Tag Archive | "Student Affairs"

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Forum Addresses Well-Being, Health and Safety on College Campuses


Special to UM News

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (October 27, 2017)—With student and employee well-being as a central theme, a two-day conference hosted by the University of Miami’s Division of Student Affairs and Department of Wellness and Recreation examined strategies and best practices to foster a culture of health and safety on college campuses nationwide.

Held October 13-14 at the Herbert Wellness Center, the forum attracted 18 leaders from 12 colleges and universities and was co-hosted by the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)—two organizations that recognize that a campus environment of healthy behaviors not only contributes to academic success but also plays an important role in forming and maintaining positive relationships in communities.

Representatives from the American College Health Association (ACHA) also attended and spoke at the forum, exchanging their experiences and perspectives on student and employee well-being.

NIRSA Past-President Kathleen Hatch facilitated the forum and encouraged dialogue about how to best align campus partnerships and resources to successfully integrate universal well-being into campus cultures.

NIRSA’s mission is to advocate for the advancement of recreation, sport, and wellness by providing educational and developmental opportunities, generating and sharing knowledge, and promoting networking and growth for their members. The organization also believes in transforming lives and inspiring the development of healthy communities worldwide.

The leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession, NASPA has a similar mission with four guiding principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and inquiry. NASPA’s vision is to be the principal source of leadership, scholarship, professional development, and advocacy for student affairs.

UM’s Department of Wellness and Recreation strives to foster a lifestyle of responsible choices supporting the mind, the body, and the spirit in educational, wellness, and recreational programs through services and facilities for the University community.

“Wellness involves more than physical fitness—it’s about maintaining a balanced lifestyle,” said Scott Levin, UM’s executive director of wellness and recreation, who, along with Vice President for Student Affairs Pat Whitely, hosted the meeting. “At the Herbert Wellness Center, we offer programs such as group fitness classes, intramural sports, and weight training that focus on physical well-being as well as classes like cooking, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga that focus on mental well-being.”

All of the organizations present at the forum have missions aligning core values that attempt to grow and develop their community to make choices that promote a wholesome lifestyle. Through the forum, the organizations were able to develop content and resources to assist their community members in finding their wellness fit.

 

 

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Celebrate the Life of William J. Sandler, Jr., on November 5


William J. 'Bill' Sandler, Jr.

William J. ‘Bill’ Sandler, Jr.

Join the University of Miami for a celebration of Dean of Students Emeritus William W. Sandler, Jr.’s life on Sunday, November 5 at 4 p.m. at the Newman Alumni Center.

Sandler, who passed away at age 83 on August 6, served four generations of UM students with pride, dedication, and distinction. After joining the institution in 1962, he helped shape and guide their academic careers in countless ways, from advising fraternities and sororities to playing a major role in the creation of the undergraduate Honor Council in 1986.

During his tenure, his dedication to and deep concern for the welfare of students had many positive impacts, including increased student involvement in leadership roles that enrich the University and the broader community, and the creation of the Sandler Center of Alcohol and Other Drug Education.

Kindly RSVP for the Celebration of Life to [email protected].

Donations in Sandler’s memory may be made to the Sandler Center by mailing a check payable to the Univeristy of Miami to: Dean of Students, 1306 Stanford, Drive, UC # 2250, Coral Gables, FL, 33146.

For more information call 305-284-4922.

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UM Announces Support for DACA Students and Employees

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UM Announces Support for DACA Students and Employees


MigrationFrom the day the University of Miami opened its doors in 1926, just weeks after a hurricane devastated South Florida, it has stood on a foundation of resolve, resourcefulness, and resilience, especially in the face of challenge. These are the same characteristics that have propelled generations of people to leave their homelands and start anew in the United States—and the same traits that have imbued their children with the drive to advance their knowledge and pursue their dreams.

The University of Miami is committed to providing its students, faculty, and staff of all nationalities and citizenship status with opportunities to nurture their talents and achieve their goals. The University supports undocumented students and “dreamers,” those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, and will do all it can, within the law, to enable them to continue their education and employment.

President Julio Frenk is among more than 600 college and university presidents from public and private U.S. institutions to sign a statement in support of the DACA program and undocumented immigrant students, urging that these student populations “represent what is best about America, and as scholars and leaders they are essential to the future.”

In addition to the U Dreamers Grant, a four-year grant available to eligible DACA students who apply to the University of Miami no later than January 1 of their senior year in high school, we offer the following academic, legal, and personal resources to the campus community.

 Campus Resources

  • The School of Law’s Immigration Clinic offers free and confidential consultations to UM students who are undocumented or in DACA status. Eligible and interested students should email [email protected]and ask for an appointment.
  • Undocumented or DACA students who are coping with stressors related to immigration status can take advantage of the services at the UM Counseling Center. Individual, group, and other counseling resources are available without additional charge for all enrolled and health-fee-paying UM students.
  • For further assistance and information about additional resources, students may contact Dr. Patricia A. Whitely, vice president for student affairs, at 305-284-4922 or [email protected].

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Whitely to Receive Faculty Senate’s Service Award

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Whitely to Receive Faculty Senate’s Service Award


UM News

WhitelyCORAL GABLES, Fla. (December 9, 2016)—One of the nation’s longest-serving, most admired, and innovative student affairs leaders, Pat Whitely has always gone above and beyond the call of duty—so much so that the Student Government Executive Board established the Patricia A. Whitely Unsung Hero Award in 2012 to recognize unheralded change-makers in the UM community.

Now, it’s the Faculty Senate’s turn to honor UM’s vice president for student affairs. In a unanimous vote, the Senate selected Whitely as the 2017 recipient of one of its highest honors, the James W. McLamore Outstanding Service Award, which will be bestowed at the Faculty Senate Awards Ceremony on April 3, 2017.

Appointed to her current role by UM’s fourth president, Tad Foote exactly 20 years ago this very day, Whitely joined the UM staff as a residence coordinator in 1982 and has pursued new strategies to enhance student life and keep pace with the changing world ever since. As a young staff member, she helped plan the establishment of UM’s five residential colleges.

Over the decades and through many promotions, she helped the U enhance opportunities for student engagement, embrace advancing technology and social media, and complete major new facilities, including the Donna E. Shalala Student Center. She also has mentored countless students, faculty, and administrators, celebrating their triumphs, and lending a strong and compassionate shoulder in the most trying times.

In 1992, when Hurricane Andrew barreled toward South Florida with thousands of first-year students and their visiting parents attending orientation Whitely kept them safe and sheltered while getting the campus back up and running.

In 2014, when she took the helm of NASPA, (the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators), the world’s leading association for student affairs professionals, higher education was undergoing rapid changes. But drawing on her vast experience and boundless energy she kept NASPA relevant and results-oriented. Among her many accomplishments, she strengthened NASPA’s strategic support of student affairs professionals in the nation’s community colleges.

Over the years, she has received numerous other awards, many of them from UM students, as well as the NASPA Pillar of the Profession in 2009 and the NASPA Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Vice President for Student Affairs in 2013—the highest award in her profession.

Early next year, the Senate will select the 2017 recipients for two other honors, the Outstanding Teaching Award and the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award, which also will be presented next April.

 

 

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‘Canes of All Ages ‘Make Their Move’ and Celebrate Homecoming


With its spectacular fireworks, traditional boat-burning ceremony, parade of classic cars and “Make Your Move” board game-themed floats, Homecoming festivities presented by Student Affairs and the Homecoming Executive Committee Friday night was a nostalgic extravaganza for thousands of current students and alumni, including Grand Marshal and NFL Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy, who returned to campus to celebrate the U. The revelry continued Saturday when the Hurricanes defeated Pittsburgh 51-28, with junior quarterback Brad Kaaya throwing four touchdown passes and scoring on a run in the offensive slugfest at Hard Rock Stadium.

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