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STUDENT
DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC
PLAN
UPDATE
2000-2001
Division of Student Affairs
Student Development Annual Report
2000-2001
Vision: The over-all vision for the unit designated as Student Development is that of
students, staff and faculty working collaboratively through out-of-classroom experiences
to attain the University’s mission of teaching, research and service to our local, state,
national and global communities.
Mission: Student Development seeks to utilize experiential learning and immersion in
campus and external communities as a seamless opportunity for students to develop
principles of citizenship, democracy and social justice as pillars of the educated
individual. The unit recognizes that the principles of Ernest Boyer are foundations for
the sustainability of community at Penn State and in the larger technologically and
biologically connected world in which we live and learn.
Goals:
• To provide students guided opportunities for learning the value of service for the
purpose of understanding and attending to the needs, concerns and aspirations
of fellow students, members of the larger community, and the mastery of
academic tasks.
• To gain insight into how individual and group living experiences are part of life-
long functioning in a civil, open and caring society.
• To provide a responsive and effective resource to students, parents and faculty
concerned with crises, disruptions and unforeseen issues that threaten student
retention and graduation.
• To recognize the initiatives of students who are motivated to lead colleagues in
organizations, ad hoc experiences, and places of employment in ethical,
respectful and caring ways.
• To inspire students and faculty to work collaboratively to enhance the quality of
life of children, youth, adults and aging citizens by applying classroom concepts
and theory to practical opportunities for learning.
Learning Outcomes:
• Penn State students embrace the ethic of service instilled in secondary school
and evident in increased numbers and quality while enrolled in the University.
• Students continue to address social justice ideas from a communitarian
perspective, i.e., concern for the welfare of the Penn State living-learning
environment, respect for the sanctity of freedom of expression, the value of
individual differences, and the importance of community standards.
• Students continue to seek assistance for fellow students threatened, injured or
disturbed due to personal decisions, group behavior or unforeseen accidents.
• Students articulate concern and growing involvement in the traditions and
celebrations that are part of the Penn State experience.
• Student leaders reflect upon in-class and out-of-classroom experiences that
impact their public decisions and personal actions.
Recommendations:
• Review all assessment measures for leadership development for the purpose of
strengthening effective delivery models and dispensing with ineffective programs.
• Promote collaborative efforts between the AT&T Center leadership programs and
leadership development coordinated by Fraternity and Sorority Life.
• Work with Undergraduate Education on a shared effort to grow academically-
based community service by Penn State students.
• Formalize relations between the AT&T Center and the College of Agriculture’s
new faculty position targeted to community service and community development.
• Finalize the faculty advisory committee to the AT&T service learning and
leadership components.
• Continue to grow academic unit participation in and support for the University of
Promise project.
• Finalize plans for off-campus student relations as part of the strategic planning
process.
• Hire high performing professional staff during the appropriate search period.
• Continue support for CLASS, the community non-profit agency connection to
Penn State’s student community service efforts.
• Grow the concept of a unified student leadership conference that has both
student and faculty-inspired components similar to the 2001 program.
• Go on-line with all materials important to staff handling of student deaths and
other emergencies.
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Annual Report 2000/2001
Penn State’s AT&T Center for Service Leadership
Vision: The AT&T Center for Service-Leadership, through educational programs and
guided experiences, encourages students to become socially conscious leaders and
responsible citizens. We strive to be a source for leading edge information, education,
consultation, and support regarding service-leadership activity for all members of the
greater Penn State Community.
Mission: Our mission is to educate, serve and advise students and student
organizations in their efforts to develop richer out of classroom experiences. Programs
and educational opportunities aid in the identification and development of leadership
potential and citizenship values among students
Goals
• To provide educational experiences for students through teaching,
advising, mentoring and role-modeling, workshops, consultations, and service
opportunities
• To help build and maintain a respectful and civil community though
advocacy, diversity education, crises intervention, proactive initiatives,
assistance, and increased awareness
• To develop an integrated system of service-leadership programs
consistent with our model of leadership development, public service and
public scholarship
• To maintain a diverse staff who remain current in their fields through
participation in staff development activities
IV. MOST SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS
Organized team to become a University of Promise
Penn State is poised to join with America’s Promise to deliver programs to
benefit children and youth. The steering team has garnered support from the
administration, and is currently beginning a marketing campaign to highlight ongoing
projects around the five promises for youth. Our pledge should become finalized by
October, 2001.
Established the Urban Break projects
Students from Lions Share and the Council of Lion Hearts spent Fall break in
Philadelphia, learning about hunger and homelessness and volunteering with agencies
to combat these problems in an urban setting.
Established Collaborations to enhance program delivery and heighten the Center’s
visibility
OSU/PSU Day of Service
Fifty students and ten staff from Penn State traveled to Columbus to join Ohio
Staters in a substance free weekend of collaborative fun and service. Students attended
a comedy club in the Ohio Union, shared joint meals, visited nursing homes and a facility
for the mentally challenged, shared a tailgate, and then attended the football game.
Seeding Partnerships
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Secured funding to support the second annual symposium on university/school
district/ community partnerships to enhance service-learning and public scholarship.
Campus Liaisons
Begin outreach to Commonwealth Campuses to share services and resources of
the AT&T Center for Service Leadership. Provided a Leadership Development
workshop for Campus Student Activities personnel, and was involved in workshops,
keynotes and/or /presentations with Abington, Delaware, Mt. Alto, Council of
Commonwealth Student Governments, Council of Commonwealth Student Governments
Annual Leadership Conference.
Compass 2000
Enjoyed a day of planning and staff facilitated sessions for joint ventures
between campus, community, and the State College Area School District. The day was
organized by SCASD.
Leadership Centre County Youth Initiative
Carol German served on the planning team. Ten Penn State student leaders
served as mentors for the high school youth in this year-long program. The Penn State
students facilitated two of the program days, and participated with the high school
students in their community service projects.
Executive Interns mentors
Faculty or staff from The Multicultural Resource Center, International Programs,
the Office of Undergraduate Education, and the School of Information Technology
served as primary mentors for students in CN ED 397B
Central PA Forum for the Future Make A Difference Conference
Carol German served on the steering team for the high school summer
leadership conference. Seven Penn State students lived with more than 200 high school
students for five days and served as team leaders and team facilitators.
V. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
A. Diversity Focused Programs/Activities
• Freshman Seminar on Diversity. Collaborated with the
Multicultural Resource Center to provide freshman student-
athletes with a 3-part seminar on diversity. The topics focused
on appreciating differences, stereotypes, racism & sexism.
• The Bigger Picture. The AT&T Center for Service Leadership and
CAPS collaborated to create a program that group meets regularly to
discuss the unique responsibilities, opportunities, and concerns faced
by minority student-athletes in society as well as at Penn State
University. The group has taken part in community service projects
and worked with the Theatre Department, Residence Life, The Paul
Robeson Cultural Center and various student organizations to put on
a presentation that highlighted Paul Robeson’s magnificent
achievements in sports, academics, theatre, music and politics. In
addition, they sponsored an evening program for all student athletes
and invited administrators during Fall semester.
• African American Read-In On February 7, seven African
American students (five student-athletes from The Bigger Picture)
participated in the African American Read-In program for Black
History Month. The students read several short African/African
American stories and played games with preschool children from
Montessori.
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• Lion Support students were trained as a first response unit for
incidents of hate. The training team included directors from Office of
Affirmative Action, CAPS, Police Services, and Office of Educational
Equity.
• CN ED 304 contains a unit dedicated to issues of diversity and human
relations, including sessions on heterosexism, sexism, religious
diversity, multiculturalism, disabilities and racial identity.
• CN ED 397B Executive Interns Projects included:
1. An Asian Pacific American student recruitment effort in
collaboration with the Multicultural Resource Center
2. A program to introduce international study to interested
students, and the formation of a peer advising groups for
students studying abroad.
3. A plan to restructure training for students involved in S-Plan.
• Victim to Victor
Co-sponsored with community program. Provided grant funding from
a Kellogg mini-grant, assisted with planning, and provided staff and
students to serve on panels.
• The Leadership Development Series contained the following
workshops: Persons with Disabilities & Leadership,
Straight Talk: Leaders Need to Know, Leadership &
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Issues, Exploring Race & Self-
Discovery, and Diversity & Leadership: Walking Each Other Home (in
partnership with the Department of Sociology & the Office of Greek
Life).
• The Power Sourc’ers presented “Diversity & Awareness” as part of
the MLK Day of Service Program at Penns Valley Jr. High School.
• The Power Sourc’ers presented “Team Building & Group Motivation”
for the National Hispanic Business Association.
• The Power Sourc’ers presented “Team Building & Group Motivation”
for the Multicultural Business Society.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented “Free Zone”, diversity focused program,
for North Halls.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented “Leading & Serving as a Resident
Assistant with Multicultural Perspectives” for West Halls Resident
Assistants.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented “Team Building” for the National
Association of Black Accountants.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented “Integration, not Fragmentation” for the
Multicultural Affairs Forum.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented “Team Building” for Lambda Delta
Omega, (formerly Lambda Delta Lambda), alternative women’s
sorority.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented “Get Outta the Box” for the Resident
Assistant Theory class at Penn State Mt. Alto.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented “Get Outta the Box” as part of Unity
Week at Penn State Abington.
B. Community Focused Programs/Activities
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• Recycling at Beaver Stadium Freshman students from East Halls
assisted various student organizations and the Office of Physical
Plant in gathering plastics from Beaver Stadium after the Indiana/PSU
football game. This event took place from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The
students collected most all of the recyclable items inside of the
stadium as well as around the peripheral. The proceeds went to the
United Way and were distributed back into the community.
• OSU/PSU Project. Students from Ohio State University and Penn
State University collaborated in a Day of Service that sent over 100
students into the community to provide service.
• Halloween Parade Students from East Halls joined one Student
Coordinator and one Graduate Assistant in guiding the parade
participants through State College Memorial football field. The
football field comprised the judging area, where costumes were
rewarded for creativity and Halloween Spirit. This project assisted the
Centre Region Parks and Recreation department. Other student
groups serving at the event included Circle K and Alpha Phi Omega.
• African American Read-In Seven African American students (five
student-athletes from The Bigger Picture) participated in the African
American Read-In program for Black History Month. The students
read several short African/African American stories and played games
with preschool children from Montessori School.
• Jacquett C. Wade served on a panel discussion and presented a
workshop on “Conflict Resolution” for the Bob Burgess Second Mile
Leadership Institute.
• Community Meal volunteers served at the Community Meal for the
Homeless sponsored by Citizens Helping Aid and Rescue Missions
(C.H.A.R.M.). Volunteers set tables, prepared and served food for
those in need, and assisted with the clean up for the event. Each
volunteer performed three hours of service. Other student groups
involved in the event were CHARM, Circle K, and PSU Student
Nursing Association.
• Hope for Kids Assisted with the holiday celebration at the Hope for
Kids Facility. The group managed an arts and crafts table and also
ate dinner with the children. Prior to the event, approximately thirty
members of Lions Share and friends of the AT&T Center for Service
Leadership purchased toys and other gifts for the children at the
Center. The gift purchase service was coordinated by the Lions
Share’s Program Director.
• Luminaries Constructed and delivered luminaries for the State
College Downtown Partnership. The luminaries were sold to local
business prior to their construction, with proceeds funding other
downtown holiday decorations and community improvement projects,
and were displayed Friday evening outside of the entrances to local
businesses. Other volunteers at the Downtown State College
Partnership served at the event.
• MADD Vigil Assisted with the Vigil of Remembrance and Hope for the
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.). This event was a
statewide vigil held at the Nittany Lion Inn. Volunteers passed out
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candles and programs, set dinner tables with book marks, candy bars,
and evaluations, and repackaged the candles used during the vigil
• Elves On three consecutive Saturdays in December student
coordinators and other volunteers served the Downtown State College
Partnership as Elves. This event was held at the Schlow Library
• Served on the Community Leadership Alliance for Service and
Scholarship
C. Academic Alliances
• Carol German served on the university’s Teaching and Learning
Consortium Support Team
• DUS
1. Eight students from Lions Share participated in presentations to
several Career Exploration courses (First Year Seminars) during the end
of April. The students spoke of their personal involvement in community
service, and encouraged others to utilize skills and knowledge from the
classroom to assist the community in meeting their goals.
2. Students and staff from Lion Support shared information about the
Center and spoke about adjustment to college in First Year seminars
3. Planned and presented family program for FTCAP, partnering with the
ID+ office and the Housing Office
• College of Education
1. Carol German taught CN ED 397B, Student Affairs Executive Interns
2. Carol German taught CN ED 304, Lion Support training
3. The Center supported three graduate assistants from Counselor
Education
4. Carol German assisted with selection of the new graduate class for
Counselor Education
5. Jacquett C. Wade served on a panel for Counselor Education 297A in
four sections.
6. Power Sourc’ers presented a “Team Building & Goal Setting”
workshop for Counselor Education 301.
• College of Engineering
1. Carol German coordinated Project W.I.S.E.
2. Co-sponsored the Ettiquette dinner as part of the Leadership
Development Series
3. Jacquette Wade presented two leadership skills sessions for
Engineering 297B. Carol German consulted with several teams from the
same class on their service projects.
• Smeal College of Business
1. Co-sponsored the Ettiquette Dinner as part of the Leadership
Development Series
• State College Area School District
1. Carol German was invited to attend a symposium sponsored by State
College Area School District exploring new ways to collaborate on
service-learning
• College of Liberal Arts
1. Jacquette Wade presented leadership session for African American
Studies 003
• Schreyers Honors College
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1. Carol German served on a team examining leadership education at
University Park, and helped develop a course for 1st years in The
Schreyer Honors College
• Health and Human Development
1. Brian Favors spoke to three sections of BBH146, seminar for first year
student athletes
D.) Program Quality Assessment and Improvement
• All workshops presented by staff or Power Sourc’ers were assessed with
standard Student Affairs forms. Feedback was shared with presenters,
and used in future planning efforts
• Redesigned our website to better reflect the breadth of our programming
efforts
• In addition to giving the agencies that we worked with through Into the
Streets an evaluation form, we also followed up with telephone calls.
Because we had found that many agencies were rushing through the
evaluation forms, we had predicted that the follow up calls might give
them an opportunity to spend more time discussing the strengths and
weaknesses of our volunteer efforts. This has helped us in assessing our
volunteer projects and making the proper adjustments when necessary.
• Redesigned our Lions Share Intake procedure and computerized our
forms
• Constructed a user-friendly database to record service hours.
• Project W.I.S.E. was redesigned and upgraded to better serve the
changing needs of the College of Engineering. The program was
evaluated by a student participant as an academic project for the
Engineering Leadership Minor.
VI. BASIC SERVICES
A.) Initiatives/Achievements
• The Leadership Development Series, co-sponsored with the Office of
Fraternity & Sorority Life, consisted of 12 workshops during the fall and
spring semesters.
• 92 students attended the Leadership Development series in the fall
semester; 20 received certificates of participation.
• 105 students attended the Leadership Development series in the spring
semester, 14 received certificates of participation.
• The Power Sourc’ers conducted 13 leadership development workshops in
the fall semester, and 11 during the spring semester; approximately 300
students attended.
• A record high of 36 students participated in the Leaders Emerging Today
program.
• Over 650 students took part in our volunteer programs that provided
opportunities to work with children, the elderly, health issues, at risk
youth, physically disabled individuals, environmental issues and animals.
Over half of the students involved participated through our Into the
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Streets program (349 students participated in 24 projects over seven
weekends)
• Student coordinators from the Lions SHARE program spent 288 hours
counseling and facilitating outreach projects for individual students and
student groups.
• Power Sourc’ers conducted a 4-hour Leadership Training program for the
Lion Ambassadors Executive Board.
• Power Sourc’ers conducted a 4-hour Leadership Training program for the
Blue & White Society.
• Facilitated student participation in off-campus conferences, including the
Black Leadership Conference, the COOL conference on service in New
Hampshire, and the Pennsylvania Service Leadership Conference.
• The Pennsylvania Service Leadership Conference was held in February
at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, with Stanley J. Nowak Jr.,
Ph.D., Associate Professor Emeritus of Spanish, Humanities & Social
Science at Penn State Lehigh Valley and Executive Director of The
Center for Intercultural Community-Building, as keynote speaker. There
were 142 attendees.
• Lion Support handled 142 cases (88 Fall semester, 54 Spring semester),
a decrease of 12% from the previous year. The difference is reflected in
the very large number of calls handled the weekend of the multiple bus
crash Fall semester, 1999. Overall, calls continue to rise.
• Lion Support trained 27 new members.
• Staff responded to 359 family emergencies, about the same number as
last year, and processed 46 student deaths ( an increase of 15%).
• Lion Support planned and delivered a program on ethics Fall semester.
The program was broadcast on the student radio station. Spring
semester, Lion Support sponsored an evening to meet and speak with
President Spanier.
• Provided 8 mini-grants for new, unique projects to benefit students.
• Carol German worked in conjunction with other campus personnel to
resolve six allegations of sexual harassment against students.
• Nittany’s Pride honored Gerard Louison and Sharon Entenberg. Both
met with student organizations and with student representatives from
organizations with which they had been involved.
• Jacquett C. Wade was the keynote speaker for the Phi Theta Kappa,
Regional Convention in Philadelphia.
• Jacquett C. Wade was the keynote speaker for Phi Theta Kappa, Butler
County Community College in Butler, PA.
• Jacquett C. Wade presented a workshop, “Get Outta the Box”, at the
Greek Leadership Conference (2 sessions).
B.) Service Quality Assessment and Improvement
• During the year of 2001-2002, The AT&T Center for Service
Leadership’s volunteer programs will be affected tremendously by a
completed database that will have updated information and materials.
This will allow the student coordinators the opportunity to better serve
the student population in a more concise and efficient manner. Staff
will have access to students who have previously participated in one
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of our programs, and will be able to offer them similar opportunities as
they arise.
• Improved new students’ knowledge about Lion Support through
magnets given to all residence hall students and distributed at the
Volunteer and Involvement Fairs. Members also spoke in several
First year seminars. In addition, placards advertising the 863-2020
service were placed in all CATA buses. An ad was placed in the
planners given to all incoming first year students.
• Expanded our Urban Plunge project, to introduce students to service
in an urban setting. Students spent five days in Philadelphia focused
on hunger and homelessness.
• Contacted all professors teaching a first year seminar to acquaint
them with our services and to offer assistance where appropriate.
The effort resulted in several invitations for staff to speak in classes.
VII. HUMAN RESOURCES
We have written web-resources into the job description for one of our staff
assistants.
VIII. FACILITIES, SPACE, AND EQUIPMENT
• A year ago, we had identified the need for a new computer for Lion Support. We
were able this year to replace both the Lion Support computer and the one used
by the graduate assistant to Power Sourc’ers. In addition, we acquired a laptop
for use by the graduate intern working with University of Promise.
• We replaced the copier we share with Greek Life.
IX.COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND DATA ANALYSIS
Our shared data-base with the Volunteer Center of Centre County is complete,
as is the interactive website to support community service initiatives. The Lion Share
Intake forms and process have been redesigned to take advantage of on-line data entry.
We are in the process of redesigning our university-wide data collection process
for community service activities
X.RELATIONSHIP TO CAMPUSES
• Campus and all-university conferences
1. Jacquett C. Wade presented a “Creative Thinking” workshop for the
University-wide Lion Ambassadors retreat.
2. Jacquett C. Wade presented “Free Zone” (diversity-focused program) at the
CCSG Leadership Conference.
3. Sharon Christ, Director of Student Affairs, Penn State York served on the
Service Leadership Conference Planning Committee and the Service Leadership
Awards Nomination Review Committee. Melanie Riddle, student at Penn State
York, also served on the Service Leadership Awards Nomination Review
Committee.
4. Carol German presented at the Campus Leadership Conference
5. Carol German presented at the PA Conference on Service Leadership
6. Carol German, Brian Favors, and Jacquette Wade presented programs for the
PA 4-H Leadership retreat
• Black Leadership Conference. Eight minority student leaders attended The
Black Leadership Conference with Brian Favors and Arthur Carter Students were
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challenged to utilize their leadership skills while creating strategies to address
various community issues. Students from various universities across the state
were provided the opportunity to interact with each other while sharing and
discussing ideas to build community.
• Food Bank Ten volunteers from Lions SHARE traveled to the Second Harvest
Food Bank of South Central Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg. Students met ten
volunteers from the Harrisburg Campus of Penn State. Together, the twenty
students separated frozen turkey and repackaged the meat for distribution during
the following week. Prior to the service, students received an orientation from
the Volunteer Coordinator at the Food Bank, and following the event, the
students were invited to participate in Food Bank programming in the future.
XI.TRENDS FOR FUTURE DIRECTIONS
The AT&T Center for Service Leadership will continue to focus on the education
of character, and the development of the whole person. To that end, we will continue to
offer programs and activities that challenge our students to explore ideas, settings, and
cultures outside their current experience.
We are committed to experiential education as a means to engage individuals in
life-long learning, and to encourage connections between sampled experience and
academic and career choices. To that end, we will continue to offer programs and
activities which challenge our students to become more culturally competent, globally
aware, and experienced in civic traditions. We are proud to have added Urban
Experience projects, service initiatives partnered with other universities, and the Minority
Leadership Seminars to our offerings.
In the foreseeable future, students will continue to seek ways of contributing to
the community and exploring their education through service work. Many future student
servants may be drawn to community service because they seek opportunities
presented by Ameri-Corps, The Peace Corps, or City-Year National Service Initiatives.
As more students opt to explore their career or post graduate study interests through
service work, our challenge is to create learning opportunities through appropriate
orientation and reflection exercises around the service work itself. The Center will also
be challenged to provide opportunities for students to become committed to local and
state agencies and initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity, The Second Mile, and
programs to reduce teen violence. We must continue to construct a bridge between the
educational institution and the surrounding community. The power of the
community/institution union is increase the effectiveness of student and community
interaction and strengthen the ethic of service as students graduate and go out on their
own.
Perhaps our greatest challenge is to discover ways to reach out to faculty to help
insure that service in the community is used as a teaching pedagogy in the classroom.
Effective use of community-based learning is the surest way for our university to partner
for positive social change, and is a strong tool in the development of character and
involved citizen-servants. To this end, we are establishing a faculty advisory board to
help the Center develop and maintain quality offerings for our students, and to bridge the
gap between academic and co-curricular experiences.
Finally, we are seeing an increase in the use of our Family Emergency services,
and an increase in the calls to Lion Support. Therefore, we are channeling additional
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resources to be sure that all incoming students are aware of these services, and
heightening the marketing of our services.
We also intend to:
1.Construct a list serve that will be set up to inform various student
group representatives (ie. College of Education, Greek volunteer
coordinator, service organizations, Shreyer Honors college, etc) about
different volunteer opportunities on a regular basis.
2.Give presentations to various freshman seminars and student
groups to inform them of our volunteer programs while encouraging
them to get involved in community service.
3.Revise our record process to ensure that we collect the proper
demographic information on all of the students that take part in our
programs and activities.
4.Form a Fast Track CQI team to examine the process through which
we collect and report service participation and service-learning efforts
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Fraternity & Sorority Life
Annual Report for 2000 - 2001
Mission
Goals
Most significant Achievements
Educational Programming/Activities
Diversity-Focused Activities/Programming
Community-Focused Activities/Programming
Academic Alliances
Program Quality Assessment and Improvement
Basic Services
Initiatives/Achievements
Service Quality Assessment and Improvement
Human Resources
Facilities, Space and Equipment-Improvement Activities
Computer Information Systems and Data Analysis
Relationship to Campuses
Trends and Future Directions
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Fraternity & Sorority Life
Mission
The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life staff supports and develops fraternity men and
sorority women as contributing community members through the integration of
leadership training, outreach and research at The Pennsylvania State University.
Goals
1. Provide educational experiences for students. This is done through orientation,
advising, mentoring, leadership education, and service opportunities.
2. Help build a respectful and civil community. This is completed by advocacy,
diversity education, crisis intervention, accountability, proactive initiatives, assistance,
and increased awareness.
3. Reduce costs through improved efficiency. This is accomplished by collaboration
within and across units, developing and maintaining partnerships to train students and
staff, and cross training student and professional staff.
4. Increase training and staff development to support staff. Encouraging all staff to
attend workshops, classes, and conferences completes this.
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life Goals and Timeline Document 2000-01
Priority Item Indicator Deadline Mission
n/a MultiCultural TBD Outreach
Changes
1 CQI Team Information Collection Start: 7/17 Research
End: 11/15
2 At-Risk Qualitative assessment Start: 8/1 Outreach
Chapter and initial contacts, End: 8/22
Assessment communication with HQ Work begins
and alumni/volunteers after
assessment
3 Social More education from Ongoing Leadership
Changes OGL Training
4 Research Greek Report, Exit Start: 8/22 Research
(Use & Survey-Retention, Exit End: 12/15
Create) Survey-Skills Spring
Developed, Chapter Distribution
Leaders (Success and
Challenges), utilize new
student survey
5 Standards Grades, Fiscal, Alumni, Start: 9/5 Research
(Spreadsheet) House Corp, Service, End: TBD
Involvement,
Attendance, Retention,
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Recruitment, Nat'l Level
Stuff, Summer
Opportunities
6 Web Similar pages, using Start: 9/18 Outreach
Improvements www.greeks.psu.edu End: 12/15
meet with all web
masters & OGL, keep
updated, and put all
items from
"Publications" on web
7 Better Greek Oscars, more Start: 10/1 Outreach
Recognition info to HQ, assess End: 1/31
selection process,
consistency of awards
8 Publications Alumni, Seniors, Start: 10/1 Outreach
Summer Involvement, End:
New Members, Chapter NM: 12/1
Leaders CL: 12/15
SR: 3/1
SI: 4/1
AL: 5/1
9 HQ Survey Debt, NM Program, Start: 10/15 Research,
(Web) CLC visit, grade End: 12/1 Outreach
requirements,
attendance at nat'l
events, awards, timely
paperwork,
communication, alumni
Last Updated July 7, 2000
Most Significant Initiatives/Achievements
• Maintained retention statistics of all Fraternity & Sorority members.
• Provided support to Fraternity & Sorority Special Events for NPHC Step Show,
Greek Week, Spring Week, THON, Homecoming, and Greek Sing
• Penn State University IMPACT presented by North-American Interfraternity
Conference
Diversity-Focused Activities/Programming
All educational programming efforts were done under the advisement of our office.
However, the programming chairs of each council planned, implemented, and funded
programs that educated Fraternity & Sorority members, as well as the Penn State and
State College communities. These programs focused on the following areas: hazing;
risk management; date rape and sexual assault prevention; leadership development;
and commitment to furthering Fraternity & Sorority ideals.
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A. Diversity
• Ebony & Ivory Week
Week long activities that educate students on issues related to
diversity. It is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, with co-
sponsorship from Sigma Phi Epsilon and Kappa Alpha Theta.
• Advise NPHC Greek Week
Community Focused Activities/Programming
Community focused programs and activities included
• Annual Greek Sweep
o Fraternity and sorority students clean up State College area
• State College Red Ribbon AIDS Walk
o Fraternity and sorority students assist with the planning and
implementation and participate in this event
• Stand Together
o Fraternity and sorority students sell raffle tickets to raise money
for this State College agency that assists mothers who want to
complete their education.
• Fall Festival
o This Halloween event outreaches to area public schools and
provides a safe environment for trick-or-treating.
• Into the Streets
o Students involved with Penn Sate Homecoming spend an
afternoon at a variety of local volunteer sites.
Academic Alliances
Academic Alliances for Fraternity & Sorority Life include:
• Counselor Education—Faculty for General Leadership class
• College of Engineering—Facilitators for Project WISE and
LeaderShape
• New Member Education Academic Program led by Academic Resource
Center
• Minority Scholarship Program—work with faculty and staff to monitor
NPHC scholarship recipients’ progress
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Program Quality Assessment and Improvement
Program Quality and Improvement in Fraternity & Sorority Life included
• Sorority housing and assignment process
• Greek Report tracking Fraternity & Sorority statistical information
• New Panhellenic Recruitment database to track data that will allow PHC
to operate more efficiently
Initiatives/Achievements
• Provided assistance and support to officers and members of 85 fraternity and
sorority organizations
• Developed chapter advisors’ skills through monthly meetings
• Assisted with Greek Reunion
• Advised the following special events
o Panhellenic sorority and IFC fraternity rush—participation increased
o Homecoming—increase in student organization participation; received
support from Penn State Alumni Association
o Greek Sing—endowed their scholarship for $25,000 and sold out their
performance
o Dance Marathon—students raised over $3.6 million and paid the
remainder of the $5 million to a new pediatric cancer research unit. This
was paid 2 years early.
o NPHC Step Show, proceeds contributed to the Lawrence Young
Scholarship Fund (a $25,000 endowment fund).
o Greek Week—continued with an educational program during the week
o Greek Reunion through GAIG, NPHC, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Phi
Kappa Tau
o Spring Week—added a community service project and educational
programming during the week’s activities
o Greek Oscars—recognized student leaders, chapters, advisors, and
faculty for their contributions and commitment to Fraternity & Sorority Life
• Maintained relationships with several units at Penn State and community
agencies
• Assisted with implementation of total membership education
• All sorority GPA was 3.24 and all-Fraternity & Sorority GPA was 3.05
• Maintained Greek Report—created retention statistics for membership
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• We received significant funding from PSUAA, FPA, IFC/PHC/NPHC, New
Student Record, UPAC, Sigma Chi, and Fraternity & Sorority alumni members for
Fraternity & Sorority programs.
Service Quality Assessment and Improvement
Service quality assessment and improvement for Fraternity & Sorority Life
• Assess program effectiveness by utilizing Betty Moore’s Office Pulse
Survey
Human Resources
• Cindy Day Erwin, Stephen Rupprecht, and Andrea Gaspardino serve on
or hold positions within professional organizations
o Andrea Gaspardino—National Order of Omega Province Director,
Volunteer for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity
o Stephen Rupprecht—Phi Kappa Tau National Philanthropy
Director; AFA Region 1 Vice President
• All existing members of Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life staff have
accepted new positions (Andrea Gaspardino – Elizabeth Glasier Pediatric
AIDS Foundation, Stephen Rupprecht – Drexel University, Cindy Day
Erwin – Alpha Phi Sorority)
• Hired new full-time Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life – Scott P. Phelan
• Two Assistant Director positions remain vacant
Computer Information Systems and Data Analysis
• All computer programs were updated to Office 2000
• Continuation of computer equipment upgrades (computers and printers)
Relationship to Campuses
• We provide guidance to campuses with a Fraternity & Sorority community
as needed
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Trends and Future Directions
• Institutions are beginning to move from a crisis management model to a
proactive model, which focuses on leadership development programs and
initiatives
• Currently there are eight Inter/National Fraternities at Penn State that will
be substance-free between 2000 and 2003. These chapters will need
additional support and advising as they enter this phase of fraternity life.
• Over the next year we will continue to develop our strategic plan for
Fraternity & Sorority Life. Included in this is re-evaluating our relationship
statement with the University.
• Creation of a total membership statement with the University
• Creation of a total membership education program versus a “pledge”
program
• Adoption of Panhellenic resolution prohibiting co-sponsoring of events
with alcohol at fraternity facilities.
• Grades continue to rise within the Fraternity & Sorority community
• All three councils have support the endowment of scholarships
• Utilization of alumni newsletters
• Examine, assess, and be a partner in educating all students on alcohol
use and abuse. We are committed to providing resources for this
education.
• Creating two Continuous Quality Improvement teams to examine:
o Our membership updating process
o Creating a learning outcomes model for our students
• Assess multicultural groups and USG Greeks
• Partner with AT&T for Leadership Development Series
Off Campus Living
Strategic Plan for 2000-2001
Summary
The Office of Off Campus Living continues to function within the office of
Fraternity & Sorority Life. The staff assistant receives information about apartment
listings via email, fax, phone, and walk-in traffic. Listings are posted on the website
weekly, usually on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Tenant complaints are kept on file
and used as reference to answer inquiries about reliability of local realtors. Although the
reports are confidential and never published, if anyone makes a specific inquiry we are
able to confirm that there are six complaints about maintenance for XYZ company in the
last three months. We make no recommendations of specific vendors, and caution
renters to read the lease, question anything they don’t understand, talk to current
tenants whenever possible, and before signing to bring their lease to the attorney for
students if they have any unanswered questions. Tenants with roommate issues are
referred to mediation services when appropriate, or to the attorney when necessary.
A good number of our calls are received from parents with questions about
availability or concerns about realtors. We are able to direct them to our website and
that of the Centre Daily Times for listings of available housing, to check the complaint
file, or direct them to the Borough of State College Codes Office when necessary. We
receive many emails from international students seeking housing information and
guidance. We are happy to be able to be of service to those students, who frequently
don’t have the opportunity to travel to the area to search for housing, by providing not
only the website bulletin board but also general information about schools for their
children, where to find street maps and locations, what kinds of community services are
available, and campus contact information if needed.
Each year, the Office of Off Campus Living sponsors a two-day Annual Housing
Fair, with help from USG’s Department of Town Affairs and the Campus Commonwealth
Student Government. All Penn State campus student affairs directors are notified about
the Fair and encouraged to provide transportation to those students who are slated to
transfer to University Park the next academic year. Those students are sent a post card
with Housing Fair information during the winter break so that they, and their families,
have ample time to make arrangements to attend. Local realtors and apartment
management companies are invited to attend the Fair and dispense information about
their buildings. Many provide bus or van transportation to their sites from the Fair. No
leases are signed or deposits taken at the Fair, which is for information only. Our office
makes our brochures available, provides space for Legal Affairs to display their fliers,
and with the loan of THON’s wagon, makes popcorn available to all visitors. The Centre
Daily Times publishes their Housing Guide in conjunction with the Fair and makes
copies available to all visitors. Local businesses provide water coolers, items and gift
certificates to be used as door prizes, and a local market provides a generous discount
for bagels for vendors’ morning coffee breaks. A sandwich shop donated six-foot subs
for vendor lunches for both days of the Fair this year. With the help of a local radio
station road show, as well as fliers and newspaper ads, the Fair is well advertised and all
donors are publicly thanked. Average attendance at the Fair is 3,500 to 4,000 students
and their families.
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Vision, Mission
To assure that every Penn State student seeking information about living off campus has
the opportunity to freely access accurate, unbiased, and timely information; to provide
assistance and information to students seeking housing off campus; to provide
assistance and information to students with general questions about their rights and
responsibilities as renters; to provide a listing service to aid students in their search for
housing off campus, without regard to race or ethnicity, religion or creed, gender or
sexual preference, or handicap.
Most Significant Achievement
16th Annual Housing Fair, January, 2001, hosted 31 vendors and over
3500 visitors
Vendors reported an average of 423 visitors to their tables, allowing a
diverse population to access information about housing opportunities
Evaluation forms provide important feedback so that we can better serve
the students seeking housing for the next academic year.
Programming
Community Focused Activities
a. Copies of website bulletin board sent to Kinko’s copies for distribution,
allowing those with no opportunity to print the website bulletin board the
chance to obtain information outside our office hours.
b. Copies of website bulletin board sent to Temporary Housing, Inc of State
College where students or community members in crisis may find new, safe
housing in a convenient location.
c. Student and community interaction with staff concerning housing issues
remained steady
Basic Services
a. Our web site registered another 65% increase in the amount of advertising on
our bulletin boards
b. Bulletin boards on website are updated 2-3 times/week
c. Links to realtors continue to grow on website
d. Links to Off Campus Living staff remain on website
Human Resources
Jean Welling
Staff Assistant
• Member Penn State Association of Educational Office Professionals
• Nominated as a team member for Vice President’s Award for Quality
Improvement
• Continuing participation in staff and personal development programs, and
in part-time pursuit of undergraduate degree
Facilities, Space, and Equipment-Improvement Activities
• Due to reconfiguration of office space, Off Campus Living information has
moved to space outside of office where it is accessible during all hours of
HUB operations
Computer Information Systems and Data Analysis
• Data Warehouse access is now available to staff assistant
Relationship to Campuses
• Commonwealth students and their families notified about Annual Housing
Fair during winter break
• Student Affairs Personnel notified about Housing Fair, sent information to
use in campus newspaper advertising
• Commonwealth students have access to website listings and easy
contact to our office
• CCSG, along with DOTA help in planning Housing Fair
• All Commonwealth Campus Student Affairs offices received an update
about Off Campus Living, including address and new website address. In
return, they were asked to supply our office with name, email, and
address of person to contact for housing issues on their campus.
Trends and Future Directions
• Interactive listing form pending for website
• Use of website continues to grow for student housing searches and
advertising
• Realtors use service to notify students of openings
• Dr. Carter continues to attend Realtors Group meetings, building trust and
interaction with apartment owners/managers
• Working to increase participation in the Annual Housing Fair by
increasing communication between the Office of Off Campus Living and
the realtors in downtown State College who provide student housing
• Working to increase the information available on the Off Campus Living
website
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