West Chester University Vistors' Guide 2000

WELCOME TO WEST CHESTER

FACTS ON WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

West Chester University is a comprehensive, state-owned institution, the second largest in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.

History

• In 1871 West Chester was established as a Normal School designed to train teachers.
• In 1913 it became West Chester State Normal School when it was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and became state certified.
• In 1927 when Pennsylvania initiated a four-year program for teacher education leading to the bachelor’s degree, it was renamed West Chester State Teacher’s College.
• In 1960 when the Commonwealth inaugurated liberal arts programs and graduate degrees, our name changed to West Chester State College.
• In 1983 West Chester State College became West Chester University of Pennsylvania as one of the 14 institutions in the State System of Higher Education.

Enrollment
Approximately 11,892 (10,078undergraduate and 1,814 graduate)

Faculty and Staff
556 full-time and 178 part-time faculty (73% of full time hold the doctorate and 63% of total faculty) 812 full-time noninstructional staff

Student/Faculty Ratio
17:1

Academic Organization
College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Public Affairs, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, and School of Music

Undergraduate Programs

West Chester University offers more than 80 programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Graduate Programs

Graduate Studies offers more than 60 programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Science in Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Education, Master of Music, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Social Work.

Athletics

Intercollegiate programs include competition in 22 men’s and women’s Division II sports and Division I field hockey.

The Campus

West Chester University occupies 388 acres in and near the borough of West Chester. The 97-acre North Campus contains most of the University’s classrooms, the library, residence hall student services, and administrative offices. Less than a mile away is South Campus, which contains the Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center, a student apartment complex, playing and practice fields, the John A. Farrell Stadium, and the Robert B. Gordon Natural Area for Environmental Studies.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS (610 area code)

Academic Advising Center	436-3505
Admissions (undergraduate)	436-3411
Adult Studies	436-3550
Bookstore	436-2242
Bursar	436-2552
Financial Aid	436-2627
Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research	436-2943
Police (Public Safety)	436-3311
Public Relations and Marketing	436-3383
Services for Students With Disabilities	436-3217
Sykes Student Union Information Desk	436-2984
Registrar	436-3541
Residence Life	436-3307
Student Development	436-3305
University Information Desk	436-1000
West Chester University Web page	http://www.wcupa.edu

CAMPUS VISITS
Prospective undergraduate students and their families may schedule a guided walking tour of the campus, group information session, or personal interview by contacting the Office of Admissions at 610-436-3411.

PARKING/VISITOR’S PERMITS
Permits are required for parking in campus lots. Signs posted at each lot designate which type of permit is necessary. Visitor parking permits may be obtained from the Office of Public Safety (Peoples Maintenance Building, #27), Office of Admissions (Messikomer Hall, #12), and Sykes Student Union (#14).

FOOD AND LODGING
If you would like information about dining and accommodations in the West Chester area, please feel free to contact the Chester County Tourist Bureau at 601 Westtown Road, Suite 170, West Chester, PA 19382-0990, 610-344-6365, or the branch Visitors Center located at 300 Greenwood Rd. in Kennett Square, PA 19348. The toll-free number is 1-800-228-9933.

Best Western-Exton Route 100 815 N. Pottstown Pike Exton, PA 610-363-1100	Holiday Inn Express Routes 100 and 30 120 N. Pottstown Pike Exton, PA 610-524-9000
Comfort Inn and Suites 1310 Wilmington Pike West Chester, PA 610-399-4600	McIntosh Inn Rts. 29 and 30 Malvern, PA 610-651-0400
Concordville Best Western Routes 322 and 1 Concordville, PA 610-358-9400	Microtel Inn and Suites 500 Willowbrook Lane West Chester, PA 610-738-9111
Hampton Inn Route 100 and 113 Lionville, PA 610-363-5555	Ramada Inn Routes 1 and 202 Chadds Ford, PA 610-358-1700
Holiday Inn-West Chester 943 S. High Street West Chester, PA 610-692-1900	Sheraton-Great Valley Routes 202 and 30 Frazer, PA 610-524-5500

NONDISCRIMINATION/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY

West Chester University is committed to providing leadership in extending equal opportunities to all individuals. Accordingly, the University will continue to make every effort to provide those rights to all persons regardless of race, religions, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. This policy applies to all members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators. It also applies to all applicants for admission or employment and all participants in University-sponsored activities. For more information contact the director, Office of Social Equity, 13/15 University Ave., West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, 610-436-2433.