Purdue creates Division of Student Academic Affairs

Three of Purdue's administrative units – Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Housing and Food Services – have been consolidated into one division called Student Academic Affairs, which will be focused on the personal, professional and intellectual growth of Purdue students.

The new organization, effective Tuesday (July 1), stems from Purdue's Foundations of Excellence initiative, which seeks to enhance first-year students' success. The merger ensures a more direct and positive impact on the quality of education at Purdue, reduces confusion for students and the campus community, and creates greater operational efficiencies, says Dale Whittaker, vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs.

"We believe that nearly every experience at Purdue can be a valuable learning opportunity, both within and outside of the classroom," Whittaker says. "This 'seamless learning' environment is reflected in the intentional merging of the administration of our students' academic, residential and co-curricular lives under a single division."

The Division of Student Academic Affairs consists of six focus areas that will collaborate under the leadership of the Office of the Provost:

* Advocacy, Health and Well-being
* Arts, Culture and Ideas
* Campus Life
* Enrollment Management
* Student and Career Success
* Teaching and Learning

A chart showing the units, programs and initiatives included in the focus areas is available here. A committee appointed by President Mitch Daniels developed the high-level framework for the division this spring. Early drafts of the organization were shared with employees and their feedback sought during two forums.

Whittaker says the next step is for leaders in each area to meet with their teams to discuss details of the transition.

"The committee identified these six designated units as a starting point," Whittaker says. "The leaders of the units now will work together to monitor the division and refine it, if necessary, going forward."

The committee will reconvene in one year to evaluate the structure, assess its effectiveness, and make recommendations if adjustments are needed.

Additional resources

* Student Academic Affairs Division website
* FAQ about the transition