Division of Student Affairs case statement

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

T

he Division of Student Affairs at Auburn University takes the academic experience beyond the classroom.

Because This is Auburn is a $1 billion campaign to propel our university forward through a renewed commitment to our students, a continued promise to our state, and a shared responsibility to the world. As part of the overall campaign, the Division of Student Affairs has committed to raise $6.3 million toward ensuring the complete Auburn experience for current and future generations of Auburn students.

The Division of Student Affairs plays a pivotal role in enhancing students’ classroom experiences through access to leadership programs, service initiatives, and recreational opportunities. We cultivate a healthy and supportive campus environment that engages students, advances learning, encourages leadership, and prepares them for future success. We empower our students to pursue their passions and develop their full potential, while enriching the quality of their campus experience.

TOTAL GOAL FOR THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS:

$6.3 million

“We must create a true learning community capable of providing all students with transformative educational experiences. This means empowering students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the world around them — preparing them to contribute to their communities and to be valuable members of society.”

—Bobby R. Woodard

Associate Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs

PRIORITIES

for the Division of Student Affairs The Division of Student Affairs continually focuses on providing the best resources for Auburn’s students and their parents. This means more than just cultivating students’ leadership skills through involvement opportunities and service initiatives — it also means ensuring they have every resource necessary for a successful college experience.

Through this campaign, Student Affairs hopes to expand the capacity for more students to hone their leadership potential through LeaderShape, a nationally recognized program held annually at the WinShape Retreat Center in Rome, Ga. Additionally, by endowing travel awards that underwrite the expenses incurred as part of our Alternative Student Break experiences, we can provide students who otherwise couldn’t afford it the necessary funds to travel during their school breaks and benefit from these unique global service opportunities. Charitable support of Health Promotion and Wellness Services programs and our Student Success Fund can ensure success by helping students overcome unforeseen obstacles to their physical, emotional, social, cultural, and financial well-being.

60

additional LeaderShape PARTICIPANTS

6

ENDOWED AWARDS

for students attending Alternative Student Breaks

2

NEW STAFF MEMBERS

for Health Promotion and Wellness Services

Students

$2,150,000

Programs $4,150,000

50

additional students served by the STUDENT SUCCESS FUND

Engaging Programs Multiple Student Affairs programs engage students in organizations that best fit their interests — including more than 400 opportunities that span student government, service, religion, culture, academics, and athletic support. These initiatives allow students to test classroom concepts while gaining valuable pre-career experience. Programs in the Center for Community Service allow students to broaden their worldview, help others, and acquire hands-on experiences while planning and organizing charitable events or serving communities around the world. The Center for Leadership and Ethics’ offerings — such as Freshman Leadership Programs and LeaderShape — assist students with finding their niche and developing their skills. Student demand for these programs, however, far exceeds capacity. For example, last year more than 1,200 freshmen applied for just 405 slots in our Freshman Leadership Programs.

Through our Office of Student Involvement, students can access specialized and career-focused opportunities, such as student media outlets, Student Government Association, and University Program Council, that provide them with in-depth experiences supporting their professional aspirations. They also support cultural communities — such as the International Student Organization and the Black Student Union — that allow students to connect with and advocate for their areas of interest.

$4.15 million

Student Success Students — and their success — are at the heart of our mission. However, unforeseen personal, academic, or financial circumstances can disrupt the normal flow of college life for our students and jeopardize this success. Caring for the whole student in these situations is the central purpose of the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness Services, as well as its campus partnerships with Student Counseling Services and the Medical Clinic. Physical wellness programs include addiction education and recovery, sexual assault and misconduct advocacy, tobacco cessation, physical fitness and proper nutrition, and overall health and wellness. Emotional wellness initiatives include helping students cope with emotional instability, poor self-esteem, and suicide concerns. Many of these wellness and prevention topics are incorporated into educational programs required for completion by freshmen as a means of increasing campus awareness and sensitivity. The Student Success Fund provides students with support and resources, enabling them to continue their studies without disruption when facing unforeseen financial hardships that otherwise might adversely affect their academic success and retention.

$2.15 million

Your gift to Auburn has

REAL IMPACT

“Without SGA, I never would have had the experience of championing an issue, gathering data, and compiling it into a comprehensive report. I think that experience will prove to be invaluable to me and my career.”

—Olabode Anise

Senior, Computer Science

Being involved with the Student Government Association has allowed me to have a tangible impact on Auburn’s campus. Through my elected position as SGA vice president and my involvement in LeaderShape, I have improved my leadership skills and proven that I’m willing to take part in activities that aren’t motivated by self-interest. Over the past year, I’ve worked on an initiative to create a more structured, student-friendly final exam period. To that end, I helped write and administer a campus-wide survey and draft a proposal I presented to senior university administrators.

Companies want to hire graduates who can articulate a vision and are willing to work toward a goal that benefits the greater good. Additionally, the experience I’ve gained through leading my peers and advocating for issues brought forth by students easily translates to skills required in today’s job market. Programs in the Division of Student Affairs offer students hands-on opportunities to test and apply skills we’ve learned in the classroom in a truly practical way. From journalism to computer science, these programs provide you with occasions to use your particular skill set — no matter your major!

Above photo (from left to right): 2014-15 SGA executive officers Taylor Akers, chief of staff; Colson Smith, executive vice president of programs; Logan Powell, student body president; Olabode Anise, student body vice president; and Richmond Gunter, treasurer.

As parents of an Auburn student, we want our daughter Rachel to involve herself in every facet of campus life available to her. Our support of Division of Student Affairs programs will provide all students with these same opportunities. Student Affairs offers a platform for students to pursue their specific interests through various organizations — regardless of their major or course of study. It is the one campus division that is focused totally on the student experience. We choose to support Student Affairs because we believe it is important for every student to have access to the “complete” college experience. As donors, we have the ability to specify how our donation is used. Our support can ensure the continued success of existing programs or create new initiatives and learning opportunities that enhance students’ college experiences.

“The Division of Student Affairs helps ensure student success by encouraging and promoting student involvement, which is paramount to an overall successful and rewarding college experience.”

—Mark and Lorrie ’80 Eilers

Members of the Auburn University Parents’ Association Board of Directors and Division of Student Affairs Parent Development Board

Division of Student Affairs 255 Heisman Drive, Student Center 3248, Auburn, Alabama 36849 (334) 844-1304 | vpsa@auburn.edu www.auburn.edu/studentaffairs B E C AU S E@AU B U R N . E D U | B E C AU S E . AU B U R N . E D U Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.