The Student Affairs Division is responsible for a variety of activities which support students’ personal-social development and academic achievement. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs has overall responsibility for the administration of the division.
Vision: The Division of Student Affairs will be an integral partner in assuring a premiere student-centered and inclusive learning community at Western Carolina University. Such a community will offer diverse and dynamic opportunities for student learning which are designed to create educated, ethically and morally responsible, fully-functioning leaders who contribute to the global society.
Mission: In support of the mission of the university, the Division of Student Affairs is committed to the personal, social, and intellectual development of students as they live and learn within a diverse community. Programs, services, outreach activities, and facilities enhance the ability of current and prospective students to apply learning outcomes as they develop independent thought, take advantage of community involvement, and understand global responsibility.
Principles of Good Practice in Student Affairs
The division recognizes that good practice in student affairs:
1. engages students in active learning
2. helps students develop coherent values and ethical standards
3. sets and communicates high expectations for learning
4. uses systematic inquiry to improve student and institutional performance
5. uses resources effectively to achieve institutional missions and goals
6. forges educational partnerships that advance student learning and
7. builds supportive and inclusive communities
Liberal Studies Learning Outcomes
The division supports the Student learning goals of the liberal studies program, which include the ability to:
1. locate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information;
2. interpret and use numerical, written, oral and visual data;
3. read with comprehension, and to write and speak clearly, coherently, and effectively as well as adapt to modes of communication appropriate to an audience
4. critically analyze arguments
5. recognize behaviors and define choices that affect lifelong well-being;
6. Understand:
· Past human experiences and ability to relate them to the present
· Different contemporary cultures and their interrelationships
· Issues involving social institutions, interpersonal and group dynamics, human development and behavior, and cultural diversity
· Scientific concepts and methods as well as contemporary issues in science and technology
· Cultural heritage through its expressions of wisdom, literature and art and their roles in the process of self and social understanding
7. Develop excitement for and love of learning