Vision Statement

Sam Houston State University Division of Student Services will increase the use of technology; encourage collaboration, cooperation, and communication in various partnerships; increase support of university advancement; and provide educational opportunities in preparing our students for the future.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Division of Student Services is to initiate opportunities and provide resources for all students which promote life skills and development within the academic environment. As an integral partner in the educational process, student services provides for students and staff, quality programs and services which foster growth and development. Departments within the division embrace a student development philosophy that stresses the holistic approach in co-curriculum involvement.

The role of the Division of Student Services is to complement the total educational mission of the university. This is accomplished by offering quality programs and services. Studies indicate that learning occurs in an environment conducive to social, recreational, educational, and intellectual interaction. A variety of student services programs are designed to foster such interaction with students, faculty, staff, and the university community.

1. Integrate computer technology into all administrative and instructional processes of the University.

Goal One: Expand the use of technology with departments in the division.

Objective A: Expand the use of computer networks for student services by using the national data sources for student affairs professionals.

Objective B: Recreate a student services web page that is up-to-date with student services information.

Objective C: Coordinate divisional technology with the Department of Computer Services.

Objective D: Continue to update departmental computers to the university network and the Internet.

Objective E: Continue staff development training programs through university channels.

Objective F: Improve co-curriculum transcripts access through computer services.

Objective G: Continue to develop national surveys on the internet for the National Association of Student Services Personnel access.

Objective H: Develop an Ombudsman-Service Directory for Students' Satisfaction through university computer services.

Objective I: Continue to list student services resources for students to access on the university computer system.




2. Provide and create initiatives to increase student recruitment and retention.

Goal Two: Attract and develop students and encourage their persistence through school.

Objective A: Continue to work with Physical Plant in campus planning of facility improvements for student services.

Objective B: Continue to work on data collection of students' perceptions of student services with the longitudinal study implemented in 1995.

Objective C: Continue working with the university committee to focus on retention efforts.

Objective D: Enhance and refocus departmentally sponsored student retention programs to meet the needs of targeted student populations.

Objective E: Continue to provide student activities that will prepare our students holistically.

Objective F: Continue to provide information, encouragement, and advice to students concerning university resources.

Objective G: Develop a university-wide crisis plan and campus safety policy for student programs.




3. Enhance external revenue sources available to the University.

Goal Three: Increase involvement in university advancement activities.

Objective A: Continue to research and investigate alternative programs for funding sources.

Objective B: Continue to cultivate contacts of potential and current donors through university procedures.

Objective C: Continue to cultivate contacts for athletic support in the community through university procedures.




4. Enhance partnerships with the University's external communities.

Goal Four: Create opportunities for collaboration with the university's external partnerships.

Objective A: Develop international opportunities for student exchange through national student services and university channels.

Objective B: Expand connections among regional and national universities.

Objective C: Establish opportunities for international partnerships.

Objective D: Continue to develop partnerships with the community.




5. Continue integrating the University's strategic plan and assessment processes with the institutional budgeting process.

Goal Five: Evaluate program and service outcomes for the purpose of improvement in the Division of Student Services.

Objective A: Create surveys to determine the quality of students' satisfaction through institutional effectiveness.

Objective B: Initiate strategies to determine students' satisfaction as mandated by Texas Legislature.

Objective C: Continue developmental programs to enhance staff understanding and knowledge of academic programs and services in the university.

Objective D: Create surveys to determine the quality of staff satisfaction derived from their jobs.