In This Issue

Support students and the Division of Student Affairs! Give now online and select "Student Affairs" as the designation.

Follow VPSA


Follow the Division of Student Affairs (@wouvpsa).

Message from the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs

June is here! A wonderful time of year filled with a sense of accomplishment, excitement, and anticipation. Accomplishment for what you have achieved, excitement for the celebrations that will take place as the academic year comes to a close (Lavender Graduation, Black Graduation, and Commencement, for example), and anticipation for what is to come.

This is my 37th year in higher education, and June has always been a milestone month for me. From our first year students who have just completed their first year of college to our graduating seniors who will achieve one of the greatest accomplishments of their lifetime - a bachelor’s degree! It is also a milestone for many employees at WOU. The faculty who are finishing a year of both online and in person teaching, and the staff who have been there to support, advise, and guide students to the end of the year. It feels like a finish line, and for all intents and purposes, it is. We have reached it and will cross it on June 11.

Congratulations Graduates! The Division of Student Affairs is honored to have supported our graduating students in all the ways we could over your time here at WOU. We are proud of you and your dedication to get to this point. And as you leave Western, remember this quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt … “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Dream big, graduates. Your future awaits you!

For our first year students, you made it! Your first year is complete! Congratulations on reaching this milestone. Your first year of college will always hold special memories. We are so glad you chose WOU as your first year experience. And for our sophomores and juniors, congratulations on completing another year of college as you move closer to your degree. Wishing you all the best as you complete the school year and head into summer. We eagerly await your return in the Fall. Until then, enjoy your summer and know that we will be here if you need anything before Fall term begins.

Good luck on finals.

Tina

Student Conduct Committee Nominations
By Maria Bonifacio-Sample, Director of Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct is seeking nominations for Western Oregon University’s Student Conduct Committee (SCC)! The SCC convenes around the beginning of Fall term of each year for an orientation and training, and then will receive requests to serve on committee hearing panels throughout the year. The SCC is also called on to help review the Code of Student Responsibility periodically (we are currently in a review year!).

If you work with or know of any students that you think might be interested or if you, as a student, faculty, or staff have any interest in serving on the SCC, please let us know! Being a member of the Student Conduct Committee is a GREAT way to be involved in our community. Some facts about the committee committee:

• The length of service can be as little as one year to as many as 10-15 years.
• An average hearing usually lasts three to four hours.
• There are typically two-three hearings a term.
• Members do not have to be at EVERY hearing; there is a pool of members to choose from.

I asked a few current committee members what it means to them to serve on the SCC:

• “Being on the Student Conduct Committee means providing learning and growing opportunities for students. I have always viewed conduct as an educational opportunity and space for students to grow, and to be a part of a committee that is focused on supporting students, even when they make mistakes, has been incredibly rewarding.” - Carlos Fonseca Jr., staff and former WOU student member
• “I see it as a privilege and also an important role in serving the University community by helping to enforce the standards of behavior and decorum expected from our students. This benefits our learning community as a whole and also maintains campus safety, fairness and equity. Serving means providing my time, assistance, knowledge and training to benefit the institution of higher education. As Federal Law, Title IX holds all of us to standards of appropriate behavior that should be respected and practiced at all times.” – Tracy Powell, faculty
• “Being able to be actively involved in student processes that provide justice for both the student and community is important to me. Some may see this as a place that wants to remove all students, but it is quite the opposite. We are all looking to achieve the goal of student success. Serving on this committee has been one of the most rewarding experiences this year. As a first-generation college student, I take great pride in being able to find solutions for our students to create positive change that creates good outcomes for all.” – Amber Deets, staff 

If you are interested in learning more, recommending someone, or serving on the Student Conduct Committee, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/AhBPtjN93hGAFgrH8.

The Office of Student Conduct is a part of the Division of Student Affairs. We help students take responsibility for their actions; provide a fair and impartial process for students who go through our conduct process; support the educational environment by promoting a safe learning community for all students, faculty and staff; and serve as a resource for the campus community.

TRIO Upward Bound Residential Program Returns
By Shondra Russell, Director of Upward Bound, TRIO

TRIO Upward Bound is returning to a full residential program this summer!  Upward Bound is a year-round TRIO college preparation program for low-income and first-generation high school students from Central and Dallas High Schools.  During the school year, Upward Bound provides tutoring, advising, workshops, and field trips.  In the summer, students attend the Upward Bound Summer Academy, a six-week summer school program held at WOU. Upward Bound Summer Academy 2022 will be held June 26 – August 5.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Upward Bound held a virtual summer program in 2020 and a hybrid summer program in 2021. This year, Upward Bound is returning to a fully residential six-week summer program! The high school students will stay in the residence halls (Ackerman Hall) Mondays-Fridays and spend the weekends at home. This gives Upward Bound students an opportunity to experience campus life while taking classes and participating in field trips and activities.  Classes include math, science, English, foreign language, and a variety of enrichment courses. A highlight of Summer Academy is the career internship program. The summer before their senior year, Upward Bound students are placed in a professional internship opportunity for career mentorship and exposure to careers requiring a postsecondary degree.

Upward Bound is funded by a TRIO grant from the US Department of Education with additional support from WOU.

Lavender Graduation is a ceremony that celebrates the accomplishments of LGBQT*IA students as they celebrate their graduation. The event will include distinguished speakers and an honoring of each graduate. This ceremony is not in place of traditional graduation, but instead is meant to accompany the graduation experience. The ceremony is on June 9th from 6-8pm in the WUC Pacific Room.
 

Find information about Lavender Graduation here. 

Black Graduation
By Katelin Steward,  Coordinator, Student Activities & Inclusion, Student Engagement Office

Black Graduation is an annual ceremony that celebrates the accomplishments of our Black students as they celebrate their graduation. This celebration is for any WOU graduating student that identifies. The event will include distinguished speakers and a honoring of each graduate. Additionally, each Graduate will receive a Kente Cloth Stole and a certificate to commemorate the event. The ceremony is on June 10th from 2-4pm in the WUC Columbia Room.

Find information about Black Graduation here.

Student Affairs Renews NASPA Membership

• Discounted registration for in-person events and conferences,
• Online access to various journals and magazines,
• Professional development & volunteer opportunities, 
• Discounts on NASPA publications, and much more!

• Blood pressure (51.9% aged 20+ have hypertension)
• Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Depression
• STD/STI
• Testicular exam
• Alcohol and tobacco use

SHCC can assess, diagnose, and treat these conditions. Call 503-838-8313 to speak with a medical provider about any medical concerns.  SHCC also provides free cold packs and free condoms to WOU students.