Student Services vision/mission, goals and objectives
The mission of Student Services is to provide services that enable students to develop their full potential and to reach their educational goals.
Mission/vision
- Student Services will contribute to the University's mission by working in partnership with academic staff to provide professional, quality, innovative, accessible services
- Student Services staff will foster a caring, positive, unique campus environment
- They will recognise diversity, the need to be culturally sensitive and responsive to change
- They will strive to provide co-ordinated services that are student focused and are integrated with those of the wider University community
Values
In working towards its mission, Student Services is committed to:
- The wellbeing of all students
- Being innovative in its approach to problem solving
- Always responding in a culturally appropriate manner
- Embracing diversity
- Positively affirming student achievements
- Working at all times with the highest levels of professionalism, ethical behaviour and practices
- Working to ensure access ability of services
- Working in a co-operative, collaborative manner with enthusiasm and humour
Goals and objectives
Goal 1: The learning environment
To support a safe and stimulating learning environment.
Objectives
- To develop life skills complementary to academic learning
- To provide holistic pastoral care for all students
- To contribute services that support a unique campus experience and meet the needs of the university population
Goal 2: Culture and diversity
To recognise and celebrate the diversity of the University community and to foster access and participation by under represented groups in a safe, culturally inclusive environment.
Objectives
- Foster pathways for Maori, Pacific Islands, and disabled students, as well as other under-represented groups.
- Develop provide and monitor an Orientation programme, which will encompass the needs of a continually changing, culturally diverse student population
- Establish, develop and strengthen links with community and iwi networks, both external and internal, in order to enrich the diversity of the University environment.
Goal 3: Access and participation
To provide support and services which are inclusive and accessible to all students.
Objectives
- To ensure an awareness of services by appropriate promotion and advertising.
- To ensure all those providing services are resourced to meet the needs of diverse groups.
- To contribute towards a positive culture which enables all students' ongoing participation in their university experience.
Goal 4: Integrated, comprehensive services
To develop integrated and comprehensive services that support students in reaching their educational and employment goals and add value to the quality of their Otago experience.
Objectives
- Identify and regularly review support services to ensure they are meeting the changing needs of students
- Develop and maintain effective links between providers to facilitate the successful provision of services
- Ensure the ongoing promotion of student services to the wider University community and beyond
Goal 5: Partnership/retention
To develop, in partnership with academic staff, an environment that improves student retention and achievement.
Objectives
- To liaise regularly with Academic Departments to explore how Student Services can assist in improving student achievement
- To establish pathways for academic departments to obtain assistance in supporting students at risk
- To develop further the unique student campus environment
Goal 6: Māori students
To improve recruitment, retention, and achievement of Māori students through provision of responsive student services.
Objectives
- To encourage and promote participation by Māori students in a campus environment
- To provide culturally inclusive services which support Māori students in their chosen path
- To identify key clients and to encourage their participation in the initiatives provided
Goal 7: Pacific Islands students
To improve recruitment, retention, and achievement of Pacific Islands students through provision of responsive student services.
Objectives
- To encourage and promote participation by Pacific Islands students in a campus environment
- To provide culturally inclusive services which support Pacific Islands students in their chosen path
- To identify key clients and to encourage their participation in the initiatives provided
Goal 8: Stakeholder networks
To foster effective Student Services networks with stakeholders.
Objectives
- Regularly review the identity of external stakeholders
- Evaluate regularly services provided, and promote them actively
- Be responsive to standards set by regulatory bodies and to work within established practices.