Student Affairs Preliminary Advice

A Focus on Excellence: A Strategy for Academic Development at the University of California, Irvine 2005-2015

INTRODUCTION

A Focus on Excellence: A Strategy for Academic Development at the University of California, Irvine 2005-2015 defines the direction for the campus’ aspirations and Student Affairs welcomes the opportunity to participate in this on-going dialogue to connect and clarify what is needed between ourselves, for our students and with the public as we enhance our standing among the nation’s top research universities.

THE MISSION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

UCI Student Affairs supports the University's academic mission from outreach to alumni participation. We offer comprehensive programs and services to advance co-curricular learning, foster student leadership, enhance the quality of student life, and promote the general welfare of the campus community. The division of Student Affairs includes:

Office of the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs: Resource Management, Research & Evaluation, Student Support Development, and Communications

Auxiliary & Campus Life Services: Bookstore, Food Services, Child Care Services, Scheduling & Conference Services, Student Center and Student Government

Counseling and Health Services: Student Health Center, Health Education, Counseling Services, the Career Center, and Campus Assault Resources and Education

Dean of Students: Clubs and Organizations, Greek Life, New Student Programs, Judicial Affairs, Cross Cultural Center, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center, Disability Services Center, Veteran Services, and the International Center

Enrollment Services: Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar, and the Center for Educational Partnerships

Housing: Undergraduate – Middle Earth, Mesa Court, Arroyo Vista, Campus Village, Vista del Campo; Graduate – Verano Place, Palo Verde, Vista del Campo

STUDENT AFFAIRS CAPITAL NEEDS

There are number of capital needs beyond those that will be provided through the incremental campus growth if we are to meet the challenge of enrolling the best students and positioning UCI among the top universities. The quality and reputation of universities are most often reflected in the physical plant. As pointed out in A Focus on Excellence, this is a key distinction that will impact our ability to make UCI a place to be.

Our key facilities are outdated and do not meet the demands of our growing population. Long range capital planning to meet the goals of A Focus on Excellence should include adding an additional arena venue that will serve both campus and community needs, a small to medium sized amphitheatre, a conference center that includes visitor housing, a student affairs service building, a 10,000 seat plus venue, a contemplative structure for dialogue, conciliation and reunion, and an east campus satellite student center.

The University also has a number of unfunded mandates including Disability, International, and Veterans services that demand additional space to serve growing populations and respond to ever increasing state and federal regulations.

In the meantime, we recommend a creative and flexible use of current facilities and spaces while exploring mixed-use opportunities. In a number of creative ways, Student Affairs is addressing these needs. We are linking academic disciplines with housing themes giving UCI a small college environment within a top research university. Instead of establishing a separate facility, we are embedding an International Village within the Arroyo Vista East Campus housing project.

Currently Student Affairs capital projects coming on line that will contribute to UCI’s sense of place include the fourth and final expansion of the UCI Student Center (home to a new visitors center) and Cross Cultural Center, the expansion and earthquake retrofit of the Student Health Center; the opening in Fall 2006 of the second phase of the national award-winning Vista del Campo housing project for sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students; and additional child care facilities.

STUDENT AFFAIRS TECHNOLOGY NEEDS

We know that this generation and those to follow are enmeshed in technology. Students today relate to technology as past generations related to the use of bricks, mortar and land. The campus’ technology infrastructure and services should be addressed with the same planning discipline as we apply to our land and capital needs.

Some of the recent activities Student Affairs is undertaking to address technology needs include:

The Mesa Court Housing community technology theme house that provides the campus departments with a source of student workers in technology related areas. Students gain experience in technology related areas. The campus benefits from this pool of outstanding technical students.

In collaboration with Network and Academic Computing and Office of the President is providing a legal source for students to download music. Students have the opportunity listen to music with downloading it from an illegal source from the interent.

Student Affairs is leading the way in the development of the student portal. The portal project is a campus wide collaboration to provide improved web services that better integrate the services students use most.

Podcasting will be introduced as a new communications tool. Some examples of how Student Affairs will use Podcasting included information about campus events, tours, admissions, campus news, and out reach to prospective students.

As the campus grows and adds more students, additional IT professionals will be needed. Student Affairs Information Technology will also need to grow to support the expanding campus needs of our students and provide additional services.

STUDENT AFFAIRS’ FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE

The campus strategic plan A Focus on Excellence: A Strategy for Academic Development at the University of California, Irvine 2005-2015 defines the direction for the campus to “enhance its standing among the best research universities.” Nationally and at UCI, it has been validated that the co-curricular undergraduate experience creates the connection for generating a strong vibrant alumni. A recent UCI Communications study of alumni highlighted the need for more unify, high profile events that provide an emotional connection between the campus and the students. We currently focus on the first and last years of the undergraduate experience and we have an opportunity to strength programmatic efforts in middle years. Student Affairs’ strategic priorities in support of A Focus on Excellence are:

• prepare, recruit and retain the best freshman and transfer students
• enroll a student body that is reflective of California’s complex and diverse demographics
• expand the University’s commitment to Academic Preparation programs
• pursue internationalization
• enliven Anteater spirit
• become the recognized leader in residential housing experience
• make UCI the place to be
• support the drive to increase graduate students
• enhance the Student Affairs work environment

STUDENT AFFAIRS’ STRATEGIC FOCUS

TO PREPARE, RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE BEST FRESHMAN AND TRANSFER STUDENTS
Design and implement several new recruitment marketing programs aimed at improving the enrollment yield of the high achieving admitted first-year students and transfer students including:

continue to raise the admissions profiles and student diversity to the highest levels by targeting the top California high school sophomores through an e-communications campaign directed to students and parents.

partner with UCI Alumni Association to implement a regional recruitment campaign that targets the top graduating seniors.

Increase retention by ensuring that every undergraduate student will graduate with at least one of the following experiences:

• Faculty mentored research experience such as Undergraduate Research Opportunities
• Corporate or community based internship such as Sage Scholars
• Study abroad through the Education Abroad Program and other opportunities
• Undertake a leadership responsibility such as Administrative Leadership Program or participation in student government, media, club or organization

TO ENROLL A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY

Student Affairs will increase the number of counties from which we enroll high achieving students from 50% of California counties by the year 2012. Currently, UCI undergraduates come from 20 of the 58 California counties.

Student Affairs’ goal is to increase academic preparation programs and scholarship opportunities in math and science to increase diversity in high school and transfer student applicant pools with the intent to build student diversity across all UCI schools and disciplines.

EXPAND UCI’S NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACADEMIC PREPARATION PROGRAMS

Secure five-year renewal of cooperative agreement between the University of California, Irvine, and the National Science Foundation for the California Alliance for Minority Participation in Math and Science (CAMP).

UCI will become a demonstration site for the emerging Math-Science Teacher project by linking the COSMOS, MESA, CAMP (NSF) & FOCUS-Future Teacher Highway (NSF) programs.

Secure funding and partnerships for a Joint Transfer Initiatives for Diversity and Enrollment between UCI and community colleges that increases efforts to enroll students in the science, technology, engineering and math majors.

Create a math and science undergraduate academic preparation program modeled on the successful PRIME-LC.

TO PURSUE INTERNATIONALIZATION

Student Affairs will open an International Village in Arroyo Vista by Fall 2006.

TO ENLIVEN ANTEATER SPIRIT

Student Affairs will take the lead to develop and launch a campaign for students to understand UCI core values and ethics.

By 2009, there will be mandatory new and transfer student orientation.

By 2012, 30% of undergraduates will obtain a multicultural leadership program certificate and the Cross-Cultural Center will double its co-sponsored events with academic schools and departments.

Student Affairs will work to increase student community service participation by doubling the number of service opportunities and hours contributed by 2011 and increase by 25% the number of UCI students that participate in Alternative Spring Break.

TO MAKE UCI THE PLACE TO BE

Consult the campus community to pursue the reinstatement of an arts & lectures program to provide a variety of presentations that engage the southern California community.

Open the new Student Center to the campus and the greater southern California community for meeting, event and conference use in Fall 2007.

TO BECOME THE RECOGNIZED LEADER IN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING EXPERIENCE

Enhance and expand first year living learning communities through First Year Initiative theme halls, programs, and support services; and by 2008, provide opportunities for 100% of freshman (including commuter students) to connect with living learning communities by living on-campus living or joining an affiliation group based on one of the residence halls.

Continue to admit freshmen with a guaranteed 2 years of on-campus housing. On-campus housing offers for the second year will be made in Vista del Campo, Arroyo Vista and Campus Village.

By 2007, 50% of all students will be living on campus with an additional 20% living immediately adjacent to campus.

TO SUPPORT THE DRIVE TO INCREASE GRADUATE STUDENTS

Launch a Graduate Student Resource Center that will serve as a resource, referral and information center for graduate and professional students, offering a place for programs and workshops, counseling, resources, meeting and study space, and the opportunity for social interaction.

By Fall 2006, guaranteed on-campus housing to every newly admitted, full-time Ph.D. and M.F.A. student. Ph.D. students are to be guaranteed housing for a term of one year less than normal time to degree for their academic program. M.F.A. students will be provided with housing (for two or three years depending on the length of their program).

TO ENHANCE THE STUDENT AFFAIRS WORK ENVIRONMENT

By Spring 2007 implement a Student Affairs new employee orientation program.

By Fall 2007 design and implement a Student Affairs professional development program to help prepare junior staff to pursue a variety of leadership positions in student affairs and/or higher education.

ESTIMATED COST FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS’ STRATEGIC FOCUS*

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University of California, Irvine • Irvine, CA 92697
(949) 824-5011
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All Rights Reserved.

Last Updated: June 27, 2007