Iowa State University

Division of Student Affairs

Who We Are
What We Do

Mission Statement

Our Responsibilities

In partnership with the faculty, the student body, and other university staff, Student Affairs personnel develop, deliver, and manage programs and services that:

  • Recruit, enroll, retain, and graduate the student body
  • Administer student financial aid programs
  • Orient new students to the campus
  • Provide housing for single and married undergraduate and graduate students
  • Provide medical care and personal counseling for students
  • Provide recreational facilities, activities, and programs
  • Maintain discipline within the student body
  • Register students for classes, maintain their academic records, and organize graduation ceremonies
  • Support academic life through residential learning communities, tutoring, and supplemental instruction
  • Address the needs and interests of special student populations
  • Develop special events, advise student government, and assist organizations
  • Offer leadership and diversity training for the student body, as well as opportunities to participate in peer education and mentoring programs

Our Approach

To achieve these ends, we are committed to open and ongoing dialogue with students, active participation in university councils and committees, and regular review and assessment of our programs, services, and policies.

We recognize that there are characteristics of the student condition that have remained unchanged for generations. We also understand that societal changes - driven by forces as varied as politics and technology - alter the demographics, lifestyles, and expectations of our student body with each entering freshmen class. It is our responsibility to understand both the longstanding and developing issues and trends in student life and to present and interpret these to our partners in other areas of the university.

We, as student affairs professionals, believe that much of the personal growth, skill development, and broad-based learning inherent in the campus experience take place outside lecture halls and laboratories. With this in mind, the division not only offers programs and services specifically developed to support academic programs, but also tailors its other programs, whenever possible, to encourage out-of-class learning and personal development.

To this end, our residence halls are designed not merely as housing, but also as neighborhoods that promote learning and student self-government; our conduct code and judicial affairs system is devised to instruct rather than to merely punish; and our student health center devotes its resources to both medical care and wellness education. Students are employed in all our division offices. Students participate in planning activities and events, as well as in establishing and revising policies. They serve on committees and on disciplinary boards.

We create and facilitate learning opportunities to support students in their academic pursuits; to encourage students to develop communication, teamwork, and leadership skills; and to permit students to gain experience in solving problems, resolving conflicts, and living in ethnically and culturally diverse communities.

Student Affairs Contributions to the Strategic Plan

The Division of Student Affairs contributes to the achievement of the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan through programs and services that address the Education, Program, Economic Impact, and University Life priorities of the plan. Specifically, the division addresses the goals of the plan, with a specific focus on the following (taken directly from the Iowa State University Strategic Plan 2005-2010, available at http://www.iastate.edu/~strategicplan/):

Education

  • Strengthen students' critical thinking, creative abilities, and communication skills.
  • Enhance students' understanding of global, cultural, ethical, and diversity issues.
  • Create an environment that welcomes students to explore a variety of disciplines and career paths.
  • Increase interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities, such as learning communities, service learning, internships, research experiences, and international exchanges.
  • Enhance programs for high ability students
  • Partner with K-12 schools and community colleges to facilitate transfer to and student success at Iowa State University.
  • Enhance services to enable students to find rewarding careers.

Programs

  • Increase the number and elevate the overall quality of graduate and professional students.

Economic Impact

  • Foster an environment that encourages faculty, staff, and students to engage in transfer of technology and entrepreneurial activities.

University Life

  • Recruit and retain faculty, staff, and students who are dedicated to individual and organizational excellence and achievement.
  • Expand the diversity of people, ideas, and cultures, and nurture an environment in which diversity can thrive.
  • Achieve a sustainable balance between responsibilities and resources that will allow the university to efficiently and effectively realize its vision.
  • Foster an environment in which all members of the university community can contribute their fullest while pursuing satisfying personal lives.
  • Provide a rich array of extracurricular opportunities to learn, lead, and enjoy life.
  • Ensure that intercollegiate athletics programs are models of academic success, integrity, and competitiveness.