From the Vice President...

Terry D. Piper

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and took some time to rest and rejuvenate. The New Year brings a new semester and another opportunity to contribute to the learning and development of students. We really are lucky to have this privilege.

I want to update you on an important process that is underway in the Division. You are probably aware that the Student Affairs Leadership Team is engaged in strategic planning as part of the University's effort to get ready for re-accreditation. Last year a planning model was created. This fall SALT identified the Student Affairs strategic priorities. The strategic priorities are intended to focus our work in ways that are consistent with the University Mission and the President's Priorities /University Goals. The individual Student Affairs departments will use the strategic priorities to guide the development of department goals and objectives. You will find more detail information on our planning process at (www.csun.edu/studentaffairs). I invite you to review the materials by clicking the About Us button. I would very much like to hear your reaction to the new site.

The University is also in the process of revising all web sites to be consistent with the new web page format and to make sure the pages are fully compliant with the laws governing access to electronic media for persons with disabilities, deaf, and hard of hearing. This is a very significant undertaking both in terms of time and resources. Many of the student affairs related pages have been updated and our technology unit is working hard on those that are remaining. While this process occurs some pages may not be available or links on the pages may not work. Please be patient as we and all the other divisions work on this task. Our goal is to make the division and department web pages easier to use and more helpful. In that regard, please feel free to visit the pages and offer feedback. I'd particularly appreciate any comments you have on the division page noted above.

I am very optimistic that spring 2007 is going to be a very good semester for us and for our students due in large part to your commitment, good work, and caring attitude. On those tough days, and there will be tough days, keep your eye on the goal line - creating opportunities for students to succeed (even when they seem to be doing everything to make that impossible.) I am proud to be the vice president of this division - it is simply the best around!