Message from the Acting Vice Provost & Dean

Greetings and welcome to the fall 2021 semester.

Reflecting on and honoring the last 18 months, I am so proud of the work the Division of Student Affairs has done to support our students. While we have an extensive Annual Report, I want to share a few highlights:

Alcohol and other Drug Services hosted 241 meetings for those in recovery
Campus Health Center added LGBTQIA + affirming care
Provided over $20,000 in Covid tuition grants to our youngest Lakers at the Children’s Enrichment Center
190 students utilized the Ombuds services; the Dean of Students Office responded to over 1300 Care referrals and over 5500 off campus quarantine referrals
Our Housing and Residence Life staff never left campus and delivered over 2500 meals and over 1600 packages to our students in quarantine and isolation
The Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities was created to provide restorative practices in our student conduct work
Student Life answered over 4900 calls at the 2020 information desk and engaged students in over 100 virtual and in person student events
Recreation and Wellness engaged over 12,000 participants in group exercise, intramural sports and wellness programs
Over 1400 students participated in individual and group therapy at the University Counseling Center

All of this work was done by committed staff who were also balancing living during a pandemic. I am forever grateful for your innovation and care.

As I am new to the Acting Vice Provost and Dean of Students role, I spent some time over the summer chatting with various members of the division, campus partners, and students. I found common themes in their hopes for this academic year:

Connection
Communication
Grace
Advocacy

So, as we seek these things, I reflect on the words of Wes Moore, “The common bond of humanity and decency that we share is stronger than any conflict, any adversity. Fighting for your convictions is important. But finding peace is paramount. Knowing when to fight and when to seek peace is wisdom.” We will face conflict and discord this year, but as a community my hope is that we can all rebuild connections, give and receive grace, and find peace.

I have been filled with joy over the past week helping students move in, seeing them participate in programs and activities and seeing so many walk across campus to class. Thank you to everyone who made that possible. I wish you all a safe and healthy semester.

-Aaron

Dean of Students staff giving students a tour

Dean of Students Campus Tours

The Dean of Students staff enjoyed giving new first year students and second year students tours of the Allendale Campus during move-in week. Tours included academic buildings and other important locations. Staff answered questions and helped students find their classes. A big shout out to Andy Beachnau who led every tour!!

What's Next?

To better engage our 1st and 2nd year students, the DSA Marketing & Communication committee has created a monthly newsletter, associated websites, and social media. The What's Next? campaign is a way for us to share information on the division's events, important resources, and ways students can make the most out of their time at GVSU. Check out the websites below and be sure to share with your students!

1st Year: What's Next?

2nd Year: What's Next?

Rec Fest 2021

Rec Fest 2021 showed the value of Recreation & Wellness programs to all students. Check out the article below for more information about the event and how to help students get involved!

Rec Fest Article

mySuccessCheck opens soon!

Please encourage all first year undergraduate students (including first year transfer students) to complete the mySuccessCheck early alert survey, September 9-17. Students will receive an email with a link to the survey or they can visit the mySuccessCheck website. This survey helps staff identify students who may benefit from appropriate resources and support.

Move In

Move-in 2021 welcomed 5,114 students the week of August 22nd to on-campus housing. Housing and Residence Life partnered closely with GVSU Police and Facilities Services to coordinate three days of move-in for Allendale and one day in Grand Rapids. Over 4,000 vehicles moved through Lot C alone! The Housing and Residence Life team is deeply appreciative for all of the faculty, staff and student Helping Hands volunteers making the process a smooth transition for students and their supporters. This was truly an all campus effort!

DSA Training & Development

We look forward to seeing you at our 2021-2022 DSA Training & Development events! Check out events and further opportunities below.

We are thrilled to bring back the DSA Holiday Celebration and the Spring Celebration with CSAL graduate student presentations this year!

For the full schedule and other opportunities, visit the DSA Training & Development website.

Film Series Discussions

Our film series round table discussions are back! Join us as we continue the conversation, learning, and action around issues of racial and social justice at GVSU and beyond. See the DSA Film Series website for more details. This month:

Older Than America
September 16, 2021
12 - 1 p.m. - Virtual
RSVP Here

DSA Professional Development Scholarship

The DSA Training & Development committee is thrilled to offer a
DSA Professional Development Scholarship!

We are committed to providing professional development opportunities at Grand Valley as well as outside the institution for all Student Affairs staff. Therefore, this scholarship provides funding to staff within the Division of Student Affairs for any in-person or virtual conference of their choice (with or without presenting).

DSA Professional Development Scholarship website

Maha and her family (left), Maha and her partner at a Milwaukee Bucks game (right)

Meet the Division: Maha Baalbaki,

University Counseling Center

Name: Maha Baalbaki

Title: Staff Psychologist/Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Position Description: Provide individual and group therapy to students, engage in training with interns and graduate assistants, provide outreach programming on mental health issues, encourage the center staff to work toward building a diverse and inclusive center, collaborate with other departments to work toward building a diverse and inclusive campus

Share something about yourself that others may not know: I have been published in three different peer-reviewed journals.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your work at GV? Every year, I develop a new hobby. Whether it’s sewing costumes for the kids, decorating pull-apart cakes, or doing hair. Currently, I’ve been really into making cards. Get well soon, happy holiday, thank you-whatever the occasion.

What is your favorite or funniest college memory, either as a student or as a staff? I did a summer bridge program before my first year of undergrad and it was the time of my life. I lived on my own, got free meals, and met the friends who helped me through college, some of whom still help me today.

What do you love about helping college students? College is a time of transition into new roles and experiences as well as a great opportunity for identity exploration and development. I love working alongside students as they discover who they are and become who they want to be.

New Student Resources

A new website for GV's Tuition Refund Appeal Committee (TRAC) was recently created. This now includes emergency and medical withdrawals. This website contains step by step directions about the process along with FAQs.