Navigating Widener University: A Comprehensive Guide to the Student Portal and Campus Resources

Widener University provides a comprehensive array of resources and tools designed to support students throughout their academic journey. The university's online portal, coupled with various campus initiatives, aims to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment. This article explores the features of the Widener student portal, known as myWidener, and highlights the diverse resources available to students, faculty, and staff.

Accessing myWidener: Your Central Information Hub

myWidener (my.widener.edu) serves as Widener University's online portal, providing access to a wide range of employment-related information, academic schedules, and grading. It is a crucial tool for students to manage their academic and administrative tasks. Students can access their Financial Aid Award Letter, Class Schedule, Student Planning, and Online Student Account through myWidener.

To log in, students need their Widener ID Number and PIN. If a student does not have this information, they can contact the Admissions Office or use the "Login ID Lookup" feature within myWidener.

Microsoft 365: Enhancing Productivity and Collaboration

Widener University provides all students, faculty, and staff with a free Microsoft 365 license. This license grants access to Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive. OneDrive offers a cloud-based file storage platform, enabling users to store files securely, access them from multiple devices, and share them with others.

Microsoft products include accessibility features designed to make technology navigation and usage easier for all users, regardless of their abilities or preferences. Access to the Microsoft account and desktop applications is contingent upon having an active Widener account. Access is lost when individuals are no longer taking classes or working at Widener.

Housing and Residential Life

On-Campus Housing Policy

Widener University recognizes the importance of on-campus living for undergraduate students' academic and social development. Traditional, full-time undergraduate students are required to live on campus during their first two years of study, unless they are living at their permanent address with their parents or guardians.

On-campus living fosters engagement in co-curricular activities, cultivates a sense of belonging, helps foster independence, and supports the development of skills essential to academic success. Students who do not register for on-campus housing are considered commuters living at their permanent residence with a parent or guardian.

Commuter students may qualify for less financial aid and may be ineligible for some Widener aid programs. Exemptions to this policy are granted to married students, students with dependent children, students with at least two years of military service, and students age 24 or older.

Housing Application Process

The housing application for the academic year typically opens in late February or early March. Returning students who wish to select their own housing must submit their applications by mid-March. After this deadline, housing applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the residence halls reach capacity.

The Student Living team manually assigns housing based on preference and space availability for applications submitted after the deadline. Students can select a preferred roommate during the housing application process. Every effort is made to accommodate this request, as long as both students indicate a wish to room with one another and their housing applications are submitted by the deadline.

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The Housing Portal is powered by StarRez, a software that provides an intuitive system for students to apply for housing and find or select their own roommate.

Room Changes

Students have the opportunity to participate in an open room change process after the University census date, which is typically the third week of the semester. During this period, students can submit a room change request through the housing portal. The office considers requests in the order in which they are received, followed by academic standing.

Outside of the open room change period, students can request a room change through the housing portal. However, students may need to meet with their Area Coordinator or participate in a roommate mediation before a room change may occur. A room change freeze period is in place during the last three weeks of the fall semester, with only room changes for emergency situations processed until the University census date in the spring semester.

Residence Halls

Widener uses the term "residence halls" rather than "dorms." The university offers a variety of housing options to suit different interests, living styles, and specific needs or wishes. Information about specific residence halls, including room and window dimensions, lighting, and furniture, is available on the Residence Halls page.

Returning students have the opportunity to apply for fall-only housing or housing for the entire academic year. Fall-only housing is intended for students who are graduating in December, planning on studying abroad, participating in a co-op experience, or are on an exchange program for only a semester.

Specialty Housing Communities

Widener offers specialty housing communities for students with specific interests. One example is the Sophomore Year Experience Themed Community, intended for students in their second year at Widener who are interested in increasing their involvement, strengthening their study skills, and further exploring career options.

Technology Support and Resources

Widener University provides comprehensive technology support and resources to students, faculty, and staff.

Technology Support Center (TSC)

In-person technology support is available at the Technology Support Center (TSC), located on the main floor of Wolfgram Memorial Library. The university also provides 24/7 technology support available by phone or through the online ticketing system called QuickTicket.

Password Self-Service Portal

To keep password issues quick and easy, Widener offers a password self-service portal for users to manage and reset their own passwords.

Widener-Issued Laptop Package

All full-time employees (both faculty and staff) receive a Widener-issued laptop package for use while employed with the university. The equipment provided varies based on the individual's role. All Widener devices come with Microsoft Office desktop apps installed, as well as Zoom. Licenses to specific software related to the role may be issued. Employees are eligible for a new device every four years.

Accessibility Features

Both PC and Apple devices include built-in accessibility features for improving the digital experience. Microsoft also includes built-in accessibility features in their products.

Wi-Fi

High-bandwidth Wi-Fi is available across campus, in all buildings and residence halls, as well as many outdoor spaces.

Device Registration

For security purposes, Widener requires that all devices be registered in order to connect to the university network.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPN stands for virtual private network and allows users to connect to Widener’s network remotely if they are not on campus. Certain platforms, such as Colleague, may require the use of VPN while not on campus.

Mobile App

Downloading the mobile app is not a requirement, although some choose to utilize it for convenience.

Phone Communication

Most employees are assigned a Widener phone number/extension. Some employees have an office phone, although many others may be utilizing Teams Voice for phone communication. This is a feature built directly into Microsoft Teams for the Widener phone number to redirect to the Teams app.

Zoom and Microsoft Teams

All employees and students are provided with a Zoom account through their Widener credentials. Zoom is typically used for larger meetings, online courses, or virtual office hours. Microsoft Teams is also utilized as an online chat or video conferencing platform, often used for quick text communication or audio/video calls.

Canvas

Widener uses Canvas as the learning management system for courses. All courses have an associated Canvas course, whether the course is in-person or online. The university has a Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) team that is available to assist with course design and utilizing Canvas. Widener’s Canvas platform includes the use of Canvas Studio for recording and storing video. The university also provides licenses for Poll Everywhere, an interactive live polling tool, and Hypothesis, a social annotation tool.

Mental Health Resources: The "Breathe" Campaign

Recognizing the importance of mental health, Widener University has taken steps to raise awareness and provide resources for students. Following student suicides at Widener and nearby Rowan University, students and faculty collaborated to improve access to mental health support.

A project was initiated to examine how people talked about mental health on college campuses, eventually expanding to include Widener’s information technology services department and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). The team created a list of mental health resources and linked it to a search word on the student portal.

The word "breathe" was chosen as the search term after an incident where a student witnessed someone attempting to harm themselves. The word serves as a reminder to relax and seek help. After the tool was finished, students led an awareness campaign to promote it, putting up posters around campus and holding events to promote healthy stress management.

Additional Resources and Support

Financial Aid and Affordability

Widener University offers financial aid to nearly all undergraduates. The university provides millions of dollars in scholarships and grants annually, including transfer scholarships.

Career Preparation

Widener is named a College of Distinction for Career Preparation. A high percentage of students complete a co-op or internship, and graduates achieve strong early and mid-career salaries.

Student Life and Engagement

Widener offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student clubs and organizations. A significant percentage of students participate in civic engagement activities. The university hosts hundreds of campus events annually.

Academic Support

mySuccess is a one-stop-shop for resources, tools, and services that students can leverage for academic, personal, and career success.

Campus Dining

CampusDish allows students to explore all eateries on campus, view the Pride Cafe's daily menu, campus restaurant hours, and sign up for a meal plan.

Engage Widener

Engage Widener is the student life portal featuring information about clubs and organizations, an events calendar, and more.

One Card

The One Card is the key to entering campus buildings and accessing meal plans and the library.

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