Division of Student Affairs unveils five-year strategic plan

Division of Student Affairs unveils five-year strategic planNovember 15, 2001SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs Barry L. Wells has unveiled a new five-year strategic plan that will serve as a road map to guide the Division of Student Affairs’ efforts in an evolving University environment.

Wells announced the completion of the 2001-2006 Strategic Plan at the division’s annual breakfast in August. The plan is the result of a yearlong effort led by the Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which was charged with developing and recommending a five-year plan that sets priorities and identifies strategies for achieving those priorities.

“The plan expresses the new mission, vision, values and philosophy of the Division of Student Affairs and articulates the direction we intend to pursue to achieve future success for our students and other constituents, Wells said in his announcement of the plan.

He noted that inherent in the strategic plan is Student Affairs’ commitment to building a seamless living-learning environment for students. “The future of the Division of Student Affairs will be one that incorporates rigorous assessment of services and programs; offers policies and educational experiences that promote community safety; contributes measurably to student satisfaction and retention; demonstrates the value of diversity; provides quality services and environments that meet student and institutional needs; leverages technology to achieve quality-driven and cost efficient business practices; and fosters a campus environment in which wellness is the norm,” he said.

“Our mission is to engage students in developing the intellect and life skills to become productive global citizens and lifelong learners by providing programs, services and environments that support and stimulate positive growth,” Wells said. “Our new vision is to be the international leader in student-centered, co-curricular education demonstrating a commitment to collaborative learning, citizenship development and the celebration of diversity.”

Wells outlined six unique values for the Division of Student Affairs, which include collaboration, engagement, assessment, respect, teamwork and integrity. Wells also noted that the Division of Student Affairs has a written philosophical statement on student development.

The 2001-2006 Strategic Plan identifies the top 10 priorities of the Division of Student Affairs for the next five years. The priorities (in alphabetical order) are assessment, campus safety, collaboration, diversity, fund raising, space planning, strategic communications, student development, technology, and wellness and substance abuse prevention. Numerous subcommittees were established and charged with developing specific strategies to achieve the objectives associated with most of the priorities. The subcommittees presented their strategies to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee for review and approval. The final draft was delivered to Wells for his consideration and action.

Additionally, changes in administrative assignments have been made within the division to better facilitate implementation of the strategic plan. Wells outlined new reporting lines for five administrators who had been reporting directly to him. “I have chosen to reorganize the division by changing some reporting lines, and in some cases assigning new titles and responsibilities,” said Wells.

Wells noted the following developments:

• Adrea L. Jaehnig, former associate director of residence life, was named the founding director of the newly-established Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center effective Oct. 1;
• A new Strategic Planning Council was established to oversee the implementation and assessment of the Strategic Plan, and the creation of a Division of Student Affairs Programming Council to develop an education programming calendar;
• A Student Affairs Advisory Board has been established to help educate students on University and Student Affairs issues, provide student input and perspective, and promote better communication between students and the University administration;
• Student support and diversity education units have been consolidated to enhance the institution’s commitment to diversity. The LGBT Resource Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Slutzker Center for International Services, and the University R.A.P.E. Center now report to James Duah-Agyeman.
• An Office of the Dean of Students has been created to develop, implement, coordinate and assess programs that will enhance the quality of student life. The staffs of the Counseling Center, Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Judicial Affairs, Student Activities Office, and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Health Enhancement Office will report to Anastasia L. Urtz, who has been appointed dean of students; and
• Charles P. Merrihew, associate vice president of student affairs, has responsibility for the Center for Career Services and the Parents Office, and will continue to oversee the Department of Recreation Services, the Early Education and Child Care Center, Light Work/Community Darkrooms, Office of Greek Life, and the Student Center and Programming Services.

The staffs of the Office of Residence Life, Health Services and the Office of the Vice President will continue to report directly to Wells.

“This new organization allows us the flexibility to implement our new Strategic Plan,” Wells said. “The Strategic Plan charts an optimistic and energetic course for the future, and its ultimate success will require the earnest efforts of our staff, students and colleagues from within the University community and beyond.”