MULTICULTURALSTUDENTCENTER

PROGRAMREVIEWTEAM

FINALREPORT

SPRING2011

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Introduction

MulticulturalStudentCenters(MSC)areauniversityservicethatpromoteunderstandingand

appreciationofdiversityoncampusaswellasassistingwiththeretentionandgraduationof

multiculturalstudents.WhileMSCscomplimentandsupportotheruniversityservices,theyoffera

varietyofprogramsthatengagethecampusandcommunityinconversationsaboutdiversity.In

additiontoservingallstudents,theMSCisalsochargedwithprovidingessentialoutreachtohistorically

underrepresentedstudentsattheuniversity.TheultimategoalofMSCsaretoassiststudentsto

preparefortheglobalcommunitytheywillencounterduringtheiruniversityexperienceandbeyond.

AccordingtotheCouncilfortheAdvancementofStandards(CAS)inHigherEducation,themissionof

MulticulturalStudentProgramsandServicesshould“promoteacademicandpersonalgrowthof

traditionallyunderservedstudents,workwiththeentirecampustocreateaninstitutionaland

communityclimateofjustice,promoteaccessandequityinhighereducation,andofferprogramsthat

educatethecampusaboutdiversity”(p.258).Theymustalso“assisttheinstitutionindeveloping

sharedgoalsandcreatingasenseofcommoncommunitythatservesallconstituentsfairlyand

equitably”(p.258)andhelpstoencouragetheuniversity“toholdunitsresponsibleformeetingthe

needsofunderservedstudentsintheirareaofresponsibility”(p.258)

ThisreporthasbeencompiledwithinformationfortheMSCSelf‐StudyandCampusSiteVisitconducted

onJanuary31andFebruary1,2011bythefollowingexternalreviewers:

• AmyCrosbie,AssociateAthleticDirector/SWA—WeberStateUniversity

• JamieS.Patton,DirectoroftheMulticulturalStudentCenter—NorthernArizonaUniversity(Chair)

• Dr.RichardSline,ProfessorofCommunication—WeberStateUniversity

Otherresourcesthatwereusedtoprovidethecontentinthisreportwere:theWeberStateUniversity

(WSU)DivisionofStudentAffairs,ProgramReviewStandards,theWSUMulticulturalStudentCenter

website,the6theditionoftheCASStandardsandGuidelinesforMulticulturalStudentProgramsand

ServicesandMulticulturalCompetenceinStudentAffairs.

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UNITMISSIONANDGOALS

ExcerptsfromCASStandardsforMSPS:“Missionstatementsmustbeconsistentwiththemission

andgoalsoftheinstitutionandwiththestandardsofthisdocument.MSPSmustoperateasan

integralpartoftheinstitution’soverallmission.MSPAmustencouragetheinstitutiontoholdunits

responsibleformeetingtheneedsoftraditionallyunderservedstudentsintheirareaof

responsibility;thisincludesunder‐representedstudentsoroppressedstudents,suchasstudentsof

color,lesbian,gaybisexualandtransgenderstudents,andstudentswithdisabilities”(p.258).

ThemissionoftheWSUMulticulturalStudentCenterreadsasfollows:TheMulticulturalStudent

Centeriscommittedtoplanning,developing,andimplementingservices,programs,and

interventionsthatfosterthelearningandpersonaldevelopmentofthevariousstudentsserved.The

MulticulturalStudentCenter(MSC)promotesastrongcampussenseofcommoncommunityand

aidsstudentsinbuildingessentialskillsforindependentcriticalthinkingandself‐determination

throughinandoutofclassroomexperiences.Furthermore,throughcollaborativeeffortswith

Universityandcommunitypartners,theMulticulturalStudentCenterprovideseducationaleffortsto

promotemulticulturalsensitivity,awareness,competency,andunderstanding.

TheMSCMissionstatementisinalignmentwiththoseoftheUniversityandStudentAffairsdivision,

withtheuniversitystatementbeingthebroaderumbrellaandtheMSCstatementbeingmore

specific.ThemissionstatementoftheMSCspeakstothepurposeoftheMSCandprovidesa

descriptionoftheavailableservices.Afterreview,itappearstoobroadandneedstodirectlystate

whatservicestheMSCprovides.ThemissionshoulddescribehowtheMSC.“…promotesastrong

campussenseofcommoncommunityandaidsstudentsinbuildingessentialskills…”Oneaidin

revisingamissionstatementishavingaclearvisionstatementthatdefineswheretheorganization

willbeinthenextfiveyears.Finally,creatingasetofvaluesthatcouldinclude“…planning,

developing,andimplementingservices…andcollaborativeeffortsandcommunitypartners…”

wouldprovideaclearunderstandingoftheMSCspurpose.

ThesevengoalsoftheMSCaregreatassixoutofsevenofthemspeakdirectlytohowtheMSC

servesstudents.However,itremainsunclearhowsomeofthesegoalsarecarriedout.

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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderupdatingandrevisingtheircurrentmission

statementthatspeakstothecoreoftheprogramanddefineswhattheMSC’spurposeis.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercreatingalistofvaluesthatarticulatehowthey

carryoutthemission.Thisshouldspeaktodepartmentalprogrammingandstandards.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderrevisingitsgoalsandcreatingaplanofactionfor

eachthatdescribeshowthegoalissignificant.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideradditionalwaysofpromotingitsmission,values,

goalsandservicesthroughoutthecampusandcommunity.

PROGRAMSANDSERVICES

ExcerptsfromCASStandardsforMSPS:“MSPSmustidentifyrelevantanddesirablestudent

learninganddevelopmentoutcomesandprovideprogramsandservicesthatencouragethe

achievementofthoseoutcomes.Relevantanddesirableoutcomesinclude:intellectualgrowth,

effectivecommunication,realisticself‐appraisal,enhancedself‐esteem,clarifiedvalues,career

choices,leadershipdevelopment,healthybehaviors,meaningfulinterpersonalrelationships,

independence,collaboration,socialresponsibility,satisfyingandproductivelifestyles,appreciation

ofdiversity,spiritualawarenessandachievementofpersonalandeducationalgoals”(p.258).

TheWSUMSChasavarietyofprogramsthatitofferstostudentsthatarecommonamongthe

majorityofMSC’snationally.Categoriesincludedintheself‐studyreportare:academicadvising,

personaladvising,mentoring,andcareeradvising.ManyoftheprogramsofferedbytheMSChave

studentsmeetingwithstaff,bothpara‐professionalandprofessional,onaone‐on‐onebasis,which

isveryimportantasstudentsfeelthattheirspecificneedsarebeingaddressedpersonally.

QuestionsfortheMSCstafftoconsiderare:

1. Howdoyouprioritizetheneedsofstudentsbasedonwhatyoulearnfrommeetingswith

students?

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2. HowarethosemeetingsmanifestedintheoverallprogrammaticeffortsoftheMSC?

RECOMMENDATION:AsMSCstaffhaverelationshipswithstudentsthroughtheirindividual

meetings,thereneedstobeon‐goingtrainingwithotheruniversitydepartments(e.g..Career

Services,FinancialAid,Advising,etc.)forallMSCstafftoensuretheyknowandunderstandcurrent

universitypolicy.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercreatinganannualprogrammingcalendarthat

outlineswhentheirprogramsoccur.Thiswillassistinforecastingstafftimeallocation,

understandingwhatresourcesareneededandwhen,aswellasstreamlineexistingprogramsand

services.

RECOMMENDATION:AllMSCstaffneedclearexpectationsinregardstoreportingstudent

meetings,includingintakeandreoccurringstudentmeetings.

RECOMMENDATION:AsstatedinapartoftheMSCmission,throughtheAreaCouncilsandPeer

MentorProgram,continuetocreateprogramsthatconnectstudentstootherstudents.Thiswill

helpconnectmorestudentstotheMSCandprovideadditionalleadershipopportunitiesforstudent

leaders.

RECOMMENDATION:ContinuetodevelopthePeerMentoringprogramtoincludeaclearreporting

line,programmaticoutcomesandclearexpectationsforthementors.Whenaskeddirectlyin

severalofourmeetings,theProgramReviewTeamwasprovidedwiththreedifferentresponsesto

whosupervisesthePeerMentors.

RECOMMENDATION:ContinuetodevelopPeerMentortrainingthatencompassesbothskill

developmentandresourceknowledgesharing.

LEADERSHIPANDSTAFFING

ExcerptsfromCASStandardsforMSPS:MSPSleadersmustbeselectedonthebasisofformal

educationandtraining,relevantworkexperience,personalskillsandcompetencies,relevant

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professionalcredentials,aswellaspotentialforpromotinglearninganddevelopmentinstudents,

applyingeffectivepracticestoeducationalprocesses,andenhancinginstitutionaleffectiveness”(p.

261).Inregardstomanagement,“MSPSmustbestructuredpurposelyandmanagedeffectivelyto

achievestatedgoals.MSPSmustbelocatedinanorganizationalstructurethatcanbestprovidefor

effectiveprogramsandservicesforachievementofitsmission(p.262).

Oneofthetruestrength’softheMSCishavingMichikoNakashima‐LizarazoserveasDirector.This

beliefwasevidencedthroughoutthetwo‐daysitevisitwithseveralconstituentsmakingsurethis

wasunderstood.SinceshehasbecomeDirector,theMSChashadvisiblegrowthinusageandthere

seemstobeagreatersenseofprideabouttheMSCfromtheuniversitycommunity.Michikohasa

passiontohelpstudentsandappearstoleadbyexampleforherstaffinregardstoaccountability,

workethic,anddesiretogoaboveandbeyondtomeettheneedsofthestudents.

Throughouttheself‐studyandthroughconversationsduringthecampussitevisit,staffingseemsto

beanissueduetothetraditionaltitlesandethnicspecificworkoftheMSC.Weencouragethe

MSCtohirecandidateswhocareaboutstudentstofilltheirvacancies,regardlessofthecandidates’

ethnicity.Also,withinthestudentevaluationsforthelastcoupleofyears,andinthestudent

portionofthecampussite‐visit,itwasapparentthattheethnicityofthestaffmemberwasnota

majorconcern.

Whiletheself‐reportillustratesreportinglinesandarticulateshowdecisionsaremade,the

conversationsduringthecampussite‐visitindicatedsomethingdifferent.Fromdiscussions,it

appearsthatthereisalotofcollaborationamongtheMSCstaff.Achallengeofthisorganizational

cultureisthatsometimestheleadpersonassignedtothetaskdoesnotfollowthroughon

completingthetaskandcreatesadditionalworkforothermembersofthestaff.Forfutureprojects

thereneedstobeclearexpectationsofwhattheprogramortaskentailswithsupportandguidance

fromtheDirectorwhenneeded.

RECOMMENDATION:Evaluatetheneedforadditionalprofessionalstaffversusadditionalgraduate

andundergraduatestudentstaff.Theremaybeanopportunitytohaveapart‐time(30hour/week)

professionalpositiontohelpmeettheadditionalneeds.

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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderhavingapara‐professionalserveina

receptionist/greeterposition.Severalindividualsmentionedtousduringourvisitthatthey,either

in‐personoronthephonedidnotfeelwelcomeorcomfortableusingtheMSCbecauseoftheway

theywereinitiallygreeted.AstheMSCworkswithmanystudentswhoarehistorically

underrepresentedattheuniversity,thiscouldbeveryproblematicandimpactretentionofthose

students.

HUMANRESOURCES

ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:“MSPSmustbestaffedadequatelybyindividualsqualifiedto

accomplishitsmissionandgoals.Professionalstaffmembersmustholdanearnedgraduatedegree

inafieldrelevanttothepositiontheyholdormustpossessanappropriatecombinationof

educationalcredentialsandrelatedworkexperience.Professionalstaffmusthaveknowledge

aboutidentitydevelopmentandtheintersectionofthevariousaspectsofdiversity.Professional

staffmustbeskilledinidentifyingculturalissuesandassessingtheirimpact.Professionalstaffmust

beabletodevelopempatheticandtrustingrelationshipswithstudents.MSPSstaffmembersmust

createandmaintainpositiondescriptionsforallstaffmembersandprovideregularperformance

planningandappraisals.MSPSstaffmembersmusthaveasystemforregularstaffevaluationand

mustprovideaccesstocontinuingeducationandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities,including

in‐servicetrainingprogramsandparticipationinprofessionalconferencesandworkshops”(p.262‐

263).

ExcerptsfromMulticulturalCompetenceinStudentAffairs:“PopeandReynoldscreateda

synthesizedlistofsevencorestudentaffairscompetencies:administrativeandmanagement,

theoryandtranslation,helpingandinterpersonal,ethicalandlegal,teachingandtraining,

assessmentandevaluationandmulticulturalawareness,knowledgeandskills”(p.8).“Multicultural

competenceisadistinctivecategoryofawareness,knowledge,andskillsessentialforefficacious

studentaffairswork;thiscategorymayassiststudentaffairspractitionersincreatingdiverseand

inclusivecampuses.Althoughnotallstudentaffairspractitionerswillbecomeexpertsin

multiculturalissues…everystudentaffairsprofessionalmusthavealevelofmulticultural

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awareness,knowledge,andskillsthatallowsthemtocompetentlyworkwithdiversegroupsof

studentsandcolleagues”(p.9).

ThestrengthoftheWSUMSCstaff,bothpara‐professionalandprofessional,isthefactoftheir

diversityinmanyways,(age,ethnicity,gender,etc).Withsuchadiversestaff,studentsareableto

findadditionalconnectionswiththeMSC.Thisconnectionhasmanifestedinagreaternumberof

studentsengagedwiththeMSC.Thatsaid,whileattemptingtocreateadiversestaff,itis

importanttohirequalifiedand/orexperiencedstafftocontinueprogramsregardlessofhowthey

identify.WiththeadditionofthePeerMentors,theMSChasamore“closeknitsocialcommunity”

andhascreatedan“intangiblesupportsystem”forthosestudentswhoserveinthisrole.

WhiletheProgramReviewTeamwasprovidedwithdescriptionsofstaffpositionsand

responsibilities,itwasdifficulttodeterminetrulywhateachprofessionalstaffmemberdoes

throughoutthedayotherthanmeetingwithstudents.Withoutguidelines,wearenotableto

determineifthestaffisusingtheirtimeappropriatelyandproportionalityonprogramsunderthe

currentleadership.

Duringtimewithstaff,thereappearedtobeacleardivisionbetweenthosewhoareworkingwithin

thecurrentvisionoftheMSCandthosewhoarenot.TheProgramReviewTeamalsofoundit

interestingthatapara‐professional,agraduateassistantandthenewestteammemberwerethe

onlystaffmemberswhorespondedtoquestionswithoutadditionalprompting,whiletheother

membersofthestaffappearedtobedisinterestedandnotengagedintheconversation.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderworkingwiththeHRdepartmenttorenamethe

“counselor”title,staffarerarelylicensedmentalhealthprofessionalsbutrathercoaches.While

thistitlemaydefinetheone‐on‐oneservicestaffprovidetostudents,thiscouldbeproblematicas

thereisanadvisingofficeaswellascounselingservicesatWSU.Inreviewingpotentialtitles,one

availabletitlethatmaybeappropriatefoundontheWSUHRwebsiteis“specialist”anothertitle

usedatotheruniversitiesforthistypeofpositionis“consultant”.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderauditingthetimeofitsemployeestodetermine

howallstaffmembersusetheirtime.Staffmembersshouldaccountforthepercentageoftime

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spentmeetingone‐on‐onewithstudents,oncommunityrelations,inmeetings,planningprograms,

advisingstudentgroups,doingcorrespondence,etc.ThiswillassistiftheMSCconsidersre‐writing

jobdescriptionsandjustifynewstaffbudgetlines.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderreformattingtheirorganizationalchartthat

includesclearreportinglinesandclearprogrammaticresponsibilities.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldrequirethesupervisorofthePeerMentorstohavea

graduatedegree,tobeinalignmentwiththeCAS.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderexpandingtheroleoftheDepartmentSecretaryto

assiststaffmemberswithadministrativetasksanddepartmentaldatareporting.

RECOMMENDATION:Eachprofessionalstaffmembershouldconsidercreatingaprofessional

developmentplantoensuretheyareawareofcurrenttrendsanddevelopmentsofmulticultural

studentsandtheStudentAffairsprofession.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderquarterlyworkshopsforprofessionalstaffwitha

focusonorganizationdevelopment,interpersonalcommunication,programplanningand

departmentalupdates.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideradditionaltrainingofPeerMentorandother

relevantstudentstaffwithafocusonteambuilding,universityprotocol,PeerMentorboundaries,

skilldevelopment,andresourcesharing.

FINANCIALRESOURCESANDBUDGET

ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:“Fundingprioritiesmustbedeterminedwithinthecontextofthe

statedmission,goals,objectives,andcomprehensiveanalysisoftheneedsandcapabilitiesof

studentsandtheavailabilityofinternalandexternalresources”(p.262).

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Basedontheself‐reportdocument,theMSCdirectoroverseesfivebudgetlinesapproximately

totaling$700,000.Accordingtotheself‐reportdocumenttheMSCisalignedwiththedivisionand

universityaswellasmeetingtheCASstandardforresourcemanagement.Dependingondivisional

anddepartmentalneeds,inthefuturetheMSCmayneedtoconsidersecuringgrantsto

supplementuniversityfundingtosupporttheneedsofstaffingandprogrammaticefforts.

RECOMMENDATION:Ifpossible,theMSCshouldconsiderpurchasingsoftwaretocollectdata.

Thiscanaidinjustifyingtheneedforadditionalresourcesforstaffandservices.

FACILITIES,EQUIPMENTANDTECHNOLOGY

ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:“MulticulturalStudentProgramsandServicesmusthaveadequate,

suitablylocatedfacilities,adequatetechnology,andequipmenttosupportitsmissionandgoals

efficientlyandeffectively.Adequatespaceshouldbeprovidedforaresourcelibrary,private

individualconsultations,groupworkshops,andworkareasforsupportstaff.Manyoftheactivities

offeredbyMSPSrequirethesamelevelofprivacyasindividualandgroupcounseling.Whereverit

islocated,MSPSshouldprovideasafehavenforstudents”(p.263).

Withthegrowingnumberofstudentsserved,facilitieswillbecomeagreaterchallenge.Inaquick

tourofthefacility,itappearedtohavethebasicelementsthataMSPSofficewouldhave,staff

offices,centerareaforstudentstocongregate,areceptionareaandcomputingservices.Notedin

boththeself‐studydocumentandineachoftheMSCstaffmeetingswiththeProgramReview

team,theMSCstaffhastobecreativewithschedulingthespacethattheyhave.TheMSCneeds

additionalofficespacetomeetwithstudents.Currently,twoprofessionalstaffmembersandthe

PeerMentorsarenotabletohavecomfortableandconfidentialmeetingswithstudents.

DependingontheexpectationsforStudentAssociationSenatorsthecommoncouldbetoosmall,

onlyaccommodating10‐20peopleatonetime;thismayneedtobeexpanded.Lastly,thespacefor

thedepartmentalsecretaryisverycrampedanddependingonthetasksthatneedtobecompleted

bythisposition,itisnotaconfidentialspace.

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Accordingtotheself‐studyreportitappearsthattheMSCisabletoupdateequipmentasneeded

andrecommendedbytheStudentAffairsTechnologystaff.Itismorethansufficienttohave

computersupdatedorreplacedeveryfouryears.ThereisaconcernthattheMSCisunableto

purchaseadditionalofficeequipmentbecausethereisnotsufficientofficespace.

TheMSChashiredstafftospecificallyworktowardskeepingthewebsitecurrent.Thewebsiteand

otherformsofsocialmediaaregreatwaystokeepthecommunityawareofevents,meetingsand

programs.ItwillbeimportantfortheMSCtocontinuetousetheseformsofmediaandother

traditionalformsofmediatogeneratestudentusageandCentervisibility.

RECOMMENDATION:Ifpossible,theMSCshouldconsiderpurchasingsoftwaretocollectdata.

Thiscanaidinjustifyingtheneedforadditionalresourcesforfacilities,staffingandservices.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCneedsatleastthreemoreofficesforitsstaff([1]Departmental

Secretary,[1]ProfessionalStaffmember,[1]PeerMentors).Thiswillallowstafftoworkwith

studentsinacomfortablespaceandstafftonotbeconcernedwithhavingtovacatetheircurrent

spaceforoneanother.

ETHICALANDLEGALRESPONSIBILITIES

ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:EthicalResponsibilities“MSPSstaffmembersmustensurethatprivacy

andconfidentialityaremaintainedwithrespecttoallcommunicationsandrecordstotheextent

thatsuchrecordsareprotectedunderthelawandappropriatestatementsofethicalpractice.Staff

membersmustdisclosetoappropriateauthoritiesinformationjudgedtobeofanemergency

nature,especiallywhenthesafetyoftheindividualorothersisinvolved,orwhenotherwise

requiredbyinstitutionalpolicyorrelevantlaw.Staffmembersmustperformtheirdutieswithinthe

limitsoftheirtraining,expertise,andcompetence.Whentheselimitsareexceeded,individualsin

needoffurtherassistancemustbereferredtopersonspossessingappropriatequalifications(p.

264).

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ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:LegalResponsibilities“MSPSstaffmembersmustbeknowledgeable

aboutandresponsivetolawsandregulationsthatrelatetotheirrespectiveresponsibilities.MSPS

staffmembersmustusereasonableandinformedpracticestolimittheliabilityexposureofthe

institution,itsofficers,employees,andagents”(p263‐264).

Intheself‐studyreport,theMSCacknowledgesthatstaffunderstandsthevalueofaccurate

informationthatisreadilyavailabletopartiesthatrequireitandunderstandsthatfilesmustbe

protectedandkeptconfidential.Itisourunderstandingthatlockingfilecabinetsandensuringthat

computersarepasswordprotectedaccomplishfilesecurity.Also,throughone‐on‐onesupervisor

meetings,concerningoremergencyinformationissharedaddressingethicalandlegal

responsibilities.

Twoareasofconcernare,PeerMentorrolesandreportinginregardstostudentmeetingsand

professionalstaffmemberstudentmeetingdocumentation.IntheProgramReviewteams’meeting

withPeerMentors,theyacknowledgedthattheyhadtrainingandunderstandwhentorefera

studentontoaprofessionalstaffmember,weareunsureifthisispracticeamongallPeerMentors.

WhilethecurrentgroupofPeerMentorsaresharpandhavetheabilitytoconnectwithstudents,

throughourconversation,wehaveaconcernthatthePeerMentorsareoversteppingaboundary

whentheirattitudeisthereisnothingthatIdon’tknowhowtodotohelpastudent.Thereneeds

tobeclearlineswhenaPeerMentorneedstoreferastudenttoconsultwithaprofessionalMSC

staffmember.

Inregardstostaffmemberstudentmeetingdocumentation,withoutadatabasewehaveaconcern

withaccessoffilesandinformationforotherMSCstaffmembersandphysicaldocumentationof

whatwasdiscussedinmeetings.MSCstaffneedsaccesstostudentmeetinginformationinorderto

assistastudentincaseofastaffmemberbeingabsentwhenastudentisinneed.Havingprior

meetingdataallowsotherstaffmemberstohelpastudentwithoutthemhavingtosharepersonal

informationmultipletimes.

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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderpurchasingsoftwaretocollectdata.Thiscanaidin

providinginformationfortheircolleaguesandcreatesa“onestopshop”ofMSCstudent

information.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercontinuingalldepartmentaltrainingwithother

campusofficesincluding,counselingservices,tutoringservices,financialaid,bursar,andother

servicesthattheirstudentsfrequentlyuse.Thiswillhelpstaffunderstandchangingpoliciesand

remaincurrentwithnewregulations,includingannualreviewofFERPAandothercampus

informationpolicies.

RECOMMENDATION:AsmentionedunderHumanResources,theMSCshouldconsideradditional

trainingofPeerMentoronpara‐professionalboundaries.

ASSESSMENTANDEVALUATION

ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:MSPSmustemployeffectivequalitativeandquantitative

methodologiesasappropriate,todeterminewhetherandtowhatdegreethestatedmission,goals,

andstudentlearninganddevelopmentoutcomesarebeingmet.Generalevaluationofthe

multiculturalstudentprogramsandservicesmustbeconductedonaregularlyschedulesbasis.

Assessmentsmustbeconductedinamannertoassureaneffectiveresponse.Resultsofthese

evaluationsmustbeusedinrevisingandimprovingprogramsandinrecognizingstaffperformance

“(p.265).

TheMSCprovidedSatisfactionSurveysfor2010and2009withstudentresponsesof26and68

respectively.Whilebothprovideddata,thenumberofrespondentsseemslow,thusthesesurveys

donothavethecollectivevoiceofarepresentativesampleofallthestudentsthatutilizetheMSC

service.TherewasalsonodataprovidedaboutsatisfactionofMSCstaffandpeermentor

presentations,somethingthatisapartoftheirmission.

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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCwillneedtobegintrackingstudentretentionasanothermeasureof

effectivenessandtobeaccountabletothedivision.Thiswillrequireaccuraterecordingofstudent

dataandthestudents’usageofservices.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideralternatewaysofconductingitssatisfactionsurvey;

thismayincludeincreasingthefrequencythatthesurveyisadministered.Thetargetedresponse

ratedependsonthenumberofstudentsservedwithinaperiodoftime.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideridentifyingtheirtargetaudienceandbegintotrack

andcollectoutreacheffortsandcontactmeetings.

UNIVERSITYANDEXTERNALRELATIONSHIPS

ThroughouttheProgramReviewvisittheteamhadanopportunitytomeetwithseveralgroupsof

individualswhoprovidedadditionalinsightabouttheMSC.Pleasefindourthoughtsand

recommendationsbelow.

Alumni:Thisgroupsharedmanyheartwarmingstoriesabouttheirexperienceswithstaffandwhat

theyhaddonetoaidintheireducationandintheirpersonallives.Someofthemalsotalkedabout

howitwasgreattohavetheadvisors,becausetheyheldthemaccountableand“keepyouon

track.”AnoverallthemethatemergedwasthattheMSCwasa“family”,whererelationshipswere

important.

Someofthechallengesdiscussedinthisgroupweretheconfusionaboutthedifferencebetween

theDiversityCenterandtheperceptionofstaffworkload.Onespecificconcernthatwasraisedwas

aboutallstaffprovidinggoodcustomerserviceandtreatingeachstudentwithrespect,allinthe

effortofcreatingastudent‐centeredatmosphere.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercontinuingandexpandingeventsforalumnito

connectwithcurrentstudentsintheformofanalumnipanelorothersocialwaysthatallowalumni

tovisittheMSC.

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AdvisoryCouncil:ThisgroupwasconcernedabouttheprogressoftheMSC.Webelievethatthe

concernisbasedoffthemnotunderstandingwhatthecurrentMSCleadershiphasbeentaskedto

complete,thustheyareoperatingonpastMSCprogramming.Theyseemedtobepro‐active,

diligent,focusedandconcernedaboutminoritystudentsatWSU.TheAdvisoryCouncilexpressed

thatMichikoisfantasticandforthemostpart,thestaffisverycommitted.Overall,theyrecognized

theimportanceofrelationshipbuildingoftheMSCandfeltthattheMSCisfarmorevisiblethanin

thepast.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderworkingwiththeAdvisoryCounciltocreatea

missionandsetexpectationsforthemembers.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercreatingmoreopportunitiesforstudentsto

connectwithmembersofthecouncil.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderworkingwithconnectingthecounciltothe

EducationalAccessandOutreachprogram,toassistwithpre‐collegeandrecruitmentprograms.

StudentAffairsandUniversityPartners:ThisprovidedinsightabouttheMSCandalsoshowedtheir

commitmenttohelpingtheMSCprovideagreatexperienceforstudents.Theyrecognizedthatthe

MSCsuccessfullyoutreachedtostudent‐athletesandthatoveralltheMSCisservingmorestudents.

SAandUniversityPartnersalsodiscussedhowtheMSCandotherminoritystaffmemberswere

extendedandspreadthinduetotheextensiveuniversitycommitteework.

RECOMMENDATION:StudentAffairsLeadershipshouldconsidermergingtheMSCandthe

DiversityandInclusionCenter.Ifthismergerofthesetwodepartmentsisnotfeasible,theMSC

shouldconsidermeetingregularly(minimallyeachmonth)withtheDiversityandInclusionCenter

stafftooutlineupcomingprogramsandcollaborationopportunities.

RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderhostinganopenhouseeachsemestertoprovide

networkingopportunitiesforitsstaff,provideupdatesinregardstotheirprogrammingandcreate

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dialogueamongstcolleaguesabouthowtheycanbettercollaborateonhowtobestservetheir

students.ThisopenhouseshouldalsobeopentofacultymemberstoengagewiththeCenter.

CONCLUSION

TheWSUMulticulturalStudentCenterservesinacriticalroleontheWeberStatecampusandthe

community.Itprovidesbothone‐on‐oneservicesandgroupprogramstopromoteinclusionand

servesasacomfortzoneforstudentswhochoosetousetheservicesandengagewiththecampus.

Traditionally,MSC’sprovideadditionalopportunitiesforstudentstoparticipateindialogueand

programmingarounddiversityinasafespaceontheuniversitycampusandthemorestudentsyou

getinvolvedthegreatertheimpactwillbe.

Currently,theMSCisnotabletofullytakecreditforthestudentsitserves,duetoamyriadof

challenges.WehopethattherecommendationswithinthisreporthelptheMSCteamreachits

potentialasprofessionalsandasanorganizationtobetterservestudents.Ultimately,webelieve

thatwithteamwork,theMSCcansuccessfullycontinuetoservestudentsandbecomealeaderof

multiculturalcompetenceontheWSUcampus.

REFERENCES:

Dean.L.A.(2006).CASprofessionalstandardsforhighereducation(6thed.).Councilforthe

AdvancementofStandardsinHigherEducation:WashingtonDC.

Pope,R.L.,Reynolds,A.L.,&Mueller,J.A.(2004).Multiculturalcompetenceinstudentaffairs.In

Multiculturalcompetenceinstudentaffairs(pp.3‐28).SanFrancisco:Jossey‐Bass.