We are proud to launch this new electronic newsletter from the Division of Academic and Student Affairs.  ASA@SVSU is intended both to provide information and stimulate discussion around issues of teaching, learning, student engagement, student success and higher education in general.  Slated to be released biweekly, this newsletter is different from both the Interior and the President's Weekly Update in that our primary goal is to foster student success by enhancing communication within the unit.

 

Each of the  various departments, units and groups within academic and student affairs has its own primary function and each of these functions is essential for the success of the institution. The Division of Academic and Student Affairs engages with students from the time they first think about attending college, through the admissions process, during their time at SVSU and ultimately throughout their post-graduate success. Along the way, we guide students through the complexities of university life, help them navigate the tricky social demands , provide cultural and recreational outlets, see to their physical and mental health, and oh, yes, teach them. 

 

The key is that we all work with the same students, students who come from as close as Carrollton and as far away as Kathmandu, students described by every permutation and variation of precocious and not, well-prepared and under-prepared, engaged and indifferent, highly motivated and unmotivated. Some are speeding down the expressway towards achieving their career goals and some are meandering and exploring many pathways.   To fully meet the needs of such a range of students requires the hard work of all of us -- the academic departments, academic support services, advising, student life, wellness programs, military student affairs, student conduct, residential life, counseling center,  recreation center, library, or the business offices  -- in creating the best environment we can to facilitate learning and growth.

We believe that to be most effective, each of us should understand and appreciate the contributions of all of us in Academic and Student Affairs.

This newsletter exists to foster and enhance communication across the various functions within ASA.  We expect the format will evolve, and look forward to your feedback to guide us. If you wish to contribute to the newsletter, please contact asa@svsu.edu.

 

Each issue will include columns, essays, or articles contributed by members of the ASA division.  The topics should be of interest to a broad multidisciplinary audience and be focused on institutional, regional or student success.

 

Each issue will highlight upcoming events that are of broad interest.  This is not intended to duplicate or replace the normal University Calendar, but rather to serve as a reminder of important campus happenings.  Please let us know if you have events that the faculty and staff of ASA would be interested in attending.

 

There is also an experimental section called "What We're Reading," intended to facilitate open discussion of issues in higher education.  We invite you to share articles or texts of general interest that might lead to interesting discourse; the only caveat is that if you submit an article, your name will be published and you are implicitly agreeing to facilitate a discussion on the topic if interest arises. 

 

Last, but not least, we include brief employee profiles.  There are over 500 people who work in the division, and we want to help you connect names, faces and job responsibilities.  We will cycle through a few in each issue and over time highlight the varied and impressive set of faculty and staff at SVSU.