Mission Statement

Ripon College prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Our liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education.

Vision Statement

Ripon envisions itself as a venerable, prosperous, and widely respected liberal arts college that is proud of its history and confident about its future.

An intense engagement with and concern for the academic, artistic, and personal development of students have defined Ripon since its founding on the Wisconsin frontier and will always be enduring characteristics of the college.

Vigorous and healthy growth will place Ripon in a distinctive class of intentionally sized, intellectually vibrant, and civic-minded colleges. Ripon will attract students, faculty and staff of excellent character, great potential and high quality, and the college will be increasingly appealing to its alumni. Ripon will interact conscientiously with the local community and will extend its reach to the nation and the world at large.

Ripon College will command broad interest, recognition, support, and respect. A burgeoning spirit of optimism and opportunity, accessibility and possibility will emanate from the college and will inspire it to imagine--and to do--great things.

Core Values

We are committed to:

Serious Intellectual Inquiry

A standard of academic excellence fosters scholarly and artistic achievement and promotes lifelong learning.

Integrity

Ethical conduct guides the college. Decisions and actions reflect the principles of honesty, fairness, candor, respect, responsibility, trust, inclusiveness, and openness.

Diverse Community

Differences of perspective, experience, background, and heritage enrich the college. Relationships are sincere, friendly, welcoming and supportive.

Stewardship

Ripon College is a responsible steward of its mission, traditions, and resources.

Service

Service within and beyond the campus enables effective governance, encourages community engagement, and creates leadership opportunities.

Leadership and Management

Strategic Initiative: By creating an environment of mutual respect and participative management, members of the Ripon College community demonstrate strong leadership skills which inspire creativity and generate enthusiasm in living the mission and reaching the vision established for the College.

Goal: Develop and implement an operating structure that enables the accomplishment of the key strategic initiatives that support the Ripon College Vision Statement.

Indicators:

~ A Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and a set of Core Values are articulated and put into practice.

~ A set of aspirant colleges has been identified for benchmarking purposes.

~ A mechanism has been developed and is being used to update others on the status of the strategic initiatives and goals.

Goal: Sustain a high level of employee morale.

Indicators:

~ An assessment tool is used on a regular basis to assist in maintaining and/or improving morale.

~ Compensation policies are competitive with aspirant institutions.

~ An employee retention report has been developed and is reviewed on an annual basis.

Goal: Strengthen the financial position of the college.

Indicators:

~ The Composite Financial Index (a weighted average of the primary reserve ratio, the net income ratio, the return on net assets ratio, and the viability ratio) equals three or better and exceeds the aspirant institution indices.

~ Endowment market value exceeds $100 million.

~ The endowment per student is equal to that of the aspirant schools.

~ Net operating revenue is optimized and the overall unfunded discount rate is reduced.

~ Enrollment sustains appropriate operating budget levels.

~ The size and quality of the Board of Trustees is optimal.

The College reserves the right to update the Student Handbook during the year if necessary.

Office of Alumni Relations, Annual Fund and Parent Programs
The office, located on the first floor of Smith Hall, coordinates major on-campus activities such as Commencement, Alumni Weekend and Family Weekend, as well as other on-campus and off-campus area alumni gatherings. It works with the Alumni Association Board of Directors and Parent Advisory Board to promote programs and events that advance the common interests of these constituencies and the College. Additionally, the office is responsible for fundraising to support the College operating budget, including funds to provide scholarships and financial aid for our students. The Office of Alumni Relations, Annual Fund and Parent Programs also works closely with other advancement staff offices, other offices throughout the College and community officials to promote common interests and achieve our educational mission.

Bookstore
The Ripon College Bookstore is on the main level of Pickard Commons. The bookstore hours during the academic year are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and some special event weekends. The bookstore is the campus supplier of both new and used textbooks specific to your class needs. In addition to textbooks, the bookstore also carries a vast selection of Ripon College apparel, gifts, trade books, magazines and supplies. UPS shipping services also are available.

Methods of payment accepted at the bookstore are cash, MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover, and personal checks. Personal checks are accepted with a valid driver’s license or ID card with picture.

Visit the Ripon College Bookstore Web site at www.efollett.com or www.ripon.edu and order your textbooks online to avoid the long lines in the bookstore during rush week. You can order your Ripon College apparel and gifts online. Ripon College students also are eligible to purchase more than 6,000 software titles at academic pricing that can save you up to 85 percent of the purchase price.

Textbook Return Policy: Always have your ORIGINAL sales receipt available for any exchange or return. New books must be returned in the same condition as purchased for a full credit. All shrink-wrapped texts must be unopened to be considered for a full refund. All books sold with a CD included must be returned with such CD.

Textbooks may be returned for a full refund up to seven days from the first day of classes or two days from the original purchase date after the first week of classes. Upon proof of a dropped class, returns can be made within 30 days from the start of classes or until the end of the official drop/add period, whichever comes first. You must have the original receipt for this transaction to be completed.

Textbooks purchased during the last week of classes or during exams may be sold back ONLY under the book buy-back policy — OR — used book buy-back prices will be used if your return is outside of the guidelines established above.

ALL REFUNDS WILL BE RETURNED IN THE ORIGINAL FORM THAT PAYMENT WAS MADE.

Break Transportation
There will be transportation provided to Ripon College students at specific times during the academic school year. A College vehicle will be used to transport students to or from Oshkosh’s Greyhound Bus Station, Appleton’s Outagamie County Airport and Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport according to the schedule below. Contact the Student Activities Office to make reservations. A fee of $10 is charged for transportation to or from Appleton and Oshkosh. A fee of $20 is charged for transportation to or from Milwaukee. Because vehicles and space are limited, advance registration is required. We recommend students contact the student activities office BEFORE making flight arrangements.

• Beginning of Year
  Saturday, Aug. 18 – new students
  Monday, Aug. 20 – returning students
• Fall Break
  Friday, Oct. 12
  Sunday, Oct. 21
• Thanksgiving Break
  Wednesday, Nov. 21
  Sunday, Nov. 25
• Winter Break
  Wednesday, Dec. 12
  Friday, Dec. 14 (Appleton only)
  Saturday, Dec. 15
  Sunday, Jan. 13
• Spring Break
  Friday, March 7
  Sunday, March 16
• End of Year
  Monday, May 5
  Tuesday, May 6 (Appleton only)
  Wednesday, May 7

Career Development
The Office of Career Development provides services that afford students the opportunity to explore themselves and the world of work within the context of their educational experience. This is accomplished through a programmatic advising system in which services and programs are packaged and delivered in a variety of ways.

Our mission involves three principal functions: 1) career planning (an ongoing developmental process), 2) career exploration (identifying options), and 3) career search (necessary skill acquisition to enter the job market or graduate school).

In the career planning stage, students are challenged to think about their interests, values, skills and goals as a basis for choosing and preparing for careers. During career exploration, students learn to better understand the world of work and to realistically relate their own interest to available possibilities. In the career search stage, more emphasis is placed on acquiring skills such as resume and letter writing, interviewing techniques, graduate school search and testing, and job search strategies. Opportunities are designed to prepare students to initiate plans for a successful transition from Ripon College.

The Career Development Office is located in Bartlett Hall.

Computer Services
Computer services are available to the College community through the facilities of Kemper Computer Center and open-use laboratories at various other campus locations. The Center provides e-mail accounts, network access, and PC and Mac systems for staff and student use. Students have access to the facilities from 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, and on a limited basis on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Students also have access to open-use computer facilities in Lane Library, Todd Wehr Hall, Rodman Center and Communicating Plus during their hours of operation. All residence hall rooms have network access allowing students to connect their own computer to the Ripon College network.

Computer Center student and professional staff are available to assist students in the use of the College’s computer systems and networks. Local businesses can repair and support a variety of personal computer systems. Other services include online access to the Ripon College library catalog as well as complete access to Internet and World Wide Web sites from any open use computer facility. Students also may establish their own home pages on the College’s World Wide Web server. Students wishing to use electronic mail or other Internet services should inquire at the Computer Center in Kemper Hall.

In computer use, as in other aspects of our lives, respect for other people is the guiding principle. Appropriate computer use respects the rights, sensitivities and resources of others. Respect for others is manifested in computer use in several ways: respect for the privacy of others’ computer information, respect for the intellectual rights of software creators and respect for the computer resources that we share. Users of the College’s computer and network resources agree to the terms set out in the document entitled “The Ethical Use of Computing and Networking Resources at Ripon College,” which can be found on the College’s Web site. The College does not regularly monitor online communities.

Theft or abuse of computer time include, but are not limited to: unauthorized entry into a file to use, read or change the contents, or for any other purpose; unauthorized transfer of a file; unauthorized use of another person’s identification and password; use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member or College official or staff member; use of computing facilities to send harassing obscene or abusive messages; the sending or causing to receive, harassing, obscene or pornographic drawings, images, photographs or the like; plagiarism or fabrication of electronic sources; or using electronic sources to cheat on academic assignments; use of computing facilities or capabilities to interfere with normal operation of the College computing system. Misuses as defined in policies guiding campus information systems, electronic equipment and use. Copies of these policies can be found in all computing labs on campus and on the Ripon Web page. Extreme or repeated misuse may result in referral to the dean of students.

Counseling Services
On-campus counseling services are available to Ripon College students at no charge. These services include individual and group counseling, referral and educational programs. Students also may access anonymous online screenings for depression, alcohol and eating disorders on the Ripon College counseling center Web page: www.ripon.edu/administration/ health.

Individual and group counseling may help students gain a better understanding of their concerns and may assist them in learning to cope more effectively. Appointments for counseling may be made Monday through Friday during the school year. The counseling center is located on the third floor of Bartlett Hall.

Referrals to on-campus and off-campus resources will be made for special needs and services. Fees for off-campus services will be the responsibility of the student.

Informational programs on topics such as stress management, relationships, eating disorders and self-esteem may be arranged for campus organizations and residence hall groups. These programs may be scheduled during the day or in the evening.

Contact the counseling center for more information.

Duplicating Department
The duplicating department provides printing services for College publications as well as duplicating services for students, faculty and administrative offices. Services available to students include copying, duplicating and offset printing. Information is available from the department, located in the basement of Smith Hall.

Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid administers scholarship, grant, loan and student employment programs. All related questions should be directed to the office located on first floor of Smith Hall. The office is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year.

Financial Emergencies—Portegys Memorial Loan Fund
Students are able to borrow a maximum of $100 from the Portegys Memorial Loan Fund. The administration of this fund falls within the jurisdiction of the office of financial aid. The loan is interest-free for 90 days. Loans not paid within 90 days will be charged a $5 late fee and then will be turned over to the business office to be added to the student’s bill. Transcripts and further borrowing privileges will be withheld when loans are past due. Seniors must repay the loan prior to graduation or diplomas and official transcripts will be withheld. Use of the services of an outside collection agency will be used to collect past due loan balances.

Health Service
The student health service provides basic health care to the student community within the limits of its professional, technical and physical resources. Included are acute care for illness and emergencies, health and wellness promotion, and opportunities to participate actively in your own health care.
The health service is located on third floor of Bartlett Hall. For emergencies, care is provided through the emergency service of Ripon Medical Center. Physician services are available in the community on a fee-for-service basis.

Library
Lane Library was built in 1930 and expanded in 1974 with the addition of the Wehr Learning Resources Center. Lane currently contains more than 300,000 items, including books, government publications, videos, microforms and periodicals. A federal depository since 1982, the Library receives approximately 15 percent of the materials published by the Government Printing Office, including many online titles. Lane Library became a depository for Wisconsin documents in 2002 and now receives around 1,500 state publications per year. In addition to print resources, the Library houses the Waitkus computer lab. The main floor of the Library offers wireless Internet access and an Information Commons with additional workstations.

Lane Library is suitable for many classes and group meetings, as well as a great place for individuals to study and socialize. The Library is open more than 80 hours per week, and librarians are available for personalized research assistance from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

ROSLIN (Ripon’s Online System for Library Information) provides access to the Library’s collection and Internet access to other library catalogs worldwide. The Library also subscribes to many online databases, several of which provide full-text access to academic journals and major newspapers.
Active membership in WiLS (Wisconsin Interlibrary Services) and the Fox Valley Library Council allow the Ripon College community interlibrary and reciprocal on-site borrowing privileges at a number of other area institutions.

In addition to Lane Library, Ripon College has two other resource centers on campus. The Rodman Center contains music and art slide collections. A curriculum resource center with K-12 textbooks, periodicals, teaching materials and multicultural curriculum resources is available in Todd Wehr Hall.

Lost and Found
All lost items should be reported and any found articles should be turned in to the dean of students office, Bartlett Hall 101 (ext. 111). You may claim your items there.

Mail Center

Mail to students on campus must be addressed to:
Student’s Name
600 Campus Drive, Unit #
Ripon, WI 54971

U.S. mail is delivered daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

The Ripon College mail center is located on the ground floor of Harwood Union. The mail center provides mail service to all Ripon College students, faculty and staff through an assigned mailbox system. Packages that are too large for mailboxes are housed in the mail center office. Students will receive a package slip in their mailbox notifying them that a package has been delivered. Students must present the package slip along with their student ID to the mail center clerk to receive their package.

The mail center also serves as a shipping point for U.S. mail. Package shipping via UPS is available through the bookstore.

All Ripon College affiliated organizations, faculty, staff and students may use the services of the mail center. Any bulk mailings to students (no more than 925 copies), and/or to all faculty and staff (no more than 230 copies), should be delivered to the mail center allowing at least three business days for distribution. A specific distribution date cannot be requested. Flyers stuffed in student mailboxes will be allowed only in special circumstances and must be approved by the dean of students. All mailings to a select group of students must have their unit number on and be in numerical order. The mail center is not available to non-affiliated Ripon College groups or businesses for promotion or advertising purposes.

Fax machine services are available in the mail center for a nominal fee.

If you have questions concerning the services or policies of the mail center, please call 748-8166.

Office of Marketing and Communication
The Office of Marketing and Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a broad-based communications program with an emphasis on marketing, institutional image, publications, media and public relations. Toward that end, the office works with faculty, staff and students to promote special events and the mission of the College to internal and external audiences. Media relations include contact with local, regional and national newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations. The Office of Marketing and Communication produces a variety of College publications, including the catalog and campus directory; informational and promotional posters, newsletters, brochures and booklets; admission materials and Ripon Magazine. The office also has primary responsibility for the development and maintenance of the College Web site.

The Office of Marketing and Communication is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.

Participation in Commencement
Commencement at Ripon College is held once a year, in May. Students who have received or will receive the degree may participate in the ceremony. Students who will not be receiving the degree must submit a petition to participate in the commencement ceremony. For information, contact the registrar.

Physical Plant Department
The Physical Plant Department performs a variety of services in connection with the maintenance, housekeeping, safety and security functions associated with all campus buildings and grounds. Student organizations frequently requisition the services of this department when planning special events on campus.

Students should go through their hall director to report items needing repair. In case of emergency, however, students should call the physical plant emergency number, ext. 703. This will connect you to a radio paging system. Follow the directions at the voice prompt.

Registrar
The registrar supervises the enrollment of new students, registers all students, transcribes all records of students during the period of their enrollment at Ripon, schedules classes and examinations, certifies students for graduation and prepares and mails transcripts upon the written request of the student within the guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Refer to the section on confidentiality of student records in this handbook for more information.

Transcripts cost $4 per copy, and requests must be made in person or in writing. Normally requests can be processed within 48 hours. Allow at least 10 days at the end of term. Transcripts will be issued when all financial obligations to the college are fulfilled.

The registrar is responsible for maintaining the computer database for all undergraduate academic records. The registrar also is responsible for the reservation of rooms in the College’s academic buildings for classes.

It is important that students provide the registrar with up-to-date information about address changes and/or marital status for themselves and their parents. To make a change, fill out a form available from the office of the registrar.

Student Support Services
Student Support Services is a United States Department of Education-supported program and provides numerous academic, personal and career services to a large percentage of students on the Ripon College campus. Students qualify if neither parent graduated from a four-year college or university or are considered to be lower income or hold documentation of a physical or learning disability.

Many students regularly use the program on a drop-in or appointment basis and benefit from the following services and opportunities: academic success strategies, tutoring services, resume assistance, personal and career guidance, educational and cultural trips, summer research and graduate school opportunities, free laptop computer availability, accommodations for students with disabilities, teacher certification testing, peer contacts, computer stations and workshops on various topics.

Student Support Services is located in G1 Bartlett Hall.

Study Rooms
In addition to the library, five rooms on the north end of Todd Wehr Hall’s first floor will be open for study Sunday through Friday until approximately 10 p.m., with hours extended during final examinations.