12.2 Student support services staff

The institution ensures an adequate number of academic and student support services staff with appropriate education or experience in student support service areas to accomplish the mission of the institution.

Judgment

x Compliance o Non-Compliance o Partial Compliance

Narrative

UL Lafayette employs an adequate number of qualified staff members to effectively serve the student affairs departments. These staff members are equipped with the appropriate skills, education, or experience to carry out the mission of the division to which they are assigned, as well as that of the University.

While student support staff are employed in a number of divisions across campus, the core of student support is the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). The DSA is led by Patricia Cottonham, Vice President for Student Affairs. The VPSA has over 35 years’ experience in higher education with 21 of those years dedicated to Student Affairs. The VPSA is active in the profession and in the community. The DSA is a collection of 13 departments working together to support the student experience and to provide a vibrant campus community for more than 18,000 students at the University. The division is composed of more than 110 professional staff members and approximately 260 student employees.

The 13 departments work together to address campus and student needs in the following areas:

· Career Services

· Child Development Center

· Counseling & Testing

· Dean of Students

· Student Government Association

· Disability Services

· International Affairs

· Public Safety/University Police

· Recreational Sports

· Residential Life

· Student Engagement & Leadership

· Fraternity and Sorority Life

· Student Organizations

· Spirit Squad

· University Programming Council

· Student Health Services

· Student Publications

· Student Rights & Responsibilities

The DSA supports the University’s mission to “offer an exceptional education informed by diverse worldviews grounded in tradition, heritage, and culture [and]… develop leaders and innovators who advance knowledge, cultivate aesthetic sensibility, and improve the human condition” by providing services, opportunities, and programs that contribute to student success, personal development, and campus community. The division’s mission is to “…provide quality services and guidance to the University community which foster intellectual, emotional, and social growth, delivered professionally with concern for the dignity of each individual.” The University Strategic Plan identifies “cultivate a student body that is intellectually curious and civically engaged by developing an infrastructure that ensures student success” as a strategic initiative. To fulfill this initiative the DSA provides services, support, and student engagement opportunities to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate students.

The DSA’s values reflect the University’s values, and inform the short- and long-term goals of the division. These values are the underlying principles that guide daily operations and decision-making:

· Engagement: The DSA emphasizes the critical importance of engagement as a means of promoting personal growth and learning in all aspects of students’ lives. The DSA approaches engagement as a process rather than a product, with the intention of building community to foster intellectual curiosity, civic responsibility, leadership, and respect for others.

· Inclusion: The DSA fosters the continuous development of an inclusive campus by intentionally working to build a community where all students feel welcomed, supported, and celebrated.

· Support: DSA staff are dedicated to supporting students and the University community as they contribute to the mission, goals, and values of the University. They value community and provide opportunities for students to be active and responsible members of the campus and global community.

· Leadership: The DSA makes every effort to be leaders in the campus community through their actions, service delivery, and dedication to students. As educators, in partnership with students and faculty, they provide quality leadership opportunities that are challenging and rewarding. They are intentional in the design and delivery of engaging and empowering experiences that foster the development of ethical, responsible, and collaborative leaders.

· Integrity: DSA staff are committed to ethical practices, civility, and accountability in their work. They operate and educate their students in an atmosphere of openness and are committed to the highest professional standards in all endeavors.

Staff Training and Development

All student support staff are required to complete training offered by the University of Louisiana System (UL System) and the Board of Regents (BOR). In addition, staff are encouraged to attend professional development opportunities offered by the Division, the University, the UL System, and through the professional organizations affiliated with their area of specialty and with student affairs in general (samples).

Qualifications and Credentials

Student Support Services Staff have the qualifications to meet the missions, values, and strategic imperatives described above. In Table 12.2 – 1, each job description identifies the minimum education and experience qualifications for each position, as well as the duties and responsibilities, and provides the staff member’s curriculum vitae demonstrating qualifications. When announcements are posted for new or vacant positions, the required qualifications and expectations are clearly stated. Prior to posting, each position announcement and description is reviewed to ensure the hiring of qualified and experienced staff to serve the students and community at the University.

Table 12.2 — 1: Academic and Student Support Services Staff

Position Title	Position Description	Occupant Name	Highest degree and degree field	CV
Vice President for Student Affairs	Description	Patricia Cottonham	MS Rehabilitation and Counselling Education	CV
Dean of Students	Description	Margarita Perez	EdD-Educational Leadership	CV
Director of Student Engagement and Leadership	Description	Heidie Lindsey	MS-Higher Education Administration	CV
Counseling and Testing Director	Description	Brian Frederick	PhD-School Psychology	CV
Associate Dean of Students/Interim Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities	Description	Carl Tapo	MA-Student Affairs in Higher Education	CV
Director of Career Services	Description	Kimberly Billeaudeau	BA-Interpersonal & Public Communication	CV
Director, SGA Child Care Center	Description	Susan Arceneaux	BS-Child & Family Studies	CV
Director of Office of Disability Services	Description	Carol Landry	PhD-Higher Education Administration	CV
Director of Student Health Services	Description	Dr. Chris Hayes	MD-Doctor of Medicine	CV
Chief Administrative Officer, Student Health Services	Description	Madeline Husband-Ardoin	BGS; Associate Degree in Nursing (RN Cert Pending)	CV
Executive Director, Student Success Initiatives	Description	Beth Giroir	PhD-Higher Education Administration	CV
Director of Recreational Sports	Description	Dave Suter	MS-Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management	CV
Director of Residential Life	Description	Maylen Aldana	PhD-Counselor Education	CV
Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police	Description	Timothy Hanks	MPA-Public Administration	CV

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES STAFFING

Dean of Students (Student Affairs). The Dean of Students office led by Dr. Margarita Perez provides leadership, vision, and administrative oversight for student leadership, student organizations, and
campus programs and supervises many areas of the Division of Student Affairs. The Dean also provides support for a variety of student concerns, including illness, death in the family, academic challenges, and other personal crises. Students seek assistance, advocacy, and support from the Dean of Students to assist them in solving issues. The Dean also works with many collaborative partners including academic departments and programs to create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to integrate the learning that takes place inside and outside of the classroom. The Dean of Students has over 22 years in progressive student affairs experience. She is active in NASPA and regularly attends this conference.

Student Success (Academic Affairs). The Student Success Center is responsible for implementing initiatives that support first to second year retention and progression to graduation and develops outreach and support plans for students. The Student Success Center is a unit of Academic Affairs and reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Center is led by Dr. Elizabeth Giroir, who works with faculty members in providing leadership, strategic planning, assessment, and continuous improvement for key academic support and enrichment programs at the University. The unit has 25 staff members to support students.

Recreational Sports (Student Affairs). The Recreational Sports department led by Dave Suter provides programs in Fitness, Aquatics, Open Recreation, Intramural Sports, and Club Sports. Facilities include a state-of-the-art Student Fitness Center that allows students, faculty, and staff to engage in a variety of fitness regimens. The unit employs six staff members, three graduate assistants, and over 140 student employees. The director has over 18 years of experience in aquatics and recreational sports. He is a certified American Red Cross instructor and trainer and teaches these certification classes at the University. He is also highly involved with LCIRSA (Louisiana Collegiate Intramural and Recreational Sports Association). In addition, he maintains membership in and attends NIRSA (National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association) conferences.

Residential Life (Student Affairs). The Office of Residential Life led by Dr. Maylen Aldana creates a culturally enriching environment that empowers residents to grow together as leaders while building affinity for their community. Campus residence halls include suite style, junior suite style, graduate, and traditional style living arrangements. Apartments include one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, as well as family housing. Resident Assistants, Hall Directors, and Area Coordinators serve and support students living and learning in the residence halls. The department has five staff members who support students living in the halls. The department also employs over 70 students who serve as resident assistants and hall directors. The director is very involved in ACUHO-I (The Association of College and University Housing Officers – International) and serves in a leadership capacity for the organization. Additionally, the director attends the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education and the NASPA Multicultural institute. The director has over 20 years of experience in progressive student affairs.

Student Engagement and Leadership (Student Affairs). The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership led by Heidie Lindsey provides co-curricular opportunities, such as the Emerging Leader Summit, Ragin’ Leadership Academy, Student Organization Resource Center, the Lunch & Lead program, and other student programming. All events and programs are free and are designed to provide students with healthy entertainment; enhanced exposure to cultural traditions; and broadened opportunities in diversity, school spirit, learning, and leadership from fellow classmates. This department consists of fraternity and sorority life, student organizations, leadership programs, the Student Leadership Council, and the University Program Council. The department has seven staff members to support and engage students. The director has over 25 years of professional experience working in student involvement and Greek life. She is active with AFA (Association of Fraternity/sorority Advisors) and the CWWL (Coalition for Collegiate Women’s Leadership) and attends these conferences.

Student Publications (Student Affairs). The University’s student population produces two primary publications: The Vermilion and L’Acadien. The staff is led by Matthew Tarver, Director of Student Publications, and is composed of students who write and edit copy, contribute photographs, and handle graphic design. The University’s student publications allow students to engage in intellectual curiosity, as well as providing creative leadership and learning opportunities for student staff writers, editors, and photographers. The director has over 20 years of experience in student publications, education, and communications and marketing.

Counseling and Testing (Student Affairs). Counseling and Testing provides counseling, psychological testing, proctoring services, support groups, workshops, presentations, and outreach. The center is led by Dr. Brian Frederick, a Licensed Psychologist who has over 19 years of experience as Director of Counseling and Testing at the University. He participates in a number of trainings every year to earn continuous education units to remain current on mental health issues. The center has six licensed counselors and one administrative assistant.

Office of Disability Services (Student Affairs). The Office of Disability Services (ODS) led by Dr. Carol Landry provides extensive post-secondary services to students with psychological, physical, and learning disabilities. ODS serves as an information hub for UL Lafayette students and the community regarding disability information and accommodations on campus. The director has over 22 years of experience in counseling and disability services. The department has three staff members to support students. The staff are members of the AHEAD (Association of Higher Education and Disability) and ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) and regularly attend both conferences.

UL Lafayette Police Department (Student Affairs). The ULPD led by Interim Chief Tim Hanks maintains a close working relationship with area law enforcement agencies, criminal justice components, and all University administrative departments. The University Police unit is located at the center of campus, and maintains 24-hour patrol coverage on foot, on bicycles, and in motor vehicles. Officers respond to crimes, illnesses, fires, service calls, traffic accidents, and other emergencies. The department focuses on proactive crime prevention, smart policing, community involvement, and excellence in investigation and follow-up. The department employs 37 police officers and two administrative assistants. The Chief has over 28 years of experience in law enforcement. He and the officers receive training in various areas of law enforcement, including participation in the International Chiefs of Police Association. The training provided focuses on homicide, investigations, active shooter situations, drugs, athletic safety, SWAT, and crisis negotiation.

Student Health Services (Student Affairs). Student Health Services (SHS) led by Dr. Chris Hayes provides quality, accessible, cost-sensitive primary medical care and active health promotion to students within the UL Lafayette community. SHS offers a medical clinic, immunization compliance, athletic training observation hours, nurse practitioner student observation hours, health education guest lectures, and educational and medical programming. The center has 11 medical professionals and four staff members. The Medical Director is active in the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians and the American College Health Association. The director and medical professionals remain committed to their profession and receive annual training and attend conferences.

Student Rights and Responsibilities (Student Affairs). The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities led by Carl Tapo initiates and implements disciplinary procedures in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities also coordinates the Students of Concern Team, a campus resource dedicated to assisting students who may be in distress, or are experiencing challenging or difficult life circumstances, and providing consultation and intervention when students exhibit aggressive, concerning, or disruptive behaviors. The primary focus of the team is to take a proactive approach to identifying students who are struggling, and to provide early intervention, resources, and referrals, both on campus and in the community. The department has three staff members to support students. The director is an active member of the ASCA (Association of Student Conduct Administrators) and attends the yearly conference. The director has 14 years of experience in student conduct and is also a graduate of the Donald Gehring Academy for Student Conduct.

SGA Child Development Center (Student Affairs). The Child Development Center led by Susan Arceneaux offers child care services for children of University students, staff, and faculty between the ages of 12 months and seven years. The Center provides a quality, professional environment for the nurturing, care, and development of preschool children of the University community. The center employs 19 staff members who provide childcare and support to the children who attend the center and their parents. All of the employees receive training through federal and state agencies on a yearly basis. The director has over 15 years of experience in child development roles.

Career Services Center (Student Affairs). The Office of Career Services led by Kim Billeaudeau provides programming and services designed to assist students in exploring their majors and finding careers that complement their academic experience. Services include career assessments, career counseling, job search services, career fairs, a cooperative education program, résumé writing assistance, etiquette dinner, and the “On-Campus Interview” program. The department has six staff members to support students. The director has over 19 years of experience in career services. She is active in the Southern Association of Colleges & Employers (SoACE) and is the 2019 Conference Chair. The director is also active in the Louisiana Association of Colleges & Employers (LACE) and the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE).