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TRANSFORMING STUDENT LIFE:
A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT
The Division of Student Life has been engaged this past year in reinventing itself, in response to President Gitenstein's charge to transform the division and refocus its energies and resources on the College's educational mission. Through a process of self-examination and collegial decision-making, we have articulated a mission statement, guiding principles and concepts, and a three-step transformative process of reorganization, realignment, and renewal that will be implemented over the next three years. Beginning immediately, however, Student Life will become the Division of Student Affairs.
Our earliest discussions made it clear that there exists, across the division, a remarkable consensus that "students are our passion and purpose" and that the twin imperatives of being student-centered and learning-focused must inform everything we do. President Gitenstein's challenge to "articulate a new student development model" and "foster a campus culture that values student life professionals as essential partners in the learning process," led to an examination of traditional and innovative models of student affairs practice. Kathleen Manning, a nationally recognized expert in student affairs, assisted us in this thought-provoking review. We consequently developed a hybrid model that establishes seamless learning and purposeful collaboration with academic affairs as hallmarks of our practice.
The structure that emerged from our work satisfies the president's mandate to "identify areas of focus, facilitate collaboration and consultation across functional areas, and reduce redundancies." The new arrangement of units and programs is both theoretically sound and administratively practical. Moreover, the structure clearly defines roles, responsibilities, and accountability for the division's core functions and for the attainment of its enduring goals.
It gives me great pleasure to report that the proposed reorganization has been received with enthusiasm. President Gitenstein has therefore authorized its phased implementation, which will require that the College invests strategically in the division over the next three years. A benefit of this phased approach is that it will allow for formative assessment and refinement of the plan.
Before I summarize the main points of the first phase, I want to report that, effective July 1, the following units have been assigned new names that better reflect their roles and functions:
- Student Life is now the Division of Student Affairs
- Residential and Community Development is now the Department of Residential Education and Housing
- Campus Activities is now the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development
REORGANIZATION: PHASE ONE
The implementation of the first phase is underway and will continue throughout the academic year as key positions are filled. The reorganization brings together offices, programs, services, and functions that would benefit from closer alignment, and takes into account the pressing need to address staffing needs in several areas of Student Affairs. Following, and illustrated in the Division's organizational chart, are the primary changes occurring during the first phase:
- The Office of the Vice President is being restructured to focus on policy, planning, budgeting, resource management, assessment and research, crisis response, and general administration of the student affairs enterprise. To provide support for the vice president, the College has created two positions (program coordinator and director of planning and administration) to be filled following completion of search processes.
- The Department of Athletics (Intercollegiate Operations, Intramural, Recreation and Club Sports, and athletic facilities, including the Physical Enhancement Center) and the Office of Auxiliary Services (Brower Student Center, Bookstore, Dining Services, Conference and Meeting Services, and vendor contracts) continue to report directly to the vice president.
- All other units, programs, and services have been grouped into two complementary clusters (the Dean of Students cluster and the Student Services cluster) based on student learning and development concepts and models.
- The associate vice president and dean of students will lead a cluster that focuses primarily on advancing student learning and development, and on building a strong sense of community on campus. When staffed and fully operational, the Office of the Dean of Students will serve as an initial point of contact for students. Reporting areas include Campus Ministries and Spiritual Center Programs, Community Standards, Multicultural Programs and Services (to be developed), Residential Education and Housing, and Student Activities and Leadership Development. We will initiate a national search in September to fill this key leadership post. In the meantime, I will serve as acting dean of students.
- The assistant vice president for student services will lead a cluster that also focuses primarily on meeting the needs of specific student populations, ameliorating barriers to student learning and success, and promoting the health and well-being of all students. Reporting areas include the Alcohol and Drug Education Program, Anti-Violence Initiatives, Differing Abilities Services, Health Services, Parent and Family Programs, Psychological Counseling Services, and ROTC. Magda Manetas, who has served most recently as executive director of student and residential development, has been appointed to this post. In 2007-2008, she will also assist in managing the dean of students portfolio.
- Academic Support Programs (including the Educational Opportunity Fund program and Center for Academic Success), under the leadership of James Boatwright, and Career Services (including Student Employment), under the leadership of Ceil O'Callaghan, have joined Student Affairs. These units facilitate student access to the experience and rewards of higher education. Their work complements the holistic approach Student Affairs takes to student learning and development and makes these units an important and most welcome addition to the division. Both offices will report directly to the vice president.
NEW LEADERSHIP ROLES
I am happy to announce that the following individuals have accepted new leadership roles in our division:
- Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development Tim Asher
- Director of the Center for Academic Success Ann DeGennaro
- Assistant Director of Housing Assignments Ryan Farnkopf
- Assistant Vice President for Student Services Magda Manetas
- Director of Housing Operations Sean Stallings
CONTINUING EVOLUTION
The intense work and accomplishments of the past year have shown that our student affairs educators are never more prolific than when challenged to create. We gratefully acknowledge the engagement and support of the campus community, which contributed in countless ways to the year's successes. We will encourage the development of creative ideas and proposals in 2007-08 through the expanded use of cross-functional teams and advisory groups. Hence, more structural changes and initiatives will be announced over the next year.
Thank you for being part of the evolution of the Division of Student Affairs.
James M. Norfleet
Vice President for Student Affairs
Related Resources
- Mission Statement
- Guiding Principles and Concepts
- Three-Step Process
- Organization Chart
- Academic Support Programs
- Career Services
