History
Governors State University was chartered by the Illinois General Assembly in 1969. It serves undergraduate students and those seeking master’s and doctoral degrees. In fall 2014 the university underwent a major transformation through the admission of its first freshmen class.
The university’s main campus is located in University Park, 35 miles south of Chicago and is easily accessible by car or commuter train. The campus is located on 760 acres of wooded landscape with several lakes and nature trails. It includes the internationally renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.
The curricula of the university are offered through four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Public Administration, the College of Education, and the College of Health and Human Services.
Mission
GSU is committed to offering an exceptional and accessible education that prepares students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in a global society.
Accreditation
Governors State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university is also a member of the Illinois Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs. Each program is accredited by a professional accrediting agency in each case where there is a national accreditation body.
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411;
Phone: 312.263.0456; 800.621.7440
FAX: 312.263.7462;
E-mail: hlc@hlcommission.org
Governance of the University
A seven-member board appointed by the governor of Illinois governs this university. One student serves as a member of the Board of Trustees. The president of the university is responsible to the Board of Trustees for the operation and general welfare of the university. The provost/academic vice president has general responsibility in the areas of academic personnel and programs. Governors State University’s four colleges are directly administered by their respective deans.
Faculty, civil service staff, and students participate in university affairs through membership on the Faculty Senate, Civil Service Senate, Student Senate, and academic and administrative committees. These groups consider and recommend policies and procedures to the president.
Academic Year
The Governors State University academic calendar offers 15- week Fall and Spring terms and a 12-week Summer term. The Fall 2019 term begins August 26, 2019 and ends December 8, 2019. The Spring 2020 term begins January 21, 2020 and ends May 11, 2020. The Spring term includes a one-week Spring Break during which classes will not be in session, though the University will be open for other business.
The Summer 2019 term begins May 18, 2020 and ends August 16, 2020.
For more detailed information about the calendar, visit www.govst.edu/academiccalendar.
Alumni Association
Alumni Programs and Activities
A wide range of programs and activities are offered to alumni throughout the year. Educational workshops and seminars are conducted. Alumni and their families are also invited to attend several social, cultural, and recreational activities, such as cruise outings, tickets to sporting events, and plays. The Alumni Association’s various clubs sponsor programs and events designed to help alumni connect and network with fellow alumni with similar majors and/or similar professions. An alumni e-newsletter is emailed monthly. A print newsletter highlighting alumni accomplishments is published once a year. Upcoming alumni events, club activities, as well as university news-related updates are announced in the monthly e-newsletter, the printed newsletter, and on the alumni website at www.govst.edu/alumni.
Alumni Membership
All graduates are considered basic members in the Alumni Association. Current students are granted basic membership upon request. Past students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours are also considered basic members. Recent graduates receive a one-year free premium membership in the Alumni Association upon graduation. Thereafter, premium membership will be extended to alumni who donate $50 or more to the GSU Foundation earmarked for use by the Alumni Association. Lifetime memberships are granted when donations made after March 2010 for Alumni Association use reach $650. Below is a list of some of the premium benefits:
- Center for Performing Arts - 15 percent ticket price discount on events sponsored and promoted by GSU’s Center for Performing Arts.
- Campus Recreation and Fitness Center - almost a 40 percent reduction in the membership fee.
- In-library use of library resources, including check-out privileges of printed materials and some media items.
- Access to the Academic Computing Lab Services.
- On-campus use of GSU’s common area computers, with access to Internet, e-mail, and MS Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
- Voting privileges and the right to hold office in the association.
- Discounted admission on selected Alumni Association sponsored events.
- Membership in Alumni Clubs of your choice.
- Community Partner Discounts.
For more information about alumni membership, call the Alumni Office at 708.534.4128.
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