2014 Division of Student Affairs
VISION
Students Affairs: Continuously reimagining the student experience
MISSION
Through our engagement with students, they progress academically, discover their values, develop their identity and realize their full potential.
OBJECTIVE
Operating from a culture of evidence to deliver high impact programs
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University of Cincinnati  |  Division of Student Affairs
Dear Colleagues and Friends, As Student Affairs professionals, we often reflect on the fact that college students only spend about twenty percent of their time in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, and through engagement with our offices, students are retained; progress academically; discover their values; develop their identy, and realize their full potential. I prepared for the 2013-14 academic year by thinking critically about the challenges and opportunities in leading our division through the ever changing landscape of higher education. The students we serve at UC are high achieving, globally connected and eager to develop academically and beyond. Providing them the full college experience means that we ourselves have to be adaptable and ready to learn new ways of providing an enriching student experience. Throughout the 2013-14 academic year, Student Affairs provided high impact programs to UC students. I am so pleased to provide you with this Impact Report; a snapshot of our student outcomes for the aforementioned year. I also want to highlight and congratulate the following offices for their outstanding team accomplishments: • The Student Wellness Center received the Outstanding Program Award for the Bearcats Party Smart/Be Wise Program from the NASPA BACCHUS Initiative. • The Office of Diversity and Community Relations was recognized for their role in providing UC students with the gift of the Louise Shropshire Family Collection of rare memorabilia. • The Center for Community Engagement received the Iron Eyes Cody Award from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful for allocating hundreds of hardworking UC students to cleanup efforts across the city. • Counseling and Psychological Services was awarded $20,000 by the American Psychological Association to establish a pre-doctoral internship in the fall of 2015. • The Learning Assistance Center was a prize winner in the National Website Excellence Competition from the Learning Support Centers in Higher Education and the National College Learning Center Association. I want to thank our staff for their hard work, and I look forward to the coming school year as we continue to reimagine the student experience at UC.
Debra Spotts Merchant, JD Vice President of Student Affairs
Impact Report 2013–14
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The Math Minute: The Math Minute video project completed a series of short, online tutorial videos covering major topics in the MATH 1021 and MATH 1061 courses. These videos have received over 2,600 views in less than one year.
Breaking Records Testing Services delivered a total of 5,198 total exams. 2,830 of those were academic support exams (classroom tests or math placement), and 2,368 were licensure, certification, entrance or other outside, revenue generating exams.
Academic Excellence and Support Services Disability Services Learning Assistance Center Testing Services Office Veterans Programs and Services Creating Accessible Learning Opportunities 2,280 classroom exams were delivered by Testing Services to students receiving academic accommodations, representing: • 31% increase from the 201213 academic year which itself had been a record breaker.
5,198 total exams
Academic Excellence and Support Services
Online Accessible Learning
• 191 students, 267 instructors and 200 different courses during 13FS • 190 students on behalf of 265 instructions and 280 different courses during 14SS. The Disability Services Office provided a total of 1,762 hours of CART and 1,988 hours of Sign Language Interpreting to 14 d/Deaf/Hard of Hearing students
Evidenced Based Programs Supporting Students on Academic Alert Students on Academic Alert who utilized Learning Assistance Center resources: • Saw an overall GPA improvement of .708 • Raised their GPA by an average of .89 points when completing at least 7 appointments. • Had a 24% higher retention rate than other first-year students in their college who earned a 2.0 GPA during their first semester at UC. The newly designed Cincinnati Pride Grant reinstatement model allowed for 80% of all students who had the grant reinstated after losing it due to academic performance to maintain grant eligibility in subsequent semesters by increasing their GPA to 2.0 or more, compared to only 53% in the previous year.
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
• 94% of students visiting the Academic Writing Center felt moderately to very academically confident compared with 41% prior to visiting the AWC • Students who utilize Peer Tutoring are retained at higher rates compared with all UC students:
Fall-to-Fall Retention Comparison Tutoring Participants
100
All UC Students
60
“It was a great testing environment and experience.”
Three Years
Autumn 2010 Cohort
One Year
Two Years
Autumn 2011 Cohort
84.60%
86.00%
76.80%
75.30%
85.50%
85.50%
Two Years
72.70%
One Year
74.70%
77.80%
76.50%
86.60% 84.60%
40
0
“I would recommend Testing Services to many people. The staff was extremely professional, helpful and thorough in explaining the rules, etc. Thank you for making my experience pleasant” — Certification Testing Candidate
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Student Voices
One Year
Autumn 2012 Cohort
Veteran Strong Veterans Programs and Services serves 1,300 veterans and dependents of veterans using GI Bill or other military education benefits at UC. • In the fall of 2013, certification time averaged 4-6 weeks, exceeding average national certification time and meeting ideal federal standards. This is an improvement of roughly 7 weeks from the previous year • In 2014, UC was placed on three lists of “Best Schools for Veterans”: • Military Friendly Schools 2014 list,
— UC Math Placement Test Taker
“One hour here is better than three on my own.” — Learning Assistance Center Visitor
“The tutor was very helpful; he really cared that I understood the material before we moved on.” — Peer Tutoring Visitor
Academic Excellence and Support Services
Enhancing Academic Performance
• bestcolleges.com Veterans List • US News and World Report Best Colleges for Veterans
Veteran Strong.
(That’s what we call Cincinnati Smart.)
@ucvets uc.edu/veterans
Impact Report 2013–14
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Health and Wellness
Award Winning Be Wise Initiative
Health and Wellness
The Be Wise Initiative educates students about responsible alcohol use by distributing Party Packs to students hosting off-campus parties. Eighty-six packs were distributed this year, containing tools and resources for hosting a safer party. The Student Wellness Center received the Outstanding Program Award for this program at the NASPA BACCHUS Initiative.
Counseling and Psychological Services Student Wellness Center
Over 2,300 users utilized free, online mental health screenings. UC ranked in the top 50 among universities nationally in student usage of this program. The screening provides students with specific recommendations for treatment, and connects them with resources.
Increasing our Direct Care • In 2013-14, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) increased direct services by 53%. • Group therapy saw a 28% increase in students served from 2012-13. • We were able to provide 40% more appointments for students experiencing severe distress.
Improving the Quality of Student Lives • As a result of therapy from Counseling and Psychological Services: • 98.5% of students reported satisfaction with their counseling services. • 84% of students felt better about themselves. • 88.5% of the students felt they can handle stressors in their life better as the result of their therapy. • More than half of survey respondents reported that they were more likely to stay at UC and graduate as a result of counseling. • As a result of the Student Wellness Center’s Health and Wellness Workshops, 90% of the 3,440 students who attended felt comfortable applying concepts that they had learned in the program to their every day lives. • 98 students took advantage of free, confidential HIV testing offered on campus.
2,300
free online screenings
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
Peer Financial Coaching is offered from a grant collaboration with the Student Wellness Center and the UC Economics Center. Students are trained to provide one-on-one financial wellness coaching to other UC students. As a result of Peer Financial Coaching: • 74% of students felt more confident in their ability to make smart financial decisions. • 78% of students felt less stressed about their personal finance situation. • 74% of students stated they would change their behavior because of the coaching sessions.
Student Voices “My counselor has really helped me to better cope with my anxiety about relationships, graduation and career. She has provided excellent empathic listening and insight for me. Thank you!” — Individual Counseling Client
• 96% of students would recommend this service to a friend.
“Having help from a student makes the situation less stressful.”
Health and Wellness
Supporting Financial Literacy and Wellness
— Peer Financial Coaching Visitor
“I feel motivated to budget my money more effectively.” — Peer Financial Coaching Visitor
Impact Report 2013–14
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Inclusion and Retention
Creating Strong Bonds The African American Cultural and Resource Center (AACRC) welcomed over 650 incoming African American students through Akwaaba. The LGBTQ Meet and Greet at the beginning of fall semester drew over 300 students and included a special welcome from Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Beverly Davenport. Ethnic Programs and Services engaged over 2700 students through the school year, including record attendance at the Asian Student Welcome and Hispanic Student Welcome programs.
Inclusion and Retention African American Cultural and Resource Center Ethnic Programs and Services LGBTQ Center McNair and Stars Scholars Focused on Academic Excellence McNair Scholars Thirty McNair Scholars were enrolled in the 2013-14 academic year, each completing a 9-week intensive summer undergraduate research internship with a UC faculty member. • The McNair Scholars Program created partnerships with UC College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hosptial Medical Center, providing unprecedented opportunities for undergraduate research for students of color and first generation college students. • The UC TRIO McNair/Stars Research Symposium attracted 60 McNair Scholars from 10 universities across the country to present their summer research projects and interact with faculty from the UC graduate school.
Darwin T. Turner Scholarship The Darwin T. Turner Scholarship is the only diversity scholarship at UC. • The Office of the President committed to invest $100,000 annually into this highly competitive scholarship program; with an additional $200,000 in reserve funds to further support retention of Turner Scholars. • The Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program consisted of 134 total Turner Scholars. Highlights from this year’s cohort: • 97.6% retention rate • Cumulative GPA of 3.45 • Over 3700 hours of community service completed.
Transitions The AACRC Transitions program provides academic and community supports to increase retention and graduate rates for African American students; 92% of the 2012-13 Transitions cohort were retained into 2013-14.
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
• The LGBTQ Center provided in-class educational training workshops to increase campus awareness and inclusion. In 2013-14, 884 students attended these presentations. • 412 students attended Safe Zone Training, an intensive workshop designed to shape a campus culture that is accepting of all people regardless of sexuality, gender identification/expression, or any other difference. • Over 200 students participated in the Holi Festival hosted by Ethnic Programs and Services, a traditional Indian celebration of the beginning of spring.
Global Reach • Over half of the McNair Scholars cohort took part in the McNair Abroad service learning experience, working with elementary children in Ecuador. • The AACRC Annual Spring Tour took 37 students and 8 staff on a trip through southern US states to learn about the history of HBCUs and African American experiences in higher education.
Student Voices “It has given me motivation to do great things in school; I’ve gotten above a 3.0 each semester.” — Proctor & Gamble STEER Mentoring Program Student
“My mentor has held me accountable for my actions, which forced me to take a look at myself so that I could not only make my mentor proud, but myself as well.” — Proctor & Gamble STEER Mentoring Program Student
Inclusion and Retention
Advocacy and Education
• EPS continued to sponsor the Midwest Dhamaka Bollywood Fusion Competition. This highly competitive and engaging event drew more than 500 attendees.
Celebrating Success in Culturally Meaningful Ways • Tyehimba is an Afrocentric graduation celebration. 115 students and 45 dignitaries, faculty and staff participated. • The Rainbow Celebration celebrates achievements of graduating LGBTQA students. 100 students and 25 staff and faculty participated.
Impact Report 2013–14
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Leadership and Engagement
UC has been named to the nationally competitive President’s Higher Education Community Services Honor Roll every year since its inception in 2006. Welcome Weekend consisted of over 40 events and had over 18,900 combined total attendees.
Leadership and Engagement Center for Community Engagement Student Activities and Leadership Development UC Women’s Center
over
18,900
Connecting Campus and Community through Service • Over 2,600 students completed service through the Center for Community Engagement’s (CCE) directly coordinated programming; this resulted in a total of 78,655 hours of service.
total attendees
• Through collaboration with CCE and Fraternity and Sorority Life, more than 420 students in Greek Organizations served the community through the Community Plunge and Crosstown Help Out one-day service events. • The Bearcat Buddies tutoring partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools has more than doubled in size since its inception in 2010, with close to 500 students participating.
Creating Community • The student-led Programs and Activities Council hosted 18 campus-wide programs resulting in 25,000 touch points with over 12,000 unique students. • Club Sports organizations had approximately 1,080 students on their rosters both fall and spring semester who are actively involved in the organizations. • Fraternity and Sorority Life experienced growth across all organizations, with over 2,500 active members in the UC Greek Community.
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
• The annual Student Leadership Conference was at capacity with 250 registered students, the majority of which were first year. • Women in Leadership and Learning (WILL) provides students the opportunity for a year-long program focused on feminist leadership and creating change; WILL cohort students presented during two separate sessions at the National Women’s Student Associate Conference in 2013. • As a result of the Emerging Ethnic Leadership Institute, students reported increased comfort in seeking leadership roles in organizations not associated with their affinity group. • The Racial Awareness Program (RAPP) engaged students through multiple efforts: • 2,457 students participated in 78 workshops, a 60% increase over past year averages. • Let’s Talk About It! provided over 350 students the opportunity to dialogue around racially charged conflicts on campus. • Twenty-three students completed 67 hours of facilitated social justice education through a 9-month intensive leadership program.
Making a Difference • Student Government enacted campus wide policies that increased safety in transportation and housing. • $tart $mart, which teaches women students important financial skills, increased participation by 70% from the previous year. Students were able to negotiate for higher salaries for their first job after graduation.
Student Voices “When I was first nominated for WILL it took me a while to recognize myself as a leader… Since being in WILL, leadership has been so ingrained into my character that my own reluctance last year surprises me.” — First Year WILL Student
“Because of $tart $mart, I negotiated the salary my first job offered by $6,000 a year with a $4,000 bonus. Without you and the workshop, I don’t think that would have happened.” — 2014 DAAP Industrial Design Graduate
Leadership and Engagement
Intensive Leadership Education
“Being part of an organization like this was one of the best experiences of my college career… I learned how to effectively communicate to all members.” — Club Sports Board Student
Impact Report 2013–14
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Offices of the Dean of Students
Offices of the Dean of Students Bearcat Bands Office of University Judicial Affairs Resident Education and Development Campus Living • This year, UC residence halls became home to over 4,300 students. • Resident Education and Development employed 91 undergraduate Resident Advisors and 9 Graduate Assistant Residence Coordinators. • 59 students served as members of the Hall Governance Councils.
Bearcat Bands The Bearcat Bands membership continues to increase each year and has over 300 members. There are multiple bands in the program: • Bearcat Marching Band, with over 240 undergraduate students. • Bearcat Pep Bands, which includes four separate bandswith 50 students each. • Bearcat Concert Bands, two separate 100-piece bands. • Bearcat Military Concert Band. • Bearcat Bands Jazz Ensembles, made up of two 20-member Big Bands and one Dixieland Band. The bands are a highly visible presence in the UC community and beyond: • Close to 1 million people see and hear the bands throughout the year through performances at athletic events; campus events (Commencement, Convocation, Veterans Day ceremonies, etc.); and off-campus events such as parades and performances at professional sporting events. • The bands voluntarily perform for multiple community and civic events including the March of Dimes, Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, and various events to honor Veterans.
Just Community This year, the Office of University Judicial Affairs supported 413 students through the provision of supportive and enriching sanctions. As a result, students learn that they have the power to make good choices for themselves and communities.
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
Commencement and New Student Convocation UC Parents Association New Student Convocation In 2013-14, 3,500 new Bearcats attended New Student Convocation. This included students from all colleges, including UC Blue Ash and Clermont Colleges. Professor Richard Miller, Chair of the Faculty Senate, welcomed students through the keynote address.
Commencement Summer 2013 • 710 graduates reserved a spot to walk in the ceremony, including 74 associate degree candidates; 370 bachelor’s degree candidates; and 266 master’s degree candidates.
Family and Event Services
Family and Event Services
• Commencement address delivered by UC President Santa Ono. Fall 2013 Commencement (two ceremonies) • 1,537 reserved a spot to walk, including 83 associate degree candidates; 711 bachelor’s degree candidates; 598 master’s degree candidates; and 145 doctoral/professional candidates. • Ohio Governor John Kasich delivered the commencement address. Spring 2014 Commencement (three ceremonies) • 4,716 reserved a spot to walk, including 414 associate degree candidates; 3,052 bachelor’s degree candidates; 974 master’s candidates; and 276 doctoral candidates. • Commencement address delivered by UC alumna Tebelelo Mazile Seretse, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to the United States.
UC Parents Association Highlights Following Convocation, over 1,000 parents and family members attended the Parents Association Grill Out. Parents Weekend 2013 included discounted tickets to a UC Football game; a riverboat lunch cruise; and a haunted tour of Cincinnati. 624 participants raised over $10,000 in sales to benefit the Parents Association. Impact Report 2013–14
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Career Development Center
Career Development Center Connecting Students and Employers • Over 3,500 students and 200 employers attended the Fall Career Fair and over 3,500 students and 300 employers attended the Spring Career Fair (these held in collaboration with three UC colleges). • The Education Career Fair served 131 UC students or alumni, with a 44% increase in employer participation from the previous year. • As a result of attending the Part-time Job Fair, 86% of students indicated that they had developed 1-5 leads for potential jobs. • Jobs for UC Grads yielded 125 face-to-face interviews for UC students who are graduating and yet to identify an employment opportunity.
Career Readiness Support • CDC staff held over 1,200 one-on-one, drop in appointments to help students with resume and cover letter writing or job search support, a 27% increase from these services in 2012-13. • The REDI’Cats intensive interview preparation program processed 954 face-to-face practice interviews, and 95.6% of students surveyed indicated that they were confident in their ability to interview as a result of the program. • CDC staff taught 15 sections of Career Decision Making or Professional Development for-credit courses for three UC colleges. • A total of 742 students were enrolled in these courses. • 91% of Arts and Sciences students and 81% of College of Engineering and Applied Science students reported that the class prepared them to do an effective job search.
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
Office of University Ombuds Resources Awareness and Training The Office of the University Ombuds (OUO) provided training workshops to 2,224 students on conflict resolution skills and resources. 90% of survey respondents indicated that they learned skills and resources needed to resolve further campus conflicts as a result of the OUO trainings and workshops.
Conflict Resolution Casework While the OUO is a resource for entire university community, about 65% of casework pertains to students; 2,717 students contacted the OUO in 2013-14 • 87% of student cases were informally resolved as a result of working with OUO. • 25% of cases involved conflict coaching from OUO staff. • 25% of all cases were referred to a formal resolution process.
Diversity and Community Relations
Student Voices “Reaching out to the Ombuds Office was the best decision I ever made. Within 45 minutes of contacting them via email, they responded with a phone call. They went to great lengths to help me with my situation and I am very grateful.” “Without Ombuds taking an active role in this matter with such a sense of urgency, I could not have handled this problem on my own. It is heart-warming to know that there are University employees that truly care about the students and the problems that they encounter.”
Office of University Ombuds
Office of University Ombuds
In 2013-14, Student Affairs Executive Director for Diversity and Community relations worked closely with the family of Louise Shropshire to add a prestigious collection to the Office of Rare Books Library and the university: the Louise Shropshire Family Collection. Louise Shropshire was honored by the City of Cincinnati as being an instrumental figure of the Civil Rights movement, particularly for her writing of the song “We Shall Overcome”. This collection contains her written music, photographs and family memorabilia.
Impact Report 2013–14
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Staff Highlights
Staff Highlights UC Student Affairs staff regularly contribute their knowledge, research and expertise in their respective fields and to the profession of student affairs at large. This year, twenty-five of our staff had worked published or presented at a professional conference at the local, state, national and international level. Other highlights and accomplishments include: Nick Angelis (Assistant Director of Bearcat Bands), was the guest presenter at the PAS (Percussive Arts Society) conference held in Indianapolis in March 2014. Jody Besse (Associate Director of Bearcat Bands) was the invited guest conductor for the district honor band held at Mason High school near Cincinnati. He also served as an adjudicator for several local marching contests and at the University of Missouri. Valda Bronston (Assistant Director of McNair/STARS Scholars) was acknowledged by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science Training, Community Engagement Core and Community Partner Council for being selected to audit the 2014 Community Leaders Institute. Lauren Clark (Program Director of the Learning Assistance Center), represented UC as a member of the Ohio Board of Regents Complete College Ohio Task Force, influencing state policy on college completion. Daniel Cummins (Director of University Judicial Affairs), was awarded Student Conduct Administrator of the year by the Association of Student Conduct Administrators. Amy Howton (Associate Director of the Women’s Center) represented UC on the Ohio Campus Safety Taskforce convened by Ohio Board of Regents. Velta Kelly-Foster (Associate Professor for the Career Development Center) received the 2014 Dr. Marian Spencer Diversity Ambassador Award. Rebecca Lehman (RAPP Program Coordinator) was awarded the Voices of Inclusion Medallion by ACPA College Student Educators International, recognizing individuals and their exemplary campus-based programs in higher education. Nicole Mayo (Director of Leadership and Engagement) served as Chair for the ACPA Commission for Administrative Leadership.
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
Ashley Rouster (Program Coordinator, Women’s Center) was consulted by the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, culminating in the notalone.gov website. Alynn Rousselle (Office Assistant for Bearcat Bands) was awarded the Distinguished Order of the Buckeye Empire Award for her part in establishing a collaboration with UC’s LGBTQ office. Matthew Sauer (Accommodation Coordinator for Disability Services Office) was appointed Chair of the Ohio Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities. Leisan Smith (Director of the LGBTQ Center) delivered the keynote address at the annual Lavender Graduation at the University of Santa Barbara. Leisan was also voted onto the Executive Board of the National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education, as the recorder.
Staff Highlights
Heidi Pettyjohn (Director of Student Program Effectiveness) represented UC as a member of the Ohio Board of Regents PLA with a Purpose Network. Heidi also served as President of the Ohio College Testing Association and on the Governing Council as Chair of Professional Development for the National College Testing Association.
Michael Southern (Program Director of the Disability Services Office) was elected to the Board of the Ohio Association on Higher Education and Disability. Shaka Sydnor (Residence Coordinator in Residence Education & Development) was selected as a participant in the Southern Association for College Student Affairs New Professionals Institute 2014 class. Katherine Vance (CART/Interpreter Coordinator in Disability Services Office) delivered the keynote address at the annual conference of the Beattie Resources for Inclusiveness in Technology and Education and the National Association for Tertiary Education for Deaf People in Edinburgh, Scotland. She presented on her ground-breaking research in using iPad technology to support interpreting services on campus. T. Vaught (Program Coordinator for the LGBTQ Center) was on a panel addressing Transgender Issues in the Law: An Overview for Practitioners at the UC College of Law. Approved for Continuing Legal Education credits, this panel provided current and future lawyers with the knowledge and ideas necessary to effectively assist transgender clients. Angela Zippin (Program Coordinator for Testing Services) served on the Governing Board of the Ohio College Testing Association as Membership Chair.
Impact Report 2013–14
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University of Cincinnati | Division of Student Affairs
Vice President for Student Affairs
Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
Divisional Support Career Development Center
Director of Business Affairs
Director of Diversity & Community Relations
Office of the University Ombuds
Director of IT Support
Associate to the Vice President
Commencement & Convocation
Director of Student Program Effectiveness
UC Parents Association
Leadership and Engagement
Academic Excellence and Support
Inclusion and Retention
Health and Wellness
Bearcat Bands
Center for Community Engagement
Disability Services
African American Cultural & Resource Center
Counseling and Psychological Services
Gen-1 Theme House
Student Activities & Leadership Development
Learning Assistance Center
Ethnic Programs and Services
Student Wellness Center
Office of Judicial Affairs
UC Women’s Center
Testing Services Office
LGBTQ Center
Veterans Programs and Services
McNair/STARS Scholars Program
Residence Education & Development
Impact Report 2013–14
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Student Affairs 600 University Pavilion PO Box 210638 Cincinnati, OH 45221-0638 513-556-4119
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