Student Affairs Newsletter by Byron Thetford

Newsletter | May 2022

Vol. 7

STUDENT AFFAIRS

A MESSAGE FROM DR. MELISSA HAAB

UPCOMING MEETING

We continue to have many exciting things happening in the Division of Student Affairs. We have implemented the Enrollment SOP with Wiley and will continue to evaluate and work this plan. The institutional Enrollment Management Committee, with the work of nine Sub-Committees, has completed many hours of research and discussion, has made 16 recommendations and/or implemented initiatives to reduce barriers for UWA students. With the reduction in summer Housing costs and the securing of the LEEP grant, summer school enrollment for on-campus is trending upward. Admissions applications, enrollment confirmation fees, housing applications and scholarship applications are also showing a positive trend for fall. We will continue to make plans for the 2022-23 year and will use the summer months to complete training for the new year.

JUNE 1, 1 PM GILBERT HALL CONFERENCE ROOM

DATES TO REMEMBER Orientation: May 26 June 8 July 7 July 21 August 11

Tiger Expedition: August 12 Fall Move In Day: August 10, 2 PM-6 PM

Upward Bound- On Campus June 12-24

I am excited to see our hard work pay off with new students and a boost in on-campus enrollment. Go Tigers,

Melissa 3

ADMISSIONS APPLICATIONS Applications | +43.27% Transfer acceptance rate | +7.41% Freshman acceptance rate | +35.78% Fall 2022 Applications: 2,245 (1,419 admits) (91 canceled applications) Transfer- 186 applications with 87 admits Freshman- 2,059 applications with 1,332 admits Fall 2021 Applications: 1,567 (1,062 admits) (76 canceled applications) Transfer- 175 applications with 81 admits Freshman- 1,392 applications with 981 admits

TOURS Individual Tours | +33.62% Campus Tours from August 15, 2021 – April 28, 2022 Individual Tours: 306 students (86.93% check-in rate) Group Tours: 428 students Campus Tours from August 15, 2020– April 28, 2021 Individual Tours: 229 (92.34% check-in rate) Group Tours: 15 students

SCHOLARSHIPS Transfer Scholarship Acceptances | +41.67% Freshman Scholarship Acceptance | +7.53% Fall 2022 Freshman Awarded - 821 Accepted – 157 Fall 2022 Transfer Awarded – 41 Accepted – 17

Fall 2021 Freshman Awarded - 678 Accepted - 146 Fall 2021 Transfer Awarded - 38 Accepted – 12

ENROLLMENT CONFIRMATION FEES ECF Payments | +8.57% Fall 2022 - 190 Transfer - 37 Freshman - 153

Fall 2021 - 175 Transfer - 24 Freshman - 151

STAFF HIGHLIGHTS Our first orientation was held on April 22 with great success. We appreciate the support from our colleagues within Student Affairs and in the Business Office, Academics, CARES, and the UWA Police Department and look forward to our upcoming orientation sessions. The Admissions Office has hired Ms. Fallon Plowman as the Transfer Admissions Counselor. Fallon started in her new role on April 1, 2022, and her responsibilities include representing UWA at community college visits and programs, conducting campus visit appointments with prospective students and their families, and nurturing relationships with partner schools. The transfer credit evaluation process has been updated, and Mrs. Brenda Edwards is now evaluating and entering credits into Colleague as soon as transcripts are received on applicants. The streamlining of this process will cut down on the time it takes for students to see how their credits transfer in to their degree plan, making the enrollment experience more transfer friendly. The UWA Ambassadors had a busy semester attending numerous training sessions, assisting with the University Employee Recognition Reception, handing out programs for “Steel Magnolias,” leading group tours for IMC3, along with conducting individual and group tours of campus for prospective students. Mrs. Emily Stuart and Mrs. Libba Baker attended the Ellucian Live Conference in Denver, Co, April 9-13. Topics of sessions attended included texting students, technology tips to streamline enrollment processes, creating dynamic emails, and utilizing CRM Recruit.

EVENTS Spring Preview Day 37 Students Orientations April 22 - 73 Registrations (68 attendees) May 26 - 10 Registrations June 8 - 43 Registrations July 7 - 15 Registrations July 21 - 16 Registrations August 11 - 9 Registrations

REGISTRAR HIGHLIGHTS April Atkinson and Emily McInnis attended Ellucian Live 2022 on April 9-13. This conference informs us of the latest updates, information and training to maintain our software.

HOUSING HOUSING STAFF Housing staff were selected for the 2022 – 2023 academic year. The following student will lead our staff next year: A’Kia Lowery, Gilbert Graduate Hall Director Caroline Humphrey, Gilbert Assistant Hall Director Henry (Tre) Bowers, Hoover Hall Director Annaya (AC) Chelcy, Reed/Patterson/Selden Hall Director Abby Fuller, Stickney Hall Director Kaitlyn Strachan, Gilbert Graduate Hall Director, had several interviews, including two campus visits, and has accepted a position as a Resident Director at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). In addition to Kaitlyn, Jacarius “Jay” Brown, a former undergraduate hall director (Stickney Hall, 2017 – 2018) just graduated with his Masters in Higher Ed from West Florida and will also be a resident director at UAH this upcoming year. UAH only hired 2 RDs, both of which are UWA alumni. Paul Blackmon has been selected as one of 32 professionals across the 10 states in the SEAHO region to participate in RELI, our regional entry level institute, scheduled to take place May 24th – 28th, in Miami, Florida.

Paul Blackmon joined our staff in late March as the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life. He comes to UWA from Auburn University in Montgomery, where he served as the Residential Educational Coordinator. He also has worked at Alabama State University as a Residence Hall Director, and at Auburn University as a Youth Development Regional Extension Agent. He also taught history at Bullock County High School. He is a native of Wilcox County, with an Associate’s from Coastal Alabama, a Bachelors in Criminal Justice/LDR Studies from Troy University, and a Master’s in Public Policy in Criminal Justice from AUM. Housing staff were selected for the 2022 – 2023 academic year. The following student will lead our staff next year: A’Kia Lowery, Gilbert Graduate Hall Director Caroline Humphrey, Gilbert Assistant Hall Director Henry (Tre) Bowers, Hoover Hall Director Annaya (AC) Chelcy, Reed/Patterson/Selden Hall Director Abby Fuller, Stickney Hall Director Kaitlyn Strachan, Gilbert Graduate Hall Director, had several interviews, including two campus visits, and has accepted a position as a Resident Director at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). In addition to Kaitlyn, Jacarius “Jay” Brown, a former undergraduate hall director (Stickney Hall, 2017 – 2018) just graduated with his Masters in Higher Ed from West Florida and will also be a resident director at UAH this upcoming year. UAH only hired 2 RDs, both of which are UWA alumni. Paul Blackmon has been selected as one of 32 professionals across the 10 states in the SEAHO region to participate in RELI, our regional entry level institute, scheduled to take place May 24th – 28th, in Miami, Florida.

SPRING COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS In January, Gilbert residents recycled water bottles, using them to plant seeds to bring a little green to residents’ rooms. More than 60 residents stopped by to enjoy pancakes with various syrups and toppings at a late night program at Gilbert. Reed residents created vision boards for 2022 and discussed their goals and dreams for the year. Black History Month Trivia Night at Gilbert Hall, hosted by Eboni Blair, had 65 residents participate, learn about Black History, and win fun prizes. Hoover residents celebrated Pi Day with some yummy pies, while Patterson residents created their own stress balls to help them relax during DestressFest.. The sorority women at Selden learned how to make their own stitched letter shirts, bags, etc. while having fun discussing sorority life. Stickney residents had fun at their Pot Party, where they created succulent plants and pots while raising awareness about drug use and abuse.

END OF THE YEAR BANQUET AND AWARDS The UWA Housing staff presented The LUie’s, our end of year banquet and awards ceremony, on May 5, 2022. During the banquet, staff were recognized for their work this year through various superlatives, hall awards, and departmental awards. This year highlights are as follows... Kaitlyn Strachan was inducted as the 18th member of the UWA Housing Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for only our most outstanding staff members over the years (founded in 1991). In addition to various hall awards, the following staff members were recognized with departmental awards, Breonsya White, Golden Paw – honors staff members for their contributions to the residence halls, the Housing office, the University of West Alabama, and the community of Livingston. CeCe Parnell, Veteran RA of the Year Lee Stephens, Rookie RA of the Year Autumn Nolen, Kia Lowery, Noah Napp, and Hannah England received their 3-year service pin. While not able to attend the banquet, Chief Josette White was recognized with the UWA Housing LUie Spirit Award. This award, in its 2nd year, recognizes a member of the university community for their immense and immeasurable contributions to creating the There’s Something About This Place feeling. Four new members and an honorary member were into Rho Alpha Sigma National RA Honor Society. Inductees included Eboni Blair, Henry Tre Bowers, Caroline Humphrey, CeCe Parnell, and Breonsya White (Honorary).

HOUSING HOUSING FOR '22-'23 With an increase in requests for single rooms and with spaces available, Housing is offering almost all smaller rooms (where beds could only be bunked) at Stickney as a single rather than a double. This resulted in more than 40 students requesting a single in Stickney. So far, 18 of these students have been assigned, with others remaining on the waiting list should spaces become available. In addition, Selden Hall will be open to nonsorority members and only available as single rooms. While the demand for these spaces has not be as much as Stickney, there will be at least one wing of males and one wing of females at Selden, in addition to three wings of sorority women. Room selection for upperclass students took place over several processes – Hoover Apartments Selection (for fully matched groups of 4), Priority Room Selection (for fully matched pairs of roommates), and Regular Room Selection (for everyone else). At this time, Hoover I, Hoover II, and Patterson are at or near full capacity. Starting in mid-May, anyone who hasn’t selected a room will be able to participate in Open Room Selection, which will continue for the remainder of the summer. Room selection for freshman students has been very different this year. Freshmen were able to start matching with roommates as of March 15th. Starting with April 10th, freshmen who matched with a roommate by Sunday night each week has been able to participate in that week’s room selection on Thursday. This has given students the opportunity to select a room shortly after finding a roommate rather than waiting for weeks or even a couple of months. It also allows students to find a roommate when they feel ready rather than feeling rushed to match with someone before a big deadline just so they can select a room.

SUMMER '22 HOUSING After quite a few years with incredibly low summer housing numbers, Summer housing prices have been reduced for this year. Housing at Reed Hall is available for enrolled students for only $800 for the full summer, or $400 for each mini-term. There has been a large jump in applications for summer housing due to this change. As of May 6th, there are 47 completed summer housing applications (not including anystaff members), which would result in over 50% occupancy (compared to less than 20% in previous years). This hike in summer housing numbers has also resulted in one of the largest number of May Break housing residents in years. There are 29 students staying for May Break plus several who have late departures (less than 4 days after closing). There are normally less than 5 for May Break.

STUDENT ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS With the Spring semester coming to a close, the next several weeks will be used to evaluate how this area of Student Affairs can best serve the students and their support system. Several areas are being revamped for a more effective and streamlined approach including updating the counseling services offered to our on-campus students, creating easy to locate/use content for the parents and support systems, and the installation and implementation of the new Titanium software for counseling.

COUNSELING HIGHLIGHTS Counseling Services collaborated with the Live Like Libby Foundation to host a "Week of Happiness" for the students around campus. Various student organizations volunteered to assist for the week including Alpha Phi Omega, Active Minds, Delta Chi Fraternity, Phi Mu Sorority, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, UWA's Student Government Association, and the FLi Society. The week's schedule included a campus-wide food drive for the UWA Food Bank, as well as, the following special events: Monday: placing laundry supplies in the residence hall laundry facilities Tuesday: spreading "happiness confetti" around campus Wednesday: passing out M&Ms to students for being marvelous and magnificent Thursday: a campus wide Easter Egg Hunt as well as passing out sprinkle doughnuts to "sprinkle kindness around campus" Friday: giving Animal crackers to faculty and staff because "it would be a zoo here without you!" As part of the growing need for awareness focused on positive mental health, the Counseling Center participated in "Dear World" which allowed members of the UWA campus community the opportunity to discuss topics that are present campus-wide. The goal was to highlight the needs on-campus and increase mental health awareness, as well as, provide an avenue for students to connect with one another through the discussion of common struggles. These student recommended topics (and others) will be the focus of discussion during the group counseling sessions to be offered beginning in the fall. A second counselor position on-campus was approved and the search committee has completed interviews and made their recommendation for the hire. This additional practitioner will be essential in offering programming on campus including training for faculty and staff. With mental health needs increasing across campus, the second counselor will help provide the necessary services that our students desperately need.

VETERANS SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS Visit by AVAA (Alabama Veteran Affairs Association) President David Blair and colleagues to provide feedback on upcoming VA audits and best practices for certification and compliance.

SPRING '22 TERMS Residency Status In-State: 127 Out- of-State: 19 Total: 146

Student Home Location On-Campus: 41 Online: 105 Total: 146

Academic Level DR: 1 GR: 63 UG: 82 Total: 146

SUMMER '22 TERMS Residency Status In-State: 74 Out-of-State: 14 Total: 88

Student Home Location On-Campus: 17 Online: 71 Total: 88

Academic Level DR: 1 GR: 45 UG: 42 Total: 88

STUDENT ACTIVITIES BAND The Jazz Percussion Group traveled to South Carolina for a presentation at the South Carolina Music Educators Association State Conference from February 3-5 The Marching Band performed in the Crewe of Columbus parade in Mobile, Alabama on Friday, February 25 The Pep Band performed at 6 home basketball games in February and two GSC conference tournament games in March, including a trip to Birmingham for the GSC Conference Semi-finals The Concert Band performed their Spring Concert on Friday, April 8. We estimate about 75 were in attendance We have successfully conducted Leadership Interviews, Color Guard, and Majorette auditions for the Fall 2022 season 12 schools have been visited since February Recruiting efforts will continue into the early summer

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD Jason Gardner and 5 members of the Campus Activities Board attended the NACA Annual Conference in February. CAB hosted 9 events with 1555 students attending. CAB Directors for the 2022-23 year have been selected.

UNIVERSITY CINEMA The University Cinema reopened on April 8 and showed Sonic the Hedgehog 2. 316 people have attended a movie in the month of April.

CAMPUS RECREATION Intramurals 528 Total Participants in IMS 115 Basketball Participants 35 March Madness Participants 14 Women’s March Madness Participants 65 Soccer Participants 44 Soccer Passing Challenge Participants 176 Softball Participants Fitness Center New Fitness Center check-in system brought online in February 4373 Check-in through 4/30 (455 Faculty/Staff, 927 Community, 2991 Student) 5 LIFT OFF participants 33 Plank Challenge participants Recreation Center 392 Check ins at Rec Center Feb, Mar, April Highlights Troy Maddox and Jason Gardner attended NIRSA Conference in Portland at the end of March.

FINANCIAL AID 2022- 2023 PROCESSING: May 10, 2022 Downloaded 4,005 applications Packaged 3,331 students 197 selected for verification 81 verifications completed

Delinquent Loans Activity: Student loans are scheduled to re-enter repayment September 31st.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES SPRING '22 FACTS & FIGURES 600 individual student meetings were conducted by SSS Staff 92 SSS Scholars signed up and attended 468 of 749 (62%) of tutoring sessions 11 workshops were presented to SSS Scholars on topics from academic success to budgeting to stress management *A big thank you to Kate Crawford for the four workshops she led!

2020-2021 GRANT The 2020-2021 SSS grant achieved all of its objectives: 73% of participants were both first-generation college students and low-income eligible 87% retention rate for grant participants from fall 2020 to fall 2021 91% of grant participants ended the 2020-21 academic year in good standing 66% graduation rate for the 2015-16 SSS student cohort

HIGHLIGHTS $1550 was raised by FLi members Funds will be going to purchase new textbooks for the lending library and funding a First Gen Student Celebration day in the fall FLi was awarded a UWA Seed Grant to help fund a 1st Gen day celebration this fall The Zach Narramore Lending Library loaned 31 textbooks this semester 10 local children were gifted Easter baskets through a partnership with Sumter County DHR SSS Scholar cohort graduation rates have continued to improve through the pandemic

SCHOLARS PROGRAM SPRING BANQUET The TRIO SSS Program held its first awards banquet in three years. Keynote speakers Will Atkinson and Paul Blackmon shared their words of wisdom and inspiration, while SSS Scholars were recognized for their academic achievements. Graduating senior Diana Collier was awarded the SSS Scholar of the Year plaque, and D’Anthony Lang was recognized as the SSS Freshman of the Year. Twenty Scholars graduating this spring and summer received their graduation cords. Certificates were handed out to Twenty-three Scholars who made the 2021 Fall Dean’s List, Twenty-three Scholars who made the 2021 Fall President’s List, and Thirty-five Scholars who made the SSS Scholars Honor Roll.

UPWARD BOUND HIGHLIGHTS Staff and Rodney Granec along the Grant writing Sponsored Program team drafted and submitted final grant proposal to the Department of Education. Attended several meetings the will aid in the preparation for our Hybrid Upward Bound 2022 Summer Program. Offered virtual Saturday sessions and after school tutoring to the Upward Bound students. Virtual after school ended on April 28th.

STUDENT LIFE HIGHLIGHTS Greek Week was held March 14- 17th. Greek Games Winners Fraternity- Sigma Pi Sorority- Phi Mu Homer Award Winners Fraternity- Delta Chi Sorority- Phi Mu SGA for the 2022-2023 school year have been elected. President- Aaron Lee Vice President- Hannah Sears Secretary- Chelsea Turner Business Manager- Rob Lewis Attorney General- Kayla Holley Public Relations- Joseph Worthy Cheer tryouts were held on April 23. There are 20 members for the 2022-2023 school year. Greek Council members have been elected for the 2022-2023 school year. Alyric Goodman Henry Bowers Alisha Chaney Noah Goggins Breanna Johnston Abby Fuller SGA handed out free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches to students during finals week. (May 2) Grade reports were run for Spring 2022. Highest Fraternity GPA- Phi Beta Sigma Highest Sorority GPA- Phi Mu

NACA CONFERENCE

SSS BANQUET

NPHC CONVOCATION

INTRAMURALS

SGA DINNER

SSS FLI SOCIETY OFFICERS

SPRINGFEST