The mission of the Division of Student Affairs is to provide high quality student services and developmental programs that support the academic mission of the University and promote student learning outcomes such as civic and community responsibility, development of identity, and the acquisition of cognitive, life, leadership, and interpersonal/intrapersonal skills. The goal of Student Affairs is to engage students in their learning and help them succeed. Providing developmental and educational programs, services, and environments that contribute to a student's personal growth and support the academic mission of WCU, ultimately contribute to student retention and graduation. The Division of Student Affairs has identified shared core values, assumptions, and essential functions that drive our decisions and guide programs, activities, and interactions with students.

To accomplish the goals outlined in the "WCU Plan for Excellence", the Division of Student Affairs has identified the following updated Strategic Plan Priorities. The Strategic Plan also complements other ongoing commitments articulated in the Division's formal "Mission" and "Student Learning Outcomes" statements see: http://www.wcupa.edu/_services/stu/studentLearningOutcomes.asp.

Departmental Level Priorities

Student Health Services will reorganize the ATOD workgroup; start the process to secure accreditation from American Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC); improve student immunization compliance to avoid vaccine-preventable diseases on campus; and research/develop Bystander Intervention programs for campus.

 Residence Life will focus on training issues for new and returning staff; collaborate with campus departments to plan high quality programming for students; provide professional development opportunities for staff; and update the Department’s home page in order to support the University’s sustainability goals. 

Campus Recreation’s top priority is to ensure a smooth opening of the new Student Recreation Center that will include a campus-wide marketing campaign to encourage student use; coordination of all recreational activities on campus in conjunction with the new building, finalization of job responsibilities for two new Assistant Directors (one for Intramurals/Sports Clubs and one for Fitness Programs); and the training and coordination of 70 new student employees. Another focus will be to maintain an on-going relationship with Athletics to maximize the availability of both indoor and outdoor space to address the recreational needs of students.

The Counseling Center will welcome and integrate new faculty members (two tenure-track and two instructors) into the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services; provide additional group counseling programs to accommodate the needs of more students asking for help; expand preventative/educational programs via the “Outreach” program; and continue to enhance evaluation and assessment efforts.

Student Leadership and Involvement will continue integrating the OrgSync software program that helps to manage our 250+ student clubs and organizations; coordinate purposeful leadership programs that have a positive impact on students; prepare for the upcoming PASSHE Program Review process; and partner with the WCU Foundation to secure new funding sources for established leadership programs.

Judicial Affairs and Student Assistance will educate and inform students of the increase in judicial fines (for alcohol, drugs, failure to comply); train and coordinate work of new staff members; continue to develop/enhance “Sanction Guidelines for Hearing Officers” via soliciting best practices and refining guidelines in coordination with ATOD; and administer the “NASPA Student Conduct Benchmarking Survey” to assess the judicial program and make decisions for future strategic planning.

Multicultural Affairs will focus on first-year student transition with assessment and refinement of the Mentoring Program, improvement of the faculty mentor component, and expanded involvement of first-year students.  Attention will also be given to renew efforts at retention, programming, and service delivery for upper-class students (with particular emphasis on African American/Latino male student retention) and multicultural transfer students; increased student organization support for the Multicultural Organization Advisory Board (e.g. BSU, LASO, ASA, BMU, Sisters United, etc.); and the implementation of the Speaking of Race student discussion team program that will provide opportunities to discuss race issues with student organizations and classes, as per the Campus Climate Survey recommendations.

The Department of Athletics’ priorities will include the development of a strategic plan; expand the “Leadership in Sports” development program for student athletes and coaches/staff; improve marketing, public relations, and visibility of the Department of Athletics on campus and in the local community; continue to make improvements to athletic facilities and plan for future renovations and new construction  projects; enhance fundraising efforts; and emphasize the academic successes of student-athletes by exploring ways to publicize and celebrate their achievements.

Sykes Student Union and Off-Campus and Commuter Services will focus on preparing for their five-year PASSHE Program Review; examining “R25 Live” (an enhanced version of the current scheduling software) for possible implementation; reviewing/redefining room scheduling priorities; and assessing the new 2012 Summer @ Sykes Program.

New Student Programs will evaluate the feedback from Orientation Leader Training as well as assessment information from the First-Year, Transfer, and Parent surveys; create a model/program for actively engaging new students during their first year at WCU;  re-establish the campus-wide “Orientation Planning Committee” with administrative staff from both Student and Academic Affairs; examine ways to use technology to better inform First-Year/Transfer students and Parents about Orientation and related services; and enhance efforts with the Freshman Interest Groups (FIGS) and the use of technology for communication and marketing the program to students. 

LGBTQA Services will focus on transition issues as the new Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs joins the staff; continue efforts with LGBTQ 101 and Ally Training including specific outreach to multicultural students; provide information on policies, procedures, and services for transgender students (as well as students exploring gender identity issues); and collaborate with the LGBTQA Faculty Associate and student organization to offer a safe space for LGBTQA students. 

The Women’s Center will provide leadership in sexual and relationship violence prevention and victim assistance services; increase outreach to female athletes, sorority members, and other women students; identify underserved groups of women at WCU and address their unmet needs; and work with the Office of Sponsored Research to identify and cultivate external funding sources.

The Twardowski Career Development Center will build upon existing employer development and outreach strategies to increase and diversify employer participation in on-campus recruiting activities; expand outreach and programming by cultivating liaison relationships with Student Affairs offices, the five Colleges, key partners in Undergraduate Studies and Student Support Services, Alumni Affairs, and selected student organizations; design more structured programs for Pre-Major students; and  increase student/alumni engagement in utilizing career services via related technology.

 Housing Services will work with the Offices of Admissions and University Student Housing to create and communicate an occupancy management plan for the next three years that accounts for the impact of the opening of the Village Expansion and the closing of McCarthy Hall for the 2013-14 academic year, as well as the opening of Commonwealth Hall and the closing of a high rise traditional hall for the 2014-15 academic year. Other areas of focus will be to develop and implement an effective plan for the closing and decommissioning of McCarthy Hall in May 2013; continue to fund and plan for significant facility upgrades (i.e. electrical, bathroom, air conditioning) in the buildings/complexes that are slated to be in service for the moderate/long term (Goshen, Tyson, Killinger, College Arms); and continue to provide a quality/safe/affordable residential environment for our students through outstanding service, sound/prudent financial management, and opportunities to find their place within the larger WCU community.

The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs will finish-off her responsibilities associated with new Student Recreation Center that will include meetings on the financials, outstanding project issues, working with John Baker on the “Tile Collage,” and coordinating the building’s “Grand Opening Ceremony” on October 2.  In addition she will focus on acclimating and orienting the new Director of Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs to the campus.

Greek Life Programs will create expansion plans for each governing council; expand leadership development opportunities for governing councils, as well as all chapter members; create a Greek Judicial Board in coordination with Judicial Affairs to adjudicate appropriate Student Code of Conduct violations by Greek organizations; participate in the national association’s benchmarking project; and coordinate the National Inter-fraternity Conference (NIC)’s “Coalition Assessment Team” visit to campus.