Resources for New and Adjunct Faculty

Resources for New Faculty

Welcome to IWU! We hope this page helps you navigate your first week(s) teaching at IWU. If you cannot find what you are looking for on this page, please contact the Thorpe Center at thorpe@iwu.edu.

Getting Started at IWU

See the Human Resources page for new employees for first steps and important resources and information (paperwork, employee benefits, ID, parking information, IT setup, and key contacts).
Once you have your IWU log-in information, my.iwu.edu will be your portal to all essential employee functions. See Banner Self-Service/Ellucian Banner (in the Tool Menu) to: access information about your class rosters and room assignments; post your office hours; enter mid-semester and final grades; access advisees’ records; etc.
IWU is a Google campus, so all faculty and students have access to Google Suite using their IWU email account.
New faculty, including adjunct faculty, will learn their office space assignments from either the Administrative Specialist in their area, the Chair/Dean/Director of their department or program, or directly from the Associate Provost’s Office.
New full-time faculty work with their Chair/Dean/Director and the Associate Provost to request permanent computer equipment. See the Guidelines for Departmental Computer Purchases for options.
Here is a useful list of campus classrooms and spaces with their formal, coded names used in 25Live for room reservations.
The Thorpe Center hosts a New Faculty Orientation every year on the Monday before classes start in August. An invitation, along with a detailed schedule, is shared with all new faculty in early August.
If you would like to take a campus tour, you can schedule one by contacting Crystal Post (cpost@iwu.edu) in the Admissions Office.

Faculty Governance & University Policies

For faculty rights/responsibilities and university organization and policies, see the latest version of the IWU Faculty Handbook posted on the Provost Office page.

Teaching & Learning

Course Management System

Course management system (LMS). Canvas is IWU’s official LMS. A Canvas shell is automatically generated for all your courses. You will need your IWU credentials to access Canvas: https://illinoiswesleyan.instructure.com/
The University provides a Canvas course template that includes a syllabus, module structure, a list of campus resources, a grade book, and a link to Ames Library resources and to the IWU bookstore (managed by Follett Discover). For a consistent and accessible student experience, faculty are strongly encouraged to use this course template for all their courses. For directions on how to download and customize the template, visit the How do I use the IWU Canvas Template instructor guide. For Canvas training and support, you can:
Visit the Thorpe Canvas Support page
Attend a training workshop
Reach out to our Instructional Design and Technology team to schedule a consultation.
For one-on-one support with best practices and designing your course, email Dr. Stephanie Guedet, Lead Instructional Designer, (sguedet@iwu.edu)

Building Your Course

Syllabus Guidelines. Each faculty member is required to produce and distribute, preferably at the first class meeting, but in any event within the first week of classes, a written syllabus explaining the aims, scope, and format of the course, readings, and other class experiences, such as class discussions, panels, quizzes, papers, and examinations.
The syllabus must also include class attendance policy, grading policy, and office hours.
Syllabi must also include information about student requests for reasonable accommodation that is consistent with the University’s reasonable accommodation policies and applicable law. See Office of Student Accessibility for more details (2025-2026 IWU Faculty Handbook, page 20). It is strongly recommended that you use the syllabus template included in your Canvas shell. You can consult policies related to teaching in the Faculty Handbook, page 21.
Consult the academic calendar to plan for non-class days and mandatory mid-semester grade reporting at the end of the 7th week of class. The final exam schedule can be found on the Registrar’s Office page, under the “Important Dates” tab. Please note that for accreditation purposes, all courses must meet during the final exam period, whether it is an exam, writing session or other class activity.
Multifaith Calendar. As you plan your course schedule, please be aware of the major religious holidays (see the Multifaith Calendar here). Faculty members are requested to exercise reasonable flexibility in accommodating students with conflicts due to religious observance.
Athletics. Student athletes make up nearly half of our student body. Check the athletic schedule here. Student athletes are expected to request a mid-semester progress report from their professors. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Kim Nelson-Brown, Associate Athletic Director (knbrown@iwu.edu).
Faculty Office Hours. Each faculty member must post and maintain a schedule of regular office hours totaling at least 5 hours per week. Each faculty member must file a schedule of office hours with the Provost at the beginning of each term, update their office hours in the online system (my.iwu.edu > Banner Self-Service), and announce it to each of their classes.
Mid-semester and Final Grades. The Registrar’s Office sends out reminders to submit mid-semester grades at the end of the 7th week of class and final grades at the end of the semester. See here for instructions on how to submit grades to the online system (my.iwu.edu > Banner Self-Service).
Submitting midterm grades is one of the simplest ways to identify students who may need additional support. Midterm feedback allows students, advisors, and staff to address concerns early and help students stay on track toward their educational goals.
IWU Bookstore. Course materials can be ordered through the IWU Bookstore run by Follett Discover. You can access Follett directly through your Canvas shells: Log in to your Canvas course, and select Follett Discover or the Follett Discover icon in the navigation bar. If you have any questions about the tool or how it works, contact Khrysstopher Holland, the Course Materials Manager, at 2209txt@follett.com.
Library Resources: Library faculty can assist with information literacy instruction, coordinating streaming video access , and connecting you to the library's many services and resources. The library can also assist with electronic and physical reserves of course materials. The University Archives is also a resource for archival literacy sessions. Please see the library's website for information about electronic and course reserves."

Online Teaching

The Dean of Curricular and Faculty Development, along with Thorpe's Instructional Design Team (IDT), coordinates and supports online teaching at IWU. The IDT team offers several professional development opportunities throughout the year, including a cohort-based course that highlights best practices for designing and teaching a successful online course. See the Thorpe Center online teaching and learning webpage. Any questions related to online teaching should be directed to thorpe@iwu.edu.

Information Technology

Information Technology Services (ITS). The IT Department at IWU is dedicated to delivering a secure and user-friendly digital landscape for all constituents of our academic community. IT provides the latest IT policies, protocols, and recommended practices, as well as help and support for classroom technology.
IWU is a Zoom Phone campus, a cloud-based phone technology that is convenient, efficient, and accommodating of your work environment and needs. For how to install your Zoom Phone on your computer and/or your cell phone, visit the voice mail and phone commands page. For any questions related to Zoom Phone, please visit our Zoom Phone FAQs page or reach out to the ITS Help Desk by calling (309) 556-3900, emailing it@iwu.edu, or submitting a support request on ServiceDesk Plus.
To obtain IT support, please enter a request at https://www.iwu.edu/information-technology-services/3900.html or visit the ITS homepage for more support options.
You should check your classroom before the first day of classes, and contact IT ahead of time if you want an orientation to the instructional technology available in the classroom. Contact Information Technology Services via email at it@iwu.edu or call the IT HelpDesk at (309) 556-3900.

Advising & Student Support

Academic Advising guides students on their academic path as they declare/change majors/minors and advance toward graduation.
Accessibility Services ensures access to support services and accommodations needed due to a disability as students navigate campus life.
Student concerns. Early intervention is essential to supporting student well-being, academic success, and retention. The Student Success Team can assess the situation, coordinate appropriate resources, and provide targeted outreach to help students address barriers and continue progressing toward their educational goals.
If a student has a pattern of excessive class absences, fails to complete assignments on time (or at all), or does not meet course requirements:

1. Reach out to the student with your concern and provide guidance to the student about how they can still be successful in the course.
2. If the student is not responsive and/or indicates challenges with mental health or displays other concerning behavior(s), please submit a Student of Concern Form.

Faculty are encouraged to provide referrals for students who may need additional support. A list of referral numbers for faculty to use to help students can be found here.
Faculty will be notified of any approved student accommodations by email via accessibility@iwu.edu.
If you have received an Accommodation Notice from accessibility@iwu.edu and have questions on how the accommodation should be implemented for your course, please reply to that email with your question. The Office of Student Accessibility Services will be in touch with information or to set up a meeting to discuss this accommodation need.
All adjuncts are encouraged but not required to complete IWU's Faculty Training for Accommodations. If you would like to be added to the self-paced course, please email accessibility@iwu.edu.

Urgent, but non-emergency student concerns should be referred directly to the Dean of Students' Office located in Holmes Hall 103, phone (309) 556-3111; webpage iwu.edu/student-affairs or directly to the Dean of Students’ email, Karla Carney-Hall at kcarneyh@iwu.edu

In the case of an emergency, dial 911 and contact Campus Safety at 309-556-1111.

Faculty Professional Development

The Thorpe Center coordinates faculty’s professional development programs and curricular development initiatives. Contact the Thorpe team at thorpe@iwu.edu for more information.
The Thorpe Center offers grant funding that supports faculty in their artistic projects, scholarly research, and curriculum development. All grants are reviewed by the Faculty Development Committee (FDC). For more information on grants, see the latest version of the Faculty Development Handbook or contact the Thorpe Center at thorpe@iwu.edu.

Where to Get Answers

A good place to start is to ask your immediate supervisor (Chair, Dean, Director) or Administrative Specialist for help.
Adjuncts can also direct questions to the Associate Provost’s Office.
Faculty members can also always email the Provost’s Office for help at provost@iwu.edu.
Questions related to the Gateway Colloquia should go directly to the Writing Program Director or to the Dean of Curricular & Faculty Development at thorpe@iwu.edu.
Any questions related to curricular development, support for professional development, the IWU Shared Curriculum, Canvas support, and online teaching and learning should be directed to the Dean of Curricular and Faculty Development through the Thorpe Center email (thorpe@iwu.edu). Visit the Thorpe Center website for more detailed information.
Many answers about new employment and how to get started at IWU can be found on HR’s New Employee page.
This is a list of campus resources for students.
For technology help in your office or classroom, email a detailed request to Information Technology Services at it@iwu.edu or call them at (309) 556-3900.
All campus events are posted on https://my.iwu.edu/events/all – you can also view them by downloading the MyIWU app.

Additional Campus Resources

The International Office coordinates study abroad programs and services for international students.
Titan Print & Mail handles packages and custom print jobs.
Campus Safety patrols campus and provides emergency safety dispatches as needed. Email: campus-safety@iwu.edu | Phone: 309-556-1111
The Shirk Center is for everyone on campus, including Faculty, with a track, weight rooms, exercise machines, a pool, and courts.