Library

The Benedictine University Library directly supports the academic mission of the University through selecting, curating, creating, preserving, and providing anytime access to digital and physical resources and through providing the finest in-person and virtual support and services to all of our regional and global library constituents. The library also seeks to support the General Education Curriculum which is at the heart of our liberal arts-based system of curricular and co-curricular electives in areas representing multiple disciplinary approaches and modes of problem-solving. Benedictine’s courses are designed to represent critical skill and knowledge areas for active and responsible citizenship and stewardship of the Earth, lifelong learning, global awareness, integrative knowledge and effective interpersonal communication.

In accordance with the University’s mission, the library endeavors to enhance the University’s Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage, the culturally diverse demographics of the Benedictine community, and the commitment to assist students in becoming responsible citizens and leaders in the world community. The library will also share its resources with outside communities, including the broader academic community and local users.

The Information Literacy Curriculum offered by the library covers all coursework and is designed to help students at all levels to find, evaluate, use, analyze and share information and construct knowledge in a clear, compelling and ethical manner. Librarians are available to work with faculty, classes and individual students to achieve these goals.

Collections

• More than 375,000 books (print and electronic)
  • 106,000 print titles
  • 269,000 ebook titles
• Access to more than 125,000 periodicals (print and electronic)
  • 6,000 print periodicals
  • 35,775 digital periodicals
• More than 46,000 streaming videos
• More than 70 different databases in a variety of subject areas, most accessible from off campus
• Technology Collection – WiFi Hotspots, Laptops, Microphones, Chromebooks, Graphing and Scientific Calculators, Video Camera, HDMI cables, smartphone chargers
• Instructional Materials Collection – juvenile books, teacher’s kits, curriculum resources
• Copies of theses and dissertations completed at Benedictine University and George Williams College
• Archives and Special Collections

Services

• Information Literacy Instruction
• Reference/Research Help
• Circulation
• Reserves
• Interlibrary Loan - ILLiad for articles and I-Share for print resources
• Collection Development, Acquisitions

Consortium Affiliations

• Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)
• LIBRAS

Student Services

Our goal is to advance our students’ effectiveness in their academic career while preparing them for post-educational success in life. The Office of Student Life engages students by providing support for academic work as well as co-curricular activities and professional goals. In coordination with academic departments, Student Services include:

• Academic support and tutoring functions;
• Accommodation services for students with disabilities;
• Advising and related support for undecided majors, students on academic probation and continuing probation;
• Student organizations and activities;
• Leadership development;
• Supplemental educational programming and service learning;
• Career development services, including assessment, internship services, career education programs, job search functions and career resources;

Student Assistance Program

We recognize that taking care of oneself is paramount to facilitating learning and engaging in your education.  Benedictine University provides free counseling services for students in partnership with community organizations.  Counseling information is available throughout the campus or you can speak to any faculty or staff member if you feel you need support. 

Early Warning Notice System

The Early Warning Notice (EWN) system allows students to receive formal notice of attendance or performance issues that may impact their grade in a particular course. This notice is sent to the student’s University email account and the student’s advisor. Tutoring is provided to students who receive EWNs in classes supported by tutoring services.

Accommodation Services

Benedictine University is dedicated to the creation of an accessible environment through reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with a disability are encouraged to seek assistance with the Office of Academic Accommodations and Accessibility. Accommodation services are available for students with disabilities on a case-by-case basis and if documentation from a properly licensed clinician supports the accommodation. Students eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), whose disability interferes with a major life activity, are urged to self-identify so that the process for receiving assistance can begin as soon as possible.

Commonly granted accommodations include the following:

• Extended time for testing in a quiet test environment
• Preferential classroom seating
• Designated note taker in class / Ability to audio record lectures
• Test Reader and/or Scribe

Students with questions or would like to inquire about the processes for academic or housing accommodations should contact the Office of Academic Accommodations and Accessibility by email, edavies@ben.edu, or call (630) 829-6032 to arrange proper documentation for equal access to educational and campus services.

Campus Ministry

Paramount to the Benedictine University at Mesa student life experience is a search for God by oneself and with others. We aim to inquire, discuss, hold dialogue and engage in a search for truth that encompasses the ideas of all viewpoints and cultures – all the while working within a Catholic view. As a Catholic University, it is our responsibility and commitment to bring that view into focus and make it part of an ongoing conversation.

Student Activities

Students will gain the greatest benefit in personal develop and self-awareness  when they invest themselves in participating in student life.  Students can join an academic or extracurricular club, competitive club, serve on the Redhawk Student Association or do service in the community as a great way to enhance their experience and develop personally and intellectually.

Safety and Security

The role of the Benedictine University Campus Safety at Benedictine University at Mesa is to ensure a safe campus environment by providing the highest quality of service to our community. Specially trained public safety officers have a visible presence on campus and are prepared to respond to and resolve any safety concern or emergency situation. Services range from personal escorts to your vehicle, dead battery jumps, accident reports, incident investigation, first aid, as well as safety awareness and educational programming. The University enjoys a strong partnership with the Mesa Police Department to help provide a safe and positive environment for learning and growth.

Residence Life

Benedictine University maintains and operates the Alhambra residence hall as an integral part of academic life in the belief that educational experiences are not solely contained to the classroom, laboratory or library. The residence hall provides an opportunity for students to combine academic life with social development. Students must establish and test their own values, develop social skills, determine priorities and learn to organize their time. Daily living with others encourages the development of a cooperative attitude, respect for individual rights and a sense of group responsibility. As a result, students in the residence hall develop diverse communities that meet the needs of its members both individually and collectively and create attitudes and skills necessary to progress toward the realization of those conditions which make up a healthy community.

Academic Support Center

The mission of the Academic Support Center (ASC) is to support students’ academic development through resources and services that serve to maximize their academic success, enhance their student experience and better prepare them for further study. The Academic Support Center engages students by providing support for academic work as well as co-curricular activities and professional goals. The center’s services include:

• Academic support and tutoring functions
• Learning specialists
• Peer tutors
• Study skills
• Accommodations services for students with disabilities

Academic Support Services

The Academic Support Center provides a variety of academic support services for all student groups. These services are free of charge to all students.

Learning Specialists

Students may arrange for individual appointments with one of our learning specialists in the areas of math, science and literacy (reading and writing). Appointments can be made by contacting the learning specialists directly or by contacting the main office number at (630) 829-6041. Students who need remote assistance should contact learning specialists directly.

Peer Tutors

In cooperation with the academic departments, the Academic Support Center offers peer tutoring sessions for a variety of classes. These sessions help students clarify difficult concepts and prepare for quizzes and exams. They are led by instructional assistants who have successfully completed the course and have been identified by faculty members as individuals who possess both content knowledge and the ability to communicate that knowledge to fellow students. Subject areas that are typically supported by these sessions include accounting, biology, chemistry, economics, physics, psychology and the humanities. The availability and times of tutoring sessions vary by semester.

Study Skills

The Academic Support Center assists students with the development of general study skills to improve performance and reduce stress associated with college study. This can be arranged through an individual appointment, or students can take advantage of a series of study skills workshops conducted each semester. Contact the center at (630) 829-6041 to arrange an individual appointment for assistance.

Accommodation Services

Benedictine University is dedicated to creating an accessible environment through reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with a disability are encouraged to seek assistance with the Academic Support Center. Special accommodation services are available for students with disabilities on a case-by-case basis and if documentation from a properly licensed clinician supports the accommodation. Students eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), whose disability interferes with a major life activity, are urged to self-identify so that the process for receiving assistance can begin as soon as possible.

Commonly granted accommodations include the following:

• Extended time for testing in a quiet test environment
• Designated note taker in class
• Modified or enlarged classroom/reading materials
• Test Reader and/or Scribe
• Preferential classroom seating

Students with questions or in need of special academic or housing accommodations should contact the Academic Support Center by email, edavies@ben.edu, or call (630) 829-6041 to arrange proper documentation for equal access to educational and campus services.

Career & Personal Development

The Office of Career and Personal Development takes a customized approach to the services it offers to students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff — helping these valuable members of the Benedictine community to thrive. 

Students and Alumni:

We work closely with students and alumni to understand their career goals and provide individualized guidance on how to achieve them. We view career development as part of the academic process. We help students with key career readiness elements, so they are equipped with the tools they need to meet and exceed their goals. We do this by: 

• Facilitating an understanding of self-including passions, values, interests, strengths, skills, and goals. 
• Encouraging exploration and open-mindedness to career possibilities.
• Providing meaningful learning experiences.
• Facilitating connections with employers and alumni that lead to mentoring relationships, internship opportunities and career opportunities.

Employers:

The Office of Career & Personal Development cultivates employer relationships. We help prepare Benedictine students with the education to successfully advocate for their own career success via resume and cover letter templates, mock interviewing practice, networking tips and skills, and effective job and internship search strategies. This career education is informed by our work with employers to ensure understanding, trust, and cooperation that our practices are in line with market demands and industry trends.”

Faculty and Staff:

We collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with tools that will help them successfully attain the careers they aspire to. We do this by delivering classroom presentations and integrating career learning activities into the curriculum so that students develop skills in career exploration, resume writing, interviewing, networking, marketing themselves, and internship and job searching.

Athletics

Our Athletics Department prepares every student-athlete to be a champion of leadership. We establish an atmosphere where academic distinction, personal integrity, respect for all others, community service and athletic excellence are expected. We develop well-rounded and informed citizens who carry the Benedictine values now and throughout their lives.

The department maintains the standard of graduating informed and enlightened citizens into a global society. As members of the NAIA, we establish a stance of competitive leadership in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference while consistently creating opportunities for regional and national competition.  We become leaders of hospitality, stewardship and communication to all of our constituents. We create a profound sense of pride among all members, friends and fans of the Benedictine University community.

Men’s Sports Teams:                                                   
Baseball                                                                         
Basketball                                                                                                                        
Golf                                                                               
Soccer                                                                          
Volleyball                                                                                                                             
Dance & Cheer        

Women’s Sports Teams:   
Basketball  
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Volleyball
Beach Volleyball
Dance & Cheer

Advising Center

The Advising Center provides quality advising services and resources to all students.  The Advising Center assigns an academic advisor to each undergraduate student for their entire academic career.  Academic advising is an interactive process between the advisor and student and is supported by technology. The goal is to promote each student’s academic, career, and personal development.  For further information, please visit https://www.ben.edu/advising-center/.

The Bookstore at Benedictine University

Benedictine University is proud to partner with our online bookstore to offer our students competitive and reduced textbook costs as well as a quick, easy ordering process including the opportunity to use financial aid if applicable. Our online bookstore offers not only new, but used, and electronic versions of most course required material including textbooks that can be purchased or rented.

Alumni Association

Graduating students are members of an ever-expanding organization – the Benedictine University Alumni Association. As a member of the alumni community, the University still plays a very important role in your life. There are many ways for alumni to stay involved with Benedictine and to keep in touch with classmates. In addition, Benedictine University alumni are entitled to many special benefits. The Alumni Association operates through the services of an all-volunteer Alumni Council, that supports all alumni programs and events through the Office of Alumni Relations. These programs include: class reunions; Homecoming; admissions recruitment; regional alumni activities; alumni chapters; and more. Contact Michelle Rollins, Director of Alumni Relations, at (630) 829-6077, or mrollins@ben.edu, or visit https://ben.edu/alumni/ for more information.