Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report 2013–2014
Westchester Campus
1
Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
Table of Contents
Office of Multicultural Affairs
and Diversity Programs
Office of Disability Services
Office of Personal Development
and Counseling
Student Development and
Campus Activities (SDCA)
Office of Residential Life
and Housing
Community Standards
and Compliance
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2–3
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5–6
7–13
14–15
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Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
OMA
Office of Multicultural Affairs and
Diversity Programs (OMADP)
The Office of
Multicultural
Affairs
Highlights/Accomplishments
For FY13, there were 28 students
who participated in the AALANA
(African-American, Latino, Asian, and
Native American) Student Mentorship
Program and the retention rate from
first semester to second semester
was 96%, and first year to second
year retention rate was 89%. These
rates are better than the same campus
performance indicators.
Created “City Saturdays”
—Opportunities for Westchester
students to participate in weekend,
campus-initiated events that
incorporate New York City activities
and landmarks and provide various
themes of engagement. Three events
(two during the fall semester, one
during the spring semester) that
included walking the Brooklyn Bridge,
visting the Lower East Side Tenement
Museum, and seeing The Lion King
on Broadway.
Denise Belén Santiago, PhD
Director, OMA
Coordinator, Shades: A Black
and Latina Women’s Collective
41 Park Row, Room 905
New York, NY 10038
(212) 346-1546
Pace Identity Project
—Fifteen Westchester students
participated in video monologues
about their experience with identity,
acceptance, and perseverance before
Pace and while at Pace University.
14th Annual
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Commemoration
—Friday, January 31, 2014.
Keynote speaker: Carl Hart, PhD,
Columbia University
• 117 attendees; 25 external
attendees
Safe Zone Training
—Ally and competence training with
and about the LGBTQA community.
• 37 total participants: 35 students
and two faculty/staff members
Tunnel of Oppression
• 13 students average per event
• 105 participants
• 36 total students have participated
• 98% of those responded would
in the three events
• 25 assessment responses submitted
• 25% had never used public
transportation from Westchester
to NYC
• 67% are more comfortable
navigating NYC than previously
Office of
Multicultural
Affairs
likely recommend this program
to others
• Pace Law Programs—Facilitated
discussions and trainings on
topics of diversity at the Pace
Law School addressing concerns
of underrepresented student
populations and classroom relations.
[email protected]
Christopher John Godfrey, PhD
Assistant Director, OMA
Coordinator, OMA Mentors and
The Urban Male Initiative
41 Park Row, Room 910
New York, NY 10038
(212) 346-1261
[email protected]
OMA
Office of
Multicultural
Affairs
OMA
MENTORING
PROGRAMS
oma mentors
urban male initiative
shades: a women’s collective
• Hosted the annual PrideWorks
conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and queer youth and
their allies.
www.pace.edu/oma
11755_Oma Mentoring Brochure(4).indd 1-2
1/24/14 4:38 PM
• Presenter and co-organizer of the
2nd Annual Pace Lavender Awards,
honoring individuals and offices that
support the Pace LGBTQA community.
• Accompanied four students to the 15th
Annual White Privilege Conference at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Students presented at Pace on
information and sessions attended
at the conference relating to social
privilege and social justice.
• Presented on a Pre-Conference
Institute at the National Conference
on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) on
black males navigating predominantly
white institutions (PWIs) and
surrounding communities.
• 91% believe program is an effective
way of teaching about social justice
• 66% are sure this program will
encourage their personal action and
advocacy in response to oppression
they encounter
• 64% would not have taken the trip if
not offered
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Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
Office of Disability
Services
Office of Counseling and
Personal Development
Highlights/Accomplishments
Highlights/Accomplishments
Provided disability services training
for the Seidenberg School of Computer
Science and Information Systems and
the College of Health Professions.
Created an online process using
Qualtrics to allow students to update
their accommodations.
Director presented at Rockland
Community College's Transitions for
Students with Disabilities and was
part of a panel at Croton Harmon High
School's Transitions for Students with
Disabilities event.
Student satisfaction survey
respondents noted the following:
• 100% indicated that accommodation
services supported their
academic success.
• 96% indicated that accommodation
services helped them remain in
Pace University.
Resources
for Students
with
Disabilities
Introduced the Drinking Game that
was founded and patented by Andrea
Winters as part of educational
sanctions and the discipline process
for students who were found
responsible for an alcohol and drug
violation. There were six group
sessions and 38 students total
participated this year.
Two themed programs offered: Silent
Scream and Depression and Healthy
Relationships.
The clinical training program has been
expanded to include a psychology
externship program. The first
extern was selected and started in
August 2014.
Pace’s Just In Case App was marketed
to students, faculty, and staff;
putting vital and lifesaving mental
health, suicide, sexual assault, and
information about alcohol and other
drugs at the community’s fingertips.
A Relaxation Room designed to help
students explore various resources
for improving their emotional health
by enhancing their ability to manage
anxiety and stress was an addition to
this year’s services.
Let’s Talk, offering easy access
to informal, confidential walk-in
consultations with therapists at sites
around campus.
Information and
Guide to Services
The
Counseling
Center
www.pace.edu/disabilities
www.pace.edu/disabilities
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Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
Office of Counseling and
Personal Development, continued
Student Development and Campus
Activities (SDCA)
Highlights/Accomplishments
Highlights/Accomplishments
Questioning Persuading Referral
(QPR) training for suicide prevention
training reestablished.
Orientation and Week of
Welcome (WOW)
Jed Campus Seal recipient,
indicating commitment to providing
comprehensive mental health
programming to the student body.
Working with Penn State and Pace’s
ITS Department to adapt their
Community Provider Database.
“LET’S
TALK.”
Confidential consultation and support for students
on a variety of issues.
Need help or advice? Drop by for an informal conversation with one of our
staff members. Come chat about academics, anxiety, alcohol and other
drugs, relationships, stress, family issues, and anything else.
No paperwork, no fees, no appointment necessary.
Help is just a touch away! Put vital
information and support options
at your fingertips. Scan and open
our Just in Case app today—just in
case you or a friend needs help.
WHEN: Monday-Friday
WHERE: Multiple locations
WHO: Counselors from the
Counseling and Personal
Development Center
For more information, call (914) 773-3710
or visit www.pace.edu/counseling-center.
Currently piloting a research project
using the PHQ-9/CCAPS.
Successful initial launch of student
health insurance provider network
coordinated with student health
insurance broker.
Student satisfaction survey
respondents noted:
• 92% agreed that counseling
services were a necessary part of
the University.
• 77% agreed that their experience at
the Counseling Center has positively
For Orientation, this was our second
summer (2013) hosting interns from
the national internship program
for higher education/orientation
(NODA Internship). We have created
very professional connections
with the three NODA interns from
2013, in which we have all provided
professional guidance and advice
nearly one year later—including
interviewing one for a full-time job.
Family Orientation testimonials:
• “ Very friendly—fifth college
orientation—all different schools,
but Pace was the best!”
• “ Honesty—these kids (Orientation
Leaders) made us feel so good
about our choice for Pace.”
affected the chances that they will
stay in school.
• 80% agreed that they would not
hesitate to return to the Counseling
Center if they felt the need.
• 88% agreed that they would
recommend the Counseling Center
to a friend.
• 91% agreed that the treatment
of the psychiatrist was helpful
and they would recommend the
psychiatrist to a friend.
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Student Orientation testimonials:
• “ [My Orientation Leader] is just
great, very energetic, and very
independent. I love her enthusiasm
and her Pace spirit. She definitely
made the Orientation worth while,
and I’m really looking forward to
starting college in the fall.”
• “ [My Orientation Leader] was
really welcoming and made me feel
comfortable asking questions. His
positive energy made me happy
I chose Pace and he’s the best
Orientation Leader ever.”
• “I am now ready to start Pace in
the fall.”
T he implementation of WOW, a
three-day program for residential
and commuter students, was created
before classes started, addressing
student feedback during Orientation
that they needed more engagement
with other first-year students outside
their summer Orientation group.
• Orientation Attendees: 455
35 did not return in spring 2014–
92% retention rate 1st year fall
to spring.
• WOW Attendees: 349
22 did not return in spring 2014–
94% retention rate 1st year fall to
spring. This is above the first year
retention rate for fall to spring.
Spring 2014–fall 2014 will be
determined when census data is
released in October 2014.
(Continued on page 10)
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Division of Student Affairs
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Annual Report • 2013–2014
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Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
Student Development and Campus
Activities (SDCA), continued
Highlights/Accomplishments
Involvement/Engagement
The first Pace 4 Kids Dance Marathon
(P4K) was hosted in November 2013
to raise funds for the local Children’s
Miracle Network Hospital—Maria
Fareri’s Children Hospital.
In celebration of Pleasantville’s 50th
anniversary, SDCA hosted several
anniversary-themed events including
the kick-off event in September, the
Holiday Open House in December, and
the Snow Ball formal event in February.
An online resource was created for
student organization advisers to help
them navigate the process of advising
student organizations. An Adviser
Manual was created and added to
the webpage.
Conduct cases for student
organizations were transitioned to the
online Symplicity conduct tracking tool.
Developments continued on the
creation of the Co-Curricular Transcript
system and the Banner input of cocurricular data. All Student Affairs
departments entered involvement
data in fall 2013 and spring 2014. A
co-curricular letter request system
was created for students to request
their CCT. A demo of the system will
be available this summer to expand
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input of co-curricular to data to offices
outside of Student Affairs.
A report was created to highlight the
academic and statistical demographics
of all students involved in student
organizations for fall 2013 and spring
2014. These reports will provide us
insight into student organization
activity, academic success, and
the general health of our student
organization community. Overall,
students who are involved in student
organizations have a better persistence
rate and perform better academically
than the average persistence rate from
first-year to second-year students and
average grade point average for
our campus.
The Student Programming Board
implemented a new consistent
programming option by providing
“Common Hour Chaos” twice a month
for the entire school year. This was
done in addition to creating an increase
of programs and off-campus trips for
students to enjoy. This year was the
highest number of events hosted by the
Programming Board.
There has been an increase in the
number of larger programs on the
weekends to appeal to a larger student
body like Greek Week events, activities
around Athletic games, and P4K.
Overall, weekend programming has
increased as well. In turn, there was
a 3% increase of residential students
who noted they stay on campus for
three to four weekends a month.
80% of first-year students noted they
stayed on campus for three to four
weekends a month.
ore students have been inducted
M
into leadership honor societies than
last year. For example in Tau Sigma
(Academic Honor Society for Transfer
Students) inducted 42 members (the
largest induction on record), which
doubled the total chapter membership.
T he bi-annual Campus Involvement
Fair resulted in the registration of 55
organizations/offices for the fall 2013
event and 50 for the spring 2014 event.
This represents approximately 18%
increase in the number of registered
organizations/offices.
Homecoming in October 2013
included the largest audience on
record for the Step and Stroll Show.
Overall attendance for all events
during Homecoming was higher than
in the past years. The brand new
Homecoming Kick Off event with band,
bonfire, and food trucks was one of
the most popular events according
to students.
The Commuter Advisory Board
(student organization advocating
for commuter student needs) was
awarded Student Organization of
the Year. Their success is attributed
mostly to their strong advocacy
work with the Dean for Students
and campus administration leaders
in addition to their increased
communication using a commuter
listserv to keep commuters informed.
The campus chaplain was invited
to host meditation sessions in the
Townhouses as part of Townhouse
Council. The series of programs was
awarded Program of the Year.
Student Government Association
elections resulted in a voter increase
of 8.94%.
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Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
Student Development and Campus
Activities (SDCA), continued
Highlights/Accomplishments
Leadership Programs
• Greek Sorority (Delta Phi Epsilon)
raised over $3,400 for Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation by utilizing the
newly-approved raffle process.
The first joint core retreat at Frost Valley
YMCA was hosted for students involved
in our two leadership programs. There
were approximately 45 students who
participated. Nearly a year later, those
students still look back believing it was
the best introductory experience to Pace.
The Setters Leadership Initiatives
performance indicators were developed
to track persistence, learning, and
engagement.
A total of 740 students and staff
members have taken the leadership
development assessment “StrengthsQuest,” which is administered by the
Gallup Organization. This tool is used
in leadership training, select UNV 101
courses, mentoring programs (AALANA
and Pace Success Mentoring), Greek
Life training, Leadership Initiatives,
Student Government, Student Affairs
staff training, etc. This is an increase of
20% from the year before.
• Pace 4 Kids Dance Marathon raised
$20,000 for Maria Fareri’s Children’s
Hospital.
Greek Life
We formed a partnership with the
Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute
(EFLI) by hosting a “Women in
Leadership” discussion with faculty,
staff, and students.
An updated website for leadership
initiatives was created
(www.pace.edu/leadership).
Service and Civic
Engagement
Pace Makes A Difference Day noted
an increase in students wishing to
return to their particular volunteer
site (increased by 13%) and that they
learned more about the agency where
they volunteered (increased by 15%).
Significant philanthropic efforts by
students, supervised faculty, and
staff:
• The annual Relay for Life hosted
by Colleges Against Cancer raised
$34,000 this year for the American
Cancer Society.
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University Panhellenic Council (UPC)
implemented ICS—an automated
system for more effective recruitment
matching. Interfraternity Council (IFC)
is seeking expansion opportunities
by adding one national fraternity
to campus next year. National
Panhellenic Council (NPHC) and
the National Association of Latino
Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) are
also seeking expansion opportunities
in the next academic year.
Adaptation of the Greek New Member
Education process included the
addition of required mid-semester
academic checks, mid-semester
meetings with chapter alumni adviser,
random checks by staff to ensure New
Member Education sessions followed
pre-submitted plans, and anti-hazing
training hosted by SDCA for all new
members. These changes were made
due to the social and academic
implications of this process. Overall,
there was a decrease in the number
of reports concerning Greek Life
organizations’ behavior during
this process.
From spring 2013 to fall 2013, Greek
Life’s retention rate for first-year to
second-year students was 98%.
The Greek Life average GPA was higher
than the University average GPA on
the Westchester Campus in both
spring 2013 and fall 2013. This is a
common trend the last few years on the
Westchester Campus.
Gamma Sigma Alpha, a Greek Honor
Society, inducted 35 new members
(the largest induction on record).
National Greek Leadership Society,
the Order of Omega, inducted the
maximum members possible as per
national requirements. The student
review board received 15 applications
more than they could choose to induct.
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Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
Office of Residential Life
and Housing
Highlights/Accomplishments
Launched our First Year Interest Groups
(FIGS), which were centered on a common
interest theme for the community. There
were nine learning communities and each
student was assigned to one of their top
three choices.
• Of the 320 first-year students surveyed
in November 2013, 285 responded
(89%). Of the 285 first-year students
who responded, 210 indicated that they
knew which FIG they were a part of for
the fall 2013 semester.
• In a question with 166 responses by first-
year students, about half of the students
(41%) indicated that they attended
three or more programs associated with
their FIG, while the others (58%) only
attended one to two programs. This was
sometimes due to scheduling conflicts.
However, it appears as though even
if students did not participate in the
activities, there were still benefits with
helping the students meet others. In a
question with 171 responses from firstyear students, 60% indicated that the FIG
helped them to meet at least five more
people on their floor and 88% agreed or
strongly agreed that being part of a FIG
has given them the opportunity to meet
others who have the same interests.
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• Of the 195 students who responded
to the question “Being a part of a
First-Year Interest Group (FIG) has
helped me feel more involved onand off-campus through different
programming opportunities,” 79%
either agreed or strongly agreed.
• One of the respondents stated, “The
best part about my FIG is how many
people I met and how welcomed and
accepted I feel on this campus.”
Started the self-programming model,
which is directed toward upper classmen
residents preparing them for graduation.
Hosted T-Bone takeovers (fun activities
on the weekends before athletic events),
which assisted in encouraging students
to stay for athletic events.
Responses from the community
survey pertaining to living in the
residence halls (1,063 responses):
• 92% of residential students strongly
agree or agree that their experience
has helped them to develop into a
well-rounded, responsible, and selfreliant individual.
• 80% of residential students
• 91% of residential students strongly
agree or agree that their experience
has helped them to develop
communication skills.
• 93% of residential students strongly
agree or agree that they have
been able to meet and interact
with individuals from different
backgrounds.
strongly agree or agree that their
experience has helped them to
develop leadership skills.
• 92% of residential students strongly
• 86% of residential students strongly
diversity within their community.
agree or agree that they have
been able to accept and promote
agree or agree that their experience
has helped them to develop
problem-solving skills.
Out of All 1,063 Students Surveyed
Hosted four nights of advising in the
halls for sophomores.
The community feedback survey was
launched in conjunction with our
reconfirmation online. We had a total of
1,063 responses versus 480 responses
last year. This is an increase of 583
responders or a 221% increase. The
information from this survey was shared
with other departments.
Stay One Weekend a Month
Stay Two Weekends a Month
Stay Three Weekends a Month
Stay Four Weekends a Month
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Division of Student Affairs
Annual Report • 2013–2014
Community Standards
and Compliance
Highlights/Accomplishments
Successfully opened office and
created a schedule to facilitate
work both on the New York City and
Westchester campuses.
Conducted initial meetings with
possible consultants for external
review, and in the process of arranging
on-campus visit with key campus
partners in the fall.
Partnered with Westchester Campus’
AVP/Dean for Students and Criminal
Justice Department to host a
presentation by a detective from the
NYPD-Special Victim’s Unit for Sexual
Assault Awareness Week.
Worked with the NYC Campus’ AVP/
Dean for Students and NYC Sexual
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Assault Awareness team to create
FAQs for Sexual Assault Awareness
Week to be displayed around campus,
as well as on the Homer Screens and
Setter Signs digital signage.
According to the Residential Life
community survey:
• 93% of residential students strongly
agree or agree that they have been
able to take responsibility for their
actions within the community;
• 84% of residential students strongly
agree or agree that they have
been able to hold other members
of the community accountable for
violations of policy.
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Division of Student Affairs
Pace University
Westchester Campus
861 Bedford Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570