As part of our monthly communications to the division of Student Affairs, we are excited to share quarterly updates and relevant information from our Assistant Vice Chancellors.
Area Update | Student Retention and Success
AVC Maruth Figueroa
Transfer Student Success
In February 2023, the Triton Transfer Hub opened in its newest location within Pepper Canyon Hall – contributing in part to a 260% increase in visits compared to previous Winter Quarters.
Tessa Benedict-Philipp, Undergraduate Research Transfer Coordinator, has created a research and internship menu detailing opportunities for transfer students throughout campus. To review, please visit the Triton Transfer research page.
Undocumented Student Services
We are happy to announce that Pricila Rodriguez has joined the Undocumented Student Services (USS) team as its Program Coordinator. In this role, Pricila will work closely with the USS team to provide and coordinate holistic support services and programs designed to enhance the educational experience for undocumented and mixed-status family students at UC San Diego.
Online Student Experience
Mentor Collective is a program designed to build an inclusive culture of peer mentorship for first-year students. Since the beginning of the academic year, Mentor Collective has matched 2,336 mentors (continuing students) and mentees (first-year students), and more than 6,700 conversations between mentors and mentees have been logged. By way of this initiative, we have supported 355 mentees with referrals to campus services, including the Teaching + Learning Commons, Academic Achievement Hub, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Triton Firsts
Under the leadership of Rosa Tejeda, the inaugural Triton Firsts Coordinator, Triton Firsts held a hybrid First-Gen Career Readiness Conference on April 15 – “Bridging Identities: From First-Gen Student to First-Gen Grad and First-Gen Professional” – in the Price Center, featuring workshop sessions designed to connect first-generation students with career readiness tools, resources, and information.
Student Success Coaching Program
The Student Success Coaching Program (SSCP) continues to conduct Career Launch for students in SSCP cohorts – wherein Success Coaches facilitate a series of microlearning curricula geared specifically to first-generation students. The program lays out an eight-step plan to create professional LinkedIn profiles in order to connect with UC San Diego alumni and affiliates for internship, jobs, and to help grow students’ networks.
Area Update | Student Life
AVC Patty Mahaffey
Campus Performances and Events
Last week, we welcomed back the beloved Tuesday Farmers Market at its new location – the Epstein Family Amphitheater! For the rest of the quarter, check it out on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for fresh produce, a bite to eat, and community with colleagues. Many thanks to the Campus Performances and Events Team (CPEO) for their work bringing this weekly event back to campus!
The CPEO also helped to celebrate completion of the Kahnop walkway on April 29, with artist Ann Hamilton and a visit from University of California President Dr. Michael Drake. Visit the following link for a short video to learn more about what CPEO has been up to recently.
Sorority and Fraternity Life
Sorority and Fraternity Life and the Black Resource Center recently celebrated UC San Diego’s first National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) charter, and the forthcoming NPHC plaza which is scheduled to open in Fall Quarter 2023. Check out this NPHC Plaza video, which includes proposed renderings of the space.
Center for Student Involvement
The Center for Student Involvement recently piloted two Alternative Break trips during Spring Break, exploring environmental justice in Virginia and civil rights in Tennessee – and is busy planning a public health-related trip for this summer. Alternative Breaks is currently recruiting for its 2023-24 national and international service and learning trips; view the catalog here.
Student Governments, Auxiliaries and Services
Student Governments, Auxiliaries and Services is pleased to announce UC San Diego’s next set of student body presidents for the 2023-2024 academic year, after a successful election cycle for both Associated Students (AS) and the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA).
George Chi loi Lo, a second year International Business major, was elected President for AS while Giulia Corno, a Ph.D. candidate in the Political Science department, was re-elected to a second term as GPSA President for the GPSA. Each student leader will serve a one-year term that will begin this summer and will be joined by their respective executive officers and cabinet members. Both President-elects can be reached at aspresident@ucsd.edu and president@gsa.ucsd.edu.
Basic Needs
Basic Needs has beyond basic milestones and initiatives to uplift this academic year. Currently, the Basic Needs Housing Education Campaign has enjoyed high engagement among students, with more than 77k views on Instagram! This campaign leads up to the Off-Campus Housing Fair on May 24, led by the Basic Needs Housing and Education team of Kameo Quenga and Marissa Islas.
This June marks the five-year anniversary of the Hub Basic Needs Center. Come by the celebration in early June, as we say thank you to all the dedicated student leaders, staff and campus partners who have actively advanced equitable basic needs experiences while uplifting the narratives of students with intersected identities.
University Centers
University Centers is now accepting reservations for activities (after 4 p.m.) in the Y Más and Black Legacy Mural seating areas at Price Center.
Reservations may also be made for the newly renovated Student Center Courtyard, which has a built-in stage. Host your socials, receptions, open mic nights, art shows, game nights, and so much more at Price Center or Student Center by contacting reservations@ucsd.edu or visiting us online to reserve your space.
Student Legal Services
Student Legal Services recently wrapped up their ever-popular Discover the Law program for the year, enabling a total of 105 students to earn Co-Curricular Record recognition. Next up is helping students who are looking to live off campus this summer and next fall with questions regarding lease contract terms, getting renter’s insurance, and how best to protect security deposits.
Area Update | Student Affairs
AVC Piya Bose
Office of Student Conduct
The Office of Student Conduct will officially become the Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education (SAGE) in September. The name change reflects this team’s expanded functions (student conduct, student compliance, and restorative justice) while further focusing on the importance of accountability, growth, and education throughout these functions.
Case Management Services
Student Affairs Case Management Services – in collaboration with Student Health and Well-Being – recently launched Togetherall, a free and anonymous online community available 24/7 to UC San Diego students.
Reporting Season
It’s that time of year to share the many impacts we have at UC San Diego!
The Assessment, Evaluation, and Organizational Development (AEOD) team will reach out to schedule meetings to talk about assessment and Commitments check-ins. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to smilligan@ucsd.edu.
Area Update | Global Initiatives
AVC Tamara Cunningham
Comprehensive Strategic Internationalization at UC San Diego
The nature of a large, dynamic research institution calls for intentionality around collaboration to further realize the university’s potential as a student-centered, research-focused, and service-oriented institution. Toward this end, this summer—working with an expert consulting firm in international higher education—Global Initiatives will launch a campus-wide initiative to draft, adopt and implement a comprehensive Strategic Internationalization Plan for the university. The final plan will include goals, strategies, and success measures to advance and amplify global partnerships and engagement that will build upon the four strategic themes of UC San Diego’s American Council on Education Lab Report.
Reorganization
The Global Initiatives Leadership Team is in the process of finalizing the reorganization of Global Initiatives. The newly proposed organizational chart will leverage opportunities for collaboration within the area, and it will include the creation of a position dedicated to supporting faculty, with a special focus on global research.
Global Seminars
Global Initiatives is delighted to see pre-COVID application numbers for this summer (355 in SU19, compared to 375 anticipated for SU23). Our Global Seminar study abroad programs provide high-impact opportunities for students to engage in small cohorts with renowned UC San Diego faculty members. These programs provide critical study abroad access to a large percentage of first-generation, underserved, transfer, and high-need students, all of whom have historically been blocked from study abroad participation. Students who return from study abroad report greater satisfaction and engagement with UC San Diego and persist in their studies through to graduation at a higher rate than students who don’t study abroad.
Transition to Sunapsis (IT)
The International Students and Programs Office (ISPO) and the International Faculty and Scholar Office (IFSO) are migrating their student and scholar information system and batching tool from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to a new application called Sunapsis. Since 2004, ISPO and IFSO have utilized Ellucian's International Student and Scholar Management System. After launching the new system in Fall 2023, ISPO, IFSO and Extended Studies will utilize one system for managing all international faculty, scholar and student data and records. This will allow a more seamless process for students and scholars to request immigration documents, address efficiency gaps in processing times, cost-savings with having one vendor contract, and access to broader data for informed decision-making.
New International Students Pre-Arrival Webinars
ISPO is nearing the end of another successful season of its Pre-Arrival Webinars for newly admitted international students who are set to arrive in the U.S. this summer and fall. In collaboration with a wide variety of campus partners, including GEPA, Student Health, HDH, Basic Needs, SFS, and the Teaching + Learning Commons, ISPO has run 12 webinars since March and has been able to reach 633 new students so far on a range of topics to help provide the resources and support students need to begin their journey at UC San Diego. Huge thanks to our campus partners for their partnership and support!
Area Update | Resource Management
AVC John Hughes
Recreation
On April 21, UC San Diego hosted the 2nd Annual Rec Thrift Store Pop-Up, providing 440 students with new and slightly used fitness and athletic apparel. For a recap of the event, check out this video.
Congratulations to UC San Diego’s climbing team – a registered student organization – who placed fifth at the recent collegiate national climbing championship!
Financial & Budget Reporting
VCSA Resource Management continues to develop financial and budget reports that are currently in testing with business offices, and will be rolled out in phases to divisional leadership and unit heads over the next few months with a target completion date by July 1.
Staff Performance Appraisals
Staff Performance Appraisals for unrepresented employees are due by June 15. Employees and supervisors can access their respective appraisals at spa.ucsd.edu. Performance appraisals for represented employees will be due later this summer.
Mandatory Compliance Training
As a reminder, all employees are required to take online trainings within 30 days of hire and renew them regularly, including Cyber Security Awareness, Sexual Violence Prevention, and Ethical Values and Conduct. The Division of Student Affairs is actively hiring students for the Summer and Fall quarters – please ensure your new employees (including students) complete their required trainings immediately upon hire.
