Student Affairs Unveils New Organizational Structure to Enhance Student Success and Well-being
Dear University Community,
The following message includes details about the new organizational structure of Student Affairs. This structure reflects the realignment of former Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) centers to enhance our operational efficiencies, introduces two new centers and other operational adjustments, and ensures compliance with HB 261. I am pleased that we can utilize the talents of our committed staff from both EDI and Student Affairs without eliminating any jobs.
Please note that we will use these structural changes to build on our support for student success and well-being. As we transition into this new organizational structure, I am looking forward to reframing the use of existing talent and confident that we will continue to provide personalized support and services for our students.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate these transitions together.
Sincerely,
Lori McDonald, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs
Student Affairs introduces a new organizational structure that reflects the integration of four former Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) centers, enhances operational efficiencies, and aligns with its mission of supporting student success and well-being.
Designed to comply with HB 261 and support the success of all University of Utah students, the new organizational structure aims to align with the university’s strategic goals by improving operational excellence and continuing to improve the student experience.
“I recognize the emotional impact of any organizational restructuring, particularly on our dedicated employees and the students they serve,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Lori McDonald. “These changes were made with great care and consideration to follow the new law. It required extensive effort, including gathering feedback and collaborating with colleagues, to find the best possible solutions.”
The organizational changes in compliance with HB 261 include:
- Centralizing student resources like scholarship cohort coordination and support services under a new Center for Student Access and Resources
- Creating a new Community and Cultural Engagement Center (pending approval from the Utah Board of Higher Education) focused on cultural education, celebration, engagement, and awareness about all multicultural identities.
Many resources and cultural celebrations managed by previously existing departments will be maintained through these two new centers. This includes, but is not limited to, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week, Pride Week, Women’s Week, heritage months and a scholarship cohort for single parents.
Guidance from the Utah System of Higher Education states that centers focused on specific identities must be approved by the Utah Board of Higher Education and "must be focused on cultural education, celebration, engagement, and awareness to provide opportunities for all students to learn with and from one another." Further, "centers must not provide student success and support resources, such as academic advising, financial aid counseling, and tutoring." Instead, such resources should be accessed through the institution's "offices of student success and support, or previously established student services offices."
“As we’ve evaluated how best to comply with the legislation, I want to be clear that we’ve faced very difficult decisions,” McDonald said. “The law and subsequent guidance require a foundational change in how we approach student support, and we will follow the law. This isn’t about changing the words we use; we’re changing how we approach the work.”
The new Center for Student Access and Resources will assist students with navigating challenges and connecting them to resources, fulfill responsibilities associated with scholarship cohort programs, and create additional cohort experiences open to all students. The new Community and Cultural Engagement Center will be responsible for the educational and celebratory events that members of the campus community have enjoyed for many years.
The Utah Board of Higher Education outlined a new process for establishing cultural centers on Utah campuses at a meeting on June 6. In addition to seeking approval for the new Community and Cultural Engagement Center, the University of Utah plans to request approval for additional cultural centers once the approval protocols are established by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Both new centers, along with the existing Veterans Support Center and the American Indian Resource Center — which will be renamed the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement — will report to the Associate Vice President for Student Development and Community (formerly Student Development and Inclusion). The Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement will continue to work with tribal nations, including as the liaison with the Ute Indian Tribe under the University’s MOU with the Tribe.
In this new model, the Women’s Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, the Center for Equity and Student Belonging, and the Black Cultural Center student support services that are allowed under the law will be incorporated into the Center for Student Access and Resources. The cultural and community engagement functions of the four centers will be incorporated into the Center for Cultural and Community Engagement. The Black Cultural Center building will continue to operate as a space for broader community engagement.
"Our commitment to student success is, and has always been, grounded in the principles of holistic development, care and access,” said AVP for Student Development and Community Bryan Hubain. “We strive to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to excel academically, socially, and personally."
Additional Student Affairs organizational changes:
- The Financial Wellness Center will relocate under the AVP for Student Health and Wellness to support a holistic approach to student health and wellness by promoting health literacy and highlighting the connection between financial well-being and overall health.
- The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) will expand its student support services to include the Basic Needs Collective. This strategic decision reflects a need to align internal processes and services and to manage increasing student support cases.
- New roles focused on campus events and student leadership and development will increase capacity and support the associate dean for student engagement and leadership, ultimately supporting President Randall’s “College Town Magic” vision.
- All scholarships previously managed by former EDI centers and Student Affairs departments will be administered centrally through Student Affairs' finance, budget and accounting services. This change supports more standardized and coordinated administrative processes and allows other Student Affairs staff to focus on their work directly with students.
“Our campus plays an important and historic role in creating an educational setting that gathers, celebrates and honors a wide array of communities at the U and in our surrounding area,” said Provost Mitzi Montoya. “As this new organization takes shape, I am confident that our students, faculty and staff will continue to receive the personalized support and services they need to thrive and succeed as we foster an ongoing culture of care.”
Student Affairs Org Chart
