By By: Morgan Watters
Staff-Writer/Cartoonist
The Wiekamp Educational Resource Commons, referred to as the WERC, is a student resource center located in the Education and Arts building at IU South Bend.
The WERC has been at IU South Bend for over 30 years and was previously known as the ERC before Dorothy Weikamp’s donation. It has extremely helpful resources for students to use that any of the staff can help you learn about.
The current director of the WERC, Ryan Weber, and other staff, including current students, are trained on how to use all the resources available. The WERC has three sections: the computer area, media room and the educational resource library.
Popular resources include:
– large format printing, up to 44 inches by 80 feet
– 3D printing (five different types and seven printers total)
– backing paper
– book binding
– one inch button maker (soon to be two inches)
– Cricut machine
– hot press
– ScanSnap scanners
– flatbed scanner
– Wacom Cintiq drawing tablets
– construction paper
– cardstock
– foam board
– poster board
The WERC charges only for material cost. Payments at the WERC are cash or check only, and they are not connected to student bursar accounts.
The WERC also provides renting services for items, including their Wacom Cintiq drawing tablets. There are six tablets total, but three can be rented.
Due to the pandemic, the WERC has seen a drop in student interaction and engagement. The WERC is not only useful for its resources, but also its spaces. There are numerous areas to complete homework or even hang out with friends. Don’t be afraid to stop by!
