From the Desk of the Vice President

A. Scott Weber.

As part of his regular contribution to the Student Life E-Connect Newsletter, Scott Weber shares his insights into recent events and news within the division.

Summer 2019 - Finding our WHY

As many of you know, I like to hike mountains.  On a recent trip to the highest point in New Mexico (Mt. Wheeler), I wasn’t feeling it and turned around. This was a first for me and made me stop and reflect on “why” I have enjoyed mountain climbing so much. That reflection prompted me to also think about the WHY” of our work in Student Life.  In my first two and half years in Student Life, I think it is fair to say that I have focused on the "what" and "how" more than the “why.”  But why we do what we do in Student Life is the most important guidepost we can have for making critical decisions that inevitably must be made.  Accordingly, as you prepare for the opening of Fall 2019, I ask you to consider what you would propose for the “WHY” in Student Life.  If you have not already done so, consider sending your ideas to me at vpsl@buffalo.edu. Keep up the good work, good luck in the coming days with our students returning, and more to come on the “WHY” in Student Life.    

Globe Trotting with SLIDE - London and Paris

SLIDE participants met with the Dr. Larry Kilman, associate director and professor at the American Graduate School. The students sat in on a UB presentation and its unique approach to experiential learning, which included a discussion about the differences of graduate school in Europe versus the United States.

 SLIDE participants met with the Dr. Larry Kilman, associate director and professor at the American Graduate School. The students sat in on a UB presentation and its unique approach to experiential learning, which included a discussion about the differences of graduate school in Europe versus the United States.

UB students took a walking tour of the business district in London, which included a brief history of how London was rebuilt after severe fires.

 UB students took a walking tour of the business district in London, which included a brief history of how London was rebuilt after severe fires.

UB students participated in a walking tour through Paris starting at the Eiffel Tower and ending at the Louvre, learning about history and the importance of the Louvre.

 UB students participated in a walking tour through Paris starting at the Eiffel Tower and ending at the Louvre, learning about history and the importance of the Louvre.

On a tour of Oxford, UB students learned that Oxford is more than a University, but most people who live there are working or associated with the University. The guided tour featured the town, University, various movie sets (Harry Potter) and gave students a glimpse into the University's culture.

 On a tour of Oxford, UB students learned that Oxford is more than a University, but most people who live there are working or associated with the University. The guided tour featured the town, University, various movie sets (Harry Potter) and gave students a glimpse into the University's culture.

On a self-guided walking tour of the Palace of Versailles, UB students learned about the residence of Marie Antoinette and the history of her and her family turmoil.

 On a self-guided walking tour of the Palace of Versailles, UB students learned about the residence of Marie Antoinette and the history of her and her family turmoil.

UB students gathered in front of one of the many iconic bridges in London, England during this year's SLIDE trip.

 UB students gathered in front of one of the many iconic bridges in London, England during this year's SLIDE trip.

SLIDE participants gained global perspective after visiting an Italian Art sculpture park in Paris.

 SLIDE participants gained global perspective after visiting an Italian Art sculpture park in Paris.

Along with staff advisors Barb Ricotta, Dean of Students and Phyllis Floro, Director of Student Engagement, SLIDE participants visited the Eiffel Tower and learned why it was built, met other tourists, and spent time relaxing and taking in the site.

 Along with staff advisors Barb Ricotta, Dean of Students and Phyllis Floro, Director of Student Engagement, SLIDE participants visited the Eiffel Tower and learned why it was built, met other tourists, and spent time relaxing and taking in the site.

SLIDE participants visited the Business district in London.

 SLIDE participants visited the Business district in London.

SLIDE participants visit the London Eye, where you can see the entire city of London from a scenic ferris wheel.

 SLIDE participants visit the London Eye, where you can see the entire city of London from a scenic ferris wheel.
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Previous Columns

Winter 2019 - Pursuing our Strategic Goals

I am very appreciative of the deep commitment of Student Life professionals and our pursuit of improving the student experience. 2019 promises to be a pivotal year for Student Life as a change agent on campus and I look forward to the progress toward our 2019 strategic goals. With the start of the spring semester, Student Life is active across several fronts to further elevate the UB student experience. Three interconnected master plans are currently underway, including reviews of student housing, student unions and wellness on campus.

The student housing planning process conducted by Sasaki Architects is nearing completion with interesting recommendations on how to improve our current housing stock and consideration of new housing along Lee Road. On a similar note, Brailsford and Dunlavey are helping us understand how we might transform our Student Union to deliver a better student experience. Finally, the UB Wellness Master Plan, in collaboration with Cannon Design, is just underway but promises to be a transformational project.  And speaking of transformational projects, the conceptual design for One World Café is nearly concluded with construction expected to start later this year.

We are enjoying increased philanthropic support for our students who have more needs than ever.  We continue to be great stewards for the student emergency funds provided by the Gerstner Family Foundation and the Heckscher Foundation for Children.  A recently completed Food Pantry Task Force has provided recommendations to meet student food insecurity on campus and its recommendations are being implemented for the 2019 spring semester. Philanthropic support of this effort will be critical for its long term sustainability.

After a successful pilot in Student Life, UB’s student employment program, Here to Career, recently launched on campus. This new initiative will infuse every student employment position with purposeful reflection on certain core competencies to ultimately set our students apart in the highly competitive workforce after graduation.

Finally, Student Life is deeply committed to self-reflection regarding its own operations and how best to achieve its priorities.  Following a self-study last year, the programming components of Campus Life have joined Student Engagement and the operation of Campus Unions has been established as a separate office.  In addition, Career Services is finalizing its long term plan based on its recently completed self-study.  Campus Living is currently conducting a self-study to strengthen their operations and long term vision. I'm confident that these strategic initiatives will continue to propel Student Life and our staff toward a successful 2019 and beyond.

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Summer 2018 - Gaining Global Perspective

With UB commencement weekend in the rear view mirror, Associate Director for Student Engagement Jude Butch and I had the good fortune of travelling to Berlin, Munich, and Vienna with 20 UB students as part of the SLIDE (Student Leadership International Dialogue and Exchange) program. SLIDE provides students from all backgrounds and majors with a better understanding of the world we live in. While gaining a global perspective on international culture, diversity and leadership, students soon realize that most opinions are porous across international boundaries.

Highlights of the 12 day trip included conversations in Berlin with a Muslim Cleric on immigration and refugee status in Europe and its political implications. Other important viewpoints were heard from Amnesty International in Munich and the United Nations in Vienna. In addition to our cultural exchanges, we were fortunate to visit many iconic landmarks and marvel at the effectiveness of their transportation systems.   

A capstone moment for our group was the afternoon spent with students from Technical University of Munich (TUM).  Gazing over multiple tables of UB students sharing ideas and common experiences with their counterparts proved to be inspirational.  

Experiences like this remind us that we have much more in common with the world than points of divergence. Watching our students head out for a shared night on the town with TUM students reinforced to me, the commonalities we all share. Programming such as SLIDE, made possible through Student Life, reinforces our mission to provide UB students the opportunity to build communities and encourage discovery, both here and on a global stage.

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Winter 2017-18 - Year in Review

After a year in Student Life, I continue to learn about the important and impactful work we do collectively to elevate the student experience at UB. From residence to dining halls, student unions to our health, counseling and wellness offices, from our work in accessibility, orientation, career exploration, entrepreneurship, student conduct, engagement, and veterans, Student Life staff engages our students in meaningful, purposeful, and helpful programs and services, allowing them to grow and prosper. I am excited and energized by our work. 

In January, Student Life Directors met to review and share how each office can contribute to the advancement of University and Student Life priorities. The discussion was lively, engaged, and signaled a deep commitment to our goals. The four priorities of Student Life, which we will pursue with determination are:

1) Elevate academic success.

2) Advance student wellness.

3) Promote and understand post-graduation success.

4) Improve our physical environment.

Priority 1 will work to define and improve the first year experience as a component of improving retention and academic success. Our plan for action steps and time lines for the first year experience will be delineated by the end of spring 2018 with implementation to begin immediately.

For priority 2, we have renewed our commitment to build a wellness center on the North Campus and I expect to help shepherd this to fruition within five years. This will be a collaborative project with our students and many campus partners.

In priority 3, Career Services will conclude their self-study this semester, with recommendations for the future. At the end of spring semester 2018, we will launch a more rigorous first destination survey to track graduate outcomes. A pilot study of our Student Employment Initiative is underway as well, with plans to roll out a more robust program in fall 2018.

Finally, priority 4 will offer improvement to our physical environment and the programs they offer. We will conclude Campus Life’s self-study this spring and couple these findings with our recently initiated Student Union master plan, yielding results that will impact the future of both student unions. In addition, set to conclude in fall 2018, the Campus Living master plan will illuminate the future of UB housing. The Global Market Café is under design with construction to start later this year or early next year. 1Capen continues to bring great value benefit to our students and serves as a shining example of what we can achieve together.

In summary, we have big goals and are pursuing them with rigor, integrity and campus-wide collegiality.  This is a very exciting time in Student Life and I feel privileged to be a part of this journey with you. I look forward to continuing to share the progress we are making toward these priorities and collectively defining new ones as we continue to achieve success.