Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

When is the application deadline?

The fall deadline is August 1 and the spring deadline is January 1.

How early can my son or daughter apply for admission?

The earliest a student can apply for admission is the summer of their junior year. Click here to apply.

Student Life

What is the class size at CIU?

In fall 2007 the average class size was 18 students. General requirement classes, often taken during the first year, have the highest enrollment. The faculty to student ratio in fall 2007 was 1 faculty to 8 eight students. CIU's great faculty to student ratio enables students to personally interact with their professor and advisor.

What types of organizations are available for my student?

Some of the popular extra-curricular activities on campus include: intramural sports, Mu Kappa (for CIU's missionary kids and third culture kids), Student Missions Connections (which plans regional prayer groups and activities designed to involve the campus in international outreach), the Finial (the yearbook), the African American Fellowship Ministries (which serves the CIU community by building bridges between ethnic cultures) and the International Students Ministries (which serves students from other countries).

In addition to these organizations, there is the Student Senate which is responsible for representing the students before the administration and communicating back to the students, and the Student Union which provides an abundant social calendar for CIU students. There are also various concerts, socials and community opportunities available to students.

Where can I stay when I visit my student?

For a listing of area hotels, click here.

Can freshmen have a car on campus?

Yes, freshmen may have a car on campus. They must register the vehicle with the Security Department and pay a parking fee of $15 per semester or $25 per year. The Security Department is responsible for parking issues, health and facility emergencies, and is available to help students in need. Security is available 24 hours a day. Their office is located in the breeze way between Walker and Founders Halls. Security may be reached at (803) 807-5010 for general questions or at (803) 513-3967 to speak with the officer on duty.

Is there a freshmen dorm?

Yes, we have residence halls set aside for freshmen students. There is an intentional environment set-up to encourage growth for CIU's first year students. We have a dedicated team of upperclassman leaders called the Freshman Leadership Team that works to encourage your student to strengthen their relationship with the Lord and with their peers. The FLT is committed to providing a supportive, caring, and enthusiastic environment to help your student to embrace all that God wants them to be. The team is made up of 15 upperclassmen: 9 females, 6 males - for a total of 3 upperclassmen per floor.

What can my student have in their dorm room?

Check the Residence Life handbook for the furniture and appliance rules.

Are students required to live on campus?

CIU is committed to the pursuit of spiritual development through on-campus living and requires all full-time students under the age of 21 to live on campus unless living with family members in the area. The student must be 21 years of age before August 1st of the current school year to be eligible to live off campus during that school year. Those under 21 who are found to have moved off-campus without permission will be charged ½ of the Room and Board charge and will not be able to register for classes the next semester without discussing housing arrangements with the Residence Life Office. Those who believe they have a legitimate reason for special consideration to live off-campus must submit a completed housing appeal form (available in the Residence Life Office) to the Residence Life Office by March 1. The Housing Appeal Committee will review all appeals and determine whether or not an exception will be granted.

How many students live on campus?

CIU has 6 traditional residence halls which house mainly undergraduates. Two suite-style Clusters are reserved for upperclass, undergraduate women. We also have five homes (capacity of five individuals each) which are used to house graduate and seminary students. Each semester approximately 375 students live in one of the three types of on-campus housing provided.

Why do students need the late curfew?

The fact that our students cannot go to Greenville or Charlotte for a concert and be back before 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. helps make the case for the later curfew. However, the main point is that learning to make choices and balance one's own time is a major part of the college experience. Students rarely use the late curfew, but it is there when it is needed. If they use it a lot in their first semester they realize it cannot continue and make changes rather quickly.

Will someone let me know of a medical and/or emotional emergency (in light of FERPA which indicates parents can only be contacted with student permission)?

We want to encourage parent-student communication and involvement. The Student Life team will share their own phone with a student to assist in calling parents if there is a medical emergency or we have the student authorize us so that we can contact parents. However, when it comes to students involved in counseling, etc., we encourage the student to personally communicate with the parent.

What if my student does not get along with his/her roommate?

Living with another person is a life skill. The Student Life team will work to assist the students in learning to communicate with one another. There are RAs (Residence Assistants) on each floor who will provide help with these issues. After seeking assistance from an RA, the student can talk with Mike Thompson, the Director of Residence Life, or a Student Life Chaplain if the problem continues. It is our policy to only make room assignment changes at the end of the semester, but exceptions will be made if it is deemed absolutely necessary.

Is chapel required?

Yes, on campus students are required to attend chapel four days a week (Tuesday through Friday). For many students chapel times are a highlight of their CIU experience.

Registrar

How can I get information about my student's academic progress?

According to FERPA regulations, only your student can give you that information. Even if we have the permission slip giving parents access to student's academic information, we cannot give out grades - even to the student.

Why didn't a particular course transfer in?

Again, even with the permission slip, we are bound by what we can discuss with parents. This needs to be communication between the student and the Registrar's office.

Where can I get information about commencement?

Go to the CIU Registrar's web pages for information about commencement. The student that is graduating is another good source of information - they are given the dates and times at the beginning of the semester.

Financial Aid

How will I know if my student is eligible for financial aid?

All students should apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA and the CIU Scholarship Application. The Office of Student Financial Services receives the ISIR (Institutional Student Information Report) from the FAFSA processor several business days after the FAFSA is completed by the student. Student Financial Services will contact the student via the email address reported on the FAFSA to request additional documentation if needed. Next the student's eligibility will be determined. If aid is awarded, a weblink to the online financial aid award letter will be emailed to the student.

Athletic Department

Do you have intercollegiate sports?
Not at this time, but we are working towards it. Realistically, we expect to field at least one team per gender in the fall of 2009.

Is the gym free?
Yes, the gym is included in the tuition and fees for all full-time students (part-time students do have an additional fee to pay).

Is there a phys. ed. program? Are students required to take a phys. ed. class?
No, but the Teacher Ed. department will be offering a class this spring.

Do you have trainers on staff?
No, we will have instructors for various classes, but they are third party and not employed by the school. We do not have personal trainers--although the athletic deptartment staff can give you some help in this area.

Library and Technology Services

Are students required to have a laptop computer?

No, students are not required to have a laptop. The Student Computing Center, located on the second floor of the Ridderhof Building, provides computers for use by students. A sign-in which permits access to the university's academic computing resources is available at the Student Computing Center front desk. Computers on campus are PC-compatible and run on a Microsoft Windows platform. For additional assistance or questions, contact (803) 807-5147 or helpdesk@ciu.edu.

Does a student have to have a laptop computer to use the library electronic databases?

No, the library has numerous "public access" computers for student use. In addition, the computer lab has several other computers from which students can access the library website, catalog, and electronic databases.

Is the campus wireless?

Many of the major buildings on campus have wireless capability. Currently there is WiFi access in: West Dorm, East Dorm, Walker Dorm, the Student Center, the Computer Lab, the Library, the Fitness Center, and the Alumni Building. Wireless connections on campus are being expanded to Founders Dorm, Petty Dorm, the Schuster Building and the McQuilkin Building in the near future. All of the dorms have wired connections (East, West, Memorial, Walker, Founders, Petty) except for the Clusters.

Academic Services

Does CIU accept CLEP credit and how could my student benefit from CLEP?

Yes, CIU does accept CLEP credit. The online catalog lists the CLEP tests accepted by CIU and the courses which students can test out of. The office of Academic & Disability Services administers the CLEP program here at CIU and can answer additional questions.

How can my student get the disability accommodations he/she needs?

Contact the office of Academic & Disability Services, (803) 807-5611, and request the verification of disability packet. The verification form will need to be completed by your health care professional and returned with a copy of their diagnostic report to the ADS Office. It is best to do this as early as possible as some accommodations take time to put into place.

Food Services

What should I do if my student has special food needs because of a health problems?

We are able to work with most cases of special diets. You must bring a list from your doctor and have it cleared by Cynde Morgan, Director of Academic & Disability Services.

Can I send my student a birthday cake, decorated cookie or something special for his/her birthday or as a surprise treat?

Yes, just call the Food Services office, (803) 807-5276, and we will set it up for you. We need at least a 24 hour advance notice.

What if my student has a job off-campus and they are missing meals in the cafeteria?

We can make them a sack lunch or take-out box for the meals that they are missing in the cafeteria.

Health Services

What services are offered in Health Services?

The clinic is staffed by registered nurses. Walk-in clinic times are available for students to come in and see a nurse Monday through Friday for assessment and recommendations. There is no charge to see a nurse but there may be a minimal charge for supplies or medications. During the regular school year, a doctor's clinic is held once a week. This is by appointment and there is a charge to see the doctor. The clinic also has many over-the-counter medications available at a low cost.

Do new students have to complete any paperwork with Health Services before they start classes at CIU?

All students working on a degree and taking classes on campus are required to complete a Pre-registration Medical Requirements form. This form must be completed in full before a student can register for classes. The student will need to provide proof of insurance coverage, proof of tuberculosis screening within one year prior to enrollment and documentation of measles/rubella vaccination.

Career Services

Can my student get a job on campus?

Yes. All registered students (Federal Work Study approved or not) are eligible for student worker positions. Jobs range from various positions in the Cafeteria and Library to highly technical jobs in IT or faculty assistantships. Students must apply directly to the departments that are hiring and may not always get their first choice, but if persistent and not overly picky, everyone who wants to work on campus can find something.

My student received a Federal Work Study award letter. What does that mean?

It means that the student can work in a Federal Work Study approved on-campus or community service job to earn funds to help finance his/her education. Almost all student worker jobs on CIU's campus are Federal Work Study (FWS) approved. A FWS student can apply for any approved opening but there is no guarantee of employment. All applicants for student worker jobs must go through the normal hiring process. The award amount means that the student can earn up to that amount without having to claim it as income on the next FAFSA form.

Where can a student find on-campus or off-campus jobs?

All jobs for students can be found on CIUOnline under Career Services listed on the Main Menu. Under the On-Campus Student Employment section, students can view all current on-campus job openings, plus read instructions about student employment and download an application. On-campus student worker jobs are also posted on bulletin boards located in the Student Center, next to the Bookstore and by the HR/Career Services offices on the second floor of the Administration building.

All off-campus jobs are posted on the CIU JobBoard, also located on CIUOnline, under Career Services. Students must register first using their Student ID number as their Access ID and then can search for all types of jobs. There are part-time, full-time, volunteer, internships and seasonal job postings. Job searches can be done by location (local, statewide, national and international) and by type of job.

For more information about Career Services, go to www.ciu.edu/careerservices/