UT’s new Division of Student Life will serve the campus community, replacing the old Division of Student Affairs with fresh ideas and a clearer focus.
Recently the Division of Student Affairs experienced a series of changes that will make its various departments more responsive to campus needs. Specifically, faculty in the department used student feedback to refocus the department’s goals. The majority of these changes are in keeping with the aims of UT’s top 25 initiative.
“During fall and spring terms, the former division of student affairs engaged in an in-depth strategic planning process,” Melissa Shivers, assistant vice chancellor for student life, said in a statement. “This process allowed us to conduct 13 to 15 focus groups with students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents to gain a sense of their understanding of the work of student affairs. It was through this process that we gleaned a wealth of information that we will utilize to help enhance our focus and goals for the next five years.”
This research process helped the Division of Student Life determine which means are most effective for reaching students. Results of the survey process proved critical in planning the reorganization. Faculty involved in this area of the university place a top priority on enhancing the student experience outside of the classroom.
“We feel that the Division of Student Life better represents the mission of our collective departments — improving student life at UT,” Timothy Rogers, vice chancellor for student life, said in a statement. “Students spend 85 percent of their time outside the classroom, and each department housed in the Division of Student Life provides programs and services to support and enhance student life on a daily basis.”
Changing the organization’s name was not essential to the revamp but was vital in reflecting the internal changes made to the division. The faculty hopes to send a clear message about its mission on campus.
“While the name change was not a direct suggestion of our constituents, (there was) a desire to title our unit in a way that is better representative of our focus and what we do,” Shivers said.
Alterations to the role of student affairs will be wide-reaching. The name change was designed to highlight the diverse array of services and departments that make up this campus division.
“In addition to changing the name, we hope to make students aware of the departments and offices that comprise the Division of Student Life,” Rogers said. “The programs and services offered by these 16 departments — Career Services, Multicultural Student Life, Parents Association, SEE Center, Student Counseling Center, Student Health Services, University Center, University Housing, Dean of Students, Disability Services, Fraternity and Sorority Life, RecSports, Student Activities, Student Judicial Affairs, Student Orientation and Leadership Development, Student Publications — touch all areas of student well-being and development.”
All of these efforts were structured around a desire to protect the division’s primary mission.
“As our name changes to the Division of Student Life, we are reminded each and every day of our mission and commitment to student success,” Rogers said.
According to the division’s website, http://studentlife.utk.edu, the division’s main goal is to enhance student life at UT. The group labors in “providing students with an engaging and enlightening atmosphere of living and learning.”
Employees see the name change as a step towards the division’s future.
“It was in the spirit of our mission and focus, as well as the feedback from division department heads, that we have progressed from student affairs to student life,” Shivers said.
The department members are most pleased to be working alongside other endeavors in advancement of the top 25 initiative.
“We are very fortunate that Chancellor Cheek has set the course for our (department’s) future through the VolVision/top 25 initiatives,” Shivers said.
In drafting the parameters of new department policies and focus, the division worked to incorporate goals from those programs already in existence on campus.
“The goals outlined in the VolVision/Journey to the Top 25 provided a solid framework for our Division Strategic Plan, which includes a focus on student engagement and success, student environment, student learning, student services and staff support,” Shivers said. “We will continue to utilize assessment as an overarching mechanism to gauge our successes and opportunities for growth of our programs and services.”
These new changes are expected to enhance the already dedicated efforts rendered by the department’s members to increase student satisfaction with the university and its community.
“The division staff already does a tremendous job in providing outstanding academic, cultural, social and leadership opportunities, and we only want to get better,” Shivers said. “I would argue that we have one of the strongest Divisions of Student Life in the country due to of the dedication and hard work of all student life staff.”
The division is still anxious to use student commentary to improve its services on campus.
“We will continue to use the results from surveys’ and anecdotal feedback from students and other constituents to inform our practice and decision making, which in turn provides exceptional services and support for all students,” Shivers said. “Students will continue to reap the benefits from living and learning in an environment rich in opportunities and support for their academic and personal success.”
Even with all of the different forms of progression in the Division of Student Life, one clear focus remains of top priority for its faculty and staff.
“Our division staff works hard to provide outstanding opportunities for success for all students and to ensure that they receive the highest quality programs, events, services and facilities,” Rogers said. “The Division of Student Life will continue to adhere to these high standards, while ensuring that we are responsive and reactive to the changing needs of our students.”
