The WKU Student Handbook

Welcome to the WKU Student Handbook website!

 

WKU Vision Statement:

WKU: A Leading American University with International Reach.

 

WKU Mission Statement:

Western Kentucky University prepares students to be productive, engaged, and socially responsible citizen leaders of a global society. It provides research, service and lifelong learning opportunities for its constituents. WKU is responsible for stewarding a high quality of life for those within its reach.

 

Purpose:

As a nationally prominent university, Western Kentucky University engages the globe in acclaimed, technologically enhanced academic programs. An inspiring faculty promotes entrepreneurial success and a unique campus spirit to attract an intellectually exciting and diverse family of the nation’s best students.

WKU provides students with rigorous academic programs in education, the liberal arts and sciences, business, and traditional and emerging professional programs, with emphasis at the baccalaureate level, complemented by relevant associate and graduate-level programs.

The University places a premium on teaching and student learning. Its faculty engages in creative activity and diverse scholarship, including basic and applied research, designed to expand knowledge, improve instruction, increase learning, and provide optimum service to the state and nation. The University directly supports its constituents in its designated service areas of Kentucky with professional and technical expertise, cultural enrichment, and educational assistance.

The University encourages applied research and public service in support of economic development, quality of life, and improvement of education at all levels, especially elementary and secondary schools. In particular, WKU faculty contribute to the identification and solution of key social, economic, scientific, health, and environmental problems within its reach, but particularly throughout its primary service area. Maintaining a campus of distinctive history and character, WKU sustains a student population of increasing quality. It fulfills its responsibility for access through its community college, extended campus programs, and distance learning.

WKU's commitment is to ensure value in a holistic learning experience through high standards for student achievement and conduct, a strong faculty, technological innovation, personalized attention, broad access, and public accountability for actions and outcomes.

WKU recognizes that its mission continues to evolve in response to regional, national, and global changes, and the need for lifelong learning.

 

Standard of Conduct:

It is the expectation of The Office of Student Conduct that all student behavior reflect that of a WKU student. As a student you are to be guided by the principles of an active citizen in our community. As a member of this community you are expected to respect the rights of others in the greater spirit of higher education, no matter what your role may be. The Office of Student Conduct expects high standards of students both in and out of the classroom, on or off-campus. Please know that any behavior that does not demonstrate that of a good citizen may result in your introduction to the University Conduct Process.

 

Student Handbook:

 

Statement of Ethical Principles and Standards:

The Office of Student Conduct adheres to the Ethical Principles and Standards outlined by The Association for Student Conduct Administration. These Ethical Principles and Standards provide the basis for behavioral expectations within our academic community.

Any question of interpretation regarding the WKU Student Handbook or Code of Conduct shall be referred to The Office of Student Conduct, 425 Potter Hall.

 Promoting Ethics, Integrity, Civility and Responsibility of all Students