The Role and Responsibilities of the Dean of Students at UCLA

The Dean of Students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) plays a crucial role in shaping the student experience and fostering a supportive campus environment. This article explores the multifaceted responsibilities of the Dean of Students, examining the office's mission, key functions, and affiliated departments and services. It also touches on the broader leadership structure within UCLA, particularly within the UCLA College and other professional schools.

The Office of the Dean of Students: A Portal to the UCLA Experience

The Office of the Dean of Students (DoS) at UCLA serves as a central hub for students navigating their academic journey. The mission of the DoS is to act as a "portal to understanding the UCLA experience," with a strong commitment to the personal and intellectual growth and development of all students. Whether a student seeks assistance as their first point of contact or as a last resort, the staff members within the DoS are dedicated to providing guidance and support.

Currently, Jasmine JS Rush oversees the Office of the Dean of Students. She completed her undergraduate and graduate work in Sociology and Education at Georgia Southern University. She has worked at UCLA since 2010. Prior to coming to UCLA, she worked at Columbia University in New York City, and at the University of Florida in the Dean of Students Office, Residential Life, and Student Conduct. She previously served as a chapter advisor for the Golden Key International Honour Society at UCLA. Jasmine is a native of Upstate New York who has a passion for fitness & watching her son compete in golf tournaments -- while her husband caddies.

Key Responsibilities and Functions

The Dean of Students' responsibilities are diverse and encompass various aspects of student life, including:

Student Advocacy and Support: Providing a supportive environment where students can thrive academically, personally, and socially.
Conflict Resolution: Addressing student concerns and conflicts, promoting peaceful resolution, and ensuring fairness and equity.
Policy Enforcement: Upholding the UCLA Student Conduct Code and other university policies, ensuring a safe and respectful campus environment.
Crisis Management: Responding to student emergencies and crises, providing support and resources, and ensuring student well-being.
Collaboration: Working closely with other departments and units across campus to enhance the student experience and promote student success.

Affiliated Departments and Services

The Office of the Dean of Students oversees several key departments and services that directly impact student life:

Office of Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment. Its mission is to assist students with exercising responsible, ethical, and appropriate choices, while supporting their intellectual growth and personal development. The Student Conduct Code outlines the expectations for student behavior and the disciplinary process for addressing violations.

The UCLA Student Conduct Code is designed to create and maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive campus community that engages students in order to foster their academic success, personal growth and responsible citizenship. Students are considered to be maturing adults, capable of making their own decisions, as well as accepting the consequences for those decisions. The student conduct process has been established to respond to incidents involving allegations of prohibited behavior within our community. This process provides educational opportunities which encourage students to evaluate their own actions, consider their own decision making, and acquire new skills to improve their choices in the future.

Students may be held accountable for the types of misconduct set out in Section II.C. The Dean may take action whether or not such misconduct also violates the law, and whether or not proceedings are, have been, or may be brought in the courts involving the same acts. Because of this, students may be involved in University conduct proceedings before, after, or during court proceedings.

The University has jurisdiction over student conduct that occurs on University property, or in connection with official University programs or functions whether on or off University property. The University may, at its sole discretion, exercise jurisdiction over student behavior that occurs off campus and that would violate student conduct policies or regulations when: the alleged misconduct indicates the student poses a threat to the safety or security of any individual; or the alleged misconduct involves academic work or the forgery, alteration or misuse of any University document, record, key, electronic device, or identification.

Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services provides professional legal counseling and assistance to students, aiming to prevent, ameliorate, or resolve legal problems that they may encounter. This service is invaluable for students navigating complex legal issues and ensures they have access to sound legal advice and representation.

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Leadership Structure within the UCLA College

While the Dean of Students focuses on student life and conduct, the UCLA College is led by several deans who oversee different divisions and share responsibility for various functions across the College. These deans include:

Dean of Humanities: Alexandra Minna Stern, appointed in November 2022. Stern is the founder and co-director of the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab, an interdisciplinary research team that explores the histories of eugenic sterilization in the United States and is guided by commitments to reproductive, racial and disability justice.
Dean of Life Sciences: Tracy Johnson, appointed in September 2020. Johnson is recognized for her scientific leadership and contributions to educational innovation.
Dean of Physical Sciences: Miguel García-Garibay, appointed in May 2016 and became Senior Dean of the UCLA College in November 2022.
Dean of Social Sciences: Abel Valenzuela Jr., appointed in May 2024. Valenzuela is a leading national expert on day labor (itinerant workers) and precarious labor markets.
Dean of Undergraduate Education: Adriana Galván, appointed in July 2020. Her research focuses on adolescent brain development and behavior.

Shared governance within the College is implemented through the Faculty Executive Committee, ensuring that faculty members have a voice in important decisions.

Other Key Offices Supporting Students

Beyond the Office of the Dean of Students and the UCLA College deans, several other offices and committees play critical roles in supporting students at UCLA:

Academic Performance Committee (APC): Monitors student performance, assists students with academic and professional issues, and recommends promotions.
Committee for Academic Standing Progress and Promotion (CASPP): Composed of faculty members, CASPP reviews student academic progress and makes recommendations regarding academic standing.
Medical Education Committee (MEC): Responsible for authorizing and supervising all courses and curricula offered in pursuit of the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Academic Support Office: Provides academic support to students at all stages of their medical school career, including study skills, time management, and test-taking strategies.
Alumni Affairs Office: Connects students and graduates with a network of alumni, fostering meaningful relationships and providing career support.
Career Development Office: Offers resources and support to help students navigate their career paths and achieve their professional goals.
Center for Accessible Education (CAE): Provides accommodations and support services to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities.
Curricular Affairs Office (CAO): Oversees medical student education, ensuring students receive the highest level of training.
Educational Measurement Unit: Designs and recommends frameworks for comprehensive learning outcome assessments.
Financial Aid & Scholarships Office: Helps students navigate the financial aid process and access scholarships and loans.
Inclusive Excellence Office (OIE): Promotes and sustains an inclusive environment within the David Geffen School of Medicine community.
Student Affairs Office (SAO): Provides support for all of student academic and extracurricular needs.

The Dean of UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) also invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts). One of UCLA’s 12 professional schools, UCLA Arts plays a vital role in the cultural and artistic life of the university and the broader community. As an interdisciplinary hub for discovery, creativity and connection, UCLA Arts is where art, architecture, dance, design and scholarship are rooted in the curiosity, conscience and rigor at one of the nation’s top public research universities. Its mission is to educate and empower students and faculty to explore new forms and pursue new answers to the pressing questions that shape our world.

As the chief executive and academic officer for UCLA Arts, the dean provides strategic vision for and operational leadership of the school, which has an annual operating budget of approximately $70 million. The dean works to advance scholarship, creative and artistic accomplishment, and education and civic engagement; encourage distinctive programmatic innovation; enhance excellence through diversity in educational programs and faculty and student recruitment; and link the work of the school’s faculty and students to other disciplines, communities and interests within and outside of the academy.

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The Dean of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) also invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs (UCLA Luskin). One of UCLA’s 12 professional schools, located in one of the world’s largest and most diverse urban regions, UCLA Luskin’s vision is that of being an outstanding living laboratory for addressing society’s most pressing issues.

As the chief executive and academic officer for UCLA Luskin, the dean provides strategic vision for and operational leadership of the school, which has an annual operating budget of approximately $117 million. The dean works to advance scholarship, education and civic engagement; encourage distinctive programmatic innovation; enhance inclusive excellence in educational programs and faculty and student recruitment; and link the work of the school’s faculty and students to other disciplines, communities, and interests within and outside of the academy.

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