Why Does Student Affairs have Teams within its Staffing Structure?
Because each department is more or less responsible for a functional area in Student Affairs, it would be easy for each staff member to become part of a “silo,” focused primarily on the day-to-day function and needs of each job and department. Indeed, there are many tasks that do not lend themselves to teamwork. However, much of what happens in Student Affairs is more effective when staff members from multiple departments approach the task or issue together. We are about the business of educating the whole student to become a citizen leader dedicated to the common good. If student affairs staff members collaborate, we will be better able to support, challenge, and assist students along their journey.
There are additional benefits to teamwork for individual staff members and to the work of Student Affairs:
- A better understanding of each member’s role in the group.
- A better understanding of the team’s role in the larger organization.
- Increasing communication among team members about issues affecting performance and efficiency.
- Designing more creative and effective approaches to tasks, programs, and problems.
- Finding effective means of handling tasks and interpersonal conflicts within the team.
- Becoming better able to use conflict constructively.
- Promoting collaboration and lessening competition among members.
- Enhancing interdependence among members.
- Creating healthy working communities through partnerships.
The following is the proposed Student Affairs Team Structure and Purposes for 2005-06. The goals for each team for 2004-05 are also included for your information. At Day Two of the August Advance (Friday, August 12), the conveners of each team will facilitate a brainstorming and planning session to kick off the work of the team for 2005-06. Following this session, each team will present to the rest of the participants their direction and goals for this academic year.
The following is the proposed Student Affairs Team Structure and Purposes for 2005-06. The goals for each team for 2004-05 are also included for your information. At Day Two of the August Advance (Friday, August 12), the conveners of each team will facilitate a brainstorming and planning session to kick off the work of the team for 2005-06. Following this session, each team will present to the rest of the participants their direction and goals for this academic year.
Assessment & Learning Plan Team
Purpose:
- To explore issues related to assessment, evaluation, and measuring learning in Student Affairs.
- To assist Student Affairs staff members in obtaining assessment skills.
- To assist Student Affairs staff members in using assessment results effectively.
- To assist Student Affairs departments in developing a comprehensive assessment plan.
Goals for 2005-06:
- To meet with individual department representatives periodically to assist in accomplishing the Learning Plan.
- To design and facilitate a system to document assessment and evaluation efforts in addition to the Learning Plan, as well as document the changes that have been made based on the results of assessment and evaluation.
- To assist professionals with skill development and information about assessment, evaluation, and documenting learning.
- To design a template for departments to use that will assist the reader in understanding the results of assessment and evaluation.
Membership:
- Representatives from several Student Affairs departments who are primarily responsible for the assessment efforts.
- Membership should be about 5-6.
- For 2005-06:
- Lonnie Calhoun
- Josie Hatfield
- Matt Kitchie
- Susan Sullivan
- Convener: Laura Bayless
Community Standards and Expectations
Purpose:
- To examine current policies, procedures, and practices for effectiveness and consistency with industry standard (best practices).
- To identify and recommend to the Vice President for Student Affairs policies, procedures, and practices that may need to be revised.
- To promote integration of Student Affairs with other areas of campus life.
Projects under review in 2005-06:
- Smoking Policy questions/refinements
- Review harassment and civility policies
- Explore policy issues regarding un-registered, underground groups.
- Review disciplinary procedures to remove legalistic jargon and procedures.
- Refine Greek Code definitions of a Greek function.
- Explore policy issues surrounding public display of prohibited behavior on electronic media.
- RCL issues regarding Longwood Landings and falsification of residency information
- Hazing policy
Membership:
- Representatives from several Student Affairs departments who work with and are responsible for administering community standards.
- Membership should be about 5-6.
- For 2005-06:
- Olivia Acosta
- Doug Howell
- Dave Levy
- Susie Rood
- Convener: Rick Chassey
Leadership and Involvement
Purpose
- To explore issues related to leadership and involvement at Longwood University.
- To enhance leadership and involvement opportunities for all students.
- To assist Student Affairs staff members in broadening the skill base necessary to effectively engage students in the co-curriculum.
- To ensure that assessment is conducted to provide a real picture of the student experience of leadership and involvement at Longwood University.
Goals for 2005-06:
- Continue to recognize student participation in clubs/organization.
- Develop new strategies/mechanisms for engaging uninvolved students in co-curricular programs.
- Identify and implement ways in which to provide late night (non-alcoholic) programming throughout the year.
- Serve as an advisory group for the growing Joan of Arc Leadership Program ?? (still up for discussion with the team)
Membership:
- Representatives from several Student Affairs departments who are interested in issues related to Leadership and Involvement.
- Membership should be 5 – 7.
- For 2005-06:
- Jeff Gore
- Angela Jackson
- Matt Kitchie
- Ellen Masters
- Kim Shaffer
- Convener: Kerstin Soderlund
Professional Development
Purpose:
- To identify areas where personal growth and professional growth of Student Affairs staff members are desired.
- To identify areas of institutional need for which Student Affairs staff members can be trained.
- To provide professional development opportunities for Student Affairs staff members.
- To provide opportunities for celebration, recognition, and social events.
Goals for 2005-2006:
- To organize and provide Student Affairs “Retreats” in August, December or January, and May.
- To clarify and share clearly articulated goals for each.
- To develop and market one significant training opportunity for Student Affairs professionals per semester.
- To organize one social event for Student Affairs staff per semester.
- To organize a Student Affairs Service Learning opportunity, to model for students giving to the community and reflecting on the learning process.
Membership:
- Representatives from several Student Affairs departments who are interested in issues related to professional development.
- Membership should be about 5-6.
- For 2005-06:
- Michelle Chandler
- Janet Gibson
- Larry Robertson
- Mary Meade Saunders
- Susan Sullivan
- Convener: Maureen Walls-McKay
Wellness
Purpose:
- To explore issues related to wellness at Longwood University
- To enhance wellness opportunities for the University Community
- To ensure that wellness is a thread that runs through all areas of the University Community
Goals for 2005-06:
- To conduct an ecological study assessing campus wellness (use the following documents as guides):
- To utilize the Wellness Team as an advisory group for the wellness task force
- To create a Wellness Resource Network for the campus community
Membership:
- Representatives from several Student Affairs departments who have an interest in issues related to wellness.
- Membership from Student Affairs should be about 6-8.
- For 2005-06:
- Wendell Barbour
- Mikel Cubberley
- Malvin Eanes
- Jan Evans
- Matt McGregor
- Donna Snyder
- Lori Stravers
- Jon Strine
- Convener: Pam Higgins
- Convener: Wayne O’Brien
