senior, the Reading/Writing Center and its tutors are ready to help with:

• Advice on any stage of writing: getting started, drafting, revising, editing or proofreading
• Instruction on reading comprehension and strategies for reading complex texts
• Guidance on writing personal statements for graduate school or job placement
• Practice with English skills, if English is not your first language
• Reference books about writing
• A comfortable place to ask questions and share knowledge

Reading/Writing Center tutors are available throughout the day and evening for consultation. Students may schedule appointments online via Starfish, via phone at 309-794-8987, via email at learningcommons@augustana.edu, or dropping by Gerber 423.

Tutoring

Some courses provide drop-in tutoring sessions on a regularly scheduled basis and are open to all students free of charge. Visit out tutoring website for the most up to date drop-in tutoring schedule. Individual tutoring is available for one or two hours a week without charge, when a student is performing at a C or below level or upon recommendation of a course instructor. Students who feel a tutor's individual assistance could be of help should discuss this with their instructor and submit a formal request through Starfish. Tutoring generally helps a student understand specific areas of course content as well as how to study for a particular subject.

Augustana CORE: Careers, Opportunities, Research and Exploration

Augustana Careers, Opportunities, Research, and Exploration (CORE) is located on the first floor of Olin Center and is designed to build a more active and robust community of alumni, parents, and employers;  lead students through vocational discernment, skill development for employment and appropriate internships; and integrate a student's professional development with academic advising and academic enrichment opportunities such as international and off-campus programs, undergraduate research and service learning. CORE's comprehensive approach will better position Augustana graduates to pursue meaningful careers that honor their aspirations and investment in their education. 

To learn more, see CORE online or stop by the office. 

Student Health Care

Augustana Convenient Care health clinic is open on campus in Baldur House, 3410 9 1/2 Ave., behind the Gerber Center and next to Casa Latina.

Augustana students and employees can schedule a time to go to the clinic to see an advanced practice provider. Appointments can be made in advance online so there is no waiting time at the clinic. The clinic also can be reached at 309-281-2300.

UnityPoint Clinic ~ Express Care

The clinic is open: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Use the Express Care Clinic during regular clinic hours to save time and money. Using the emergency room for routine care is inappropriate and expensive. Students may provide proof of insurance or pay for services rendered at the time of their visit with cash, check, Mastercard or Visa. A regular office visit costs a minimum of $100. Students who do not have funds available to pay for health care costs should contact the Dean of Students Office, 104 Founders to receive a short-term emergency loan.

If a student is not sure whether to visit the clinic, they may call a clinic nurse at 309-779-7050 for an assessment. Students should let the nurse know they are Augustana students, describe their symptoms and answer any questions. The nurse can recommend steps to take.

Students who receive regular allergy shots will be referred to a local physician.

UnityPoint Health

If a student becomes seriously ill or injured, or need medical attention when the clinic is not open, they may use the services of UnityPoint Health. Students covered by an insurance policy should bring proof of the policy so that they will not be required to pay for services at the time they receive them.

Pharmacies

If a student requires regular allergy shots while living in the Quad Cities, students may establish a relationship with the doctor of their choice. Medicines may be stored in the student's residence hall room. If a prescription is required in order to obtain the medicine, please be sure that the student has the prescription with them.

Allergy shots

If a student requires regular allergy shots while living in the Quad Cities, the Coordinator of Medical Support Services can provide a list of doctors who are currently accepting patients.  Students may establish a relationship with the doctor of their choice. Medicines may be stored in the student's residence hall room.  If a prescription is required in order to obtain the medicine, please be sure that the student has the prescription with them.  

Vaccination policy

Incoming first-year students must provide the required immunization records to the Dean of Students Office by July 1.

U.S. Citizens entering Augustana must be current in the following immunizations:

• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) at 12 months or after and one booster
• Tetanus/diphtheria primary series dates and booster within 10 years

Non-U.S. Citizens entering Augustana must be current in the following immunizations:

• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) at 12 months or after and one booster
• Tetanus/diphtheria primary series dates and booster within 10 years
• Tuberculosis screening within 1 year of arrival in the USA

Immunization forms for U.S. Citizens and Non-US Citizens are available on Augustana's website for your convenience.  These completed forms, along with any supporting documentation may be submitted online or via the following:

Augustana College
Dean of Students Office
639 38th Street
Rock Island, IL  61201

Fax: 309-794-8528

Students unable to meet the July 1 deadline will be referred to the Dean of Students.

Transportation

Service is available with Lucky Cab Co. when the free medical transport is not in operation. Call 309-788-8386, identify yourself as an Augustana student, and the taxi will pick you up within 30 minutes of your call and transport you to your medical destination free of charge.

If a student feels that their health is endangered, call 911 (9-911 from an on-campus phone) and ask for an ambulance.

Students may choose to establish a relationship with any health care provider in the area, or may continue contacts with their family physician in their home community. Free transportation is provided to all health care providers between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday. Service through UnityPoint Health and UnityPoint Clinic Express Care is provided as a convenience to students and to the campus in general. However, students are not obligated to obtain health care services from UnityPoint Health or UnityPoint Clinic Express Care.

Class Absence Due to Illness

One indicator of student success and better academic performance is class attendance and Augustana College expects students to be committed to attending all classes. On the rare occurrence when a student misses class, students are encouraged to share the news of their absence with the Dean of Students Office.

The Dean of Students Office strongly recommends students always communicate with their instructors about absences and to do so in advance of the missed time whenever possible. The Dean of Students Office can assist in sharing information with instructors but this communication should serve as follow-up or reiterate what the student has already shared with their professors unless the student is unable due to an emergency. Students can communicate with the Dean’s Office by emailing the Associate Dean of Students or by entering a class absence Starfish Flag.

If an instructor requires verification of illness, students must arrange provision of that information directly from the health care provider. No college office can provide an excuse from class due to illness. If an instructor requires verification for a missed class, the Dean of Students Office is usually asked to verify a doctor's appointment, a diagnosis which will require a student to miss multiple classes, a funeral and or a serious family emergency which interferes with a student's ability to attend class. Students who miss a class should contact the instructor and the Dean of Students Office as quickly as possible and provide documentation to the Dean of Students.  While only the instructor can determine the appropriate approach and resolution to working with a student who has missed class, the Dean of Students Office plays an important role by reviewing documentation and sharing relevant information with the instructors. Students who miss class through voluntary means (schedule vacation, forget to set an alarm) or do not have documentation (have a headache or stomach ache but choose not to go to the doctor) need to notify the instructor immediately. These voluntary absences are not able to be verified by the Dean of Students Office. Absences have the potential to negatively impact a student’s grade. Situations will be shared with the Office of Academic Affairs when a student has numerous absences or will miss class for an extended period of consecutive days in an effort to determine the best approach for the student’s success moving forward. 

Student Insurance

All students are automatically enrolled in Augustana's Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. The program's brochure, including a Schedule of Benefits, is available online.. If students do not wish to participate, they must waive the coverage online by Sept. 6 each year. The plan protects all participating students at home, school or while traveling 24 hours per day.

Participants in intercollegiate sports are required to participate in the Augustana Student Accident and Sickness Plan unless they sign a sports waiver before the first official practice session acknowledging the possibility of up to $2,500 out-of-pocket expense if they choose to not have insurance.

It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the insurance procedure by providing their insurance information to the provider of service (doctor, hospital, etc.) at the time of service and to assure that the claim and bills have been submitted for benefit payment. Commercial Travelers is responsible for processing your claims once submitted. Their dedicated claims analysts and customer service representatives can address any questions you have on an outstanding claim or how a claim has been paid. To contact the Claims Company:

Commercial Travelers
College Claims Department
70 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13502
800-756-3702

Providers will bill the claims company directly. In the event you paid for services and need to be reimbursed, mail the original invoice, proof of payment, and a copy of your student insurance ID card to Commercial Travelers. Medical claim forms are not required. Please retain a copy of all mailed documentation for your records. Approximately 30 business days are required to process a reimbursement for a medical claim.  Benefits are payable for 52 weeks from date of occurrence or commencement of any loss covered by the policy.

Benefits payable when an injury has occurred: When hospital or medical care is required due to an injury sustained during the period when the student is insured, the expenses incurred within a 52-week period from the date of the first treatment are eligible for consideration of payment. (Intercollegiate sports is limited to $2,500 under this policy. Coverage over $2,500 for intercollegiate sports is provided under a master intercollegiate sports insurance plan held by Augustana.)

Further information on procedures, benefits and exclusions is available online at www.gallagherstudent.com/Augustana (see My Benefits & Plan Information) or by calling Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at 888-272-3505.

Intercollegiate Athletic Insurance

All intercollegiate athletes and cheerleaders who have been properly enrolled as such, are covered under a master intercollegiate sports insurance plan held by Augustana College.

The Intercollegiate Athletic Insurance Plan carries a $2,500 deductible, per injury. The Student Accident and Sickness Insurance offered to all students is designed to cover this deductible. Enrollment is automatic unless a signed waiver is submitted online to www.gallagherstudent.com/Augustana. Parents and students should exercise this option to participate in the plan based upon the procedures and benefits available from their family coverage. If a signed waiver is submitted online by September 6 each year, the fee for the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan will be deleted from the fall term bill.

It is the responsibility of the athlete to initiate the insurance procedure and to assure the claim and bills have been submitted for benefit payment. Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk is responsible for processing your claims. Their dedicated claims analysts and customer service representatives can address any questions you have on an outstanding claim or how a claim has been paid. To contact the claims company:

Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk 
c/o Sports
500 Victory Road
Quincy, MA 02171

877-345-8928
617-479-0860 Fax

Health care providers will bill the claims company directly once they receive the correct billing information. In the event you paid out of pocket for services and need to be reimbursed, mail the original invoice, proof of payment, and a copy of your insurance ID card to Gallagher. Medical claim forms are not required. Please retain a copy of all mailed documentation for your records. Approximately 30 business days are required to process a reimbursement for a medical claim.  Benefits through the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan are payable for 52 weeks from date of occurrence or commencement of any loss covered by the policy.

Benefits through the Intercollegiate Athletic Insurance Plan will be paid for required physician and surgical fees, hospitalization, reasonable expense for necessary medical or surgical or prescribed therapeutic services and supplies which are incurred and within the plans limits within 104 weeks after the date of the injury. Benefits apply to any one injury and are subject to non-duplicating provision when in excess of $2,500. Any other valid and collectible insurance or plan must pay benefits as prime carrier before benefits in excess of $2,500 will be considered.

Further information regarding procedures and benefits for an intercollegiate sports injury is available by calling Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at 877-345-8928.

Communicable Disease Policy Statement

Augustana has adopted a Communicable Disease Policy Statement following guidelines suggested by the Center for Disease Control and the American College Health Association. Copies of this statement are available at the Dean of Students Office.

HIV and AIDS Testing

Anonymous HIV and AIDS testing is available at the Rock Island County Health Department, 2112 25th Ave., Rock Island. Call 309-794-7080 for an appointment, ask for Communicable Disease Department (CD). (If unable to pay, the State of Illinois will pay for the test.) Testing is anonymous. Verbal results are given to client in person only, through a one-hour counseling session with appointment. Results are available in three weeks.

Student Counseling Service

Student Counseling Services provides professional counseling to all Augustana students. Students come to counseling for a variety of mental health, academic, familial, or vocational needs, and Counseling Services offers a supportive environment to explore those needs and help students develop solutions to adapt to these changes in a healthy, productive manner. Counseling is a collaborative experience that involves active participation and continual feedback. The counseling process relies on a unique and open healing relationship. Therefore, except for life-threatening crises, Student Counseling Services adheres to strict confidentiality requirements and will not disseminate any information about counseling without a student’s expressed written consent. Student Counseling Services operates independently of any other college office.

Counseling appointments can be made by phone (309-794-7357), email (studentcounselingservices@augustana.edu), or in-person at Founders room 206.

In cases of immediate need, 30-minute crisis counseling sessions are offered daily from 8:45-9:45 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon, and 3-4 p.m. No prior appointment is necessary. Crisis counseling appointments occur on a first-come/first-serve basis.

Student Counseling Services offers brief and long-term individual counseling as well as group counseling. In order to best meet a student’s needs, all students will receive an initial consultation to determine the appropriate treatment options. There is no concern too small nor is there one too large for counseling services. The Counseling Office encourages all students to make an appointment when the need arises.

Student Counseling Services also offers group workshops to help strengthen different life skills. These workshops do not require an appointment; furthermore, while continual attendance is encouraged, it is not required. Workshops are held Wednesdays from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Thursdays from 2:45-3:45 p.m., and Fridays from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. The Counseling Office emails out topics biweekly.

Student Counseling Services permits family members, romantic partners, or close friends to attend counseling sessions when appropriate and only with the student’s expressed approval.

After hours, and in cases of emergency, please call campus security (x7711) or the Robert Young Center 24-hour crisis line (309-779-2990).

Student Inclusion and Diversity

The Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity is available to all students to offer support, advocacy and leadership opportunities for those passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Signature programs of the office include the PACE Multicultural Mentorship Program, MLK Day, graduate school workshop series, Shades of Beauty Summit, and an annual conversation series. The office also oversees specialized academic support and the college's three multicultural social groups, along with the Black Culture House, Casa Latina and the Asian Pagoda House.

In addition, the office co-sponsors a wide variety of educational and social programs while providing training opportunities to student groups across campus. The Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity is on the fourth floor of the Gerber Center; students are invited to stop by at any time.

Residential Life

All full-time students are required to live on campus with the following exceptions:

• Students entering their fourth year of college life
• Students age 22 or older by Sept. 1 of the current academic year
• Students who have been granted commuter status by the Office of Residential Life
• Students who have received written permission to reside off-campus by the Office of Residential Life, the Student Policy Committee or the Dean of Student

Once an assignment is secured, students are contracted for the academic year. Special exceptions may be sought by petition to the Dean of Students.

All policies, guidelines and other information related to living in the residence halls and transitional living areas are found on the housing policies and procedures page.

Off-Campus Living

Augustana College has partnered with Places4Students.com, a company that provides information about available off-campus housing for senior students.

The service is free for anyone looking for a place to live off-campus or for a roommate.

Augustana College does not approve, inspect or supervise off-campus student residences. The college does expect, however, that students living off campus act responsibly so as to reflect credit on themselves and the college. This expectation includes observing all local, state and federal laws, and behaving in a manner supporting Augustana’s mission. Students living off campus are subject to the rules and regulations set forth in the Augustana Code of Social Conduct and in relevant sections of the student handbook Inside Augustana.

Dining Services

All first-year students and sophomores are required to choose an on-campus meal plan. Juniors and seniors living in Transitional Living Areas or off-campus may purchase a full or partial meal plan.

Augustana operates its own dining services. Students using their meal plan are required to show their properly validated Augustana photo I.D. card upon entry or for purchase with their plans. Meal plans are non-transferrable and cannot be used by others. Violator(s) are subject to disciplinary action. Additional information is available in the dining service brochure available online. Misuse of the I.D. card will subject the violator(s) to disciplinary action. The Dining Service Office is on the fifth floor of the Gerber Center or we can be reached by calling 309-794-7543.

Center for Communicative Disorders

Any student who feels he/she needs help with a speech or hearing problem or any international student needing help with written or spoken English should contact a faculty member associated with the Center for Communicative Disorders located in the Betsey Brodahl building.

Other services

ATMs

There are three ATM's on-campus: The Gerber Center, Brunner Theatre and Westerlin Residence Center

Lost and Found

Anyone finding a lost item should at his or her earliest convenience take the item to the building secretary in the building in which the article was found. Persons losing property any place on campus should report the loss to the Public Safety as soon as possible.