The Department of McKenny Union, Campus Life and Diversity
Programs will undergo a reorganization that took effect
July 1. Under the reorganization, predicated in part on
the impending move to the new student center this fall,
the functions of the current department will be divided
into three distinct areas — new student center, Campus
Life programming, and diversity and community service.
"The (current) operation is so much larger and complex
now. It's being broken into three areas: operations of
the new student center, Campus life programming and diversity
and community service," said
Jim Vick, vice president for student affairs. "Now,
we'll not only have a bigger building, but a larger amount
of programming and services."
 |
A NEW LIFE ON CAMPUS: Due in part to the
move
to the new student center (above) this fall,
the Department of McKenny Union, Campus Life
and Diversity Programs has
undergone a
reorganization, which was effective July 1. As a
focal point
of the reorganization, Campus Life
was divided into three distinct areas
— operations,
programming, and diversity and
community service. |
"With the new student center, we will have new opportunities.
The new building will give students an opportunity to experience
community, access convenient services and go to events
together," said Glenna Frank Miller, director of McKenny
Union and Campus Life, whose title will change to executive
director of the student center.
The reorganization is as follows:
- The student center will focus on operations of the
new building, which is slated to open Nov. 6. McKenny
Union will be renamed Charles McKenny Hall (its original
name) after renovations, a remodeled Dining Commons 3
that will be used for student dances, and Roosevelt Auditorium
events also will fall under these operations. Carlos
Costa, associate director of McKenny Union, will become
director.
- Programming will include Campus Life, Greek Affairs, student
center programming, new student orientation, excursions,
leadership development, campus lectures, student ambassadors
and student organization services. Melissa Ginotti, associate
director of Campus Life, will be director of Campus Life.
- Diversity programs and community service will include
the Center for Multicultural Affairs, the Women's Center,
the LGBT Resource Center, and VISION, which includes Alternative
Breaks, America Reads, Best Buddies, Habitat for Humanity,
JumpStart and other community service activities. Human
Resources posted the position of director for diversity
programs and community service June 19.
While the decision to reorganize the department is due,
in part, to the move to the new student center, much of
the groundwork for reorganization was laid in the past
few years, Vick said.
In an attempt to combine programming and building functions,
McKenny Union and Campus Life operations fused in 1997.
In 2004, the Division of Student Affairs underwent
a major reorganization to expand its delivery of diversity
programs and enhance its ability to respond to student
needs. That reorganization included dissolving the dean
of students office with the creation of the position of
ombudsman. In addition, the position of associate dean
of students was eliminated and an associate director
of diversity programs within McKenny Union and Campus Life
was created; and two assistant deans positions, one overseeing
Greek Affairs and the other in charge of LGBT, moved to
McKenny Union and Campus Life. The first position was converted
to a full-time program coordinator for Greek Life and Student
Organization Services. The second became an 80 percent
FTE program coordinator for the LGBT Resource Center.
"I would describe this reorganization as formalizing what
has been happening the last year or two," Vick said.
The $40 million new student center will be approximately
180,000 square feet and will include a dining marketplace,
bookstore, meeting space and retail on the first floor.
The second floor will include the Admissions Welcome Center,
a 24-hour computer lab, auditorium, a 650-seat ballroom,
galleries, lounges and relaxing spaces for students. The
third floor will house the Center for Student Involvement,
meeting rooms, and offices for Student Government, Diversity
Programs, Campus Life, VISION, Event Planning and the building
administration.
"I think that the new student center will have a very
positive impact on campus as well as on the individual
experiences of students at EMU," said Student Body
President Daniel Cicchini. "Our student center will
be able to cater to the unique needs of our residential
and commuter student populations. It also will centralize
many services and activities which are important to students.
The student center will help generate excitement for activities
on campus and enhance the overall college experience of
all of our students."
