There’s a place on campus where students can find a sofa, comfortable chairs, computers, a microwave and coffee maker – and it’s not a dorm room.
The Non-Traditional Student Center can be found in Eder 200A and is open daily from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. for students taking both morning and evening classes.
“Come in before class; get a cup of coffee,” said Ellen Kisker, director of the Non-Traditional Student Services. “It’s a place where you can shift gears from work or being home with the kids to student,” Kisker said of the 5,100 students at Missouri Western, 1,100 of which are non-traditional students.
However, Kisker encourages all students to use the lounge in the center.
According to the Non-Traditional Student Services Web page, a non-traditional student can be defined as anyone who is 25 years or older, going to college for the first time and/or
coming back after an absence and does not conform to the definition of a traditional student.
Kisker came to Western in 1986 as instructor, and in 1987 she became the coordinator of the Women’s Educational Resource Center. “I started having more and more guys come in and ask questions,” Kisker said.
In 1990 the center was renamed the Non-Traditional Student Services to open resources to both female and male students.
The center is an information center for all non-traditional students and also helps first-time students.
“I try to get them started,” Kisker said. “I help them with admissions and their FAFSA.”
Kisker said that she discusses finding a major with them and answers questions they may have about returning to college. Sometimes her job is helping new students with the college terminology of what is a credit hour, she said.
Kisker said that the non-traditional student has to juggle a huge balancing act. Many students have to decide how to balance home and school.
“How will my family survive with me being in school?” Kisker quoted many students asking her.
The center is a place where students can find not only information on how to become enrolled in school, but also it is a support system for those students who are trying to balance home, work and school through the Non-Traditional Student Association Club. Kisker said that in a typical semester 60-70 students will join the club. The fees for the club are $5 per semester.
Members in the club can run for offices, as well as are eligible to vote for those running for offices inside the club.
“There are a lot of benefits to belonging to the club,” said Michelle Cox, who is currently the vice-president of the Non-Traditional Student Association Club and will be running for president for the upcoming 2007-2008 semester.
“When you say you belong to the club, it looks good for scholarship and job applications, and you can vote for leaders.”
The Non-Traditional Student Association frequently has coffee and conversation in the lounge and plans to hold the next coffee from 9 a.m. to noon on March 28.
“It’s a great time for us to see each other,” Cox said.
For students considering college at a later time in life, there will be a seminar on March 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Eder, room 208.
Students can come and discuss enrolling, getting financial aid, finding resources on campus, finding a major and other things that might be of question. Students can also receive a short tour of campus. To sign up for this program, students should contact Kisker at 271-4280.
There will be a non-traditional student’s banquet, which will be held April 30, to recognize the graduates as well as the accomplishments of those outstanding students throughout the year. Admission is free for students who are paid members of the NTSA Club and have been active in the club throughout the year.
All non-traditional students are invited to attend the banquet at a minimal charge whether they are paid members or not.