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Southern Illinois University Carbondale, now in its second century, is a major public higher education institution dedicated to quality academic endeavors in teaching and research, to supportive programming for student needs and development, to significant social and economic initiatives in the community, regional, and statewide contexts, and affirmative action and equal opportunity. Enrolling students throughout Illinois and the United States and from a large number of foreign countries, SIUC actively promotes the intellectual and social benefits of cultural pluralism, encourages the participation of non-traditional groups, and intentionally provides a cosmopolitan and general education context which expands student horizons and leads to superior undergraduate education. Seeking to meet the educational, vocational, social, and personal needs of its diverse population of students and fully realize their potential is a central purpose of the University. Emphasis on accessibility and regional service, which creates distinctive instructional, research, and public service programs, also gives SIUC its unique character among the nation's research universities. It underlies other academic developments, such as its extensive doctoral programs and the schools of medicine and law. Committed to the concept that research and creative activity are inherently valuable, the University supports intellectual exploration at advanced levels in traditional disciplines and in numerous specialized research undertakings, some of which are related directly to the southern Illinois region. Research directions are evolved from staff and faculty strengths and mature in keeping with long-term preparation and planning. Even as the University continually strives to perpetuate high quality in both instruction and research, it continues a long tradition of service to its community and region. Its unusual strengths in the creative and performing arts provide wide-ranging educational, entertainment, and cultural opportunities for its students, faculty, staff, and the public. Its public service programs and its involvement in the civic and social development of the region are manifestations of a general commitment to enhancing the quality of life through the exercise of academic skills and application of problem-solving techniques. SIUC seeks to help solve social, economic, educational, scientific, and technological problems, thereby improving the well-being of those whose lives come into contact with it. Siu is where brains and heart intersect. Our beautiful campus is home to significant opportunities in several fields. We welcome students from all walks of life from around the world and pride ourselves on inclusivity. SIU embraces a unique tradition of access and opportunity, inclusive excellence, innovation in research and creativity, and outstanding teaching focused on nurturing student success. As a nationally-ranked public research university and regional economic catalyst, we create and exchange knowledge to shape future leaders, improve our communities, and transform lives. At SIU, we've made it part of our mission to dismantle anything that stands between people and discovery. Whether through scholarships, grants, or loans, we put your college experience within reach. We will guide you through the process and will be available to assist you every step along the way, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to succeed at SIU. University Honors Program (UHP) is a university-wide undergraduate program intended to reward SIU's best students for their high academic achievements. We value community, diversity, leadership, service, lifelong learning, global awareness, and research, and are committed to providing both experience and opportunity to foster those values. The heart of the UHP is its small classes, unique and specially created for UHP students by outstanding UHP faculty to satisfy requirements of the University Core Curriculum and the student's major. We provide a taste of the private college experience at a state university price. Disability Support Services provides the required academic and programmatic support services to students with permanent and temporary disabilities. Disability services are located throughout the University in integrated settings. DSS provides centralized coordination and referral services. In order to utilize DSS services, students must come to the disability office to open cases. The process involves interviews, reviews of student-supplied documentation, and completing Disability Accommodation Agreements. The Center for Learning Support Services (CLSS) assists students of all cultures, abilities, backgrounds, and identities with becoming self-regulated learners who continually work to improve their academic performance through tutoring, academic coaching, and test preparation workshops. The Dean of Students Unit collaborates with students, campus, and the local community to provide a transformational experience that encourages Saluki pride, character, responsibility, initiative, respect, and values of diversity, academic achievement, engagement, service, leadership, and excellence. Founded in 1869 as the state's second teachers college – with a dozen academic departments and an inaugural class of 143 – SIU Carbondale is the Southern Illinois University System's flagship campus. It is a strong, diverse, student-centered research-intensive and comprehensive University that recently earned the prestigious 2015 community engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. That designation reflects our longstanding commitment to service and outreach. In 2013 alone, 237,000 central and southern Illinois residents benefited from 578 initiatives with more than 3,000 community partners. Diversity is an integral part of our legacy, dating to the inaugural class of 143 that included two African American students. Today, minority students make up 29 percent of our total enrollment. SIU Carbondale ranks among the nation's top colleges and universities in the number of degrees awarded to students in ethnic and racial minority groups. The physical beauty of the region is a major attraction to students, faculty, and visitors. Sixty miles to the south of Carbondale is the historic confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, the two forming the southern tip of Illinois. Situated within 10 miles of the campus are two state parks, the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, and four large recreational lakes. Much of the area is a part of the 240,000-acre Shawnee National Forest. View full university