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Normalized Practice and Operational Effectiveness

Strategic Compass Point

Progress toward achieving success in Normalized Practices and Operational Effectiveness is guided by the following aspirational statements. Each statement is grounded by multiple near-term goals called Waypoints. As waypoints are achieved, new goals will take their place as identified through the cyclical Compass Process.

  1. Identification of Standards

    "Student Life departments, programs and operations are based on industry standards, aligned with industry best practices. Staff throughout the Division will collaborate to achieve maximum efficiencies and influence."

    Waypoint 1 - Each Student Life department and/or operation will submit detailed information about the industry standards and guidelines used to inform policies and operations.

    Waypoint 2 - A Student Life leadership subgroup will review the results of Waypoint 1; areas for improvement will be identified with suggested course of action and resources needed to achieve goals

  2. Employee Professional Development

    "Professional development is a hallmark of the Student Life employee experience across all levels and departments."

    Waypoint 1 - Student Life will work with Talent and Culture Leadership and Organization Development to identify appropriate on- and off-campus options for Student Life Staff professional development and additional training opportunities.

    Waypoint 2 - Student Life will highlight and encourage leadership and contributions from students and employees to professional organizations using a centralized webpage and regular media releases.

    Waypoint 3 - Student life will create a new-employee onboarding process to welcome and orient new hires to the Division and will foster professional social connections.

  3. Student Development

    "Student Life programs and services share a common commitment to student development and competency outcomes."

    Waypoint 1 - A Student Life committee will be formed to evaluate common student development standards and practices (i.e., NACE, CAS, NASPA) and with input from Student Life Directors and staff, will provide a recommendation to the Senior Leadership team for the adoption of a common standards set for the Division.

    Waypoint 2 - Student Life staff will have access to a minimum of 3 training opportunities annually, focused on creating and assessing Learning Outcomes and Competency Outcomes.

    Waypoint 3 - Student Life will develop and implement a basic training curriculum for all student life student employees to create consistent awareness of policies and procedures as well as Student Life programs and services.

  4. Assessment and Research

    "Student Life will embrace a greater commitment to assessment and research to better document and communicate the benefits and return on investing human, financial and social resources in Student Life programs and services."

    Waypoint 1 - Mandate assessment reporting at the department level.

    1. Create “poster session” at Student Life conference to share results.

    Waypoint 2 - Identify two – three common Student Life Reporting Metrics by Spring 2022.

    1. Implement by Fall 2022, report by December 2023.

    Waypoint 3 - Create and implement a method to track student participation in Student Life programs which will allow for proper assessment, research and donor development activities.

    1. Identify essential platforms used within the Division to create stronger databases of student information, growth, and achievement by July 1, 2022.

    2. Identify gaps or needs in participant tracking platforms and methods by December 2022.

    3. At the 2022 December Student Life Conference, Division training sessions on participation tracking tools will be offered.