The University of Connecticut Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report
2008 - 2009 Highlights and Accomplishments
To Members and Friends of the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs is a group of dynamically engaged members of the UConn community who share a single focus: We put our students first in all that we do. This dedication reflects itself in a myriad of ways, from small gestures of kindness to bold new initiatives that are changing the University’s cultural landscape. This Annual Report gives you a glimpse into what can happen when a large group of like-minded people moves together in a positive, student-affirming direction. If something in this report stirs your curiosity, ask us about it. If you see an opportunity to jump on board, by all means, do….there’s always room! Sincerely, John R. Saddlemire, Ed.D. Vice President for Student Affairs
The University of Connecticut Division of Student Affairs Annual Report 2008-2009 Selected Highlights & Accomplishments Prepared by John R. Saddlemire, Ed.D. Vice President for Student Affairs August 2009
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Guiding Principles
Mission Statement
Collaboration
Our strength and impact on this campus as a coordinated team can and will be extraordinary.
Credibility & Confidence Through Competence
Students, staff, and faculty gravitate to organizations and individuals who are knowledgeable and thoughtful in their affairs.
Initiative:
We create opportunities that encourage and reward new ideas.
Integrity: l
Play by the Rules
Individually and collectively, we meet the expectations and guidelines of our colleagues and the University. l
Transparency
Our staff and constituents must know and understand the “what” and “why” of what we do. We are inclusive of those we serve in our planning and our operations. l
l
Reliability
There is no greater compliment than being that person or team others can count on in both good times and challenging times. l
Excellent Services
Offer what we do in the best way possible, while thoughtfully balancing educational needs and customer service.
Stewardship
Appropriately maintain and manage our resources.
Critical Issues Assessment & Excellence
Measure excellence through planned assessment using recognized standards.
Collaboration
Initiate and enhance partnerships in the Division and across the University community.
Communication
The Division of Student Affairs provides programs, services, and co-curricular experiences that enhance student success. Our efforts support the development of the whole person by fostering an awareness of lifelong learning and promoting the development of skills for effective citizenship in a diverse world. We promote a vibrant intellectual climate that supports an active and inclusive community. We strive to be reflective and intentional in an ever-changing environment.
Vision Statement
Through a strong communitycentered environment, we will work together with integrity to enhance campus life by creating a sense of ownership, responsibility, and confidence in the University. We will send forth graduates who will make outstanding contributions to society.
The UConn Creed
Improve communication within departments and across the Division.
I will practice personal and academic integrity.
Community
I will respect the dignity and rights of all persons.
Diversity
I will demonstrate concern for others and live up to my community responsibilities.
Foster pride and ownership through involvement. Demonstrate respect and support for diversity.
Technology
Promote thoughtful use and continued integration of technology.
I will approach learning with a spirit of inquiry. I will take pride in the University of Connecticut.
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Meaningful Numbers Over the last few years, the University of Connecticut’s Student Affairs Division has been part of a remarkable transformation and reorganization. With this magnitude of change, the Division has been challenged to implement a new vision for the student experience as represented by the new and continually emerging strategic planning process. The information reported here provides a glimpse into the fiscal foundation of this transformation as the Division works to maintain high standards for service and excellence.
11,97011,970
48
Total Division Employees: 1,003
Students Housed by the Division Fall 2008: 11,970 Spring 2009: 11,517
11,517
517486 517
486 19,519
48
1,003
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Division Employees (State Only): 517
Clerical/Administrative: 48 Professional: 247 Maintenance: 222 Gender: Male: 230, Female: 287
247 19,519 Student Employees: 1,720
247
48 19,519 1,003
11,517
Students Provided with Meal Plans: 19,519
Major Activities Department of Career Services
Over 2,200 students participated in the Department of Career Services annual Fall 2008 Career Fair. This was an increase of nearly 700 students over the previous year.
Office of Community Standards
For the Fall of 2008, there were 1,127 students/student organizations involved with the Office of Community Standards for behavioral reasons. The Office of Community Standards continues to facilitate the UCompass program to work one-on-one with at-risk students to develop an intentional engagement plan at the institution, both of an academic and co-curricular nature.
Center for Students with Disabilities
ADA mandated accommodations were provided to approximately 1,050 students by the Center for Students with Disabilities. In collaboration with the Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability (CPED) in the Neag School of Education (NSOE), CSD received a one million dollar grant from the Office for Postsecondary Education (OPE), United States Department of Education for the Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) Online three-year project. The objective of this project is to create a national repository of e-tools for use by faculty in on-line and blended courses in the planning, delivery and assessment of student learning.
Residential Life
Residential Life expanded housing in the fall to accommodate an additional 300 freshmen.
Counseling and Mental Health Services
Counseling and Mental Health Services provided Psycho-Educational Outreach services to 3,275 individuals which was a 9% increase over the previous year.
Department of Dining Services
Dining Services experienced a significant increase in retail sales from 2005 to 2009. 08 - 09 $10,149,907
07 - 08 $8,434,774
06 - 07 $6,901,193
05 - 06 $3,760,338
Student Union
The new Doug Bernstein Game Room opened in the Student Union and is named in honor of Doug and Melissa Bernstein and in recognition of their support of the Leadership Legacy Experience.
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Departmental Trends Career Services
Higher numbers of students are seeking internships and other experiential learning opportunities in the current economic climate and there is an increase in the number of seniors looking for post-graduate internships, alumni seeking services, and a greater number of students accessing on-line services and resources.
Center for Students with Disabilities
Technological competency is increasingly becoming a necessary pre-requisite skill for all college students (e.g., GEOC tech competencies for UConn students). There is a growing need to prepare our students with disabilities for entry-level, as well as exit tech skills, for transition to the workplace.
Office of Student Advocacy & Support Services
There has been a significant increase in student requests for financial reasons, many of which resulted in referrals to Financial Aid, and an increase in requests for assistance from parents (a result of increased visibility during orientation sessions for parents).
Counseling and Mental Health Services
There has been an increase in the number of students referred to Counseling and Mental Health Services, partly the result of more expedient processes.
Dining Services
A focus on more sustainable efforts was evident this past year. Students were interested in pursuing local organically grown and produced food and there was increased interest in recycling. In addition, Dining Services saw increased interest in options promoting health and wellness including requests for options with zero trans fat, and options for students with special diets/allergies.
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Higher Education and Student Affairs
HESA, which is a masters program co-coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs and the NEAG School of Education, is seeing a rising number of applications for seats in the program each year. The applicant population widely represents a variety of states across the US and presents a higher diversity of ethnicity and professional/academic backgrounds than in prior applicant pools.
Off Campus Student Services
More single family homes are being converted to student rentals in neighborhoods with a high number of non-student neighbors.
Office of the Vice President
Colleges and universities continue to create legal positions where none previously existed, to provide direct and immediate support to its staff in an increasingly litigious environment.
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Increasing numbers of students are choosing to join fraternities and sororities, many with a cultural focus; and there is a recommitment to anti-hazing education and enforcement.
Residential Life
Demand for living in University housing continues to increase (14,161 to date this year).
Student Activities
Increased the use of: learning outcomes; assessment of programs and services; attention to risk management; sustainability; electronic media to promote events to students; student demand for leadership programs; inclusion of alums in programs. Collaborating with Career Services and the Human Rights Institute to develop more intentional programming focused on students’ career development.
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Student Affairs Information Technology (SAIT)
SAIT has placed a greater emphasis on security monitoring, documentation, and defined management protocols for all processes and systems.
Student Health Services
The department has seen increases in the following: complexity of medical care needs; schools implementing fee for services model; number of students losing insurance or facing high deductibles; cross training of staff to enhance professional skills; sophistication of quality improvement, peer review and benchmarking activities; severity of student mental health concerns; increase in the number of students taking psychoactive medications; consultation sought by staff and faculty due to student distress.
Student Union
Demand for space, from all segments of the campus community, exceeds Student Union capacity.
Wellness and Prevention Services
There is universal recognition as indicated by articles in The Journal of American College Health and The Student Health Spectrum that health and wellness are inextricably linked to academic success.
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Key Highlights Development of Revenue Streams
The Division of Student Affairs continues to work toward the development of revenue streams to support programs and initiatives that contribute toward enhancement of the student experience. Collaboration with The UConn Foundation & Development continues to prove mutually beneficial as major donors and small gifts from internal and external sources are received. The Students First Fund, which provides financial support for students in difficult circumstances, continues to be a popular vehicle that allows support of our efforts to help us put “Students First.�
The 1st Annual Students First Fund Golf Tournament
The 1st Annual Students First Fund Golf Tournament was a huge success with over 100 registered golfers, as participation and support far exceeded our expectations. We predict that this event will continue to grow and provide a major source of revenue to aid the efforts of the Division with outreach to support students in need.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
The Division continues to align program efforts toward experiential learning, as articulated in the academic plan, through a diverse menu of experiential learning opportunities to support the out-of-class experience. These include: l 2,003 students participated in service programs (a 31% increase over Academic Year 07-08). l 123 partnerships with community-based organizations in 44 communities (a 29% increase over Academic Year 07-08). l In collaboration with the Cultural Centers, Campus Activities supported student political engagement by offering multiple, small group experiences with state politicians such as Denise Merrill and Susan Bysiewicz.
Living & Learning Communities
Living & Learning Communities continue to thrive and grow through Division collaboration with the academic community. These communities allow students to reside with those who share their academic or lifestyle choices. The current active communities are: Living & Learning Communities
Community Services l Connecting with the Arts l EcoHouse l Global House Leadership, Learning & Life @ UConn l Public Health/Public Services Social Justice in a Global Community
Major or Program Communities
EUROTECH l Fine Arts l Honors Program l Music l Nursing (Pre-) Pharmacy l Women in Math, Science & Engineering (WiMSE)
Learning Communities
Allied Health l Animal Science l Engineering l Pathobiology Exploring Helping Professionals l Pre-Journalism l Pre-Teaching Indigenous Peoples & the Environment (Avery Point Campus)
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Brick of the Week Awards The Brick of the Week Awards are given to nominated members of the UConn Community who were observed demonstrating one or more of the Division of Student Affairs’ Guiding Principles or Critical Issues. These individuals were recognized by their colleagues and supervisors as helping to fulfill the mission of the Division and support of the academic mission of UConn. Center for Students with Disabilities Jeff Carter Donna Korbel Diep Luu
Department of Career Services
Susan Dube Pat Duffy Carol Isakson Rachel Larson Laura Newbury Will Reddy Ashley Reichenbach Darlene Reynolds Beth Settje
Department of Community Standards Cinnamon Adams Jane Benoit-Bean Cathy Cocks Kate Daniel Donta Johnson
Department of Dining Services
Stephen Anthony Rachel Arpin Sandra Ashwell Denise Beal Angela Bettis Rebecca Canfield Carol Erling Andrew Gibson Alice Kapsch
Department of Dining Services
Jim Kupchunos Robert Landolphi Gayle Meisner Gail Merrill Bea Nerbonne Susan O’Keefe Kevin Ostrowski Tony Paguni Dennis Pierce Steve Popovich Matt Potvin Tracey Roy Steven Sharkis Mike White
Off Campus Student Services
Kate Bailey Adam Brick Jim Hintz Ashley Hudd Michelle Neidleman Dan Padover Ravi Prasad Aaron Scott Dana White
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life Todd Sullivan Kendra Darigan Kevin Lobdell Lindsay Sell
Residential Life
Terrence Abney Liz Ackell Mary Jo Andreoli Sevan Angacian Pete Armentano Maureen Armstrong John Armstrong Melissa Arroyo Bert Augmon Deb Avila Tom Baran Ryan Barone Mike Bay Laura Beltran Chantal Bouchereau Steph Boykin Paul Breiding Leon Brown Rae Cabral Drew Cekada Nikki Cole Matthew Combs Bruce Comeau Dennis Comprone Jonathan Cooke Emily Corradina Tracy Cree Matt Deguire Wayne Desilets Paul Dombrowski Catherine Dubuc Darlene Ethridge Mary Falzo Chris Ferraro Hoween Flexer Stacy Flowers Gilber Garcia
Residential Life
Ben Gelb Alisa Geller Dennis Gonzalez Doug Goodstein Tom Gray, Jr. Tanya Hartwig Ray HeBert Beth Helinski Norman Holland Hue Huynh Mary Ann Ives Bruce Jacques Tina James Christie Jean Kaylyn Jennik Richard Kasacek Neil Kaufman Abi Kennedy Josh Kinney Pooja Kondabolu Steve Kremer Roger Lalumiere Melanie Lawson Min Lee Christie Letarte Richard Martinez Mark McDonald Nora McGee Tracy McLaughlin Kathleen Messier Mike Mitchell John Mitchell Brett Molhan Sheila Morgansmith Scott Morin Philip Myette Sheryl Nasansky
Residential Life
Jen O’Neill Miriam Oquendo Marta Pagan Rebecca Painter Vicki Peck John Pepin Jessica Petriello Andrew Provencher Andrew Pusczynski Michael Richards Aris Ristau Andrew Roberts Alvin Rodrigues, Jr. Emilia Rosario Michael Ryan Pam Schipani John Sears Kevin Sella Frank Sigismonde Niki Sol Mary Ann Spruell Linda Sumner Chuck Sundquist Logan Trimble Olbelina Ulloa Richard Watson Michael Welles Shawn White Jasmine Willis Robert Wylie Robert Yanez Lingling Zhang Drew Zimmerman
2008-2009 Photo Highlights Video Please copy and paste the link below into your browser to view a video of highlights of The Division of Student Affairs. We hope you enjoy it! http://www.dsa.uconn.edu/annual_report/2008-2009/video/ One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.
Office of Senior Transition & Engagement Program Stephanie Muehlethaler
Department of Student Activities
Dawn Benjamin Diane Bordeleau Miguel Colon Nancy Depathy Beth Desjardin Gina DeVivo Brassaw Kevin Fahey Kara Fair Matt Farley Adam Frank Jessica Gerum Sylvie Godbout Samantha Grayeck Elizabeth Green Olafemi Hunter Meg Marshall Ryan Matthews Janella Mildrexler Anna Milot Cindy Morrissette Lyndsay Nalbandian Kaitlyn Newman Lillian Palacios Kate Perduta Jody Poth Karen Provost Elizabeth Santos Michelle Sessoms Mary Shaw Heather Strunk Julia Stulock Marisa Sullivan Nancy White Heather Wilhelm Christine Wilson
Office of Student Affairs Information Technology (SAIT) Keith Blanchard Chris Boucher Dan Capetta John Farrell David Fuller Marc Jones Evelyn Lang Ryan Mankus Lisa Smith
Student Health Services
Kathy Aldrich Fran Boucher Cheryl Bourgeois Betsy Cracco Karin Denley Jane Desrosiers Judy Dessel Linda Dobosz Jennifer Fox Sheri Gage Carlos Gonzalez-Martinez David Henry Deb Hubbell Paula Jessen Mike Kurland Kelley LaFleur Kelsey Larsen Laurie Loehr Maritza Lugo-Stalker Mary Manton Tina McCarthy Pat Moriarty Joleen Nevers Michael Olzinski Linda Page Nanette Palmer Amy Pumerantz Graciela Quinones-Rodriguez Margaret Rux Kathy Sanner Barry Schreier Tresca Smith Claire Verdier Donna Vose
Office of Student Services & Advocacy Karen Bresciano Gay Douglas Ada Elderkin Paul Gaines Lisa Lemaire Lee Williams
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Margo Bertram Denielle Burl Janice Canniff David Clokey Cathy Downs Julie Elkins Cynthia Jones Stefanie Landsman Caroline McCall (HESA) John Saddlemire Sue Saunders (HESA)
Student Union
Michael Bolduk Kate Copeland Chuck Morrell Jennifer Navarro Corey O’Brien Peter Petruniw Steve Rugens Kim Schwarz Ana Seeley Jackie Shrader Faith Sumpter
Wellness & Prevention Services Shoshana Belfer-Tyler Rita Bottoni Eric Crumrine Liz Prince
Friends Outside the Division
Lia Albini Lynn Alchin George Allen Robin Anderson Andre Archambault Jared Ashmore Brenda Aubert
Friends Outside the Division
Laurie Bassett Nicki Boucher Mark Boyer Preston Britner Hagan Brown Eileen Brown Melissa Bruen Maria Capriola Deb Carone Sgt. Christopher Casa Max Chanoch Robert Chudy Cynthia Collins Cristina Conte Derek Debus Anne Denny Desiree Diaz Lauren DiGrazia Kathy Fischer Richard Fleming Steve Fletcher Brittany Florio Melissa Foreman Rachael Forker Jay Frain Michael G. Franklin Jane Fried Nona Ghaffar George Gibson Eva Gorbants Karen Grava Kevin Grunwald Jean Gubbins Jackie Guzman Tom Haggerty Fany Hannon Patricia Harkins
Friends Outside the Division
Matt Hart Jeffrey Hathaway President Mike Hogan Emilie Hogrebe Kathleen Holgerson John Huck Robert Hudd Kenny Importante Nathan Ives John Jackman Rachel Jones Seamus Keating Willena Kimpson-Price Fleurette King Sgt. James Kodzis Leo Lachut Jennifer Lease Butts Lisa Lewis Rigoberto Lopez Emily Marusiak Marie McCain Erin McClellan Ryan McHardy John McNulty Sharon Mendes David Mills Vin Moscardelli Brandy Nelson Christine Noonan David Ouimette Patti Parlette Betsy Paterson Meghan Perrone Dr. E. Carol Polifroni Willena Price Chelsea Rayome Steve Rhodes Angela Rola Yuhang Rong Tom Ryba Maria Sedotti Nancy Silander Meghan Silva William Simpson Amanda Stauble John Suchy Jennifer Thompson Gaye Tuchman
One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.