Indiana University South Bend — Attraction in South Bend

My biggest suggestion is not to live in housing. Also, don't get too sucked in to the 'we care about you' mentality they portray at admissions. It's a business and they run it like one. You are buying a product (education) and they do a great job of requiring you to purchase a lot of (what i would deem) unnecessary items (such as a class on how to do internet searches and how to use the library, which is MANDATORY for all students) to maximize profit. They don't give you the opportunity to test out of very many classes.

The housing is convenient but it is not worth the cost nor the headache of dealing with the people who run it. I lived there several years and wish I hadn't. They have many rules in place that I felt like they did not enforce. There seemed to be illegal activity and rule breaking going on in my suite many times over the years I lived there. When I told the staff/administration about it, they said (more or less), "what do you want us to do about it?" or told me that I was on a witch hunt. When there was proof present (such as empty beer cans and me being the only one old enough to legally buy/drink alcohol) they would claim, "well, this is proof that there was alcohol, but there is no proof tying it to who drank." When I posted about it on facebook, I was told by the administration that I 'was walking a dangerous line of being slanderous', yet when people living in housing post pictures/videos of them breaking rules or laws on facebook on campus in their rooms, it's a violation of their privacy to do anything about it. Seems like a double standard if you ask me; I am told I could be help liable for slander for things i say on facebook, yet other people could post statuses, photos, or videos of doing illegal things in housing and get away with it... THIS IS JUST MY EXPERIENCE, MY PERSONAL REFLECTION. This in no way reflects that actual goings on at housing. I mean no ill-will, nor intent to harm housing; I am just reporting it as I felt I experienced my time living there.

The professors are hit or miss, some of them really deeply care about the students succeeding, while others have a "it's just a job to me" attitude.

It's a very inexpensive college, even after they nickel and dime you with fees (such as forcing you to pay $30 a semester on a printing account and then pocketing anything you don't use at the end of the semester; it doesn't roll over, if you don't print $30 in printing, you lost the money.)

If you are looking for an entry way into college, then I would suggest coming here for a year, getting good grades to have a great GPA, and then transferring out. My entire time here I have felt they have wanted nothing more than to make it a fight to succeed (almost to the point of oppression); instead of helping me succeed, I have felt held down more...

IUSB is a terrible institution. While I was attending this school, I learned to realize that you should never count on anyone in any administrative role to care about you. In my opinion, the university cares about one thing: Money. They could not care less if your professor is a dishonest instructor that has to curve grades to pass students, they could not care less if you have any disabilities outside of physical disabilities, and in general, they could not care less about you. Now, that doesn't mean that every instructor was terrible. I had some great instructors there. However, I still hated being on that campus while I was there. Almost everything about the place made me transfer. They like to talk it up as some sort of growing, vibrant campus that has a lot of fun stuff to do. Wrong. It's boring. They have two little restaurants that serve generic garbage food that aren't even open late to accommodate the on-campus students, the "events" they hold on campus are usually a joke as well, and normally have some sort of Liberal slant to them (which, the campus is primarily composed of Liberal Arts majors that are tree hugging hippies. That's okay, but not for a university-sponsored event.

Additionally, a lot of the academic advising is poor. Before I switched majors, I had an adviser in the Education school that never once responded to my emails or phone calls for assistance. Only when he needed additional information of ME did I get a message. However, it never addressed anything I asked. The business school was better, but they still have a lot of garbage professors.

I don't know why this school tries to present the image of awesomeness that they attempt. Take a tour of campus and see for yourself. Experience the putrid smelling and poorly cleaned restrooms (even the remodeled or new bathrooms smell!)

It's just not a great place. You may enjoy some classes, and perhaps you may be able to get a job outside of Michiana with your IUSB degree, but there's a lot to not like about this school.

However, if you are a guy, the girls on campus, for the most part, are plentiful and absolutely gorgeous. But, if you care about your education and getting true value for your money, do yourself a favor and go...

I came here at Masters of Music, which is a very mentally and financially demanding. There is no medical insurance offered for graduate students yet I was demanded to be at school for over 30 hours a week doing useless ensembles ( 2 required a semester). The inflexible program makes it impossible for you to work a job that can provide health insurance. I came there to study with faculty not for the program. While I am grateful for Dr. Muniz and Dr. Olivier, the program is not worth the demands. The administration offices will not help you and in fact find ways to make your already draining and stressful schedule more of a headache. Such as students are forced to attend recital hour, and also turn in 5 cultural events (basically only IUSB recital events, however this is not mentioned in so plainly and bluntly as it should be.) Students must pass this class 8 semesters (4 if a graduate student). The problem is that the instructor waits until the end of the semester to tell you that your 5 events submitted early in the semester are not going to be approved, which means you have to take this class again. The problem is: this is Friday at noon class, so if you come back an extra semester just for this class, it will interfere with your ability to have a full time job with any benefits. The administration will treat you poorly but expect you to praise their school. The ensembles are basic, a very conservative and religious choir, orchestra and wind band. The school should have a rock/pop ensemble but god forbid enabling students with any skills they use in the present. If you are a creative person, look at Columbia College Chicago. The administration at IUSB has almost zero accountability therefore your money, time and mind will be swallowed up by their...