Dec 08, 2024  
2012-2013 College Catalog 
    
2012-2013 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Life



New Student Registration and Family Orientation

Northwest hosts three New Student Registration and Family Orientation programs each summer. Students take placement tests, meet with advisors, register for classes, get information about academic planning, and much more. Families learn about student life at Northwest and how they can support their new students.

Visit the New Student Registration page of the NWC website for more information.

Kick-off Weekend Orientation

Northwest’s student orientation is a popular, four-day event called Kick-off Weekend. Students have the opportunity to make new friends, become acquainted with faculty and staff, and learn college survival skills prior to starting classes.

Visit the Kick-off Weekend section of the NWC website for more information.

Residential Life

Northwest’s Residential Life Program is an important part of students’ total collegiate experience at Northwest College. Our campus has five residence halls and two apartment complexes that can house nearly 900 students and family members.

Visit the Housing & Dining Services section of the NWC website for more information.

On-Campus Living Requirements

Students enrolled in nine or more credit hours are required to live in college residence halls their first two semesters. Exceptions are freshmen age 21 or over; freshmen who are married or are single parents with custody of child(ren); students who have completed two semesters of full-time credit at Northwest College or another college/university; and freshmen who are living at home with parents or legal guardians full time. Exemptions must be applied for and approved by the Housing Office. Students enrolled in less than nine credit hours are eligible to live in campus housing if space is available. Students who have children or minors living with them should explore housing options at Trapper Village Main or Trapper Village West.

Residence Hall Facilities

Residence halls are furnished and provide lounges, laundry facilities, computer labs, and in-room Internet, voice mail, and expanded basic cable TV. Each hall is managed by a Resident Director with help from student Resident Assistants. Programs through the Residential Life Office promote student development.

Residence Halls

Ashley Hall—148-bed coed hall
Cody Hall—180-bed coed hall
Colter Hall—88-bed coed hall
Lewis and Clark Hall—146-bed coed hall
Simpson Hall—154-bed coed hall (all female wings available)

Visit the Residence Halls section of the NWC website for more information.

Apartment Facilities

Northwest offers apartments in two campus locations. They are managed by residential apartment staff.

Trapper Village Main

Trapper Village Main has five apartment buildings containing one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Trapper Village West

Trapper Village West has 61 one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments.

Apartment Eligibility Requirements

Eligible students are:

  • single students who have spent two or more semesters in residence halls,
  • married students, and
  • single parents.

Eligible students must:

  • be documented as degree-seeking at Northwest College and
  • be enrolled in at least six Northwest College credit hours.

There is a four-year (eight-semester) limit on eligibility to live in college apartments.

Visit the Apartments section of the NWC website for more information.

Meal Plans

Students residing in the residence halls must participate in one of the five flexible meal plan choices (see eligibility in the Housing License Agreement and Contract).  Apartment residents may participate in any of the meal plans but are not required.  The Traditional 19, the Flex 15, the Traditional 10, the Flex 6, and the Traditional 5 plans offer “all you care to eat” meals with a variety of entrees, specialty stations and a huge  salad bar in the Dewitt Student Center.  All five plans also feature additional Flex Bucks that can be used in the 7th Street Grille or the Dining Hall.

Visit the Meal Plans page of the NWC website for more information.

Housing Contracts

Admitted applicants are sent housing information and a Housing/License Agreement and Contract Terms and Conditions of Residence form. View or download the form and get more information online:

Visit the Housing Contracts page of the NWC website for more information.

Housing Deposit / Deposit Refund

Northwest College requires a $100 ($200 for Simpson Hall) housing deposit and a $25 nonrefundable processing fee to reserve a space in the residence halls. Apartment deposits range from $300 to $400. Upon check-in, the deposit serves as a damage/ contract breakage deposit.

The housing damage deposit will be refunded under the following conditions.

  • Cancellation of housing contract or application prior to August 1 for fall semester, and December 1 (apartments) or December 15 (residence halls) for spring semester. All cancellations must be in writing and addressed to Northwest College, Housing Coordinator, 231 W Sixth Street, Powell, WY 82435-1890.
  • If a student is denied admission by the college.
  • When a student officially checks out of campus housing and completes the check-out paperwork with residence life staff and is withdrawing from Northwest College because of academic suspension. The deposit, less any charges assessed for loss, damage, or outstanding debts owed to the college, will be refunded to the student.

The deposit will be refunded by mail within 60 days after fulfillment of the above conditions.

Room and Board Refund

Students who check out of the residence halls or Trapper Village apartments before the end of the contract period will forfeit the deposit and will not receive a room, board, or rent refund. Students completely withdrawing from the college will be refunded based upon the institutional Refund Policy .  

There are no room, board, or rent deposit refunds for students dismissed from the residence halls or Trapper Village Apartments. See the Housing or Apartment License Agreement/Contract for more details.

Children’s Learning & Care Center

The NWC Children’s Learning and Care Center provides a warm, loving environment where toilet trained children ages 2-12 are offered diverse opportunities for growth and development. The individuality, uniqueness, and creativity of each child are respected and encouraged. Parent participation in the Center is welcome.

This well-equipped and staffed on-campus facility accepts children of students, faculty, staff, and select college partners. Child care is provided during daytime classes only.

Visit the Children’s Learning & Care Center section of the NWC website for more information.

DeWitt Student Center

Northwest’s DeWitt Student Center houses a 500-seat dining hall, the 7th Street Grille, a bookstore, a student lounge, a formal meeting room, and “The Oasis,” a multipurpose activities facility. Offices located in the center include Residence Life, Food Services, Bookstore, Student Senate, Student Activities and Intramurals, and Campus Security.

Student Activities and Organizations

Students have many opportunities to become involved with campus activities and organizations.

Student Activities

Students participate in annual activities such as hypnotist shows, dances, karaoke contests, talent shows, and comedy presentations as well as a variety of travel programs. Through the NWC Student Activities Office, students may attend baseball, hockey, and theater programs in Wyoming and southern Montana. These programs are free or offered at economical prices.

Visit the Activities and Recreation section of the NWC website for more information.

Student Government

Students enrolled in six or more credit hours are automatically members of the Associated Students of Northwest College. The governing body of ASNWC is the Student Senate, which is composed of six officers and five general representatives elected in the spring semester and seven additional general representatives elected in the fall. Through appointment or election by the Senate, students are represented on many college committees that assist in governance of the institution.

Visit the Student Senate section of the NWC website for more information.

Clubs and Organizations

More than 30 clubs and organizations are available to students. Some are associated with academic disciplines (e.g., Literacy Club, Block & Bridle, Rod Burners, and Nursing Club), others with special interests (e.g., International Club and Trapper ACES). Get more information at the Student Activities and Intramurals Office, the Residence Life Office, or online:

Visit the Clubs & Organizations section of the NWC website for more information.

Intercollegiate Athletics

The Northwest College athletics program is dedicated to the pursuit of athletic excellence within the framework of an academic community committed to the institution’s educational objectives.

Our programs are committed to helping students achieve intellectual, physical, and interpersonal growth while competing at the highest level of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).

By providing our programs with superior financial and physical resources and highly qualified professionals, Northwest College fosters in its participants a desire for excellence, respect for colleagues, fair play, teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and integrity.

Visit the Trapper Athletics section of the NWC website for more information.

Intramural Sports and Recreation

The intramural program offers the men and women of the campus community a structured, recreational schedule in 15 activities organized on both a team and individual basis. The entire program is voluntary and free. Informal recreation offers an outlet to individuals who desire a less structured, non-tournament form of sport recreation.

Visit the Intramural Sports page of the NWC website for more information.

The Johnson Fitness Center

The Johnson Fitness Center is a facility dedicated to promoting lifelong physical fitness, health, and wellness. The center provides equipment and programs to help individuals attain goals in the areas of health, fitness, physical conditioning, athletic training, weight control, stress management, and personal enrichment.

Visit the Johnson Fitness Center page of the NWC website for more information.

Outdoor Recreation

In addition to traditional sports activities, Northwest offers a broad variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Organized courses in rock and ice climbing, backpacking, spelunking, nordic and alpine skiing, kayaking, bicycling, and winter outdoor survival are offered throughout the school year. Trips and outings are also sponsored through various student organizations on campus.

Visit the Outdoor Education website for more information.

Recreation Equipment Co-Op

The Co-Op provides most of the equipment necessary to take advantage of both on-campus and off-campus recreational activities. Current students, faculty, and staff may check out equipment at no cost.

Visit the Recreation Equipment CO-OP page of the NWC website for more information.