Division of Student Affairs

Division of Student Affairs Strategic Priorities 2016-2017

Mission

We help students succeed. We help students prepare for responsible citizenship, personal fulfillment, and success in life by supporting their efforts to learn through their experiences, achieve their academic goals, and strive for excellence in all. We do this by:  Developing environments that are safe, welcoming, inclusive and healthy;  Providing services that are professional, supportive and personalized; and  Fostering meaningful student engagement in campus and community life that develops leadership, educates about diversity, and contributes to learning.

VALUES

In seeking to accomplish this mission, we are committed to:  Encouraging the development of the whole student and involving all students in the life of the University;  Cultivating a caring and diverse campus community that values respect for all people, the open and free exchange of ideas, and responsible and ethical behavior;  Maximizing our effectiveness through responsible stewardship of resources, support of innovation, and creativity in problem solving;  Working collaboratively across campus and community, and fostering a work environment for our staff which encourages continuous improvement and professional development.

Strategic Priorities for 2016-2017 align with established mission and values of the Division. As the Board of Regents Strategic Plan is finalized, as well as the UNI Strategic Plan, these priorities will be reviewed and updated, as needed, to also align with those planning documents. Division strategic priorities recognize areas of emphasis in which we seek to move forward in order to serve students and provide an exceptional student experience. Each department within the Division will align selected departmental goals with one or more of the Division Strategic Priorities. These goals will be incorporated into the Division document in August 2016.

Student Success Student engagement and success are being elevated in unprecedented ways across the institution. Student life and development are integral components to engagement and success. We need to ensure that our activity is wholly integrated into engagement planning, the Academic Master Plan, the University Strategic Plan, and the Board of Regents Strategic Plan. Areas of specific emphasis:  Career readiness and student professional development  Enrichment of the student employment experience  Growth of Living/Learning Communities  Leadership development, volunteerism, and civic engagement programs  Recreation, wellness, mental health awareness and services  Outreach to and inclusion of students from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups  Enhanced programs for student success, intervention and retention  Exploration of “Campus Crossroads” concept and study

Department of Residence Goals 1. Complete modernization of Lawther Hall, a $22M sophomore-year retention initiative. 2. Advance plans to improve residence facilities to provide affordable, safe housing that meets students’ expectations and needs. 3. Partner with Academic Affairs to enhance and expand Living Learning Communities for students in residence. 4. Advance gender-inclusive (open) housing opportunities for students in residence. 5. Provide a faculty/staff “Student Engagement Discount” when dining in dining centers. 6. Develop a resume resource guide for student employment positions that provides students examples of how to describe their positions and the skills gained. 7. Evaluate meal plan program to ensure that the DOR is meeting or exceeding both on- and off-campus students’ needs and expectations.

Center for Multicultural Education Goal 1. Reestablish focus as a student centric, student focused multicultural education center.

Student Life & Event Services Goal 1. Assess, create and transform a vibrant student life experience through meaningful programs and services.

Career Services Goals 1. Ensure professional success opportunities for all UNI students. 2. Improve success of career management/leadership, diversity and special populations.

Student Health Clinic Goal 1. Include retention and student success question on annual satisfaction survey.

Student Wellness Services Goals 1. Increase student utilization of Student Health 101 (e-magazine). 2. Increase the frequency of programming around priority student health/wellness issues.

Recreation Services Goals 1. Develop a construction timeline for the new tennis court complex. 2. Collaborate with the School of Kinesiology, Allied Health and Human Services to build a small group personal training suite which will support programming for underserved populations. 3. Review, update and develop new communication strategies for program registration and participation.

Counseling Center Goals 1. Enhance Counseling Center outreach activities by implementing “Let’s Talk” program on campus and developing targeted outreach activities for historically underserved students. 2. Increase number of group therapy and psychoeducational workshop opportunities for students.

Dean of Students Goals 1. Create, hire, and onboard new LGBT* Center Student Services Coordinator. 2. Expand outreach and follow-up to identified students of concern. 3. Implement online Green Zones Training. 4. Develop transition (Strategies for Success) class for military members. 5. Implement veteran lunch and learn events for education and sharing (1 w/lunch). 6. Implement a military-specific orientation for new students. 7. Continue involvement with suicide prevention and mental health awareness efforts.

Student Success and Retention Goals 1. Maintain and/or grow retention and completion rates. 2. Add staff to the Student Success and Retention team to help drive student success, retention and completion. 3. Build and enrich transfer student programming.

Collaboration Each department within the Division engages in programming to support student experience and development. While each area has unique objectives, there are clear opportunities for increased collaboration. We will develop a plan/approach to coordinate programs and outreach in meaningful ways, resulting in better use of resources (human and financial) and more effective outcomes for students. Areas of specific emphasis:  Build upon recent strategies to coordinate and enhance programs that vary in topic, themes, location and audience  Collaborate with Chief Diversity Officer to identify opportunities for program development, collaboration and areas for improvement  Enhance collaboration between Student Life, CME, LGBT*, Veteran Services, NISG, international students, student organizations, and Department of Residence  Manage CME program location and delivery cognizant of Fall 2016 renovation  Program review for Student Wellness & Health Education  Expansion of Counseling Center outreach  Collaborate to develop the conversation and student research to identify what it means to “be a Panther”

Department of Residence Goals 1. Collaborate with colleagues and student groups to:  Enhance student opportunities to interact with and learn from others who are different from them relative to race, gender, beliefs, etc.  Enhance student learning opportunities relative to: o Self-management  ability to solve own problems  ability to balance social, work, academic commitments  ability to manage time  ability to live a live healthy life (sleep, exercise, diet)  ability to manage money o Mental health o Alcohol and drug use o Living a sustainable life o Global citizenship 2. Collaborate with colleagues to experiment with embedded staff/services in residence (e.g. office space for use by Academic Advising, Career Services, Counseling Services). 3. Collaborate with Academic Affairs to open a new café for students and faculty in the newly remodeled Schindler Education Center. 4. Collaborate with the Dean of Students Office to develop and fund a new Program Coordinator position in the LGBT* Center. 5. Collaborate with the Chief Diversity Officer to advance strategic priorities identified in the recent residence program review (i.e. staff training). 6. Increase collaboration with Academic Affairs by piloting a rotating calendar showcasing student talents (i.e. art, music) in Dining Services venues. 7. Hire a consultant to conduct a feasibility study relative to enhancing and expanding conference services at UNI (could be financed out of one-time carry-over funds).

Center for Multicultural Education Goal 1. Transform collaboration process to emphasize student focused initiatives, maximization of resources use and partnerships.

Student Life & Event Services Goal 1. Grow department campus outreach through intentional partnerships.

Career Services Goals 1. Continue to support student engagement. 2. Develop new partnerships focused on career readiness and career decision-making.

Student Health Clinic Goals: 1. Enhance communication between Student Wellness, Counseling Center and Student Health Clinic to improve coordination of students’ care. 2. Strategically utilize reporting features within EHR to develop programs and processes to increase students’ involvement in their healthcare needs.

Student Wellness Services Goals 1. Healthy Campus Coalition: a. Recruit additional members, particularly faculty members. b. Conduct 2-4 focus groups with a cross-section of UNI students to gain further insight regarding priority issues from the spring 2015 NCHA survey. c. Form sub-committees that intentionally focus on the five priority issues addressed by students in the spring 2015 NCHA survey (stress/anxiety, lack of willingness to seek out help and support, sleep, substance abuse and sexual health). The sub-committees will strategically plan initiatives that address these priority issues. 2. Continue collaboration with the Culture of Respect (COR) leadership team regarding violence prevention and victim services strategic priorities for campus, as they unfold.

Counseling Center Goal 1. Enhance communication between Counseling Center staff and Student Health Clinic providers to improve coordination of students’ care.

Dean of Students Goals 1. Continue partnership and communication with UNI Police to support safe and supportive student environment. 2. Work with OCEM and others to identify appropriate role for DOS as it relates to Title IX and investigations. Develop a plan to address best practices approach. 3. Develop options for inclusive housing and LGBT* Center staffing; work with DOR, VPSA, and Asst. Dean of Student to identify job responsibilities, funding options, and timeline. 4. Determine future of First Year Council in conjunction with President and Undergraduate Studies 5. Partner with DOR related to open housing and LGBT* Center. 6. Resolve M/F/Non-binary/Prefer not to answer status on Admissions application and other university computer systems. 7. Collaborate with others in the department related to possibility of new social work practicum students.  Collaborate across BOR institutions and UNI to bring 7th Annual Statewide Veteran Conference to campus. 8. Enhance military/veteran recruitment efforts with Admissions.

Communication Much of what is done throughout Student Affairs can, at times, be seen as running parallel to the educational experience of our students. Often it is complementary or even supportive of the academic experience. To maximize our effectiveness with students, parents, faculty and staff regarding impact on the student experience we must “tell our story.” Areas of specific emphasis:  In consultation with University Relations, develop division brand, associated materials and marketing campaign  Alumni outreach to capture the impact of the engaged student experience  Develop comprehensive parent communication program  Develop communication plan for student employees within the division to be our voice  Pilot EMS Calendar system

Department of Residence Goals 1. Develop a student employment newsletter. 2. Continue to enhance existing communication strategies (i.e. websites, Parent Newsletter, annual reports to the campus community). 3. Hire a consultant to develop a Student Affairs brand and marketing plan (could be financed out of one-time carry-over funds).

Center for Multicultural Education Goal 1. Develop and launch the CME rebranding campaign to coincide with the CME renovation & enhance overall communication of departmental services to internal and external audiences.

Student Life & Event Services Goal 1. Enhance overall communication of departmental services to internal and external audiences.

Career Services Goal 1. Focus on telling the UNI success story.

Dean of Students 1. For Bias Response Team, develop plan for communication and information to the campus community. 2. Develop students of concern outreach component/brochure for faculty. 3. Resolve inclusive restroom signage to implement across campus.

Leveraging Technology The student experience from admission to alumni offers endless possibilities for data collection, assessment and improvement. As Student Affairs looks to improve efficiency, communication, outreach, student interaction, and student success, improving our systems is a key component to long term success. Areas of specific emphasis:  Take the leadership role in campus wide committee to review software programs and options that track student traits, attributes, and actions from entrance to alumni status  Evaluate current assessment practices within the Division to develop a comprehensive plan moving forward Department of Residence Goals 1. Upgrade wireless network connectivity. 2. Partner with IT to evaluate and enhance specialized systems used to serve students and decrease the number of systems performing similar functions. 3. Continue conducting annual assessments, KPIs, etc. (i.e., increase student and other customer satisfaction by identifying and utilizing metrics and benchmarks/key performance indicators to improve Dining Services operations, products, and services).

Career Services Goal 1. Continue to seek and utilize the best technology available to help students succeed.

Student Health Clinic Goals 1. Implement an Electronic Health Record (EHR) that will standardize health information documentation. 2. Increase communication between SHC and students via patient portal app.

Student Wellness Services Goal 1. Plan and implement the ACHA-NCHA in spring 2017.

Recreation Services Goal 1. Investigate with Facilities Planning the installation of more sustainable lighting in the north gym and swimming pool areas.

Counseling Center Goals 1. Implement online client satisfaction and feedback process to improve and enhance feedback regarding student experiences with the Counseling Center. 2. Implement use of text messaging for appointment reminders to further increase attendance for scheduled appointments.

Dean of Students Goals 1. Expand assistive technology options for SDS and all students. 2. Collaborate with Carolyn Dorr related to assistive technology needs. 3. Update Dean of Students and department websites.

Student Success and Retention 1. Expand assessment of orientation programming to drive program improvement.

Fundraising To provide a truly exceptional student experience requires both human and financial resources. With recognition that institutional funding is and will be an ongoing challenge, we will develop a long term strategy to generate funds to achieve our goals. Areas of specific emphasis:  In collaboration with University Advancement, review current status and organizational structure and develop case statements for future growth

Department of Residence Goals 1. Align strategic priorities and available resources to ensure Student Affairs fulfills its mission. 2. Research grant-funded opportunities for advancing programmatic priorities. 3. Enhance student sponsorship opportunities. 4. Hire a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study relative to building a new student life center (could be financed out of one-time carry-over funds). 5. Develop a funding plan for the construction of a new student life center (i.e. 1/3 donor support x 1/3 student fees x 1/3 state support).

Center for Multicultural Education Goal 1. Build/rebuild relationships with minority alumni with a focus to engage them with the CME, Student Affairs & UNI.

Student Life & Event Services Goal 1. Ensure department is financially compliant

Career Services Goal 1. Leverage strong connection with alumni, organizations and contacts into sponsorship and support across campus.

Recreation Services Goal 1. Compose a formal strategy with the UNI Foundation and Alumni Office to engage alumni and other potential entities interested in supporting recreation programs and services.

Dean of Students Goals 1. Continue to work with UNI Foundation to expand Women’s Giving Circle emergency funds. 2. Determine options for increased fundraising for LGBT, MVSS and SDS scholarship funds.