Student Services
We are here to help keep you active, healthy, safe and successful as a student, both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Advising
Academic advisers are here to help students succeed in their academic pursuits. Advisers provide guidance and assistance to students in: understanding university policy and procedures; forming academic and career goals; providing mentorship in developing decision-making skills; and providing encouragement in making the most of each student’s academic life at Montana Western.
To make an advising appointment, contact either Margo Heberling at (406) 683-7050 or m_heberling@umwestern.edu or contact Cory Creighton (406) 683-7049 or c_creighton@umwestern.edu.
Bookstore
The Montana Western Bookstore is stocked for all of students’ academic needs, from course books to art and office supplies. The Bookstore is also your source for official Montana Western gear.
Campus Corps
Montana Campus Corps is a member of Montana Campus Compact, “a nonprofit organization committed to renewing the public purposes of higher education through community service, service-learning, volunteerism, and civic engagement programming available to students, faculty, and staff.”
Campus Corps is active in engaging students in service work both on campus and in the community. To find out how you can get involved, call (406) 683-7202 or e-mail campuscorps@umwestern.edu.
Counseling
Confidential counseling is available free to all students registered for a minimum of seven credits in a semester. Services provided for students include counseling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as group sessions and community referrals. Confidential appointments can be made by contacting Lynn Weltzien at (406) 683-7565 or
l_weltzien1@umwestern.edu.
Career Services
Montana Western Career Services is a comprehensive resource for students as they make the transition from college to careers.
Through Montana Western’s experiential learning, students emerge from campus better prepared to enter the workforce. Career Services helps students take the next step by preparing them to enter the ever-changing work environment. From help with résumés and cover letters to helping students navigate the career possibilities in their chosen fields, Career Services is dedicated to helping students achieve their career dreams.
Call (406) 683-7143 or e-mail umwcareers@umwestern.edu for more information or to make an appointment.
Disability
Montana Western works hard to accommodate all physical, psychological, and/or learning disabilities. No student should be excluded from participation in classes or extracurricular programs because of a disability.
Disability services offered
Health
Students are required to carry either their own health insurance or to enroll in the campus plan. Basic medical care for students is available through the Community Health Clinic, just off campus. We have a campus wellness office that sponsors health fairs and classes in yoga, dance, and cardiovascular training.
Learning Center
The Learning Center at Montana Western provides free tutoring services with hours to accommodate student schedules.
For more information, contact Learning Center Director Sarah Juran at (406) 683-7200 or s_juran@umwestern.edu.Safety
In addition to 24-hour campus security, Montana Western’s KeepSafe program keeps our students safe and encourages wellness in every area of life. The program offers services such as Safe Ride, suicide prevention, and the Tobacco Free Task Force.
Student Union
The Student Union Building (SUB) is the hub of student activity at Montana Western. It is the home of the campus bookstore, ASUMW offices, the campus radio station KDWG (90.9), Stageline Pizza, the Bark ‘n’ Bite and lounges where students can relax, study or watch TV.
TRIO Student Support Services
TRIO programs help low-income, first-generation, and disabled students realize their educational potential. Students receiving TRIO services are more likely to enroll and graduate from a post-secondary education program. The national average of students completing a bachelor’s degree is 8.6 percent. The average for Montana TRIO students completing a bachelor’s is 29 percent.
For more information, contact Student Support Services Director Christy Keyes at (406) 683-7316 or c_keyes@umwestern.edu.
The Associated Students of the University of Montana Western
The Associated Students of the University of Montana Western (ASUMW) serves as the voice for students. By leading the campus in the direction of the students, UMW reflects the inspiration, drive, and character of the student body.
Student Senate is responsible for student advocacy, student activities, and administration of its office and funding. The Student Senate advises administration on issues and policies concerning UMW’s students and also looks over and allocates all student activity fees. As a member of the Montana Associated Students, ASUMW gives recommendations to the Montana Board of Regents concerning our students’ collective education.
Student Senate meetings are always open to the public and are held on a weekly basis. To learn more about the Student Senate, visit our office located in the basement of the Student Union building. The doors are always open.
Montana Western offers ample options when it comes to dining on campus.
From the best salad bar in town to local meat and produce, Montana Western Dining Services will remind you more of your mom’s cooking than a college cafeteria. As a hungry college student, you’ll have unlimited use of the cafeteria. And our caring kitchen staff will even bake you a birthday cake if you (or your friends and parents) so desire.
Dining Services offers a wide variety of menu options for all dietary types each day. Our kitchen crew strives to use the freshest ingredients while incorporating local produce and meat whenever possible. Dining Services is also an active participant in UMW sustainable efforts by recycling, composting and using compostable plates and flatware.
Across campus, the Bark ‘n’ Bite convenience store is stocked full of snacks, candy and other necessities. Stageline Pizza is open for lunch and dinner and delivers across campus for free. The Cup is Montana Western’s on-campus espresso bar and eatery with all sorts of great food and fuel to get a busy student through their day.
Campus Housing
Montana Western’s clean, comfortable housing facilities are homes away from home and provide the perfect place to study, meet new friends or just relax.
All first-year Montana Western students are required to live on campus. Living in one of our five residence halls is a great way to get acquainted with our beautiful campus and make lifelong friendships. Students have the option of living on either a single sex or co-ed floor.
Residence halls are comfortable and secure (with great views). Each hall is fully equipped with furniture, high-speed internet and free cable. Resident Assistants live on each residence hall floor to enforce policies and be a resource to residents. Residence halls are locked nightly at 11 p.m. and a security guard makes rounds of the floors all night.
Campus Groups
Cool campus clubs, groups and organizations abound at Montana
Western. Here is a guide to help you get involved
Ambassadors
The Ambassadors Club provides students with a unique opportunity to promote Montana Western through school spirit and multiple on-campus events such as Western Idol, schooldances, and The Dating Game, to name a few.
Alpha Chi Honors Society
Alpha Chi is a select national honor society open to the top 10 percent of juniors and seniors who have completed at least 30 credits at Montana Western.
Baptist Collegiate Ministries
BCM is a Bible-based club and is an outreach of the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. However, BCM is not just for Baptists.
Biology Club
The Biology Club is open to all students and non-students who are interested in biological sciences. Club activities include organizing the campus-wide Spring Research Symposium, helping K-12 students with science projects, and judging science fairs.
Brewing Club
This organization’s primary goals are to provide an outlet for individuals over the age of 21 to cooperatively brew wines and beers. Emphasis on scientific applications and procedures toward the fermentation process will be of utmost interest to the group.
Business Club
Comprised of students interested in business, the Business Club’s objectives are social as well as to provide an opportunity for students to learn leadership skills and develop future business relationships.
Campus Corps
An affiliate of the AmeriCorps National Service Network, Campus Corps seeks to engage more students in extra-curricular community service by addressing critical community needs by coordinating service initiatives and engaging students in service; strengthening partnerships between local communities and neighboring colleges and universities; developing a large body of student leaders who have a lifelong commitment to service; and creating an institutional ethic of service among Compact member schools.
Catholic Campus Ministry
An outreach of the Catholic Church, this group sponsors various social activities throughout the year. Catholic Campus Ministry meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
This fellowship holds weekly worship services, Bible studies, social activities, seasonal retreats, and service projects on campus.
Draft Driving Club
The Draft Driving Club’s purpose is to promote draft horse driving as an organized and standard sport.
Equestrian Club
The equestrian team competes under the auspices, rules and regulations of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), a recognized member of the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
Drama Club
The Drama Club promotes dramatic activity and familiarizes members with the different phases of dramatic production. Membership is open to all students and to the public regardless of drama experience.
Honors Club
The Honors Club facilitates interdisciplinary learning through the Honors Program at UMW. The Honors Student Association organizes speakers, trips, lecture series, and service-learning opportunities with the purpose of furthering students’ educational experiences.
Humans In Performance
Members of HIP promote an appreciation of, commitment to, involvement in, and responsibility to the fields of health, physical education, recreation, and dance through involvement in club activities.
Industrial Technology Club
The IT Club is available to all students interested in the fields of industrial technology, industrial arts, and vocational education.
International Club
The International Club seeks to raise international awareness on campus.
Lambda Alliance
Lambda is for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, staff, and community members. The club is also open to straight supporters.
Montana Western College Democrats
The College Democrats pledge to support the candidates and philosophy of the Democratic Party and declare its intention to support all efforts to increase the participation of college students in Democratic affairs.
Montana Western College Republicans
Montana Western College Republicans make known and promote the principles of the Republican Party among the campus and community; aid in the election of Republican candidates at all levels of governments; and develop political skills and leadership abilities among Republican students as preparation for future service by them to the party and community.
Music Club
The Music Club is open to all students interested in promoting musical activity on campus and in the community. Members attend music education conventions and workshops, present recitals, and participate in several other musical events throughout the year.
Polynesian Club
The Poly Club promotes awareness and understanding of Polynesian culture, specifically music, dance, and drumming. The club is open to all members of the campus.
Psychology Club
The Psychology Club provides all UMW students the opportunity to participate in psychology-related activities as well as to be a part of an organization that provides support and academic guidance for students pursuing a career in the field of psychology.
Rodeo Club
The Rodeo Club provides support for the Montana Western rodeo teams and hosts several functions each year, including the Fall Horse Sale, Heritage Days, and the rodeo team’s Community Appreciation Banquet.
Ski Club
The UMW Ski Club is an athletic-based club focused on snow skiing and snowboarding. The club is open to any student of the UMW campus and welcomes the participation of the community.
STAND Club
The mission of STAND is to empower individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide. STAND will enhance the Montana Western campus community by organizing events promoting education on campus and in the community, informing and aiding students in ways that they can help prevent and stop genocide.
Terra Verde
Terra Verde is the official student organization of the Department of Environmental Sciences at The University of Montana Western. As such, the organization’s primary mission is to provide an outlet for students at UMW who are interested in the natural world. The club participates in volunteer work with local agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service in order to provide students with field experiences in the environmental sciences during their academic tenure at UMW. Terra Verde sponsors multiple community activities to promote the natural world.
Twisted Ink Club
The aim of the Twisted Ink Club is to draw interest to the English department and promote creative writing among English majors and minors as well as those who simply have a love of writing.
UMW Coffee Party
The mission of the UMW Coffee Party is to give a voice to UMW students who want to see cooperation in government to create positive solutions. Not affiliated with any political party, the Coffee Party is a data- and science-based organization whose members believe government is not the enemy of the people but a vehicle for citizens’ collective wills, and that Americans must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges the United States faces. The Coffee Party respects and embraces people of every gender, race, color, creed, national origin, age or sexual preference without exception and without conditions.
UMW Horseman’s Club
The University of Montana Western Horseman’s Club strives to promote and enhance the art of horsemanship. The club seeks to increase camaraderie between members of all horsemanship disciplines. The Horseman’s Club promotes interest, understanding, appreciation, and vigilance over the Western way of life, culture and affairs.
UMW Student Alumni Association
The Purpose of the UMWSAA is to bridge the gap between students, alumni, and the community of the University of Montana Western. The UMWSAA strives to instill pride in UMW and the community by developing opportunities to enhance knowledge, professionalism and leadership. The association seeks to increase the involvement, pride, and general morale on the UMW campus and within the Dillon community.
Montana Western Gaming Alliance
The purpose of this organization is to offer students of UMW and the surrounding community a chance to come together in an informal setting to enjoy a wide variety of gaming activities.
W.R.A.P.S.
This group is the University of Montana Western’s Research Association for Paranormal Studies. Members of W.R.A.P.S. seek to enhance the campus and community by researching local and surrounding sites that may contain paranormal activity. Dedicated to learning and researching areas of paranormal phenomenon, the group’s goal is to educate while maintaining professionalism in this unique field.
UMW EVENTS
From our successful athletic programs to our impressive list of campus clubs and organizations, there is no shortage of engaging activities at Montana Western.
