2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
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OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
VP OF STUDENT AFFAIRS/DEAN OF STUDENTS MESSAGE Hello, The Oxy Student Affairs annual report is an important way to communicate the successes and the challenges that we face at the College in Student Affairs. We plan and intend to send an annual report every year, but the COVID-19 circumstances interrupted that. So, while this will not be the regular annual report, we still want to share some information about what we’ve been up to over the past couple of years. COVID-19 was taken very seriously at the College. In March of 2020, due to the pandemic, we decided to become virtual at the College. At the time, I imagined that I would work from home for a few weeks. But lo and behold (as my mom used to say), we were remote for about a year and a half. Faculty persisted, students persisted, and staff did as well. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for health and wellness reasons. We endured the circumstances and have been fully back in person for a while. During that time we endured, we took care of our students, and we strived to take care of each other. Obviously the pandemic impacted new students coming to the College, and returning students as well. In fact, my middle son needed to finish his final year at Oxy remotely. But we persevered, we adjusted, and we figured it out. In the meantime, we’ve built a strong team in Student Affairs at Oxy. We’ve taken measures to support student success, satisfaction, and mental health, and we’re excited about the future. We remain committed to student success and student support. There’s nothing more important to me than the health and wellness or our students, and helping them to complete their degree. We’re growing and prospering, and the future is bright and promising. Rob Flot Dean of Students Occidental College
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This report compiles departmental data and accomplishments from the past 4 years, 2019-2023, telling the story of Student Affairs in two thematic sections, rather than year by year. Under the heading, Remote Learning Highlights, each department shares how they pivoted to the remote environment, showcasing the innovative resources and initiatives developed to meet students’ needs in the shift to remote learning. Under the heading, Return to Campus Highlights, departments highlight their efforts, resources, and services since returning to in-person work.
ATHLETICS The Department of Athletics seeks to advance Occidental’s mission of excellence, equity, community and service by providing athletic programs which emphasize competitive intercollegiate teams, fair play, participation in intramural and club sports, and health and fitness programs for all members of the College community. The character of the athletics program reflects the priorities of academic success, health, fitness, teamwork, and a winning spirit as critical factors in a well-rounded liberal arts education.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
Athletics purchased PUSH, an individualized strength and conditioning app, for all student-athletes to utilize, and sent each student-athlete a workout care package.
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During the switch to remote learning, Athletics staff participated in the Wayfinder program.
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To help ensure campus wellness, assistant coaches created virtual workouts for Oxy faculty and staff, and Athletics opened their outdoor facilities at the first opportunity to do so and took responsibility for oversight.
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Athletics additionally created Tigers Rising, a video series for student-athletes, featuring various athletics staff members, faculty and alumni to keep our student-athletes feeling motivated and engaged while remote.
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Coaches recruited a large class of incoming first year students to help to ensure the college met enrollment goals, and Athletics had a very successful Day for Oxy, despite not being on campus.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
Athletics developed an athletics specific COVID policy, in compliance with the NCAA and the College, to ensure the safety of all student-athletes and staff.
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They continued to enhance JEDI (a multi-pronged athletics specific DEI program that was developed while remote) to affirm their commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment within Oxy Athletics.
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Athletics proactively collaborated with departments across campus to ensure they were focused on a holistic approach to student-athlete development. Partnering departments included Admissions, Project Safe, Title IX, Marketing, Institutional Advancement and Alumni, SLICE, Emmons, Academic Affairs, Registrar, Facilities and Campus Dining, and more!
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Athletics also presented final recommendations from the Occidental College Commission on Athletics (OCCA) which clearly outlines the path forward for athletics while focused on the two pillars of
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
CAMPUS SAFETY Occidental’s Campus Safety Office provides security and emergency response services for the College 24 hours a day and seven days a week in keeping with its mission to serve the Oxy community with compassion, excellence and integrity. We are committed to working in partnership with the community to maintain a safe and secure campus and to create an environment free from criminal activity and disorder.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
While during the pandemic and the move to remote work and learning, the Campus Safety office was still functioning 24/7, in-person, given our inherent security responsibilities and the fact that there were still some level of employees and students still on campus who required our assistance.
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During the pandemic, the Campus Safety Department collaborated with Dining Services to deliver meals to students still in residence on campus.
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During the pandemic, Campus Safety collaborated with REHS/Card Office to assist with COVIDrelated room isolations, including transports of COVID impacted individuals.
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Despite fears of contracting COVID, given that Campus Safety staff interacted with COVID impacted individuals on a daily basis, as well as outside community members using campus as an outlet from the limited contact with people they were now experiencing, staff still came to work with no excessive sick occurrences.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
Upon the return of students to campus, Campus Safety continued to assist with room isolations and meal deliveries, as well as transporting Covid impacted students to their temporary rooms.
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DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE The Dean of Students office strives to create and promote a community that supports the success of our students both in and out of the classroom. We seek and encourage collaboration with faculty, staff, and administrators from throughout the College to ensure that students have a network of support, and that they experience a culture that cares about their development and success.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
The Dean of Students Office was able to maintain all essential functions despite the need to abruptly pivot to remote learning and these functions included continuing to offer drop-in office hours (albeit in a remote fashion), essential student case management and support, and guidance related to academic special petitions.
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The Care Team continued its work and pivoted to online meetings, but continued to offer support and interventions to students who were spread across the world as well as those who remained on campus.
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The Oxy Behavioral Intervention Team, which assesses student related threat issues on campus, also continued to work remotely when necessary and evolved their response by building new relationships with other institutions and organizations.
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During this time, the Dean of Students Office was also able to refine processes and protocols including the Dean-on-Call process, threat assessment, and emergency response planning.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
As the campus returned to in-person instruction, the Dean of Students Office recognized and discussed the developmental disruption that occurred for students that had been remote. They tried to address this developmental disruption through various touch-points with students, faculty and staff including workshops, office hours, presentations with students, and individual meetings.
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The impact of student mental health on campus that first year after the campus returned to inperson learning was overwhelming and the needs of students were extraordinarily high and extremely concerning. Out of this concern and the impact that responding to these issues were having on staff, the department was able to increase staffing and hire another Assistant Dean of Students responsible for the Care Team and Restorative Practices. The arrival of Assistant Dean Tahn Park in the Fall of 2022 helped tremendously. Dean Park’s arrival also formalized restorative practices on campus and this approach is being incorporated into the Care Team’s work.
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The Dean of Students Office was also instrumental in supporting students with COVID related challenges by offering academic flexibility, support, and return to class procedures.
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
Student Affairs staff discussing the impact of student mental health at Toland Way.
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EMMONS WELLNESS CENTER Emmons Wellness Center is an integrated center, providing both medical and mental health care to Oxy students. Emmons’ services include individual and group therapy, linkages to off-campus care, access to virtual healthcare providers, crisis resources, health education, and preventative resources, all in support of students’ holistic wellbeing.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
Emmons Wellness Center shifted to a hybrid model of care when Oxy closed in spring of 2020. Medical providers performed care via telehealth and in-person as needed, seeing 321 telemedicine and 240 in-person visits. Therapists provided over 1,000 telecounseling sessions to students during the campus closure.
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Emmons managed COVID-19 testing (PCRs and rapid antigen testing) during the move to remote learning, and administered 400+ COVID-19 vaccines for students and essential workers on campus.
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Emmons Counseling also worked with an online therapy vendor to provide additional virtual therapy services to students, particularly those outside of California, since Emmons therapists could only provide services to those within the state.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
Emmons Medical transitioned back to in-person visits, with an option of telehealth for certain illnesses, and Emmons Counseling returned to providing in-person therapy but continued the option of telecounseling as well.
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Emmons Medical maintained COVID testing and protocol management for the Oxy Community, in collaboration with Oxy’s COVID Operations Group (COG), and administered over 48,000 COVID PCR tests after the return to campus.
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Emmons facilitated naloxone training for Emmons and Campus Safety staff in spring 2022, and partnered with Oxy’s EndOverdose student organization to increase naloxone training across campus, making naloxone and fentanyl test strips more readily available at the College.
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Emmons added new online tools and resources for student well-being, including TimelyCare (a virtual healthcare platform) and Kognito (a training module for recognizing and assisting students in distress). 174 students and employees completed the Kognito module, and over 110 students registered with TimelyCare.
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Emmons proposed and, thanks to generous donors, launched a health promotion program in spring 2023, growing their staff and scope of work to include more preventative efforts and population-level, public health approaches to student well-being.
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER (ICC) The ICC seeks to uplift and support the experiences of students who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, low-income or first-generation college students. The ICC also aims to reduce institutional barriers for minoritized groups through intersectional programming, identity-specific services and structural resources. The ICC’s work is intended to engage students, encourage learning and promote advocacy related to social justice topics.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
Soon after the move to remote learning and during the peak of community unrest uplifting Black lives lost from police violence and brutality, the ICC took the lead in creating several online resources and documents to ensure that students had access to adequate resources such as resources in response to the death of Ahmaud Arbery, resources for George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor.
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The ICC, in partnership with students on campus, created and launched the Black Advocacy Plan that actively focused on our Black students and their welfare on campus. At the core of this plan was a concern for the health and wellness of our Black students, their sense of belonging at the College, and developing and forging connections with people and programs that provide support and empower our Black student community. ICC former Director Chris Arguedas met regularly with Black students and staff to develop the plan and compile initiatives to implement at Oxy. From this plan, the ICC hired a new Associate Director of Racial Equity whose work centered the experiences of Black students.
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The ICC continued to lead and facilitate the yearly cultural graduations for students in a virtual space. All eight graduations were shifted to an online platform which involved guest speakers, alumni, seniors, their families, and the Oxy community. These spaces are extremely meaningful and impactful for graduating seniors, and this shift allowed for more opportunities for family members to participate and support their students.
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The well-established Multicultural Summer Institute (MSI) program continued throughout the pandemic and was switched to an online format. To make up for the lack of in-person community building, the program was run through the entire academic year, versus just the summer. Students engaged in virtual dialogue spaces, community building, and were sent guidelines on how to engage in their local community.
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The ICC facilitated a set of virtual cultural gatherings to ensure that students still had space to build community amongst affinity groups on campus, and facilitated a religious social, multi student social, first-gen social, MENASA social, LGBTQ+ social, Black student social, Latine student social, and APIDA social.
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RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
Transgender Week of Awareness was an in-person event intended to uplift and celebrate the trans community in and beyond Oxy. The ICC had several small-scale events throughout the week in partnership with campus departments such as ORSL.
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In 2022 the ICC launched the first student wellness retreat during Spring Break for students who did not have the opportunity to return home for spring break. The retreat focused on self-care, building community, and overall wellness practices for BIPOC and International students. The ICC took the students camping and facilitated several identity-focused activities.
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Collective Care Wednesdays as an initiative developed with the intent of practicing community care and fostering wellness for BIPOC students. The ICC had student-led weekly wellness events, such as soundbaths, yoga, dialogue spaces, and dinners, all with an emphasis on returning post pandemic and caring for one’s own mental and physical health.
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In the summer of 2023 the ICC had the first full in-person MSI program since the pandemic began, with 33 student participants and no drop-off. The ICC had a very strong academic program and cocurricular programming, with every single student survey respondent (n=28) sharing that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the program. Faculty shared that it was the best MSI program they had participated in since the 20 years that they have been working at Oxy.
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (NPP) The mission of Occidental’s Neighborhood Partnership Program is to enrich the Occidental students’ college experience through partnerships with schools and community agencies in the Los Angeles area. These partnerships will emphasize the value of a post-secondary education by promoting community engagement, civic responsibility, self-empowerment, education, and leadership in adherence to Occidental’s mission.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
NPP in-person services transitioned to virtual presentations. NPP Look At College Days were hosted on zoom so that LAUSD middle and high school students can still get a sense of what Oxy is like.
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In addition to Look At College days, NPP also put on programming for LAUSD families. Oxy Parent Visits were held on Zoom so that parents can get insight on what college life is really like.
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Professional NPP staff continued to support LAUSD students and families. NPP Academic Advisors provided academic advising and wellness checks via Zoom and telephone during the middle of the pandemic.
H R OB HGIEN
PP MARGOR
ARTNERS DP HI O O
OXY VIRTUAL VISITS Due to the pandemic, NPP had to transform all in-person programming to a virtual platform; meaning our Look at College events became Oxy's Virtual Visits!
PARTNER SCHOOLS
2020-2021 Due to the pandemic, NPP had to overcome new obstacles and transform our programming to meet the needs of our students in a virtual setting. While this year provided hardships for many - we want to shine light on our milestones and wins! None of which would be possible without our incredible student staff and partnerships. Thank you!
There is a strong need in Los Angeles inner-city for supportive programming that serves underrepresented youth of color in attaining postsecondary degrees. In collaboration with LAUSD, NPP creates mentorship, leadership, and empowerment opportunities for both Occidental and LAUSD students. By providing reciprocal and transformative off-campus learning experiences, NPP uplifts the college's mission of service and equity for the Oxy community & beyond.
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We were able to bring 12 LAUSD middle schools and 20 LAUSD high schools to Oxy during the 2020-2021 school year.
Students Employed
MILESTONES Of the 166 students & staff that filled out our feedback forms over 87% of students rated our event 4 or higher out of 5.
INNOVATION We created new virtual programming to fit the needs of our LAUSD students this year, which featured: Choose Your Own Oxy Adventure, Critical Dialogue Circles, and Oxy Student
Programs Academic Tutoring College Coaching College Ambassadors Small Group Dialogue Coding&&Community Leadership Team
LAUSD Partner Schools
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High Schools
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Middle Schools
Parent Visits
Coding&&Community
"Nos motiva mucho como
148 padres esos comentarios, attendees gracias por ayudarnos a entender todo esto." - Parent
2,500+ hrs of services provided to LAUSD students!
In an effort to increase accessibility to tech & STEM education, C&&C was successfully implemented at 2 school sites. Now more than ever have we seen a need for computer literacy.
SUPPORTING YOUTH OF COLOR "Yesterday's workshop was POWERFUL! Our students are typically quiet & occasionally responsive. Yesterday, mics were on, feelings were expressed, question were asked, the chat was alive. Thank you for creating this concept & bringing it to our students. Maybe it can be offered this summer, grant-wide. With all that's going on, it's just what our African American students need!"
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RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
With the return to on campus, NPP once again started hosting in-person visits for our GEAR UP 4 LA/ LAUSD students. In total, we had 17 shadow day visits during the 2022-2023 school year where our high school students got paired up with NPP College Ambassadors.
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NPP also sent Occidental College tutors to support high school students at a partner LAUSD high school. NPP tutors supported 10th and 11th grade students at Barrack Obama Global Preparation Academy.
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With the help of the ICC and the Dean of Students Office, NPP held two parent visits during spring of 2023. LAUSD parents came on campus to learn more about Occidental College and demystify the college-going process.
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Lastly, in collaboration with GEAR UP 4 LA, NPP held the College and Career Access Day event during spring 2023. Over 600 LAUSD students and families came to campus to participate in a full day of workshops and presentations centered on college and career access. 2023 CCAD was the first event of that magnitude since March 7, 2020, which was a week before LAUSD and other businesses shut down because of the pandemic.
END-0F-SEMESTER NPP NEWSLETTER
2022-2023
There is a strong need in the Los Angeles inner-city for supportive programming that serves underrepresented youth of color in attaining postsecondary degrees. In collaboration with the Los Angeles Unified School District, NPP creates mentorship, leadership, and empowerment opportunities for both Occidental and LAUSD students. By providing reciprocal and transformative off-campus learning experiences, NPP uplifts the college’s mission of service and equity for the Oxy community and beyond.
Congratulations everyone on making it to the end of the semester! Good luck on Finals! We had an end-of-semester banquet as a thank you to all NPP Staff for a successful semester:
Our impact would be possible without our incredible student staff and partnerships. Thank you!
1500+
Tutoring:
STUDENTS IMPACTED
Steven Brown, the GEARUP Academic Advisor at Obama Global Prep, shared his thanks to the tutors for all of their hard work tutoring the LAUSD students this semester.
1050+ High School Students Reached 480+ Middle School Students Reached
Parent Visits:
NPP Student Employees 10
P of NP 50% nt staff stude tify as iden Gen First-ents Stud
Programs 7.5 Academic Tutoring College Ambassadors 5 Campus Tours 2.5 Leadership Team 0
Shadow Days: We thank our college ambassadors and the Oxy Community for welcoming our LAUSD students.
STAFF
1,422+ Hours of Service Provided equivalent to
$22,819.30
1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year
Senior
Upcoming summer work opportunity: JEM Program Support: If you are interested in a paid opportunity tutoring rising 11th and 12th graders in algebra 2 and pre-calc over the summer (June 26 - July 25) please reach out to npp@oxy.edu
In addition to thanking our NPP staff and student volunteers for hosting a great parent visit, we also want to thank Vivian Santiago, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs & Associate Dean of Students for welcoming the parents, Azucar for a great dance performance,
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE (ORSL) The mission of the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life is to support Occidental students, faculty and staff in their pursuit of a vibrant and meaningful religious and spiritual life while engaging religious pluralism with a commitment to mutual respect, awareness and dialogue. We encourage students to consider how their spiritual development intersects with their intellectual growth.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
In March 2020, the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life launched the ORSL at Home series which featured a 30-minute interactive event for students Monday through Friday. Each day featured a different theme like Meditative Mondays. In May, ORSL transitioned into a summer series with two sessions a week.
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ORSL sponsored a virtual Values and Vocations Fellowship in 2020-21. Five students participated in the fall program and six participated in the spring. Fellows volunteered remotely with community organizations and attended a weekly seminar during which they engaged in spiritual practices and discussed spirituality.
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The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life staff and advisors held regular virtual student religious club meetings and hosted interfaith events during the COVID shutdown. Highlights include a December 2020 Family Feud Challenge with the Newman Catholic, Progressive Christians Uniting and Hillel students and an Interfaith Mixer in February 2021.
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On March 23, 2021, the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life hosted an All Oxy Memorial Service in remembrance of friends and relatives of Occidental students, faculty, and staff who died from COVID or other causes from March 2020 onward. The service was led by President Elam and Senior Staff.
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ORSL and the ICC hosted Queer Spirituality panels in April 2020 and April 2021, featuring spiritual leaders who identify as queer. Panelists talked about how their queer identity shapes their faith, ministry and leadership in their spiritual communities.
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ORSL and the ICC also honored transgender individuals killed by anti-trans violence on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, in both 2020 and 2021. Each year, they set up an altar in front of the ICC for people to pay their respects.
The altar for the 2020 Transgender Day of Remembrance
The ORSL at Home for summer 2020
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RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life offered the Values and Vocations Fellowship for five students in spring 2022 and seven in the 2022-23 academic year. Fellows volunteered with community organizations and attended a reflection seminar focused on identity, spirituality, vocation, and social justice and activism.
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In November 2021, the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life, the Intercultural Community Center, and the Latin Student Union observed Día de los Muertos by building an ofrenda. Faculty, staff and students submitted photos for the ofrenda and events were held by the altar in the evenings.
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In November 2022, the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life hosted an Interfaith Luncheon for 145 Occidental faculty, staff and students. The event featured a free full Thanksgiving meal and spiritual readings offered by students active in our campus religious and spiritual groups.
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ORSL offered study breaks during finals week in spring 2021, fall 2021 and spring 2022. The study breaks featured pizza, healthy and not so healthy snacks and music. Students also received 15-minute massages by licensed massage therapists.
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The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life helped the Occidental community navigate grief. In June 2021, we, in collaboration with her family, hosted a memorial service for Zoe Nussbaum ’22 who died on May 15, 2021. We facilitated the Student Grief Group and hosted two special grief workshops.
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In January 2023, ORSL hosted an interfaith vigil to honor the victims of the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California. The service featured Buddhist chanting by Rev. Miyoshi, advisor to the Occidental Buddhist Meditation Club, and a reading of the victims’ names.
2021 Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda
Fyer for 2022-23 Values and Vocations Fellowship
Fall 2022 study break poster
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
PROJECT S.A.F.E. Project SAFE is a prevention education and advocacy support program dedicated to ending sexual violence on Occidental’s campus. Project SAFE provides resources, advocacy, and educational programming related to issues of sexual assault, dating violence, sexual harassment, and stalking, and strives to instill strong values of consent and healthy communication as well as foster a community of Upstanders (active bystanders) who will interrupt instances of violence they witness.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
Based on student feedback on how they access departmental events, Project SAFE was able to share six of their trainings via their social media page.
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Project SAFE created a series of outside organization interviews with their Peer Advocates, interviewing seven outside organizations, virtually, in a school year.
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As students accessed resources remotely, Project SAFE was able to provide 20% of their advocacy appointments virtually, for students studying abroad and during school breaks.
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Project SAFE was also able to host several virtual community-building dialogues through peer-led interviews, which were posted online.
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To support more virtual and remote interaction with their office, Project SAFE staff have increased their website presence, enabling students to make advocacy appointments, request trainings, and to provide enhanced access to resources for allies and survivors.
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Project SAFE compiled and shared virtual survey results with the Occidental community, as a way to provide transparency of their department’s work on campus, reaching more than 500 students.
A metric from one of Project SAFE’s surveys sent out during First Year Orientation 2023
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RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
During the 2022-2023 school year, Project SAFE provided 233 individual advocacy appointments, with 101 unique students.
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Also during the 2022-2023 school year, Project SAFE provided 31 trainings to student groups.
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After returning to in-person learning, Project SAFE held their first Open House, a successful event serving to familiarize campus with their location and services, and to increase visibility of the department’s efforts.
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Project SAFE community events were attended by more than 1,300 students, wherein students were able to both build community and find support.
Data overview of students reached through survivor advocacy services 2022-2023
Students and professional staff learning together with Hood Herbalism
Project SAFE staff and Peer Advocates at 2023 Denim Day fair.
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND HOUSING SERVICES (REHS) REHS partners with students to shape and nurture their living community. There is a dedication to providing all residents with a safe and comfortable living environment, free from hazards and harassment. Through building a framework in which all community members can participate in an active social life and form resource networks with one another, a community atmosphere that empowers individuals with the responsibility for involvement, personal initiative, and free expression is fostered.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
For the 2020-2021 Academic Year, due to the global pandemic and LA County of Public Health Guidelines, students could not reside in on-campus living. An exception existed for international students, and students with significant hardship, and through the 2020-2021 year, REHS housed approximately 200 students on campus. REHS worked closely with the COVID Operations Team to develop guidelines and strategies for communal living in the age of the pandemic pre- and postvaccine. All of our students remained safe and healthy, and the lessons learned from this time helped REHS shape future policies and practices for future academic years.
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REHS shifted all office-hours meetings to virtual, and this proved to be a successful model, as it allowed better engagement with students and families. This proved to be so successful that REHS continues to maintain opportunities for virtual connections with students and families.
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The Office of Student Conduct, in consultation with the COVID Operations Team, developed the Oxy COVID-19 Student Compact, a shared agreement of student expectations about navigating their academic and co-curricular experience in the era of COVID-19.
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During the period of time where most of the residence halls were unoccupied, REHS partnered with Facilities to do a deep assessment of student rooms on campus. Through this process REHS and Facilities was able to (1) create new student rooms by converting unused student spaces, (2) provide detailed measurements of all student rooms on campus, a common request from new students and families, (3) renovate residence halls that had outdated furnishings, and (4) begin the process for assessing the need for air conditioning in residence halls.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
For the 2021-2022 academic year, REHS held its first in-person RA Training since the pandemic began. Following the close guidelines of the Oxy COVID Ops Team, we were able to provide a comprehensive training program for our Resident Advisors, with the training tailored to anticipate the needs of our first-year and sophomore new-to-campus students, and the impacts of COVID-19 on their high school and college experiences. All RA programming was shifted to be remote, and RAs played a pivotal role in helping students follow the COVID-19 Student Compact, in order to maintain the safest residential experience possible.
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After many years of advocacy, REHS finally launched an all-inclusive laundry program for all residential students. After working closely with the Finance, Planning, and Operations Division, beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year, all student laundry costs were now included in the cost of housing, and thus students did not need additional money to pay for laundry. REHS advocated to better support students, especially our low-income students, in being able to do laundry when necessary.
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RESTORATIVE PRACTICES Restorative Practices is an approach of creating and sustaining relationships among individuals and understanding how people interact with one another at Occidental College. We strive to provide opportunities to build connections among community members, having the opportunity to address harm and impact, and honor the humanity of one another as future global neighbors and colleagues.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
Student Affairs has been committed to bringing restorative practices to campus for several years and had engaged in training in the years prior. During remote learning, different Student Affairs departments offered circles related to loss and grief, but for the most part the focus was on developing a more robust restorative practices program.
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During this time, the Associate Director for Conduct added Restorative Practices to their work.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
2022-2023 Assistant Dean for Student Support and Director of Restorative Practices position was created and filled.
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Collaborated with Project S.A.F.E. to create a “How to Handle Rejection” pamphlet to pass out at a tabling event around Valentines Day
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Lead responsive circles and activities with student organization, athletic teams, and department team with professional staff to address impact as a team and rebuild trust (Rugby Team, REHS and Dean of Students, Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Swim and Dive)
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Created team development tool, Team Awareness Development Method to help coaches or team leaders understand their constituents in the how each person leads (Social Discipline Window) and manifestations of shame (Compass of Shame).
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Connected with various committees/team across campus that incorporate Restorative Practices: Bias Education and Support Team, Campus Committee for Sexual Respect and Misconduct, Oxy Bias Intervention Team.
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Summer of 2023 Student Affairs Deans and Directors attended 1.5 day Restorative Leadership training to understand and have baseline for RP in their role and department
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
SLICE SLICE (Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement) brings together programs focused on leadership, activities, and community engagement in one office to foster a robust student experience on and off campus. It provides students with a variety of opportunities to put Occidental’s values into action.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
In fall 2021, LA Engage was an online, self-guided program. During their first few weeks on campus, students were provided neighborhood maps that encouraged them to engage with the city’s natural and urban environment. Featuring art, culture, and recreational activities, the program offered students the opportunity to connect and safely explore some of Oxy’s local neighborhoods and iconic city landmarks.
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As SLICE continued to evolve their virtual programming during this time, they found opportunities to collaborate with dynamic artists that were excited about interacting directly with Oxy students. The sound check, puppy meet n’ greet, and overall storyteller vibe at Spring Fest, featuring Phoebe Bridgers, was incredible, as Phoebe welcomed us into her home and gave a unique performance we’ll never forget.
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Civic learning and democratic engagement is something we take pride in at Oxy. Along with their Oxy Votes voter registration efforts, SLICE is committed to student voter education and mobilization. While offering students information and resources, SLICE continued to build and foster relationships with our elected officials. 2020 also marked the first time that Occidental College hosted a Vote Center for our campus, neighbors and local community.
LA Engage (map)
Phoebe Bridgers
Oxy Votes
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OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
The Involvement Fair is a long-standing tradition and the one held in fall 2021 was extra special, because it was our first one back! The event featured a myriad of involvement opportunities but, most importantly, this was where students went to meet new people, share stories, and reconnect with folx they hadn’t seen since the start of the pandemic.
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Coming back from the pandemic was tough. So, SLICE created spaces for students to decompress, refresh and regain the composure needed to ROCK finals with their Destress Week. SLICE was out on the quad with local taco trucks, handing out specialty food items, bringing in photo booths, belting out karaoke, and getting a little competitive, as they pulled out a bunch of new lawn games purchased just for the occasion.
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The Office of the President and SLICE turned it upside down! The Moonlight Breakfast event immediately became a Reading Days staple and featured a breakfast buffet served up by President Elam and the Oxy Senior Staff. It was a welcome respite from the typical late night study sessions and introduced a unique program that now happens at the end of every semester…new tradition? Definitely!
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
UPWARD BOUND The Upward Bound Program at Occidental College provides college preparatory services to 122 students a year. The students served by the Upward Bound program come from our 4 LAUSD partner schools (Franklin, Lincoln, Wilson, Belmont). The majority of our faculty are LAUSD instructors and several are teachers from our partner schools. Upward Bound has been at Occidental College since 1965 and has helped over 5,000 low-income first-generation students in LAUSD schools successfully complete high school, enroll in college, and graduate with an associates or bachelor’s degree.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
Traditionally during the summer Upward Bound provides a 6-week residential program for 70 students at the Occidental campus. Due to COVID-19 the Upward Bound Program’s 2020 Summer Residential Component transitioned to a hybrid model with students participating in a Commuter and Virtual Summer Non-Residential Component. The Commuter and Virtual Summer Non-Residential Component was held on the Occidental Campus and through the Google Classroom application. The components served seventy (70) students on campus and twenty (20) participants virtually from 9th to 12th grade.
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The students who participated in the summer program were required to participate in all class and tutoring sessions, as well as career and enrichment workshops. Each student was assigned a lead tutor for each of their summer courses and checked in with them on a daily basis.
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In 2021 the Upward Bound Program’s Summer Residential Component had transitioned to a hybrid model with students participating in a Commuter and limited Residential Component, to experience the life of a residential college student with summer courses and extracurricular activities.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
During the Summer of 2023, the Upward Bound participants were able to experience a full Residential Program at Occidental College. The component served approximately fifty (50) participants staying in Haines Hall from Monday morning till Friday midday. Students were able to participate in two academic courses while experiencing the Marketplace and other campus resources. 77% of students passed both of their summer courses with a C or higher to receive ten (10) elective high school credits. The UB Summer Program would not have been successful without the support of notable campus partners like Facilities/Grounds, Emmons Wellness Center, Campus Safety, Title IX, Project Safe, Athletics, and the Library.
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During Fall 2023, Upward Bound students participated in 8 Saturday sessions that enhanced their academic performance, engaged them in college research and prepared them for the college application season. Students were contacted by their advisors in a weekly basis to talk about their academic performance and prepare them for the next academic semester. UB participants participated in various college campus tours, expanded their knowledge in campus/community resources and connected with mentors through Oxy UB’s Mentorship program.
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OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
UB Students enjoying lunch from Campus Dining at the Tiger Cooler.
Upward Bound Summer Participants in their Ethnic Studies course following all covid guidelines.
UB Students practicing yoga and learning about mental wellness in their Health summer course.
UB Staff members checks participant temperature to clear covid check in protocol.
UB Participants dissecting a brain for their Physiology course.
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2019-2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS REPORT
VETERANS PROGRAMS Veterans bring a global perspective, hard-won life experience and leadership skills, broad diversity and a commitment to service to campus. Occidental provides veterans with dedicated faculty, staff, and a relationship-based community that will provide an outstanding education, mentorship, and full-time student support, including support navigating times of transition.
REMOTE LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS •
During this period the Veterans Program continued to do outreach via online events and connected with local area community colleges.
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The Veterans Program also hosted a fundraising event in collaboration with the Office of the President rolling out the Toland Way promotional video youtu.be/vSddNGuvNeY?feature=shared.
RETURN TO CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS •
In the academic year 2021-2022 Veterans Programs had their first students move into the newly renovated house at Toland Way, post lockdown!
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In February 2022 Nate Graeser turned over leadership of the Veterans Program to Daryl Barker ‘18, an Oxy alum and US Navy veteran.
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In 2023, Oxy’s veterans community has grown to include 3 US military veterans 2 veterans who served in the Joint US - Republic of Korea mission in South Korea.
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Two Oxy Veterans graduated in 2022 after our return to campus! Lisa Cronican, originally class of ‘96 returned to Oxy to finish her degree. Cronican was joined in the Class of ‘22 commencement by Coby Constantino, who graduated and then matriculated into a graduate degree program.