STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT 2014-15 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND CAMPUS EVENTS SORORITY AND FRATERNITY AFFAIRS STUDENT GOVERNMENT ADVISING TRAVEL AND RECREATION PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS 3 4 5 8 10 12 13 14 MISSION We provide the foundation for student organizations and their initiatives, facilitate engagement opportunities, and advise, mentor, and educate students to maximize their UF experience. COMMITMENT We commit to providing a setting that promotes experiential learning opportunities that: Challenge students to understand the impact of their choices on the community; Encourage students to make ethical decisions; Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment that celebrates all students; Enhance students personal development by assisting them in clarifying their values and developing leadership skills. 2 STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT
Welcome! 2014-15 was a great year for Student Activities and Involvement! As the hub of student involvement on campus, we continued to encourage students to find purpose in their involvement and engagement in the campus community through our work with student leaders and advisors. In 2014-15, the number of registered student organizations grew to over 1,000. Our staff continued to enhance the efforts of these organizations (approximately one-third of which are funded through Activity & Service fees) in their programming, organizational management, and leadership development efforts. Aside from active participation in organizations, further proof that there is ALWAYS something to do on campus came in the form of the thousands of permits approved for events held on campus in 2014-15. Over 300 contracts were completed for performers or speakers at a number of these events. Members of the over 1,000 registered student organizations had a very productive year providing opportunities for their peers to engage, meet new people, develop life skills, and give back to our community. Sorority and Fraternity Affairs, one of the many excellent involvement opportunities available at UF, also thrived in 2014-15, with the Greek community growing to 7,131 members, or 21% of the undergraduate population. Grade point averages for the UF Greek community continued to be above the average undergraduate GPA. Through service programs and philanthropies, the community modeled the way for leadership on campus. Student Government Advising continues to develop our student leaders and support their initiatives. In 2014-15, our staff facilitated a record setting spring election, with 12,742 UF students participating. While we take a lot of pride in our Student Government, other institutions are also taking note. University of Florida Student Government was named Southeastern Conference Student Government of the Year for 2014-15. The Travel and Recreation Program (TRiP), our outdoor recreation program, also flourished with nearly 50 outdoor adventure trips through the fall and spring, as well as an international trip to Iceland in summer of 2014. We reviewed the long term vision and goals of TRiP during 2014-15 and after consulting with campus partners, we look forward to seeing the continued growth of the program as it makes a permanent move to the Department of Recreational Sports. Data from the 2013 UF Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) assessment shows that 76% of students spend one or more hours per week engaging in campus activities. This statistic serves as a mandate for us to continue challenging student organizations to provide quality programs and events for their peers. We take the responsibility of educating students about how to capitalize on involvement opportunities very seriously, therefore we are motivated to do greater outreach and education to connect with the students who do not report being engaged on campus. We are excited about all we have accomplished in the past year, and we look forward to continuing to improve our programs and services and letting our mission and commitments guide us in the year ahead. Thank you for taking the time to read about our accomplishments and efforts to support purposeful involvement and engagement among all university students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ncg@studentinvolvement.ufl.edu Go Gators! Dr. Nancy Chrystal-Green Director, Student Activities and Involvement 3
Student Organizations and Campus Events Sorority and Fraternity Affairs In 2014-15, Student Activities and Involvement was comprised of four core areas: Student Organizations and Campus Events, Sorority and Fraternity Affairs, Student Government Advising, and the Travel and Recreation Program. Our staff is committed to developing student leaders and helping them find purpose through involvement and engagement on campus and in the University of Florida community. Student Government Advising Travel and Recreation Program 4 STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT
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6 SOCE SPREAD
2014 was a great year for Gator Growl. This year s event had a lively and vibrant atmosphere with over 17,000 in attendance to a sold out show featuring Brooks Wheelan, Foster the People, and Ludacris on Flavet Field on Friday, October 17, 2014. 7
Being involved in IFC and working with Student Activities and Involvement made a major impact in my experience as a Gator and now in my career. I can t think of another experience in my life that has better prepared me for the challenges and opportunities outside of the University of Florida. 4th Year, Management Major, John M. Jack Kinzer Award Recipient 8
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SG SPREAD I ve never met a group of people more dedicated to student success and well-being, whether it be in our respective leadership positions or just life in general. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today, nor would the SG groups I have worked with have been as successful, without the help of SG Advising. 4th Year, Political Science and Business Economics Major 10
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WiLD offered first year students the opportunity to connect the challenges they would face in college life through experiences in nature. The program was developed to foster a unique firstyear leadership experience rooted in the importance of self-actualization, community engagement, and well-balanced living. 12
We ve Moved! Student Activities and Involvement has many things to look forward to in the 2015-16 year including: Expanded collaboration space for student organizations and campus partners Additional office space and storage for student organizations Expanded Student Government Graphics and Copy Center Better engagement with students and the UF community with a comprehensive customer service center Updated technology and video screens Collaboration with other departments within the Division of Student Affairs 13
Staff Accomplishments Awards Jessica Inman and Kerrie Montgomery - Recipients of the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Research Grant Secondary Award James Tyger - Recipient of the James E. Scott Bridging the Gap Memorial Award Collaboration and Service Student Activities and Involvement staff members served the university community and beyond including facilitating and presenting at the following: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)-FL State Drive-In Conference Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute American College Personnel Association Annual Convention National Association for Campus Activities Student Government East-Institute NASPA Annual Convention Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisor Southern Association for College Student Affairs Southeastern Greek Leadership Summit 10 Notable national and statewide presentations and publications 21 Committees that serve the Division of Student Affairs and the University of Florida 5 Keynote addresses and national facilitations 14 STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT
Leadership Positions American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Jessica Inman - Commission on Student Involvement, Student Organizations Coordinator James Tyger - Commission on Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Vice Chair of Operations City of Gainesville James Tyger - Student Community Relations Advisory Board, Vice Chair National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Dr. Nancy Chrystal-Green - Student Organization Institute, Faculty Member James Tyger - Student Government East Institute, Coordinator-Elect National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Dr. Nancy Chrystal-Green - Staff Exchange Program with United Arab Emirates University, Co-Developer Kerrie Montgomery - NASPA-FL, Membership Chair Justin Donnelly - Men and Masculinities Knowledge Community, Member Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) Reginald Lane - Executive Board Member Sigma Alpha Mu Jack Causseaux - National Education Committee and Leadership Conference, Co-chair Southeastern Greek Leadership Summit (SEGLS) Reginald Lane - Steering Committee, Chair 15
STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVEMENT J. WAYNE REITZ UNION 352-392-1671 For general information and questions: saidesk@studentinvolvement.ufl.edu FB/UFSAI @SAI_UF SAI_UF