The Role and Responsibilities of the Dean of Students at Virginia Tech
The Dean of Students Office at Virginia Tech plays a crucial role in supporting students throughout their academic journey. This office serves as a central point of contact for students facing a wide range of challenges, offering guidance, resources, and advocacy to help them succeed.
Structure of University Governance at Virginia Tech
To understand the Dean of Students' role, it's helpful to understand the broader governance structure of Virginia Tech. The university's governing body is the Board of Visitors, established by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This board consists of 14 members, with 13 appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate of Virginia, serving four-year terms. The president of the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services serves as the fourteenth member. The Board of Visitors is responsible for:
- Institutional policies (excluding those under the Commonwealth of Virginia's direct jurisdiction).
- Care, preservation, and improvement of university property.
- Protecting the safety of students and other persons residing on university property.
- Regulating student conduct and discipline.
- Authority over roads and highways within the university's campuses.
- Prohibiting entrance to or ejecting undesirable persons from university property.
The president of the university, appointed by the Board of Visitors, serves as the chief executive. The president initiates proposed policies, executes approved policies, and administers the university, acting as the communication channel between the Board and university employees.
The President’s Council includes vice presidents, deans, institute directors, and senior leaders reporting to the president.
Shared Governance: Virginia Tech recognizes the importance of faculty, staff, and student participation in university affairs. This is facilitated through:
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- The University Council: Makes policy recommendations to the president.
- The Senates: Represent the collective voice of faculty, administrative and professional faculty, and staff.
- University and Senate Commissions: Develop policy recommendations.
- University Standing Committees: Address matters of university-wide interest.
- Faculty Associations: Organized within colleges and other units to represent faculty interests.
- Faculty Organizations: Building communities of practice and networking for professional development.
Key administrative roles include:
- Provost: Provides executive and strategic leadership to academic areas. The college and academic deans report to the provost.
- Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVPCOO): Responsible for the financial, administrative, physical, technological, and operational infrastructure of the university.
- Senior Vice Presidents: Provide executive and operational leadership for divisions or major operating units.
- Vice Presidents: Provide operational and managerial leadership for specific administrative or academic functions.
Academic Leadership:
- College and Academic Deans: Responsible for the academic activities of their college or academic unit, including resource allocation, faculty appointments, and curriculum development.
- Dean of University Libraries: Directs the University Libraries in providing the university with information, collections, and services necessary to support the learning, discovery, and engagement programs of the university.
- Dean of the Honors College: Directs the college in its mission to provide extraordinary educational opportunities for students of exceptional motivation and ability.
- Department Heads, Chairs, and School Directors: Responsible for the growth and vigor of academic programs, recruitment and retention of faculty, administration of the curriculum, and the budget of their department or school.
The Dean of Students Office: A Hub of Support
The Dean of Students Office is dedicated to supporting students so they thrive during their time at Virginia Tech. The office achieves this through various programs, services, and dedicated staff.
Key Responsibilities and Services:
- Mentorship and Advocacy: The Dean of Students Office is staffed with mentors and advocates who can point students in the right direction, be a sounding board, and help with personal, social, and academic challenges.
- Resource Coordination: The office often serves in a coordinating role for multiple resources throughout the university, connecting students with the appropriate services.
- Addressing Student Challenges: The office assists with personal, social, and academic challenges, including food assistance, medical care, crisis and emergency response, first-generation student support, interfaith programs, new student and family programs, and disability services.
- Absence Verification: The Dean of Students staff provides absence verification only. They do not “excuse” or “approve” absences.
- Support for Students and Families: The Dean of Students Office works with students, families, friends, and faculty to help students create plans, connect to resources, and gain the confidence to get back on track when facing challenges.
- 24/7 Availability: Someone from the office is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide support and advice in case of crisis, medical needs, or simply needing someone to talk to.
Specific Programs and Initiatives:
- New Student and Family Programs: Supports students and families as they transition to Virginia Tech.
- Services for Students with Disabilities: Provides accommodations and support to students with disabilities.
- Residential Well-being Model: As Student Affairs embarks on the new residential well-being model for on-campus housing this fall, Tara Frank has transitioned into the new role of assistant dean for residential case management and support.
Key Personnel:
- Associate Dean of Students and Director of Dean of Students Office: Shaka Sydnor provides oversight for the office, its team, programs, and operations.
Accessing Support:
Students can access support from the Dean of Students Office through various channels:
- Emergency Services Clinicians: Available to meet with students at their location.
- Cook Counseling Center: Provides counseling services and support for students experiencing mental health concerns.
- Referral Services: Connections to 24-hour referral and emergency evaluation services.
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