Annual Report2008 - 2009 Highlights and Accomplishments

The University of ConnecticutDivision of Student Affairs

To Members and Friends of the Division of Student Affairs:

The Division of Student Affairs is a group of dynamically engaged

members of the UConn community who share a single focus:

We put our students first in all that we do. This dedication

reflects itself in a myriad of ways, from small gestures of

kindness to bold new initiatives that are changing the

University’s cultural landscape.

This Annual Report gives you a glimpse into what can

happen when a large group of like-minded people

moves together in a positive, student-affirming direction.

If something in this report stirs your curiosity, ask us

about it. If you see an opportunity to jump on board,

by all means, do….there’s always room!

Sincerely,

John R. Saddlemire, Ed.D. Vice President for Student Affairs

The University of ConnecticutDivision of Student AffairsAnnual Report 2008-2009Selected Highlights & Accomplishments

Prepared by John R. Saddlemire, Ed.D.Vice President for Student AffairsAugust 2009

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Mission StatementThe Division of Student Affairs

provides programs, services, andco-curricular experiences that enhance student success. Our

efforts support the development of the whole person by fostering an awareness of lifelong learning and

promoting the development of skills for effective citizenship in a diverse

world. We promote a vibrant intellectual climate that supports

an active and inclusive community. We strive to be reflective and

intentional in an ever-changing environment.

Vision StatementThrough a strong community-

centered environment, we will work together with integrity to enhance campus life by creating a sense of ownership, responsibility, and

confidence in the University. We will send forth graduates who will make outstanding contributions to society.

The UConn CreedI will practice personal and

academic integrity.

I will respect the dignity and rights of all persons.

I will demonstrate concern for others and live up to my community responsibilities.

I will approach learning with a spirit of inquiry.

I will take pride in the University of Connecticut.

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Guiding PrinciplesCollaborationOur strength and impact on this campus as a coordinated team can and will be extraordinary.

Credibility & Confidence Through CompetenceStudents, staff, and faculty gravitate to organizations and individuals who are knowledgeable and thoughtful in their affairs.

Initiative:We create opportunities that encourage and reward new ideas.

Integrity:l Play by the RulesIndividually and collectively, we meet the expectations and guidelines of our colleagues and the University.

l TransparencyOur staff and constituents must know and understand the “what” and “why” of what we do. We are inclusive of those we serve in our planning and our operations.

l StewardshipAppropriately maintain and manage our resources.

Critical IssuesAssessment & ExcellenceMeasure excellence through planned assessment using recognized standards.

CollaborationInitiate and enhance partnerships in the Division and across the University community.

CommunicationImprove communication within departments and across the Division.

CommunityFoster pride and ownership through involvement.

DiversityDemonstrate respect and support for diversity.

TechnologyPromote thoughtful use and continued integration of technology.

l ReliabilityThere is no greater compliment than being that person or team others can count on in both good times and challenging times.

l Excellent ServicesOffer what we do in the best way possible, while thoughtfully balancing educational needs and customer service.

1,003

19,519

11,517

11,970

1,003

19,519 517

48 247

48611,970

19,519 517

48247

486

11,517

48

Meaningful NumbersOver the last few years, the University of Connecticut’s Student Affairs Division has been part of a remarkable transformation and reorganization. With this magnitude of change, the Division has been challenged to implement a new vision for the student experience as represented by the new and continually emerging strategic planning process. The information reported here provides a glimpse into the fiscal foundation of this transformation as the Division works to maintain high standards for service and excellence.

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Student Employees: 1,720

Students Housed by the DivisionFall 2008: 11,970Spring 2009: 11,517

Students Provided with Meal Plans: 19,519

Total Division Employees: 1,003

Division Employees (State Only): 517Clerical/Administrative: 48Professional: 247Maintenance: 222Gender: Male: 230, Female: 287

19,519

Department of Career Services Over 2,200 students participated in the Department of Career Services annual Fall 2008 Career Fair. This was an increase of nearly 700 students over the previous year.

Office of Community Standards For the Fall of 2008, there were 1,127 students/student organizations involved with the Office of Community Standards for behavioral reasons. The Office of Community Standards continues to facilitate the UCompass program to work one-on-one with at-risk students to develop an intentional engagement plan at the institution, both of an academic and co-curricular nature.

Center for Students with Disabilities ADA mandated accommodations were provided to approximately 1,050 students by the Center for Students with Disabilities. In collaboration with the Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability (CPED) in the Neag School of Education (NSOE), CSD received a one million dollar grant from the Office for Postsecondary Education (OPE), United States Department of Education for the Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) Online three-year project. The objective of this project is to create a national repository of e-tools for use by faculty in on-line and blended courses in the planning, delivery and assessment of student learning.

Residential Life Residential Life expanded housing in the fall to accommodate an additional 300 freshmen.

Counseling and Mental Health Services Counseling and Mental Health Services provided Psycho-Educational Outreach servicesto 3,275 individuals which was a 9% increase over the previous year.

Department of Dining Services Dining Services experienced a significant increase in retail salesfrom 2005 to 2009.

Student Union The new Doug Bernstein Game Room opened in the Student Union and is named in honor of Doug and Melissa Bernstein and in recognition of their support of the Leadership Legacy Experience.

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Major Activities

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

08 - 09$10,149,907

07 - 08$8,434,774

06 - 07$6,901,193

05 - 06$3,760,338

Departmental TrendsCareer ServicesHigher numbers of students are seeking internships and other experiential learning opportunities in the current economic climate and there is an increase in the number of seniors looking for post-graduate internships, alumni seeking services, and a greater number of students accessing on-line services and resources.

Center for Students with DisabilitiesTechnological competency is increasingly becoming a necessary pre-requisite skill for all college students (e.g., GEOC tech competencies for UConn students). There is a growing need to prepare our students with disabilities for entry-level, as well as exit tech skills, for transition to the workplace.

Office of Student Advocacy & Support ServicesThere has been a significant increase in student requests for financial reasons, many of which resulted in referrals to Financial Aid, and an increase in requests for assistance from parents (a result of increased visibility during orientation sessions for parents).

Counseling and Mental Health ServicesThere has been an increase in the number of students referred to Counseling and Mental Health Services, partly the result of more expedient processes.

Dining Services A focus on more sustainable efforts was evident this past year. Students were interested in pursuing local organically grown and produced food and there was increased interest in recycling. In addition, Dining Services saw increased interest in options promoting health and wellness including requests for options with zero trans fat, and options for students with special diets/allergies.

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Higher Education and Student AffairsHESA, which is a masters program co-coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs and the NEAG School of Education, is seeing a rising number of applications for seats in the program each year. The applicant population widely represents a variety of states across the US and presents a higher diversity of ethnicity and professional/academic backgrounds than in prior applicant pools.

Off Campus Student ServicesMore single family homes are being converted to student rentals in neighborhoods with a high number of non-studentneighbors.

Office of the Vice PresidentColleges and universities continue to create legal positions where none previously existed, to provide direct and immediate support to its staff in an increasingly litigious environment.

Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life Increasing numbers of students are choosing to join fraternities and sororities, many with a cultural focus; and there is a recommitment to anti-hazing education and enforcement.

Residential LifeDemand for living in University housing continues to increase (14,161 to date this year).

Student ActivitiesIncreased the use of: learning outcomes; assessment of programs and services; attention to risk management; sustainability; electronic media to promote events to students; student demand for leadership programs; inclusion of alums in programs.

Collaborating with Career Services and the Human Rights Institute to develop more intentional programming focused on students’ career development.

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Student Affairs Information Technology (SAIT)SAIT has placed a greater emphasis on security monitoring, documentation, and defined management protocols for all processes and systems.

Student Health ServicesThe department has seen increases in the following: complexity of medical care needs; schools implementing fee for services model; number of students losing insurance or facing high deductibles; cross training of staff to enhance professional skills; sophistication of quality improvement, peer review and benchmarking activities; severity of student mental health concerns; increase in the number of students taking psychoactive medications; consultation sought by staff and faculty due to student distress.

Student Union Demand for space, from all segments of the campus community, exceeds Student Union capacity.

Wellness and Prevention Services There is universal recognition as indicated by articles in The Journal of American College Health and The Student Health Spectrum that health and wellness are inextricably linked to academic success.

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Key HighlightsDevelopment of Revenue Streams The Division of Student Affairs continues to work toward the development of revenue streams to support programs and initiatives that contribute toward enhancement of the student experience. Collaboration with The UConn Foundation & Development continues to prove mutually beneficial as major donors and small gifts from internal and external sources are received. The Students First Fund, which provides financial support for students in difficult circumstances, continues to be a popular vehicle that allows support of our efforts to help us put “Students First.”

The 1st Annual Students First Fund Golf Tournament The 1st Annual Students First Fund Golf Tournament was a huge success with over 100 registered golfers, as participation and support far exceeded our expectations. We predict that this event will continue to grow and provide a major source of revenue to aid the efforts of the Division with outreach to support students in need.

Experiential Learning Opportunities The Division continues to align program efforts toward experiential learning, as articulated in the academic plan, through a diverse menu of experiential learning opportunities to support the out-of-class experience. These include: l 2,003 students participated in service programs (a 31% increase over Academic Year 07-08).l 123 partnerships with community-based organizations in 44 communities (a 29% increase over Academic Year 07-08).l In collaboration with the Cultural Centers, Campus Activities supported student political engagement by offering multiple, small group experiences with state politicians such as Denise Merrill and Susan Bysiewicz.

Living & Learning Communities Living & Learning Communities continue to thrive and grow through Division collaboration with the academic community. These communities allow students to reside with those who share their academic or lifestyle choices. The current active communities are:

Learning CommunitiesAllied Health l Animal Science l Engineering l Pathobiology Exploring Helping Professionals l Pre-Journalism l Pre-Teaching Indigenous Peoples & the Environment (Avery Point Campus)

Living & Learning CommunitiesCommunity Services l Connecting with the Arts l EcoHouse l Global House Leadership, Learning & Life @ UConn l Public Health/Public Services Social Justice in a Global Community

Major or Program CommunitiesEUROTECH l Fine Arts l Honors Program l Music l Nursing(Pre-) Pharmacy l Women in Math, Science & Engineering (WiMSE)

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Center for Students with DisabilitiesJeff Carter Donna KorbelDiep Luu

Department of Career ServicesSusan Dube Pat DuffyCarol Isakson Rachel LarsonLaura Newbury Will ReddyAshley ReichenbachDarlene ReynoldsBeth Settje

Department of Community StandardsCinnamon AdamsJane Benoit-Bean Cathy CocksKate DanielDonta Johnson

Department of Dining ServicesStephen Anthony Rachel Arpin Sandra Ashwell Denise Beal Angela Bettis Rebecca Canfield Carol Erling Andrew GibsonAlice Kapsch

Brick of the Week Awards The Brick of the Week Awards are given to nominated members of the UConn Community who were observed demonstrating one or more of the Division of Student Affairs’ Guiding Principles or Critical Issues. These individuals were recognized by their colleagues and supervisors as helping to fulfill the mission of the Division and support of the academic mission of UConn.

Department of Dining Services Jim Kupchunos Robert Landolphi Gayle MeisnerGail Merrill Bea Nerbonne Susan O’Keefe Kevin Ostrowski Tony Paguni Dennis PierceSteve Popovich Matt PotvinTracey Roy Steven Sharkis Mike White

Off Campus Student ServicesKate BaileyAdam BrickJim HintzAshley HuddMichelle NeidlemanDan Padover Ravi PrasadAaron ScottDana White

Office of Fraternity & Sorority LifeTodd SullivanKendra DariganKevin LobdellLindsay Sell

Residential LifeTerrence AbneyLiz Ackell Mary Jo Andreoli Sevan Angacian Pete ArmentanoMaureen ArmstrongJohn Armstrong Melissa ArroyoBert AugmonDeb Avila Tom Baran Ryan BaroneMike Bay Laura BeltranChantal BouchereauSteph Boykin Paul Breiding Leon Brown Rae CabralDrew Cekada Nikki Cole Matthew Combs Bruce Comeau Dennis ComproneJonathan Cooke Emily Corradina Tracy CreeMatt DeguireWayne Desilets Paul Dombrowski Catherine DubucDarlene Ethridge Mary FalzoChris Ferraro Hoween Flexer Stacy Flowers Gilber Garcia

Residential Life Ben Gelb Alisa GellerDennis Gonzalez Doug GoodsteinTom Gray, Jr. Tanya HartwigRay HeBertBeth HelinskiNorman Holland Hue Huynh Mary Ann Ives Bruce Jacques Tina JamesChristie Jean Kaylyn JennikRichard Kasacek Neil KaufmanAbi KennedyJosh Kinney Pooja Kondabolu Steve KremerRoger Lalumiere Melanie LawsonMin Lee Christie Letarte Richard Martinez Mark McDonald Nora McGeeTracy McLaughlin Kathleen Messier Mike MitchellJohn Mitchell Brett Molhan Sheila Morgansmith Scott Morin Philip Myette Sheryl Nasansky

Residential Life Jen O’Neill Miriam Oquendo Marta Pagan Rebecca Painter Vicki Peck John PepinJessica Petriello Andrew Provencher Andrew Pusczynski Michael Richards Aris RistauAndrew Roberts Alvin Rodrigues, Jr. Emilia Rosario Michael Ryan Pam SchipaniJohn SearsKevin Sella Frank Sigismonde Niki Sol Mary Ann Spruell Linda Sumner Chuck Sundquist Logan Trimble Olbelina Ulloa Richard Watson Michael Welles Shawn White Jasmine Willis Robert Wylie Robert Yanez Lingling Zhang Drew Zimmerman

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Please copy and paste the link below into your browser to view a video of highlights of The Division of Student Affairs. We hope you enjoy it! http://www.dsa.uconn.edu/annual_report/2008-2009/video/

2008-2009 Photo Highlights Video

Office of Senior Transition & Engagement ProgramStephanie Muehlethaler

Department of Student ActivitiesDawn Benjamin Diane BordeleauMiguel Colon Nancy Depathy Beth DesjardinGina DeVivo Brassaw Kevin FaheyKara Fair Matt FarleyAdam FrankJessica Gerum Sylvie GodboutSamantha Grayeck Elizabeth GreenOlafemi Hunter Meg Marshall Ryan Matthews Janella Mildrexler Anna MilotCindy Morrissette Lyndsay NalbandianKaitlyn Newman Lillian PalaciosKate Perduta Jody PothKaren Provost Elizabeth SantosMichelle Sessoms Mary Shaw Heather Strunk Julia StulockMarisa SullivanNancy WhiteHeather WilhelmChristine Wilson

Office of Student Affairs Information Technology(SAIT)Keith BlanchardChris BoucherDan Capetta John FarrellDavid FullerMarc JonesEvelyn Lang Ryan MankusLisa Smith

Office of the Vice President for Student AffairsMargo BertramDenielle BurlJanice CanniffDavid ClokeyCathy Downs Julie Elkins Cynthia JonesStefanie LandsmanCaroline McCall (HESA)John SaddlemireSue Saunders (HESA)

Student UnionMichael Bolduk Kate Copeland Chuck Morrell Jennifer Navarro Corey O’BrienPeter Petruniw Steve Rugens Kim SchwarzAna Seeley Jackie Shrader Faith Sumpter

Wellness & Prevention ServicesShoshana Belfer-TylerRita BottoniEric CrumrineLiz Prince

Friends Outside the DivisionLia Albini Lynn Alchin George Allen Robin Anderson Andre Archambault Jared Ashmore Brenda Aubert

Friends Outside the DivisionLaurie Bassett Nicki Boucher Mark Boyer Preston Britner Hagan Brown Eileen Brown Melissa Bruen Maria Capriola Deb Carone Sgt. Christopher Casa Max Chanoch Robert Chudy Cynthia Collins Cristina Conte Derek Debus Anne Denny Desiree Diaz Lauren DiGrazia Kathy Fischer Richard Fleming Steve Fletcher Brittany Florio Melissa Foreman Rachael ForkerJay Frain Michael G. Franklin Jane Fried Nona Ghaffar George Gibson Eva Gorbants Karen Grava Kevin Grunwald Jean Gubbins Jackie Guzman Tom Haggerty Fany HannonPatricia Harkins

Friends Outside the DivisionMatt Hart Jeffrey Hathaway President Mike Hogan Emilie Hogrebe Kathleen Holgerson John Huck Robert Hudd Kenny Importante Nathan IvesJohn Jackman Rachel Jones Seamus Keating Willena Kimpson-Price Fleurette King Sgt. James Kodzis Leo Lachut Jennifer Lease ButtsLisa Lewis Rigoberto Lopez Emily Marusiak Marie McCain Erin McClellan Ryan McHardyJohn McNulty Sharon MendesDavid Mills Vin Moscardelli Brandy Nelson Christine NoonanDavid OuimettePatti Parlette Betsy Paterson Meghan Perrone Dr. E. Carol Polifroni Willena Price Chelsea Rayome Steve RhodesAngela RolaYuhang Rong Tom Ryba Maria Sedotti Nancy Silander Meghan Silva William Simpson Amanda Stauble John Suchy Jennifer Thompson Gaye Tuchman

One Division. Multiple Services. Students First.

Student Health ServicesKathy Aldrich Fran Boucher Cheryl Bourgeois Betsy Cracco Karin Denley Jane DesrosiersJudy Dessel Linda Dobosz Jennifer FoxSheri Gage Carlos Gonzalez-MartinezDavid Henry Deb Hubbell Paula Jessen Mike Kurland Kelley LaFleur Kelsey Larsen Laurie LoehrMaritza Lugo-StalkerMary Manton Tina McCarthy Pat Moriarty Joleen Nevers Michael Olzinski Linda Page Nanette Palmer Amy PumerantzGraciela Quinones-Rodriguez Margaret Rux Kathy SannerBarry SchreierTresca Smith Claire Verdier Donna Vose

Office of Student Services & AdvocacyKaren BrescianoGay Douglas Ada Elderkin Paul GainesLisa Lemaire Lee Williams