Academic Resources

LIBRARIES

The College libraries—Stewart Memorial Library, located at the center of the campus and Fisher Music Library in Marquis Hall— contain 245,000 volumes and 16,000 pieces of media. Current subscriptions to some 15,000 periodicals and serials are maintained in print or electronic format, and about 6,000 book and journal volumes are added annually. The collections ably support undergraduate education and are especially strong in the areas of literature, history, and music. The Fisher Music Library contains over 5,000 compact discs and records, 4,000 scores and books, and is equipped with modern listening facilities. Media services to the campus are provided through the audiovisual department of the library. These services include a circulating collection of videotapes and DVDs, three media-equipped classrooms, and a variety of equipment and media available for use.

The main library houses a fine research collection consisting of both print and electronic bibliographies, periodical indexes and abstracts, and reference resources. The Reference Department assists students in the use of these resources and provides library orientations and instruction for specific courses. Library resources are rapidly accessed through the library’s automated catalog, with workstations located throughout the building, the Fisher Music Library, and the College’s network.

These resources are greatly augmented by the provision of OnLine Computer LibraryCenter (OCLC) First Search, EbscoHost, Lexis-Nexis, and other automated retrieval services, which make an additional 400 bibliographic databases available to student and faculty researchers. To further enhance research, the library maintains an extensive Web page: library.coe.edu. The library is an active member in county, state, and national computer-based library networks. It is a charter member of the Linn County Library Consortium, the Iowa Private Academic Libraries consortium, and has been a member of OCLC since 1978. Through these networks, the library successfully acquires over 98 percent of all requested interlibrary loan materials.

The George T. Henry College Archives contain thousands of photographs taken by Mr. Henry over more than 50 years as College photographer. The published works and notes of William L. Shirer, Coe class of 1925, which include over 3,000 pages of manuscript material for the book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and the literary works and selected private papers of Iowa poet Paul Engle ’31 are also housed there.

Selections from the College’s extensive art collection of approximately 500 works by 200 artists are displayed in four special galleries and throughout the Stewart Memorial Library. On view are works by famed American regionalist painters Grant Wood and Marvin Cone ’14. Conger Metcalf ’36 and other notable artists are also represented in the collection.

Six large farm murals by Grant Wood constitute the heart of the important regionalist portion of Coe’s collection. These murals are supplemented by nine smaller, yet significant works by Wood, including a charcoal on paper drawing of The Daughters of Revolution. Complementing the Grant Wood holdings is the comprehensive collection of paintings and drawings by Marvin Cone. Composed of over 60 pieces at this time, the Cone holdings are particularly noteworthy in that the majority of the pieces were personally selected by Marvin Cone as representative of major stylistic watersheds in his career. As such, they possess particular significance for both the scholar and the layperson. In addition to collecting works by native sons Cone and Wood, Coe College has acquired a distinguished collection of 50 works by Conger Metcalf ’36.

ACADEMIC COMPUTING

The Department of Academic Computing Services provides a wide range of software and hardware support to the College. The computer facilities consist of over 2,400 computer ports on a fully integrated campus-wide Local Area Network, including one port per student in the residence halls; wireless network in selected areas and an extensive software library containing the latest graphical versions of popular applications; 290 computers available for student use located throughout the academic buildings; and a computer in each faculty and staff office. Full Internet services are provided; http://www.coe.edu is the URL for the college’s World Wide Web site. Student-owned personal computers, either PC or Macintosh, which meet collegespecified minimum requirements, can be connected to the campus network. Academic Computing staff, located in Stewart Memorial Library, provide technical support and training from the departmental offices.

WRITING CENTER

The Coe Writing Center offers free individual writing assistance by appointment or on a drop-in basis for all students at Coe College. Staffed by 60 well-qualified student consultants, the Writing Center provides over 180 hours of tutoring per week. While most conferences occur in a central location (Peterson Hall 154), students may also schedule conferences with consultants in the residence halls to help with “last-minute” writing problems. For individuals or small groups, the Writing Center arranges workshops and mini-sessions on a variety of writing topics (outlining, revising techniques, documentation procedures, résumés, proofreading).

The Writing Center is a central element in supporting the College’s Writing-Across-the-Curriculum Program. Through the First-Year Seminars and the required Writing Emphasis courses, the College strives to ensure that all students become skilled writers within one or more academic disciplines.

THE OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

The College provides students a wide variety of support services through the Office of Student Affairs. Students in need of improving reading and study skills may seek the assistance of the staff of the Academic Achievement Program (AAP). Tutors are available through AAP. Appraisals of intellectual abilities, academic strengths, and learning skills also can be arranged through AAP. The AAP office is located in lower Voorhees.

Career counseling is provided to help students clarify their academic and vocational interests. Counselors in Career Services, located in upper Gage Memorial Union, help students select academic majors, plan internships, seek part-time jobs, and prepare for graduate school or career opportunities upon graduation.

Other important student services (e.g., health, residence halls, counseling) are described later in this catalog. A complete description of student services and student life programs at the College can be obtained from the Vice President for Student Affairs.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

First-Year Seminar instructors serve as the primary academic advisors for first-year students in their respective sections. Students thus see their advisors frequently during their first term at Coe and have the opportunity to work closely with them in developing overall programs of study and long-range goals. After the first term, students may decide to choose departmental consultants for academic advising or they may continue to be advised by their First-Year Seminar instructors. Of course, students are free to speak at any time with professors in their major departments to answer specific questions regarding requirements and courses in those departments. Students may change advisors upon request to the Registrar.