1. Vision, Operating Philosophy, Core Values
2. Goals, Future Directions
3. Overview
4. Campus Dining Services
5. Campus Recreation and Intramurals
6. Career Services
7. Counseling Center
8. First Year Programs
9. Greek Affairs
10. Multicultural Student Affairs
11. Student Involvement and Leadership
12. Student Health Services
13. University Housing

back to top

Goals
STUDENT AFFAIRS GOAL 1: To provide inclusive programs and services

Strategic Direction 1.1: Enhance and increase common experiences which promote and encourage diversity
Strategic Direction 1.2: Provide individual experiences and services for a diverse student population
Strategic Direction 1.3: Student Affairs will provide adequate programs and services to extended campuses

STUDENT AFFAIRS GOAL 2: To continuously improve Divisional effectiveness

Strategic Direction 2.1: Enhance current planning and assessment process
Strategic Direction 2.2: Support personal and professional development
Strategic Direction 2.3: Increase external funding

STUDENT AFFAIRS GOAL 3: To encourage student engagement

Strategic Direction 3.1: Increase Freshman Engagement
Strategic Direction 3.2: Increase opportunities for and participation in learning experiences inside and outside the classroom

back to top
Overview

2003-04 was an active year in the Division of Student Affairs. Under the leadership of Dr. James F. Conneely the division made great strides in the areas of student development, student programming and student resources. Dr. Conneely’s vision since his arrival has been that the Division of Student Affairs will obtain national recognition for Eastern Kentucky University. Given the growth and development for the 2003-04 year, the Division is well on its way. This annual report highlights many of the new initiatives and accomplishments of this past year.

back to top
Campus Dining Services

Dining Services experienced a number of positive changes this past year. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment in this area came in the introduction of Java City Coffee Shop to the Crabbe Library. This facility has been very well received and should become a hub of activity as it settles in for its first full year of operation.

As a result of Customer surveys customer satisfaction continues to improve and ranks above average as compared to all Aramark Campus accounts in the Region. Voluntary Meal Plan participation increased by 25 % vs. the same time last year, and is another indication of the campus’ support of the dining program.

The Food Court added Montague`s Deli and Home Zone (Traditional Hot Plate meals ) as well as expanding the Grab N Go program. The Blimpie/C-Store did what is called a Reset, which updates the C-Sore offerings to the selections that are most popular at the time of the Reset. In the fall of 2004 the Food Court will see an Izzi`s Southwest which will offer Mexican cuisine centering on building a Burrito to order.

Dining Services also introduced a new catering guide which lowered the overall pricing structure of catering by 21 %. In addition they introduced a “for pick up” student catering guide which is extremely competitive with local groceries and caterers and has been well received by all student organizations.

back to top
Campus Recreation and Intramurals

The Department of Campus Recreation Department saw significant growth in 2003-04. Obviously the primary highlight is the completion of the Fitness & Wellness Center. The 7 million dollar facility has 2 basketball courts, a 4-lane indoor track, 2,000 square foot group exercise area, a 10,000 square foot weight and fitness area, locker rooms, lounge with big screen television and computers, and offices for the campus recreation staff. The facility will allow Campus Recreation to offer new and innovative programming and centralizes recreational services making it easier for students to get involved. The Fitness and Wellness Center will effectively promote the mission statement of the department by promoting healthy lifestyles and aid the university in recruitment and retention.

In other areas, the intramural program SIGNIFICANTLY increased its team sport participation by 20% from 198 teams in 2002-03 to 249 teams. There was also a 26% increase in the number of women’s teams from 54 to 73 teams. These numbers are impressive given the national trend for intramural participation is slightly declining.

The professional staff grew with three new positions beginning July 1 2004. The additions were a full-time fitness coordinator, a full-time facility coordinator and a part-time climbing wall/outdoor programs coordinator. These positions were needed to meet the demands of the new Fitness & Wellness Center which will open in summer 2004.

back to top
Career Services

This has been a very successful year for Career Services. The major accomplishment was the creation of a Job Location and Development Program and hiring of a full-time staff member to head up this program to assist students in locating off-campus, part-time employment; as well as assist with internships and summer opportunities. The primary goal of generating $50K in annual student salaries was met within the first quarter and surpassed for the year by 282%. Mary Raider, JLD Coordinator, initiated a community outreach to employers, encouraging them to post signs in their businesses that let their customers know that they “Hire EKU Talent. “

In collaboration with Cooperative Education, the first EKU Employer of the Year was awarded to The Sherwin-Williams Company for their long-term support of EKU and active recruiting of our students.

The mock interview program underwent a major upgrade to using web cams for recording the mocks and providing students with a CD of their interview, along with job search tips, for future review. In addition to increase mock interview activity, the office saw a major increase in the number of students using the office and seeking assistance with their career decisions and job search.

back to top
Counseling Center

During 2003-04 the Counseling Center experienced significant increases in: (a) demand for services resulting in waitlists, (b) students with more serious long-term mental health problems, (c) students who were suicidal, and (d) students who needed to be hospitalized. Reductions in outreach services had to occur in order to accommodate the demand for clinical services.

New initiatives this year were:

back to top
First Year Programs
The mission of the Office of First Year Programs is to aid in the transition to college for first year students and their parents by providing useful and timely information in a professional manner.
Orientation Programs (Pre-Registration)

Orientation is an important transitional program. New technologies have been added to allow for online registration for the program as well as more attention to publications and program design.
Since the development of the Office of First Year Programs in July 2000, the numbers of students and parents attending orientation has risen each year.

Orientation (each Jan, April, June and July) Students Guests Total
2002 2273 2339 4612
2003 2564 2863 5427

New Student Days

Also considered an orientation program, New Student Days satisfies the need for traditional aged students to feel more comfortable on campus in the three developmental areas where they feel most vulnerable: social, academic and mechanical skills. The numbers over the first four years have increased significantly.

New Student Days (each August) Students
2002 1782
2003 1827

Other initiatives included the EKU Tutoring and Enrichment Center and PLUS Mentoring Program. The PLUS Mentoring Program made 79 matches this year. In addition, the PLUS Mentoring Program identified various departments and programs on campus and invited them to participate in an advisory committee in an effort to streamline the wide variety of mentoring programs available across campus.

back to top
Greek Affairs
2003-04 was another extremely successful year for the Greek System at EKU. EKU’s Greek Life program once again (for the third year in a row) was recognized at the SEIFC and SEPC conferences as one of the top Greek Systems in the Southeastern conference area. The IFC men received top honors for the Fraternal Excellence award given to the top 15 schools in the Southeast along with 1 first place and two second place plaques, and 9 honors of excellence. The PH women were only afforded the opportunity to win one award at SEPC due to new restrictions only allowing for a school to apply for one award. The EKU women did walk away with the 1st place award for Women’s issues at the conference. This new rule restricted the women from winning three awards for three years in a row (similar to the men) and being recognized easily as the top system in the state. EKU’s Greek system is well known for the excellence in service and involvement in the Community.

This past year the system contributed nearly 30,000 hours of service and raised nearly $100,000 for local and national philanthropies. One form of newer service efforts initiated was the assistance with new students moving in. The notion behind this initiative was to help promote a positive image of Greek membership and to continue to breakdown some of the negative stereotypes that often hinder the Greek community. The highlight of the Greek system would have to the Panhellenic philanthropic event Cheer For The Cure, which raised a record $10,000.00 this year.

EKU’s Greek System continues to grow and maintains a population right at the national average of 9% and is an integral part of campus life at Eastern.

back to top
Multicultural Student Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs was re-established in October 2003 after a three year vacancy. The purpose of the office is to promote diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness through programming, workshops and learning opportunities. Highlights of the year include:
Mix-It-Up Lunch - This event gave members of the EKU campus the opportunity to break bread with individuals with whom they would not normally dine. There were about 125 faculty, staff and students who contributed to making this event such a success.

“Remembering Dr. King: The Man, The Vision and The Dream” - This campus-wide MLK holiday celebration drew about 150 participants who shared in honoring the life of Dr. King through a comparable timeline display between the Civil Rights Movement and the life of Dr. King accompanied by photographs, the delivery of several of his notable speeches by EKU students and a video memorial produced by the Office. The keynote address for the holiday celebration was given by President Joanne K. Glasser, Esq.

An Evening of the Spoken Word and Poetry - Guest Artists from 7 AM Productions were invited to campus provide a night of soulful, flowing, melodic poetry and hip-hop expression. There were about 25 students who participated in this event, many of who took advantage of the open mic session.

“Brown vs. Board of Education Turns Fifty: But Are We Still Separate and Not Equal”
For this conference, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs brought in Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, Asst. Professor of Art at Southern Illinois University. Mr. Musawwir exhibited a 14.5x 4.5 canvas mural depicting the Brown vs. Board of Education decision entitled “Demanding Quality Education”.

The Amazing Life of Sojourner Truth - The amazing life of Sojourner Truth was recalled in a one-woman performance by actress Kathryn Woods to an audience of about 250 people. Sojourner Truth walked away from 29 years of slavery, changed her name and became a fiery anti-slavery feminist.

back to top
Student Involvement and Leadership
During the 2003-04 year, the Office of Student Life provided a variety of different opportunities for students to be involved in: leadership development programs, student involvement and activities, community service and philanthropy projects, educational events, and family oriented programs.

Leadership Initiatives
The Office of Student Life provided students with leadership speakers, improved president and advisor training, and much one-on-one contact for support to growing organizations. The Office of Student Life is looking forward to offering a leadership class and developing the new E-Lead (Eastern’s Leadership Education and Development) program in the coming year.

In addition, the Student Life Undergraduate Internship was offered for the first time this year, the “Adjusted” programming series was developed (assisting first year students in adjusting to campus life, the Office of Volunteerism was established, the semi-formal Student Life Leadership Banquet was significantly upgraded and expanded.

Student Involvement and Activities
Student Life worked with many other departments and programs to produce a variety of highly successful events. Family Weekend was significantly enhanced and saw a considerable increase in participation, “Weekenders” was established (a program designed to involve students staying in Richmond for the weekend), as well as a celebration of Women’s Awareness Month, AIDS awareness week, and the American Film Institute 100 Years in Movies .

Student Activities Council
The Student Activities Council had a successful year as they sponsored such events as Caesar’s Casino Night and Auction, several comedians, two major concerts, When the Gays Move Into Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. the third annual President’s Ball. SAC was also instrumental in the planning of a number of the Homecoming activities

Thursday Alternative Getaway
The Thursday Alternative Getaway (TAG) program also saw a huge increase in attendance this year in comparison to years past. In an effort to obtain additional funds for TAG, the Office of Student Life submitted a grant application to the U.S. Department of Education for reducing high risk drinking among college students. Regretfully, the grant was denied. TAG will continue to seek opportunities to procure more funding.

back to top
Student Health Services & Health Education

Student Health Services is a campus based ambulatory primary care medical clinic, committed to competent, compassionate health care and health education to promote improved quality of life, student success, and life long wellness. This year, planned changes to staffing patterns began when positions vacated by retiring and resigning RN's were filled with well trained and well qualified Certified Medical Assistants, graduates of the EKU program of study. Also, facilities renovations at SHS to house the Health Educator and the Peer Ed group, and to bring the SHS into compliance with the privacy requirements of HIPAA, were completed.

In order to better address student needs, the Student Health Center initiated expanded service during the midday break, for students needing access to care during this period of the day.
Last year also saw the birth of the Health Education Program and the creation of the Peer Education Program at EKU. Our Health Educator, Ms Amanda Woods, and her team of Peer Educators (the Health Education Action Team - HEAT) have aggressively engaged the university community through numerous programs and presentations in residence halls and the Student Center.External support for many of these programs has been sought, and received from agencies such as the Malt Beverage Association ($8,000 for 2003-04 and $15,000 for 2004-05), and Action Agenda Funds ($25,000). The topics addressed by the HEAT have included a wide array, ranging from alcohol, tobacco, and other substance abuse, healthy relationships, sexual assault, domestic violence, stress management, nutrition, weight management, eating disorders, and the misuse of supplements. All our physicians are involved in outside-the-health center educational programs held in residence halls, both during and after clinic hours, at the request of the RAs, and coordinated by Ms.Woods. The topics have ranged from heart disease in women, weight management, diet and exercise, breast self exams, and the benefits of folic acid. Dr Joshi, in conjunction with Ms.Woods, conducts the smoking cessation program on Wednesdays from 12 noon to 1:00 pm.

back to top
University Housing
In 2003-04 the Department of University Housing continued toward its goal to achieve not only state, but also regional and national recognition as an exemplary program of distinction. In an effort to accomplish this, the Board of Regents accepted and approved a ten-year plan outlining the vision for the Department of University Housing, a major step for the Department. Additionally, there were a number of other new initiatives which were successfully implemented and they are mentioned below:

Living and Learning
The ConneXtions living-learning community was expanded doubling the number of students that could participate. An in-hall tutoring center was established in Case Hall, additionally, mentoring services were offered within the first-year residence halls, and more faculty programs were done. Several initiatives such as the “How To” Series and the “Next Steps” Series introduced students to issues dealing with their transition to and from the EKU community. In Fall 2004 the program will continue to expand with an additional six new living-learning communities being established.

Other Highlights
Other highlights from the 2003-04 included a campus-wide move in day volunteer effort which involved over 200 faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees, assisting students on their first day on campus. On the staffing side, the department showed a significant increase in the diversity of the staff, and an increase in RA staff in order to have a lower RA/student ratio. The department also began looking for alternative forms of funding and conducted a fundraiser, providing a convenient linen service to parents and raised almost enough money to cover the entire expenses of their annual banquet.