University Policy
It is the policy of Widener University not to discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, pregnancy status, age, race, national origin or ethnicity, religion, disability, status as a veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, or any protected class in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment practices, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. This policy is enforced under various federal and state laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Further, in compliance with state and federal laws, Widener University will provide the following information upon request: (a) copies of documents pertinent to the university’s accreditations, approvals, or licensing by external agencies or governmental bodies; (b) reports on crime and fire statistics and information on safety policies and procedures; and (c) information regarding gender equity relative to intercollegiate athletic programs—Contact: Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013; tel. 610-499-4151. Comments or requests for information regarding services and resources for disabled students should be directed to: Director of Disability Services, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013; tel. 610-499-1266; or Dean of Students, Widener University Delaware Law School, P.O. Box 7474, Wilmington, DE 19803; tel. 302-477-2173.
This publication contains information, policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements that were correct at the time of publication. In keeping with the educational mission of the university, the information, policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements contained herein are continually being reviewed, changed, and updated. Consequently, this document cannot be considered binding and must be used solely as an informational guide. Students are responsible for keeping informed of official policies and meeting all relevant requirements.
The university reserves the right and authority at any time to alter any or all of the statements contained herein, to modify the requirements for admission and graduation, to change or discontinue programs of study, to amend any regulation or policy affecting the student body, to increase tuition and fees, to deny admission, to revoke an offer of admission, and to dismiss from the university any student at any time, if it is deemed by the university to be in the best interest of the university, the university community, or the student to do so. The provisions of this publication are subject to change without notice, and nothing in this publication may be considered as setting forth terms of a contract between a student or a prospective student and Widener University.
Published by the Office of University Relations, June, 2021.
Mission
As a leading metropolitan university, we achieve our mission at Widener by creating a learning environment where curricula are connected to societal issues through civic engagement. We lead by providing a unique combination of liberal arts and professional education in a challenging, scholarly, and culturally diverse academic community. We engage our students through dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning. We inspire our students to be citizens of character who demonstrate professional and civic leadership. We contribute to the vitality and well-being of the communities we serve.
Strategic Goals
Rigorous academic expectations and high-impact educational practices that support intended learning outcomes.
- Articulate characteristics of rigorous academic expectations and practices.
- Raise the level of academic rigor.
- Expand the use of high-impact educational practices.
- Improve high-impact educational practices and student learning outcomes.
- Promote a university culture in which academic expectations and high-impact educational practices are developed, supported, and rewarded.
A dynamic campus environment that immerses students in meaningful curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular experiences.
- Increase students’ participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities that promote student success.
- Support and strengthen domestic and international university-recognized programs in order to engage students in global and multicultural activities.
- Develop a campus infrastructure that promotes a vibrant living and learning environment.
- Increase opportunities for student interactions outside the classroom with faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni.
- Foster life-long commitments to the university in students and alumni.
A culture of leadership that inspires students, faculty, and staff to have a positive influence on their workplaces, professions, communities, and the world.
- Position the university as a recognized international model for intellectual, scholarly, and experiential work on leadership.
- Develop and assess professional and civic leadership attributes in students.
- Provide collaborative academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular programs and experiences for leadership development.
- Engage faculty and staff with challenging leadership development opportunities.
A diverse university community that champions a culture of respect, civility, and inclusivity.
- Continue to foster a campus climate that values multiple perspectives and experiences.
- Prepare all students for success in a diverse and global society.
- Expand and promote access, equity, and success for disadvantaged and underrepresented students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Create and sustain institutional structures and processes to support a culture of inclusivity.
- Promote scholarship related to diversity and inclusive excellence.
Scholarship by faculty and students that enriches learning and advances knowledge within and across disciplines.
- Strengthen a culture that values, promotes, and supports faculty and student scholarship.
- Increase faculty participation in scholarly activities, including the scholarship of discovery, integration, teaching, application, and engagement, in addition to types of scholarship specific to particular disciplines.
- Increase student participation in scholarly activities.
- Increase collaboration between faculty and students in scholarly activities.
Civic engagement that furthers the university’s national and global leadership in educating engaged citizens and in contributing to the vitality and well-being of the communities we serve.
- Create and enhance institutional structures and processes to advance the university’s leadership in civic engagement.
- Increase the scope and impact of curricular and co-curricular civic engagement activities.
- Increase support for developing strategic reciprocal partnerships that enhance student learning through civic engagement.
- Enhance the university’s role as an anchor institution. Institutional agility and innovation that make the university attractive, accessible, and sustainable.
- Optimize the university’s enrollment.
- Achieve strategic initiatives through effective allocation and stewardship of human and financial resources.
- Anticipate and adapt to the changing environment with innovative educational and business practices.
- Construct and maintain facilities, including the technology infrastructure, that serve the diverse needs of the university community.
- Adopt policies and practices that promote efficient use and conservation of natural resources.
History
Widener was founded in 1821 as a preparatory school for boys in Wilmington, Delaware. The institution moved to Pennsylvania in 1862 and was granted collegiate powers and privileges via universal charter by the Pennsylvania legislature. From 1892 to 1972, it was known as Pennsylvania Military College, though it had officially become PMC Colleges in 1966 when a nonmilitary, coeducational component was added. The name Widener College was adopted, and the Corps of Cadets disbanded, in 1972. Graduate programs were introduced in 1967. In recognition of its comprehensive offerings, Widener College became Widener University in 1979. Today, Widener is a three-campus university offering more than 150 programs of study. Widener is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Engineering, School of Human Service Professions, School of Nursing, Delaware Law School, and Commonwealth Law School.
Widener University is a member of the Association for Continuing Higher Education and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
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