Last modified: Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Student Activities Office renamed Student Life and Learning to reflect expanded offerings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 6, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Since the founding of the first student organization on campus in 1845, student involvement has been synonymous with the Indiana University student experience. To reflect the university's increased focus on facilitating learning both inside and outside the classroom, the Student Activities Office was recently renamed Student Life and Learning.
Student Life and Learning (https://studentaffairs.iub.edu/sll/) traces its history back to 1949. The office was created to assist student organizations and activities, and over the years has supported the creation, development and growth of these organizations.
The new name better expresses the elevated role of co-curricular learning as a partner to the academy, said Sonya Stephens, vice provost for Undergraduate Education. "We are very pleased to support this change -- which, we believe, will strengthen the already good links between our offices," Stephens said. "Most importantly, it will reinforce the value of a residential campus experience and send a strong message to our students that student life is indeed about connecting learning inside the classroom to learning beyond it."
IU's LEAD program is one example of Student Life and Learning's partnership with the academy. LEAD (www.leadiu.indiana.edu) offers leadership courses through the School of Education as well as leadership experiences open to all IU Bloomington students.
Student Life and Learning aims to complement the new IU Bloomington General Education curriculum through the assessment of learning outcomes associated with co-curricular involvement. These specific learning outcomes include problem solving, teamwork, ethical reasoning, integrative learning, civic knowledge and engagement, intercultural knowledge and competence, and foundations and skills for lifelong learning.
As stated in a report from the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Liberal Education and America's Promise, "Some of the most powerful learning in college occurs in activities as part of the co-curriculum, both on campus and through campus outreach to community partners. The essential learning outcomes can be fostered through intentional integration of students' in-class and out-of-class activities."
Also beginning this fall, the Commission on Multicultural Understanding will now be facilitated out of Student Life and Learning. This group represents students, staff and faculty working together to create an inclusive welcoming multicultural campus. The commission encourages programs and activities throughout the year to increase awareness and the understanding of factors which lead to racism, and other forms of oppression in society and on campus.
Upcoming Student Life and Learning Student Involvement and Leadership Events:
Student Involvement Fair
Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
IMU Parking Lot
Commission on Multicultural Understanding (COMU) callout meeting
Sept. 12, 5 p.m.
International Center
Student organization orientation
Sept. 13, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Whittenberger Auditorium
LEAD IU emerging leader retreat
Callout meeting: Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m.
Indiana Memorial Union
LEAD IU Catalyst student leader retreat
Saturday, Oct. 22
Henke Hall of Champions
LEAD IU Courses
Second 8-week courses begin Oct. 24
Course schedules, applications and details available at www.leadiu.indiana.edu.
