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NEWS RELEASE

01-25-01

Contacts:
Thomas Hill, Student Affairs, (515) 294-4420
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

ISU STUDENT AFFAIRS TO CONSOLIDATE POSITIONS

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University's Office of Student Affairs will consolidate two administrative positions and bring minority student programs, retention programs and academic support services under one roof.

The positions of director of minority student affairs and associate dean of students will be consolidated into one position. Searches under way for the two positions will be closed. A new search for the new position, which will be called the associate dean of students and director of minority student affairs, will be launched soon.

"The current budget situation played a part in this decision, but our main goal is to better serve students by bringing together academic support services, programs for minority students and programs that have a role in the university's retention efforts," said Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs. "We feel that this alignment will significantly strengthen each department within the Dean of Students Office."

The Office of Minority Students Affairs will report to the new position. Other units that will report to the position are the Academic Success Center; a collection of units that provide various services, including tutoring; and the federally funded Student Support Services Program, which provides assistance for students who face specific challenges because of low-income backgrounds or disabilities.

"We continually strive to strengthen the effective delivery of services to students and this re-structuring creates natural partnerships that allow us to do so under the current budget conditions. This is an exciting opportunity and we believe student success will be enhanced because of it," said Pete Englin, dean of students.

The Hixson Opportunity Awards and the Multicultural Vision Program, which are now part of enrollment services, also will report to the associate dean of students and director of minority student affairs. The Hixson Opportunity Awards program has provided renewable $2,500 scholarships to hundreds of students from Iowa who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a college degree. The Multicultural Vision Program provides four-year, full tuition scholarships to minority students in Iowa. Debra Sanborn is coordinator for both programs.

The changes in the Dean of Students Office will take place during the course of the spring semester and are expected to be fully implemented by mid-summer. The Dean of Students Office is located in the Student Services Building.

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