Julie R. White, PhD
Dean of
Student Affairs

Greetings and Happy New Year,

I hope everyone had a joyous and restful holiday season, and that you are ready for what promises to be another successful and opportunity-filled year at Upstate! I am enthusiastic about the prospects for 2010! Looking back at 2009, I cannot help but be impressed by all that we achieved together.

I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the short-term priorities for the Division of Student Affairs. For those of you who have been involved in or followed the Engaging Excellence process, you know that enhancing the student experience is a top priority. In Student Affairs with a philosophy of "StudentsFirst!", we have begun to actualize a number of projects:

Campus Activities Building: Mr. Chuck Simpson, Director of College Union and Campus Activities, is undergoing the task of improving and updating the look of the building. With the addition of a new welcome center in the main lobby, the availability to purchase tickets for local events as well as trip information will be much more convenient and easily obtainable. Also, an updated and relocated TV/Game room will be in the works very soon!

Student Opinion Survey: Working with each college, my office will soon be administering a survey to assess students' satisfaction with various components of the Upstate experience. This is important to me for two reasons. First and foremost, soliciting and hearing the student voice is our single best resource. Second, knowing where we are relative to student perception will help us to determine where we need to go. And we will go. The results of this survey will define performance measures for staff, set short and long term goals for offices, and set the agenda for areas in need of improvement.

Academic Support Services: Upcoming services for all students to be aware of for 2010 will include study strategy workshops by course directors and a newly developed skills course.

There are many other exciting things "in the works" that I hope to share with you in the near future. I would again like to invite you to come by my office and introduce yourself. I'd love the opportunity to chat with you about your Upstate experience and your aspirations for the future.

Cheers to 2010!

Julie R. White, PhD
Dean of Student Affairs