UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
STUDENT COUNCIL
___________________________________
THE STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE
2015- 2016 White Paper Report
2015-2016
University of Virginia
Student Life White Paper Report
2
Table of Contents
The Student Life Committee……………………………………………………..……..3-4
Our Purpose
The Co-Chairs
Members and Selection Process
Past Initiatives…………………………………………………………………………….…..5
StudCo Love
Hoos’ Pantry
UVAirbus
Blanket Share Program
Ongoing Initiatives…………………..………………………………………………….…..5-6
Meet the Lawnies
Wall of Kindness
Career Clothes Closet
Ball Pit
Outdoor Orientation
Student Government Differences Pamphlet
Future Initiatives………………………………………………………………………..…..6-7
Fall Graduation
Cultural Sensitivity Tutorial
Cooking Classes
Resources………………………………………………………………………………..……..8
Contact Information
Our Website
Student Concerns
2015-2016
University of Virginia
Student Life White Paper Report
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THE STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE
Purpose and Description of the Committee:
The Student Life Committee is a Presidential Cabinet committee of the University of
Virginia Student Council. Our purpose/ mission statement:
“The Student Life Committee shall be responsible for addressing issues
and concerns pertaining to general student needs, such as housing, dining
facilities, transportation, library facilities, or parking.”
As a committee, we serve to improve the physical and mental experience of a student’s
time at UVa through our initiatives and input of University administration: faculty and
staff, graduates, and students. This particular committee is very flexible and malleable
in its duties since so many factors, issues, and concerns encompass the needs of a UVa
student. Therefore, our initiatives can range from infrastructures, academia, the
Charlottesville community, health, athleticism, etc. The Committee is typically
comprised of around 10 members but is subject to be smaller or larger depending on
duties of the committee at the time and headed by two co-chairs. We usually meet once
a week, where initiatives are divided among members to implement or to discuss new
ideas and issues that we encounter.
The Co-Chairs:
Dan Barr is a fourth year in the College of Arts and
Sciences majoring in the interdisciplinary major of Bioethics.
He is involved on grounds with Alpha Phi Omega and is the
Technical Director for First Year Players. In his free time, he
likes to hike and kayak around the Charlottesville area,
watch movies, and nap. He is really excited to work together
with peers to make an impact at our university!
Sona Sosa is a fourth year in the College of Arts and
Sciences majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Politics.
She serves as president of the Virginia Anthropology Society,
political action chair of the Black Student Alliance, and is an
active member of the Burke Society and Sustained Dialogue.
In her spare time, she enjoys being a tutor to Charlottesville
youths through the Day in the Life Program, daydreaming,
texting, and writing poetry. As SL co-chair, she is really
excited to serve the student body and be a part of StudCo.
Sona can’t wait to see what the future holds!
2015-2016
University of Virginia
Student Life White Paper Report
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THE STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE
The Members:
2015-2016
Taylor Barr
Rebecca Katcher
Noah Craig
Conor Boyle
Zach Diamond
Moses Abraham
Kelly Rusher
Hunter Hewlett
Urvi Singhania
Oshioke Oyofo
Dixon White
Jake Rue
Rafael Magnant
The Committee will accept more members Fall 2015
Selection Process:
Members are selected after a competitive application process that is open to all students
at the University of Virginia. The co-chairs review applications then conducts interviews
to select new members each semester. (Members previously selected must reapply as
well to remain on the committee.) Committee members represent a diverse set of
backgrounds, beliefs and personalities. These varying perspectives are extremely
important for the committee and student council to be able to function, and provide
accurate representation of the student body. We strive to find candidates who are
passionate for bettering students’ experiences at the University.
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University of Virginia
Student Life White Paper Report
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THE STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE
Past Initiatives:
(1). StudCo Love—
a way to bring love from Student Council to the student body during difficult or
stressful times, such as midterms or finals week. Student Life sets up snacks and
drinks in the libraries (usually with festive themes) to help students take a
relaxing study break
(2). Hoos’ Pantry —
a free pantry for low-income students that operates off of student and local
grocers’ donations. Stocked with cereal, snacks, pasta, and juice, the pantry aids
students who struggle to make ends meet throughout their college years. We
advertise specifically through AccessUVA, a financial aid program
that helps the University achieve socioeconomic diversity
(3). UVAirbus*—
a transportation program that assists out-of-state and out-of-country students
who fly home for academic calendar breaks, such as Thanksgiving and Winter
Break. This bus service goes from Charlottesville to and from both Dulles and
Richmond airports for a reasonable price
(4). Blanket Share Program*—
a simple way to encourage students to enjoy Jefferson’s University and all of its
beauty. These embroidered, waterproof blankets are easy to use on the Lawn to
study or enjoy the weather in between classes
* This initiative has either been discontinued or incorporated into a new initiative, thus
no new information will be provided about it, thank you.
Ongoing Initiatives:
(1). Meet the Lawnies—
an event, in conjunction with lawn residents, that aspires to de-mystify the Lawn
and its residents to first years by meeting one another. The event will be similar
to an open house where lawn residents and first years get to talk with one
another, eat, play games, and get goodie bags filled with important and historical
information
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University of Virginia
Student Life White Paper Report
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THE STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE
(2). Wall of Kindness—
a plain wooden wall that is able to be written on with chalk. This initiative tries to
promote and encourage students to write inspiring words for fellow peers and
passersby to read on their way to class or on a bad day. Students can contribute
their favorite quote or a drawing that may change someone’s mood for the better.
The wall will be placed on a central location on Grounds, so nobody can miss it!
(3). Career Clothes Closet—
a partnership with UCS, together we are starting a free professional clothes
sharing/ borrowing program for students. Whether you are unable to afford
the professional outfit for an interview or whether you are running late from class
and do not have time to change you can go to the closet and grab clothes.
Currently clothes have been donated so the closet will be open for sharing soon
(4). Ball pit—
A pit (container) filled with plastic balls on the lawn, as a way to promote
conversation and friendship by starting a conversation with a stranger. The balls
will have conversation starters on them, and while you sit and talk refreshments
will be provided
(5). Outdoor Orientation—
An alternative orientation where deans, professors and students go hiking,
walking/ trailing through nature
(6). Student Government Differences Pamphlet—
a pamphlet filled with important student information such as the UTS System
and the phone apps it has, and student self-governance organizations and the
differences between them. The pamphlets will be distributed to first years in the
fall
Future Initiatives:
1). Fall Graduation—
a graduation-like ceremony to celebrate and honor all the students who graduate
at the end of fall semester instead of in the spring
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University of Virginia
Student Life White Paper Report
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THE STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE
(2). Cultural Sensitivity Tutorial—
along with the alcohol information tutorial students take in the beginning of the
year and Grounds for Discussion, Student Life proposes another tutorial focused
on cultural sensitivity and diversity. The purpose is to promote, help and discuss
in a positive way differences and backgrounds as well as training on how to better
deal with issues that arise because of this
(3). Cooking Classes—
student led cooking classes and a student council resource blog with recipes and
frequency asked questions on it. Classes will target/ focus on eating healthy
meals on a low budget as well as with limited access to a kitchen
2015-2016
University of Virginia
Student Life White Paper Report
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THE STUDENT LIFE COMMITTEE
Resources:
Contact Information
 Dan Barr: [email protected]
 Sona Sosa: [email protected]
 Committee e-mail: [email protected]
Feel free to contact us!
Our Website
 http://www.uvastudentcouncil.com/about/cabinet/student-life/
Student Concerns:
 Coffee Machines, 24-hour coffee machine outside or near the libraries
or amphitheatre
 @UVA, the website making it more accessible and organized
 CIO Open Dialogue, a once a month open dialogue/ discussion with
as many CIOs as possible in order to foster togetherness, inclusion and
better communication
 WILL BE UPDATED AS THE YEAR GOES ON AND AS WE
HEAR MORE CONCERNS! Please feel free to contact us
with concerns.