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Faculty/Staff Resources

At Illinois State University, every member of the campus community contributes to student success.  As Illinois' first public university, ISU has built a long-standing culture of excellence, support, and collaboration, one of which both faculty and staff contributions help shape the student experience.  Faculty advance this mission through teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and the creation of meaningful learning opportunities in and beyond the classroom.  Staff strengthen student success by designing responsive services, maintaining an inclusive and welcoming campus environment, and offering the guidance, resources, and operational support that helps students navigate their academic and personal journeys.

The resources on this page are designed to support that work, offering tools, strategies, and information to help faculty and staff in their shared commitment to helping our students thrive.  Whether you directly support instruction, provide essential student services, or contribute to the University's mission in other meaningful ways, your work is integral to championing student success at ISU.

Loaner Laptops
The majority of the funds are being used to purchase loaner laptops, MiFis, and webcams to aide students in the online instructional environment. Any student who is facing technological difficulties should contact the Technology Support Center (TSC). The staff in the TSC will work with the student and will recommend a loaner laptop if appropriate.

Micro-grants
Through the Persistence Committee, funds are being used to award micro-grants to students in need. Referrals to the Persistence Committee should be made through the Redbird Care Team.

Persistence Committee

Illinois State recognizes that eliminating these barriers to student persistence is a full campus effort. To that end, the Persistence Committee was formed in 2018 to aid students in persisting at Illinois State through a variety of support measures including academic or financial support. The Persistence Committee discusses individual student cases with a case management approach to solving persistence the issues that might impede persistence for that individual student. Additionally, the committee looks at macro-level barriers to persistence and recommends solutions to eliminate those barriers.

The Persistence Committee also works closely with other student response teams including the Redbird Care Team. To refer a student for assistance, please contact Redbird Care Team.

Course Materials

The following resources may be helpful if faculty connect with students who express difficulty or concern paying for their course materials:

  • Milner Library offers textbook assistance.
  • Course Reserves are options and available in 2-hour time blocks inside Milner Library. 
  • If Milner or the instructor doesn't have a text, you can request Milner purchase it.  
  • The Financial Aid Office can ensure students who are experiencing financial difficulties are using all forms of available aid that may help them purchase textbooks.   
  • The peer-to-peer Student Navigator program can help students navigate these resources and explore/assist if the student is experiencing other basic needs insecurity. 
  • Milner Library lends technology devices such as laptops, calculators, microphones, and more.