Division of Student Services

2006-07 Division Plan and Goals


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DePauw University Vision Statement

 

We are a distinguished university and proud family, nationally recognized for extraordinary effectiveness in linking liberal arts education with life’s work. DePauw intellectually challenges students and inspires them to lead and to serve in an increasingly diverse and rapidly changing world. The value of the DePauw experience is reflected in the remarkable loyalty and passion DePauw engenders and in the uncommon success of our graduates.

-          Adopted by the Board of Trustees in Spring 1998

 

Student Services Mission

 

The Division of Student Services seeks to provide all DePauw University students optimal educational opportunities to learn, grow and develop in a safe and challenging residential environment that supports and complements the DePauw academic experience. Staff in Student Services recognize the importance of responding to the ever changing student population and structuring its services to provide all students with the necessary support for success. All areas of Student Services promote the development of the student as their primary goal; this ensures that students are provided the highest quality of service.

 

Student Services strives to:

 

Provide the highest quality experience to all students recognizing the connection between students’ experiences outside the classroom, the academic mission and life after DePauw.

 

Develop a comprehensive retention strategy for all students that builds upon the First Year Experience and is based on the student body we enroll.

 

Create an accepting learning environment that values difference, endeavors to recognize interests, identities and needs, and diminishes barriers, thus allowing all students access to opportunities on campus.

 

Develop a sense of community among students, faculty, staff and the larger Greencastle community.

 

Provide ample opportunity for students to become involved in activities that foster leadership and altruistic experiences, enhance academic skills, develop athletic and recreational abilities, encourage moral and spiritual reflection and promote wellness, integrity and civility.

 

Encourage students to explore and address the issues that face the world by nurturing a sense of community and concern for the common good.

 

Develop a socially responsible community and provide a residential experience that supports academic and personal growth.

 

 

Division of Student Services

2006-07 Division Plan and Goals

 

 

“We believe that the holistic development of our students promotes a more enriched and fulfilling academic experience.”

-          From Student Services Strategic Focus, August 2000

 

  1. To promote and develop wellness initiatives that support the emotional, social, physical, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, safety, and environmental well-being of members of the DePauw community that helps to maintain balance in their lives.

The number one priority for our division will be wellness; to consider all facets and all constituencies, students, staff, all departments and areas of the division.  Dr. Hayes comments that “we need intentional programs and services which directly educate and/or motivate students towards health.  Wellness for students, faculty and staff is multidimensional.  One program may address several areas of wellness simultaneously.  Ideally, wellness is proactive, preventative and educational in its efforts.  This approach promotes healthy choices and behaviors as a part of one’s on-going lifestyle.  Wellness can also be restorative.  Much like physical therapy following an injury, wellness programming can address issues following illness, trauma or extreme expenditure of energy.”  Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of and make choices for a lifestyle designed to realize one’s highest potential for wholeness and well being (http://www.bradley.edu/eddev/cwc/general.htm).  

  1. To educate and develop staff and students to increase their understanding of the significance of privilege (white, male, heterosexual, etc.), the importance of diversity, the diversity of staff, and that the roles they play are critical to serving our students and preparing them for the future.

 

The second area of emphasis will be diversity as it relates to staffing and education of the division about difference and inclusion.  While racial diversity will be a major aspect, we will promote training, workshops, and presentations that support (the goal of valuing difference in its broadest sense) honest interaction and improved communication as well.  Increased awareness of white privilege and further diversity discussions should positively impact the culture of Student Services towards increased understanding of unintentional “isms.”

 

We will expand our programs on white privilege based on recommendations from the June 2006 retreat.  We will develop specific programs for black male students and other male students.  We will review programs and services for Asian-American and Latino/a students and develop and expand programs as necessary.

 

  1. To develop and promote programs and services that support the improved retention and matriculation to graduation of independent or so-called unaffiliated students.

  2. To develop programs and services in each department that support the environmental management model for changing our alcohol culture as presented by Student Affairs.