SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

1999-2000 STRATEGIC PLAN

D. Jason DeSousa

Vice President for Student Affairs

247 King-Frazier University Center

912.356.2194

desousaj@tigerpaw.savstate.edu

THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Introduction

The Division of Student Affairs (DOSA) at Savannah State University strives to enhance the holistic educational experience of students through its five major units. These units are: (1) Center for Career Development, (2) Center for Counseling & Student Development, (3) the Department of Residence Life, (4) University Center & Office of Student Activities, and (5) the Harris-McDew Student Health Center. In providing services, programs, and opportunities for students, the staff that comprises the DOSA is guided by a student-centered philosophy.  Students will be challenged academically and personally both in and out of the classroom and laboratory settings. The DOSA takes seriously its responsibility to assist students in meeting those challenges.

The DOSA Mission Statement 

It is the mission of DOSA to assist students to recognize, understand, and appreciate out-of-classroom experiences that enhance their education.  The process of helping students to become well-rounded, responsible citizens is rooted in the recognition that students are unique and deserve opportunities to learn.  Effective learning includes their interaction with the University community, which shapes attitudes, fosters academic development, and improves the overall quality of the collegiate experience.  

The Division strives to create a healthy and responsive community in which students learn to work together, develop friendships, care about the welfare of others, appreciate individual differences, and balance their freedom by becoming responsible for their behavior.  The Division provides services and experiences that facilitate formal, informal, and collaborative learning.  These services and experiences help students develop skills, clarify values, recognize leadership potential, and gain knowledge essential to lifelong development.

The DOSA Vision Statement

The DOSA strives to enhance the holistic educational experience of students by providing educationally and personally purposeful services and programs that bridge classroom learning with out-of-class experiences. As such, DOSA provides opportunities and influences environments that support the achievement of the University’s educational goals. Fostering and maintaining a “student-centered” campus environment – where students are at the heart of what we do and think and where staff exceeds student expectations and ensures student satisfaction – is of great importance to staff members at all levels of the Division.

Overall Planning Objectives  

Goal #1:                To provide quality and responsive student services consistent with the Division’s student-centered philosophy. 

Action Steps:

1.      Through the leadership of the directors, units will be guided immediately by the respective standards and guidelines established by the “Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education” (CAS).

2.      As a corollary to Action Step 1, each director will, by June 15, 2000, develop and implement 2000 – 2001 annual goals that are consistent with the educational goals of the University and that correspond to CAS.

3.      Each director will expeditiously assure that each staff member (including students) under his or her supervision subscribes to and maintains year-round, the highest level of service articulated in the “Counter Power Model” of customer service (i.e., an “initiating” level of student services).  (Noel-Levitz, 1998)

4.      To complete the Savannah State University Student Handbook by the Fall 2000 Semester.

Expected Outcome(s):

1.      The desired outcome of these efforts is an increase in student satisfaction with student services. Student satisfaction has been purported to lead to student retention.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1.       The CAS Self-Assessment Guides – which assess the extent to which each functional student affairs area is aligned with CAS guidelines and practices – will be employed as an effectiveness measurement technique.

2.       The Student Satisfaction Index (SSI) – which was developed by Noel-Levitz – will be administered to students in the Spring Semester 2001 to assess students’ perceptions of various student services. Results will be compared with national normative data and will help inform practice and policy within the Division.

Goal #2:          To implement credible co-curricular student affairs practices that tie into the educational mission of the institution generally and that foster student learning and development specifically.

Action Steps:

1.       Through the leadership of the directors, units will be guided immediately by the respective standards and guidelines established by the “Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education” (CAS).

2.       Through the leadership of the directors, units will assign immediately substantial significance to the “Seven Principles of Good Practice for Student Affairs,” a document jointly developed by the American College Personnel Association and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (1997), which addresses key practice standards for the student affairs profession. In particular, however, each unit head will be assigned one of the seven principles so that he or she can develop ways that the division can specifically accomplish its goal of implementing credible student affairs practices. (See Attachment B.)

3.       Through the leadership of the directors, units will immediately work toward becoming, where appropriate and within the limitations of available resources, an “Involving College,” as articulated by Kuh and others (1991).

4.       Through the leadership of the directors, by the Fall Semester 2000, the practices of the units will be congruent with “best practices” and ethical standards established by respective bellwether professional associations.

 Expected Outcome(s):

1.       To intentionally influence students’ learning and development through a sound co-curricular program.

Effectiveness Measurement:

1.       An institutional designed questionnaire will be developed to assess the extent to which students perceive that co-curricular programs and activities strengthen their educational experiences.

Goal #3:          To better stimulate and maintain a supportive and inclusive university community, particularly in residence halls.

Action Steps:

1.       Under the leadership of the Vice President for Student Affairs, by Fall 2000, a campus-wide Commission on Multicultural Understanding will be created for the purpose of raising awareness as to how diversity enriches the educational experience and environment.

2.       Under the leadership of the Director of Student Activities & University Center and within the limits of available resources, aggressive efforts will be undertaken in the Fall 2000 to intentionally transform the King Frazier Student Center into a town hall concept. Working collaboratively with the Student Government Association, the Director will spearhead the University’s efforts to encourage greater levels of student involvement in educationally purposeful activities, programs, and events.

3.       Under the leadership of the Director of Residence Life and within the limits of available resources, residence halls will be intentionally transformed into stimulating sub-communities by Spring 2001 (e.g., theme or task floors/suites, service learning communities, small group living).

4.       Under the leadership of the Coordinator of Judicial Affairs, by Fall 2000 programs will be developed that address social, civil, and moral responsibility, whereby student differences are resolved civilly.

5.       Under the leadership of the Coordinator of Intramural Programs, by Fall 2000 student camaraderie will be strengthened through a comprehensive recreational sports and leisure program that has sportsmanship and school pride as its core values.

6.       Collaboratively, the Directors of the Center for Student Health and the Center for Counseling & Student Development will immediately begin to design programs that are purposeful in raising student awareness about healthy life choices.

7.       Under the leadership of the Director of the Center for Career Development, by Fall 2000 a series of purposeful workshops, seminars, and activities will be developed to assist students in developing short and long term goals, well-informed career choices, and preparation for life after college.

 Expected Outcome(s):

1.       An increase in student involvement in educationally purposeful student activities, programs, events, and facilities.

2.       To better foster a sense of community on campus

Effectiveness Measurement Technique:

1.       The College Student Experiences Questionnaire will be administered to students in the Spring Semester 2000 to assess levels of student involvement in numerous aspects of campus life. Results will be compared with national normative data and will help inform practice and policy within the Division.

Goal #4:          To raise student awareness and change student behavior related to the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Action Steps:

1.       Establish a Training for Intervention Procedures Program (TIPS) at the University by Fall 2000.

2.       Secure and outfit space immediately for a resource center for alcohol and drug awareness, which will be guided by CAS standards.

3.       Collaborate with Athletic Department immediately to hire an individual to staff the center.

4.       Through the leadership of the resource center coordinator, the CAS Alcohol and Other Drug Programs Standards and Guidelines will immediately guide the center itself.

5.       The coordinator will also use as his or her guide “Promising Practices: Campus Alcohol Strategies” to guide practice and raise awareness on campus by Fall 2000. 

Expected Outcome(s):

1.       To reduce alcohol use and abuse and the resulting problems at the University.

2.       To demonstrate the University’s commitment to the safety and well-being of students.

3.       To expand students’ understanding of the effects of alcohol and drug abuse through peer education.

4.       To improve relations with local law enforcement, businesses, and residents.

Effectiveness Measurement Technique:

1.       The CAS Self-Assessment Guide for Alcohol and Other Drug Programs will be used to evaluate the extent to which the resource center is aligned with CAS standards and guidelines.

2.       The CORE Survey will be administered to students in the Spring Semester 2001 to assess students’ perceptions and levels of alcohol on campus. Results will be compared with national normative data and will help inform practice and policy at the University.

Goal #5:          To conduct systematic inquiry on student-related issues (e.g., satisfaction, student needs, involvement, campus culture, outcomes) to inform student affairs practices.

Action Steps:

1.       Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Research and Planning during the beginning of the fiscal year to identify an assessment tool for subsequent dissemination to a student sample.

Expected Outcome(s):

1.       To better understand and explain the undergraduate student population through quantitative and qualitative approaches.

2.       To use assessment evidence to improve student services and to better address students needs.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1.       The Division will collaborate with the Office of Institutional Research and Planning to determine the effectiveness of this goal.

Last Update: 10/22/03