History of the UF Division of Student Affairs

35 Activities and Involvement was created as a DSA department separate from the Reitz Union reporting to the Office of the Vice President. T o d ay: C o n t i n u e d G r o wt h , I n n o vat i o n , a n d a C o m m i t m e n t t o Stu d e n t s The vision of the UF Division of Student Affairs is to “exemplify the professional hallmarks of student affairs best practices for creating educational environments where students develop as leaders, embrace diversity, and become lifelong contributors in a global society.” The mission is “Student Affairs actively contributes to the university’s academic mission, provides comprehensive student services, and educates all UF students. Student Affairs enriches student learning through leadership, service, engagement, and self-discovery resulting in a well-qualified, healthy, and broadly diverse citizenry and workforce.” The stated values are excellence, leadership & service, exploration & creativity, respect for self & others, diversity, and well-being. Key strategic areas for long and short term planning include student learning and engagement; global understanding and diversity; communication and collaboration; service delivery; and resources. Focus areas at present include targeting underrepresented students for enhanced services; supporting student services for students enrolled in the UF Online e-campus; continuing diversity and social justice training and programs for the community; and supporting the transition of three major construction/ renovation projects — Reitz Union, Cypress Hall, and Infinity Hall — that came online in 2015. Underrepresented groups have been identified as international students, graduate and professional students, veterans, first-generation-incollege-students, distance learning and e-campus students, and students with disabilities. The renovation and expansion of the Reitz Union involves constructing an approximately 123,500 square foot addition to the existing building and renovating approximately 92,000 square feet of the existing building. The projected cost of the project is $83 million. This cost includes approximately $50 million as a bond paid by Student Activity and Service Fees; $6.7 million from a performance contract with Trane Industries; $18.4 million in Capital Improvement Trust Fund (CITF) monies; $5 million from Student Affairs reserve I ntr od uction

History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 35