Vision for the 21st Century: A Plan for Excellence
Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs continues to work collaboratively with the Divisions of Academic Affairs, Administration and Advancement to implement the goals of the university's strategic plan - Vision for the 21st Century: A Plan for Excellence.

While many of the goals are being addressed in teams that cross divisions of the university, the Division of Student Affairs has been charged with the responsibility for six of the goals outlined in the strategic plan. Progress in achieving these goals is outlined below.

• Conduct a comprehensive survey of students. A national survey and a CSU systemwide survey were recently administered to students on our campus. Both instruments indicated a relatively high level of student satisfaction with their Fresno State experience. Both surveys indicated, however, that the quality of service we provide could be improved. In order to address this concern, the divisions of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Administration joined together to implement a customer service training program this year. The Connections training program is currently being offered to university staff.
• Revise the schedule of services. One of the goals of the Plan for Excellence is to make services available at times other than normal business hours. In order to address this goal, the Division of Student Affairs implemented extended hours for specific services and programs beginning in the spring of 1999. Several offices now provide services until 7 p.m. Services to Students with Disabilities Program now provides evening access to the Adaptive Computer Lab and schedules evening appointments with students. Other offices, such as Admissions, Records and Evaluations, and Financial Aid, provide extended hours during the first two weeks of the semester.
• Identify and implement curricular and co-curricular activities across ethnic, gender, generational, and other boundaries to enhance cross-cultural interaction. Numerous co-curricular programs were developed and presented in 1999, including a cross-cultural campus/community week of dialogue "Stop the Hate," Disability Awareness Month, and a Cross Cultural Retreat for student leaders, which included the development of a related course. Faculty, staff and administrators from across divisions of the university continue to work together collaboratively on curricular and co-curricular activities that address the diversity of the students we serve.
• Strengthen the integration of new students into the university. "Advising Days" - a new student orientation program for first year and transfer students - has been reorganized. Improvements were made in both the structure and content of the program. The revised program allows for greater campus-wide involvement, including colleges, schools and departments. While the program is not mandatory, significant incentives have been added, such as priority registration. In addition, the fee for parent, significant other, and sibling participation in Advising Days has been reduced. Overall, participation in Advising Days by first year students, transfer students, and family members has increased and evaluations by participants have been very positive. Improvements to this program are ongoing. A new "Parents Association" also has been established by the Division of Student Affairs. This constituent group held its first meeting on campus in the fall of 1999. Involvement of parents in the life of the university will assist with the integration and retention of new students into the campus community.
• Improve personal contact in student services. A work group that consists of staff from Career Services and the Office of Advising Services is in the process of final-izing a plan to improve advising and career services to undeclared students. During the first two weeks of the fall 1999 semester, an advising booth was set up in the Free Speech Area to provide students with the opportunity to ask academic advising questions. The Division of Student Affairs continues to promote increased campus collaboration among academic advisers. It also encourages participation in professional development training opportunities that enhance personal contact and services to students.
• Implement processes for applications, admissions, advising and enrollment that ensure a smooth transition to the university. A multi-step campus recruitment and communications plan has been implemented. The plan improves customer service and information available to prospective students. The school-based recruitment and telecounseling programs also help to ensure that new students have a smooth transition to the university. The Financial Aid Office has taken steps to ensure that early communication of both financial aid and scholarship application status and awards go to prospective students. The Degree Audit Records Systems (DARS) provides detailed evaluations to transfer students.

Additional information on the progress of these goals is detailed in the Milestones #3 report submitted in January by the Division of Student Affairs. Copies are available in the Office of the President.

"In the three years that I have attended Fresno State, I cannot think of a better program offered than this retreat. In the last three days, I have grown as a person, realizing that I still have so much to learn - not only about myself, but about others."

"Before, if someone had asked me if I had things in common with someone of a different culture,

I would have said no. Yet now I know that is untrue. Deep inside we are all facing the same issues and have the same things in common."

-- Comments by student participants, Cross-Cultural Student Leadership Retreat, January 1999