-1-

Dean’s Update August 2013Student Affairs

Table of Contents

02 | Message From Student Affairs VP Patricia Telles-Irvin

04 | New Student and Family Programs Updates

05 | Residential Services Housing Master Plan Update

06 | University Career Services News

-2-

DIVISION OFSTUDENTAFFAIRS

Dear Colleagues,

Many goals have been achieved within the Division of Student Affairs this past year. I invite you to review the initiatives and important updates from three of our departments, which will enhance the Northwestern student experience in Fall Quarter 2013 and beyond. New Student and Family Programs will highlight Purple Pride and provide details regarding their new First Year Experience event. University Career Services describes the results of their current plan for restructuring, employer recruitment, and introduces the new Executive Director of UCS, Dr. Mark Presnell. In addition to these strategies, Residential Services will share the timeline for the Housing Master Plan. I anticipate positive feedback from our students who will benefit from each action item. I welcome any questions you may have about these services.

Warm regards,Patricia Telles-IrvinVP Student Affairs

Dean’s Update August 2013

Message from Student Affairs VP Patricia Telles-Irvin

-3-

VisionWe will be full partners in the student learning experience.The Division of Student Affairs partners with the academic schools/college and other University Divisions in allegiance with the University’s vision and mission to advance student learning success.

MissionThe mission of the Northwestern University Division of Student Affairs is to educate students, engage the community, and enrich the Northwestern experience.We pursue our mission through providing learning programs, services, and mentoring to maximize students’ potential, removing barriers to learning, strengthening readiness to learn, and sustaining a safe, and healthy Northwestern community.

-4-

Purple PrideThe day after students move into their residences on campus, Wildcat Welcome will begin with the traditional “March Through the Arch” ceremony. Purple Pride, our newest event, will follow shortly thereafter. The Class of 2017 and new transfer students will spend much of Tuesday, September 17 at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. We will create community among new students, learn about the history of Northwestern, and engage in campus traditions and spirit. We are collaborating with University Relations, Athletics, and the Office of Alumni Relations to build community.

First Year ExperienceThe Office of New Student and Family Programs will introduce “The First Year Experience” to the campus community in September 2013. This new program will provide students with important knowledge during Wildcat Welcome and encourage ongoing conversation throughout the year which will aid their acedemic and social transition to Northwestern. Participation includes a mix of small group and large group activities and events such as a theater performance, visiting lecturer or a cultural event. This pilot program for 500 first year students will enhance the learning experience.

New StudentFAMILYPROGRAMS

&Updates about Purple Pride and First Year Experience

PurplePride

go cats!,

-5-

HOUSING MASTER PLAN UPDATE

RESIDENTIALSERVICES

Purplego cats!

In July of 2012, Northwestern University moved to update the existing housing master plan by retaining the firm of Brailsford and Dunlavey to develop a 10-year, comprehensive housing master plan. The intent of the plan is to evaluate the existing facilities, gauge the off-campus market, assess the current student living configurations, and determine if we have the capacity for more beds on campus. The preliminary findings indicate there is capacity for additional upper-class housing and some existing buildings may need to be demolished in order to make room for new student housing. Already, the abandoned housing on Lincoln Avenue (Peanut Row) has been removed in preparation for our proposed first phase of upper-class housing. The next step in the process is to secure financing for these projects. A working group has been identified and they have begun meeting to identify the appropriate funding strategy. It is expected by the end of winter quarter that the comprehensive housing master plan will be released.

-6-

UCSUCS RestructuringIn response to student feedback, UCS made significant changes for fall. Career advising will be aligned by school and allocated based on each school’s need. Each school’s needs will be assigned a specific team who will work closely with their current career services group. Our goal is to augment your resources. This new alignment will provide you with additional resources tailored to your strategic plan so that UCS can serve all of our students better.

Employer relations at UCS is shifting to a strategic employer recruiting and outreach model in order to become more aggressive in recruiting and developing employers who can provide opportunities for all students including internships, networking opportunities, and on-campus interviews at the Interview Center.

UNIVERSITYCAREERSERVICES

New Executive Director HiredOn October 1, Dr. Mark Presnell will join Northwestern University and the Division of Student Affairs as the Executive Director of University Career Services. Dr. Presnell’s responsibilities will include oversight for career development, employer recruitment, andsupport to our undergraduate and graduate students. He will also join the Student Affairs Leadership Team and contribute to the important improvements within the division. Dr. Presnell will be transitioning to our campus from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he served as the Director for the Career Center.