Mackenzie Clark
News Editor
Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Scott Brown has recently outlined the goals for the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) during the 2016- 2017 school year.
The DSA’s first main goal is to both provide and enhance educational experiences for students. This includes partnering with APEX and Academic Affairs in order to help students make connections between curricular and co-curricular initiatives.
“Learning happens both in and out of the classroom, on and off campus. We’re focusing on how we can help facilitate that process as much as possible,” said Brown.
The DSA is also planning to create new opportunities for student leadership before the end of the school year.
Another focus of the DSA is to foster an inclusive and equitable community. Brown emphasized the need to make sure every person that comes into the College community feels welcome. “It’s really about the sense of place and what the rights and responsibilities are to be a part of this community,” said Brown. The DSA also wants to help students develop the abilities needed to operate in a diverse environment at the college level as well as in the future.
The DSA is also prioritizing improving student health and wellness. “You can’t be a student if you’re sick or struggling,” said Brown, “so our goal is to help develop students’ resiliency and help them manage the difficulties that come with transitioning to a new environment.”
Brown further emphasized the DSA’s goal to anticipate and support what students will experience on campus in the context of basic wellness and mental health. The DSA plans to address policy regarding situations that may cause potential harm to students, such as substance abuse and sexual misconduct.
“There are a number of things we’re doing in pretty systemic ways to [work towards] creating a climate that supports all of the good aspects of the student experience,” said Brown. These plans include forming multiple committees made up of faculty, staff and students to address various issues such as implementing the new alcohol policy, developing the counseling process at the Longbrake Wellness Center and creating a sexual assault prevention and response plan.
Brown recently outlined these plans to the Student Government Association and was met with a positive response. At-Large Senator Monét Davis ’19 expressed her excitement about working with Dean Brown and the DSA to accomplish these goals.
“I am excited to see the work that Dean Brown will do. His positive and welcoming personality has been much needed on this campus,” said Davis. “As an at-large senator, my goal is to advocate and act as a liaison for students as a whole. When Dean Brown outlined his goals, I became incredibly enthusiastic for the future of Wooster with regards to student life. Although I am excited for all of his goals, there are a few in particular that I am paying more attention to: developing diverse educational programs and expanding student support, supporting students’ health, wellness and resiliency; refining evidence-based efforts to mitigate high-risk alcohol use; and enhance sexual assault prevention and survivor support. Overall, I think the goals proposed will truly enhancing student life on campus and I personally look forward to working with him with the Committee on Social Experiences.”
Brown highlighted the role he hopes the DSA will play in creating high quality, student centered services this school year and in the future. “We’re thinking of the design of your experience so that you don’t have to have a law degree to get information,” said Brown. “The division is looking at our policies and processes and making sure that whatever we’re doing is in such a way that the default experience for students is excellent.”