About Shimer College
Shimer College is a private, four-year, liberal arts college located on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Shimer offers Great Books education in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Integrative Students to weekday, weekend, and early entrant undergraduate student populations. Reciprocal agreements with IIT and the VanderCook College of Music (also located on the IIT campus) allow Shimer students to take electives at all three campuses at no additional cost. Shimer students are also eligible to participate in and access student services and programs offered by IIT.
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention
Shimer College and the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) are committed to preventing drug abuse and the use of illicit drugs by members of the entire community. Shimer facilities and the IIT campus provide an environment free of the illegal use of drugs or alcohol.
Shimer students or staff may not purchase alcoholic beverages with college-approved student fees or with any other funds collected or administered by college-recognized student organizations.
Members of the Shimer College community are subject to federal, state, and local laws prohibiting the possession, use, sale, or distribution of marijuana, narcotics, or hallucinogenic drugs except under the direction of a licensed physician or dentist. Violations of these regulations may result in disciplinary action, including legal civil actions and expulsion.
Information or assistance regarding drug and alcohol abuse may be obtained through confidential referral to the IIT Student Health Center, IIT Counseling Center, or other local counseling centers affiliated with area hospitals. Shimer students should seek the assistance of the Shimer Dean of Students in obtaining a referral.
Undergraduate Retention & Graduation Rates
Shimer College’s retention rate is the percentage of first-time degree seeking students who enroll the following year. For the cohort of students who entered Shimer as first time full-time students in 2010, the retention rate is 84.6%. Of the cohort of students who entered Shimer as a first-time full-time student in 2005, 62.5% graduated in six years.
As reported by the National Center for Education, the six year graduation rate for the national 2005 cohort is 56%. For a discussion of the relevance of such statistics, see the article by David Glenn and the "Point of View" column in the 9/17/07 and 9/23/93 issues, respectively, of The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative is a collaborative effort among data providers in the higher education community and publishers of college data. The combined goal of this collaboration is to improve the quality and accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student's transition into higher education. Current year CDS information is available online.
Campus Crime Statistics
Criminal offenses are reported to the IIT Public Safety Office which maintains overall campus statistics. Instances of the following crimes are as follows:
| Crimes | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | Murder & non-negligent manslaughter
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Sex offenses, forcible and non-forcible
| 0 | 0 | 0 | | Robbery | 1 | 13 | 1 | Aggravated assault
| 1 | 2 | 4 | | Burglary | 10 | 13 | 32 | Motor vehicle theft
| 1 | 3 | 6 | | Arson | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Arrests
| 2010
| 2009
| 2008
| Liquor law violations
| 0
| 0
| 0
| Drug abuse violations
| 0
| 0
| 2
| Weapon(s) posessions
| 0
| 0
| 0
| Being located on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Shimer is required to include all offenses occurring on the IIT campus as well as within the IIT student residence halls. There were no reportable offenses on the Shimer campus for the years reported. More detailed crime statistics for Shimer College and IIT may be accessed at the IIT Public Safety website and selecting "Reports and Resources" or at the Office of Post Secondary Education website. Hate Crime Statistics Federal law requires institutions of higher education to report the incidence of hate crimes on their campuses. To this end, universities and colleges must separately identify which of certain crimes reported as part of Campus Crime Statistics involve victims who were intentionally selected because of their actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, or other protected status. None of the crimes reported by Shimer College and/or IIT were categorized as a hate crime. Reporting Campus Crime Criminal actions or emergencies affecting Shimer College students and guests, whether at Shimer or on the IIT campus, should be reported to a Shimer College official and to IIT Public Safety at 312/808-6363 (emergency) or 312/808-6300 (non-emergency). Chicago police and fire can be reached by dialing 911 in an emergency. Campus Security As part of the Shimer/IIT campus arrangement, IIT provides security for Shimer students, faculty, staff, and guests. The IIT Public Safety officer receive their authority from the State of Illinois and have full enforcement authority for all properties owned or controlled by IIT (including the facilities of Shimer College). IIT Public Safety maintains a close working relationship with the Chicago Police Department. Internal Security policies for Shimer College are set forth in the current editions of the Shimer College Staff Handbook and Shimer College Student Handbook which are available from the Shimer Human Resources and the Shimer Dean of Students' offices respectively. As contained within both, the following information is most relevant: All laws and ordinances of the United States, the State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago are in effect on the campus of Shimer College. Shimer is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws concerning use and possession of, and traffic in, controlled substances. On-campus violation(s) of any one or more of those laws or ordinances are also violations of the rules of Shimer College and will be treated accordingly. In general, any alleged criminal activities by students on or off-campus should be reported to the Shimer Dean of Students. Misconduct by staff should be reported to the supervising department head.
Security Awareness & Crime Prevention The focus of security is on prevention. Toward this end, students, faculty, and staff are made aware of crime prevention strategies through the following: Orientation: At the time of their first enrollment in college, all students are instructed in campus security policies. Likewise, at the time of their initial employment, all staff are instructed in campus security policies. Common sense approaches to crime prevention, general safety policies, and crime reporting are reviewed. Crime Prevention announcements and presentations: Appropriate Shimer staff make routine presentations and announcements pertaining to crime prevention on a periodic basis throughout the academic year. As necessary, safety alerts to the entire Shimer campus security are disseminated by the Shimer Dean of Students and/or other appropriate staff. Information: Instructions on crime reporting and public safety phone numbers are posted throughout Shimer facilities and the IIT campus. Additionally, Shimer facility hours are posted and enforced by IIT's Public Safety officers and Shimer's personnel. All Shimer facilities are inspected twice daily by IIT personnel. Shimer facilities and the entire IIT campus are well-lit and patrolled 24 hours a day by IIT Public Safety. An electronic duress alarm system is strategically located throughout the campus. Escorts to cars and public transportation are provided by IIT campus Public Safety officers. Missing Student Notification Designated parties to receive a report of a missing student are either the ITT Public Safety Office or the Shimer Dean of Students' Office. Any campus member as well as parents of current students may contact either entity to report a missing student, regardless of whether the student lives in on-campus IIT housing. Detailed information about process and procedure relating to missing students is contained within the current edition of the Shimer Student Handbook or the IIT Public Safety Office. Fire Safety Statistics Any applicable Shimer fire safety reports or statistics are reported to IIT Public Safety. Fire safety statistics as applicable to on-campus IIT residence halls may be accessed under "Reports and Resources" on the IIT Public Safety website. There were no reportable fire safety reports within Shimer facilities for the year reported. A Shimer staff member is designated as fire safety monitor for Shimer facilities. Fire safety policies and procedures for Shimer facilities, including fire safety education, evacuation, and drills, is disseminated annually. Fire evacuation procedures are posted throughout Shimer facilities and on the IIT campus. Health Information As part of the Shimer/IIT campus arrangement, Shimer students may access the educational and healthcare services available through the IIT Health Center and Counseling offices. Shimer students are required to provide documentation of appropriate immunization as required by college and applicable local, state, and federal law. Shimer students are required to maintain and provide proof of health insurance. Shimer students are eligible for health insurance coverage available through IIT. The incidence if meningococcal disease has risen sharply on US college campuses. First year students living in on-campus housing are at six-times greater risk of contracting the disease than other undergraduates. Meningococcal disease is a serious health hazard, with a 10% mortality rate and an 11-19% rate of permanent morbidity - including brain damage, amputation, and hearing loss - among survivors. Vaccination is strongly recommended by national health organizations. It is available free from the IIT Health Center or at cost from area pharmacies or your family doctor. Voter Registration You may obtain an Illinois state voter registration form by written request mailed to the following address: Illinois State Board of Elections
1020 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704
If you have further questions, you may contact the Illinois State Board of Elections at 217/782-4141.
Anyone who is a resident of a state other than Illinois can find registration instructions at www.eac.gov/voter_resources. You must be a US citizen and 18 years of age or older to vote. The deadline for voter registration is 28 days prior to the election. |
