Student Affairs serves the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collaboration with academic programs by providing transformational opportunities for students in the areas of student life, health and wellness, leadership and service, and diversity. Student Affairs is devoted to creating a complete learning experience for all students to prepare them to reach their educational, personal and professional goals.
From the Desk of the Interim Vice Chancellor
Student Affairs works to ensure all of our students have access to the tools they need to be successful at Carolina and beyond. With 17 departments offering diverse programs and services, such as housing, leadership development, social justice advocacy, fitness programs and career development, we touch many facets of student life throughout their time at Carolina.
When our campus switched to virtual learning three months into the spring semester due to COVID-19, our commitment to our students did not waiver. The switch to remote learning was challenging, but as our staff also transitioned to work from home, they moved programs online, switched to virtual ways to offer services, and in some cases, such as Campus Health, continued in-person services to support our students. This annual report is a mere snapshot of the work we do day in and day out. I am thankful for such a great team of staff, as well as the partners we have across campus and beyond that make our work possible.
Fostering Student Learning and Success
Mission Statement:
Student Affairs serves the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collaboration with academic programs by providing transformational opportunities for students in the areas of student life, health and wellness, leadership and service and diversity.
We promote student success, access and inclusion by cultivating and leveraging partnerships with faculty, staff and families as well as local, state, national and global organizations. We challenge and enable our students to become compassionate and responsible citizens and leaders by fostering an accessible, inclusive, culturally diverse living and learning campus environment.
Facilitating Staff Development to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Fundamental to the Carolina experience is an understanding and appreciation of diversity. To further our mission, Student Affairs must provide opportunities to learn about diversity in its many forms through our programs and services. By identifying diversity issues, we may begin to better understand their impact on the Carolina experience, along with how those issues shape perceptions and interactions between members of the Carolina community. We also need to understand how institutional diversity initiatives relate to our work in our departments and how we can support an overall inclusive campus climate.
79 staff members participated in Coffee & Conversations; an ongoing professional development series designed to engage staff in thoughtful discussions around potentially divisive issues.
COVID-19 Response
Our commitment to meeting the needs of our students extends to the challenges brought by the current pandemic. With the switch to remote learning, our departments quickly developed virtual programs and services for our students. In addition, the University deployed the Carolina Student Impact Fund to offer immediate support, guidance and emergency funding to help undergraduate, graduate and professional students adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Office of the Dean of Students has supported students to address their emergency needs, ranging from academic issues to food insecurity, among other hardships brought on by COVID-19.
- Staff in Student Wellness, Campus Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services worked tirelessly to engage students with in-person and telemedicine appointments to ensure they have access to the treatment, programs, testing and mental health support they need.
- The Carolina Union, which oversees leadership and student organization programming, ensured that student activities continued throughout the year.
- Campus Rec provided virtual classes, challenges and races for students to participate in no matter where they were to help them continue their physical activities.
Department Listing:
- Office of the Vice Chancellor
- Accessibility Resources & Service
- Campus Health Services
- Campus Recreation
- Campus Y
- Carolina Housing
- Carolina Union
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- Information Technology
- LGBTQ Center
- New Student & Family Programs
- Off-Campus Student Life
- Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Office of Student Conduct
- The Office of the Dean of Students
- Student Wellness
- University Career Services
Belonging
The Campus Y has been a hub for social justice at UNC-Chapel Hill for 160 years. Housing 31 student social justice organizations focused on social and environmental justice issues, the Y students and staff work in tandem to provide leadership and professional skills development to thousands of Carolina students and alumni who have shaped the character of the campus for generations.
More than 2,000 students engaged in committee work during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Cultivating a Climate of Equity and Inclusion
The Carolina Veterans Resource Center serves as a central location for services focused on the needs of UNC-Chapel Hill’s veterans, service members and military families. Last year they hosted 51 programs.
246 faculty and staff members received Green Zone Training to learn about issues and concerns faced by military-affiliated students.
The LGBTQ Center works to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for UNC-Chapel Hill community members of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender. The programs and services offered are designed to increase campus and community awareness, improve campus climate, and advocate for sexuality and gender identity issues.
50 Safe Zone Trainings engaged 1,297 students, faculty and staff.
Meet Sage
Year: Class of 2023
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Salisbury, NC
Being a member of the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor (SACC) has provided me a doorway to be a voice for my peers here at UNC. I’m able to participate in varied substantive discussions that have a direct impact on campus operations. This experience has helped expand my analytical and leadership skills and introduced me to a diverse approach to problem-solving. As an aspiring attorney, this experience gives me a birds’ eye-view on how people can see an issue from various angles. SACC has also taught me how to be detailed, prepared, and factual during meetings with the Chancellor and his advisors. Upon my departure from UNC, I will be equipped with an additional layer of confidence necessary to be successful as a law student. I would enthusiastically recommend this student organization because it allows you to build relationships, have an inside look of the challenges the University manages and gives you a platform to express concerns of your student body
Student Affairs created competencies to help students develop critical skills to support them in achieving their goals at and after Carolina. Carolina Excellence provides the framework, tools and resources students need to experience learning through co-curricular engagement.
Connect, Discover, Transform
Carolina Excellence fosters holistic development by engaging students in learning opportunities designed to help them develop critical skills or competencies. The framework emphasizes Dynamic Learning, Personal Growth and Community Engagement. Carolina Excellence tools and resources include a co-curricular transcript, an electronic dashboard to track progress and encourage thoughtful engagement, an app designed to help students maximize co-curricular engagement, and opportunities to work with counselors, advisors and peer educators to reflect on experiences and develop greater understanding into how to apply the skills gained through co-curricular engagement to achieve post-Carolina goals.
850 programs mapped to one or more Carolina Excellence competencies to help students develop critical skills to support students in achieving their goals at and after Carolina.
Preparation for Tomorrow
Internships can be a great way for students to develop professional skills while simultaneously contributing value to organizations. University Career Services provides counselors and resources to help all students, first-year through doctoral, and find internships to support their career development path. Handshake is the online portal that includes job and internship postings, as well as details about on-campus recruiting, career fairs, workshops, employer contact information for students.
63.6% of graduating seniors responding to the First Destination Survey reported completing one or more internships.
Living and Learning
Carolina Housing creates an inclusive on-campus housing environment that promotes personal development, citizenship, involvement and leadership. Nearly half of the undergraduate student body lives on campus. Carolina Housing supports academic success by integrating curricular and co-curricular opportunities for residential students to engage in experiential learning, community service and leadership development while interacting with faculty, staff and other partners within the greater community.
Implemented 2,029 First Year Experience and Discover More programs.
Meet Jordan
Year: Class of 2021
Major: Advertising and Public Relations
Hometown: Roswell, GA
I had an amazing experience representing Carolina as an Orientation Leader (OL). Some of my favorite college memories come from my time in the position. Through the OL position, I had the chance to welcome hundreds of incoming students and their families, work with countless campus partners, and develop deep bonds with my fellow coworkers. I also learned invaluable leadership and interpersonal skills that I will continue to rely on far into my future. I would recommend this experience to anyone who is seeking personal growth, unwavering support, and lasting relationships. Becoming an orientation leader heavily influenced my college experience for the better, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Navigating Transition
New Student & Family Programs provides new undergraduate students the information and activities needed to transition smoothly to UNC-Chapel Hill. The office also promotes an ongoing relationship among the families of all Carolina students and the University in support of their students’ success.
37,300 families engaged through the Carolina Family Experience platform.
Working on Wellness
Campus Health Services, Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Student Wellness partner to provide a seamless integrated care model of health and well-being to Carolina students. Our health and wellness programs elevate the well-being of individuals and community to support respectful choices and positive decision-making regarding life-long health and safety.
More than 6,866 program participants.
Meeting Basic Needs
There are current Carolina students facing economic hardship that causes food insecurity. To combat this, the Carolina Cupboard was established to provide food at no cost to students. Now in its fourth year, the student-run initiative has expanded to also distribute personal hygiene items.
2,498+ food items distributed through the Carolina Cupboard.
Supporting Academic Retention and Success
Student Affairs supports student success through the delivery of services that contribute to resiliency and retention. A 2017 study showed that students with learning disabilities or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are more at risk for not graduating than other at-risk populations. Accessibility Resources and Service coordinates and implements appropriate reasonable accommodations, including, academic adjustments, and provides appropriate resources and services.
1,800 students were connected to appropriate accommodations and support through Accessibility Resources and Service.
Meet Quintyn
Year: Class of 2022
Major: Psychology and Classical Civilizations
Hometown: Wake Forest, NC
In my role as the Outreach Coordinator, I have the pleasure of working with students and faculty to promote academic integrity and to work as a liaison to foster clear communication between the Honor System and the campus community. This role is impactful because I listen to people who have concerns or suggestions about how we can improve the Honor System and then take action to address these concerns. I have met many amazing people with diverse backgrounds and experiences who have supported me in my role. This has truly shown me how invaluable the diversity of opinions, experiences, and skills, is for an organization. My involvement in the Honor System will continue to help me be a better leader, a better listener, and a better critical thinker beyond my education at UNC.