History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 35

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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