MULTICULTURALSTUDENTCENTER
PROGRAMREVIEWTEAM
FINALREPORT
SPRING2011
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Introduction
MulticulturalStudentCenters(MSC)areauniversityservicethatpromoteunderstandingand
appreciationofdiversityoncampusaswellasassistingwiththeretentionandgraduationof
multiculturalstudents.WhileMSCscomplimentandsupportotheruniversityservices,theyoffera
varietyofprogramsthatengagethecampusandcommunityinconversationsaboutdiversity.In
additiontoservingallstudents,theMSCisalsochargedwithprovidingessentialoutreachtohistorically
underrepresentedstudentsattheuniversity.TheultimategoalofMSCsaretoassiststudentsto
preparefortheglobalcommunitytheywillencounterduringtheiruniversityexperienceandbeyond.
AccordingtotheCouncilfortheAdvancementofStandards(CAS)inHigherEducation,themissionof
MulticulturalStudentProgramsandServicesshould“promoteacademicandpersonalgrowthof
traditionallyunderservedstudents,workwiththeentirecampustocreateaninstitutionaland
communityclimateofjustice,promoteaccessandequityinhighereducation,andofferprogramsthat
educatethecampusaboutdiversity”(p.258).Theymustalso“assisttheinstitutionindeveloping
sharedgoalsandcreatingasenseofcommoncommunitythatservesallconstituentsfairlyand
equitably”(p.258)andhelpstoencouragetheuniversity“toholdunitsresponsibleformeetingthe
needsofunderservedstudentsintheirareaofresponsibility”(p.258)
ThisreporthasbeencompiledwithinformationfortheMSCSelf‐StudyandCampusSiteVisitconducted
onJanuary31andFebruary1,2011bythefollowingexternalreviewers:
• AmyCrosbie,AssociateAthleticDirector/SWA—WeberStateUniversity
• JamieS.Patton,DirectoroftheMulticulturalStudentCenter—NorthernArizonaUniversity(Chair)
• Dr.RichardSline,ProfessorofCommunication—WeberStateUniversity
Otherresourcesthatwereusedtoprovidethecontentinthisreportwere:theWeberStateUniversity
(WSU)DivisionofStudentAffairs,ProgramReviewStandards,theWSUMulticulturalStudentCenter
website,the6theditionoftheCASStandardsandGuidelinesforMulticulturalStudentProgramsand
ServicesandMulticulturalCompetenceinStudentAffairs.
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UNITMISSIONANDGOALS
ExcerptsfromCASStandardsforMSPS:“Missionstatementsmustbeconsistentwiththemission
andgoalsoftheinstitutionandwiththestandardsofthisdocument.MSPSmustoperateasan
integralpartoftheinstitution’soverallmission.MSPAmustencouragetheinstitutiontoholdunits
responsibleformeetingtheneedsoftraditionallyunderservedstudentsintheirareaof
responsibility;thisincludesunder‐representedstudentsoroppressedstudents,suchasstudentsof
color,lesbian,gaybisexualandtransgenderstudents,andstudentswithdisabilities”(p.258).
ThemissionoftheWSUMulticulturalStudentCenterreadsasfollows:TheMulticulturalStudent
Centeriscommittedtoplanning,developing,andimplementingservices,programs,and
interventionsthatfosterthelearningandpersonaldevelopmentofthevariousstudentsserved.The
MulticulturalStudentCenter(MSC)promotesastrongcampussenseofcommoncommunityand
aidsstudentsinbuildingessentialskillsforindependentcriticalthinkingandself‐determination
throughinandoutofclassroomexperiences.Furthermore,throughcollaborativeeffortswith
Universityandcommunitypartners,theMulticulturalStudentCenterprovideseducationaleffortsto
promotemulticulturalsensitivity,awareness,competency,andunderstanding.
TheMSCMissionstatementisinalignmentwiththoseoftheUniversityandStudentAffairsdivision,
withtheuniversitystatementbeingthebroaderumbrellaandtheMSCstatementbeingmore
specific.ThemissionstatementoftheMSCspeakstothepurposeoftheMSCandprovidesa
descriptionoftheavailableservices.Afterreview,itappearstoobroadandneedstodirectlystate
whatservicestheMSCprovides.ThemissionshoulddescribehowtheMSC.“…promotesastrong
campussenseofcommoncommunityandaidsstudentsinbuildingessentialskills…”Oneaidin
revisingamissionstatementishavingaclearvisionstatementthatdefineswheretheorganization
willbeinthenextfiveyears.Finally,creatingasetofvaluesthatcouldinclude“…planning,
developing,andimplementingservices…andcollaborativeeffortsandcommunitypartners…”
wouldprovideaclearunderstandingoftheMSCspurpose.
ThesevengoalsoftheMSCaregreatassixoutofsevenofthemspeakdirectlytohowtheMSC
servesstudents.However,itremainsunclearhowsomeofthesegoalsarecarriedout.
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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderupdatingandrevisingtheircurrentmission
statementthatspeakstothecoreoftheprogramanddefineswhattheMSC’spurposeis.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercreatingalistofvaluesthatarticulatehowthey
carryoutthemission.Thisshouldspeaktodepartmentalprogrammingandstandards.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderrevisingitsgoalsandcreatingaplanofactionfor
eachthatdescribeshowthegoalissignificant.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideradditionalwaysofpromotingitsmission,values,
goalsandservicesthroughoutthecampusandcommunity.
PROGRAMSANDSERVICES
ExcerptsfromCASStandardsforMSPS:“MSPSmustidentifyrelevantanddesirablestudent
learninganddevelopmentoutcomesandprovideprogramsandservicesthatencouragethe
achievementofthoseoutcomes.Relevantanddesirableoutcomesinclude:intellectualgrowth,
effectivecommunication,realisticself‐appraisal,enhancedself‐esteem,clarifiedvalues,career
choices,leadershipdevelopment,healthybehaviors,meaningfulinterpersonalrelationships,
independence,collaboration,socialresponsibility,satisfyingandproductivelifestyles,appreciation
ofdiversity,spiritualawarenessandachievementofpersonalandeducationalgoals”(p.258).
TheWSUMSChasavarietyofprogramsthatitofferstostudentsthatarecommonamongthe
majorityofMSC’snationally.Categoriesincludedintheself‐studyreportare:academicadvising,
personaladvising,mentoring,andcareeradvising.ManyoftheprogramsofferedbytheMSChave
studentsmeetingwithstaff,bothpara‐professionalandprofessional,onaone‐on‐onebasis,which
isveryimportantasstudentsfeelthattheirspecificneedsarebeingaddressedpersonally.
QuestionsfortheMSCstafftoconsiderare:
1. Howdoyouprioritizetheneedsofstudentsbasedonwhatyoulearnfrommeetingswith
students?
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2. HowarethosemeetingsmanifestedintheoverallprogrammaticeffortsoftheMSC?
RECOMMENDATION:AsMSCstaffhaverelationshipswithstudentsthroughtheirindividual
meetings,thereneedstobeon‐goingtrainingwithotheruniversitydepartments(e.g..Career
Services,FinancialAid,Advising,etc.)forallMSCstafftoensuretheyknowandunderstandcurrent
universitypolicy.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercreatinganannualprogrammingcalendarthat
outlineswhentheirprogramsoccur.Thiswillassistinforecastingstafftimeallocation,
understandingwhatresourcesareneededandwhen,aswellasstreamlineexistingprogramsand
services.
RECOMMENDATION:AllMSCstaffneedclearexpectationsinregardstoreportingstudent
meetings,includingintakeandreoccurringstudentmeetings.
RECOMMENDATION:AsstatedinapartoftheMSCmission,throughtheAreaCouncilsandPeer
MentorProgram,continuetocreateprogramsthatconnectstudentstootherstudents.Thiswill
helpconnectmorestudentstotheMSCandprovideadditionalleadershipopportunitiesforstudent
leaders.
RECOMMENDATION:ContinuetodevelopthePeerMentoringprogramtoincludeaclearreporting
line,programmaticoutcomesandclearexpectationsforthementors.Whenaskeddirectlyin
severalofourmeetings,theProgramReviewTeamwasprovidedwiththreedifferentresponsesto
whosupervisesthePeerMentors.
RECOMMENDATION:ContinuetodevelopPeerMentortrainingthatencompassesbothskill
developmentandresourceknowledgesharing.
LEADERSHIPANDSTAFFING
ExcerptsfromCASStandardsforMSPS:MSPSleadersmustbeselectedonthebasisofformal
educationandtraining,relevantworkexperience,personalskillsandcompetencies,relevant
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professionalcredentials,aswellaspotentialforpromotinglearninganddevelopmentinstudents,
applyingeffectivepracticestoeducationalprocesses,andenhancinginstitutionaleffectiveness”(p.
261).Inregardstomanagement,“MSPSmustbestructuredpurposelyandmanagedeffectivelyto
achievestatedgoals.MSPSmustbelocatedinanorganizationalstructurethatcanbestprovidefor
effectiveprogramsandservicesforachievementofitsmission(p.262).
Oneofthetruestrength’softheMSCishavingMichikoNakashima‐LizarazoserveasDirector.This
beliefwasevidencedthroughoutthetwo‐daysitevisitwithseveralconstituentsmakingsurethis
wasunderstood.SinceshehasbecomeDirector,theMSChashadvisiblegrowthinusageandthere
seemstobeagreatersenseofprideabouttheMSCfromtheuniversitycommunity.Michikohasa
passiontohelpstudentsandappearstoleadbyexampleforherstaffinregardstoaccountability,
workethic,anddesiretogoaboveandbeyondtomeettheneedsofthestudents.
Throughouttheself‐studyandthroughconversationsduringthecampussitevisit,staffingseemsto
beanissueduetothetraditionaltitlesandethnicspecificworkoftheMSC.Weencouragethe
MSCtohirecandidateswhocareaboutstudentstofilltheirvacancies,regardlessofthecandidates’
ethnicity.Also,withinthestudentevaluationsforthelastcoupleofyears,andinthestudent
portionofthecampussite‐visit,itwasapparentthattheethnicityofthestaffmemberwasnota
majorconcern.
Whiletheself‐reportillustratesreportinglinesandarticulateshowdecisionsaremade,the
conversationsduringthecampussite‐visitindicatedsomethingdifferent.Fromdiscussions,it
appearsthatthereisalotofcollaborationamongtheMSCstaff.Achallengeofthisorganizational
cultureisthatsometimestheleadpersonassignedtothetaskdoesnotfollowthroughon
completingthetaskandcreatesadditionalworkforothermembersofthestaff.Forfutureprojects
thereneedstobeclearexpectationsofwhattheprogramortaskentailswithsupportandguidance
fromtheDirectorwhenneeded.
RECOMMENDATION:Evaluatetheneedforadditionalprofessionalstaffversusadditionalgraduate
andundergraduatestudentstaff.Theremaybeanopportunitytohaveapart‐time(30hour/week)
professionalpositiontohelpmeettheadditionalneeds.
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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderhavingapara‐professionalserveina
receptionist/greeterposition.Severalindividualsmentionedtousduringourvisitthatthey,either
in‐personoronthephonedidnotfeelwelcomeorcomfortableusingtheMSCbecauseoftheway
theywereinitiallygreeted.AstheMSCworkswithmanystudentswhoarehistorically
underrepresentedattheuniversity,thiscouldbeveryproblematicandimpactretentionofthose
students.
HUMANRESOURCES
ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:“MSPSmustbestaffedadequatelybyindividualsqualifiedto
accomplishitsmissionandgoals.Professionalstaffmembersmustholdanearnedgraduatedegree
inafieldrelevanttothepositiontheyholdormustpossessanappropriatecombinationof
educationalcredentialsandrelatedworkexperience.Professionalstaffmusthaveknowledge
aboutidentitydevelopmentandtheintersectionofthevariousaspectsofdiversity.Professional
staffmustbeskilledinidentifyingculturalissuesandassessingtheirimpact.Professionalstaffmust
beabletodevelopempatheticandtrustingrelationshipswithstudents.MSPSstaffmembersmust
createandmaintainpositiondescriptionsforallstaffmembersandprovideregularperformance
planningandappraisals.MSPSstaffmembersmusthaveasystemforregularstaffevaluationand
mustprovideaccesstocontinuingeducationandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities,including
in‐servicetrainingprogramsandparticipationinprofessionalconferencesandworkshops”(p.262‐
263).
ExcerptsfromMulticulturalCompetenceinStudentAffairs:“PopeandReynoldscreateda
synthesizedlistofsevencorestudentaffairscompetencies:administrativeandmanagement,
theoryandtranslation,helpingandinterpersonal,ethicalandlegal,teachingandtraining,
assessmentandevaluationandmulticulturalawareness,knowledgeandskills”(p.8).“Multicultural
competenceisadistinctivecategoryofawareness,knowledge,andskillsessentialforefficacious
studentaffairswork;thiscategorymayassiststudentaffairspractitionersincreatingdiverseand
inclusivecampuses.Althoughnotallstudentaffairspractitionerswillbecomeexpertsin
multiculturalissues…everystudentaffairsprofessionalmusthavealevelofmulticultural
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awareness,knowledge,andskillsthatallowsthemtocompetentlyworkwithdiversegroupsof
studentsandcolleagues”(p.9).
ThestrengthoftheWSUMSCstaff,bothpara‐professionalandprofessional,isthefactoftheir
diversityinmanyways,(age,ethnicity,gender,etc).Withsuchadiversestaff,studentsareableto
findadditionalconnectionswiththeMSC.Thisconnectionhasmanifestedinagreaternumberof
studentsengagedwiththeMSC.Thatsaid,whileattemptingtocreateadiversestaff,itis
importanttohirequalifiedand/orexperiencedstafftocontinueprogramsregardlessofhowthey
identify.WiththeadditionofthePeerMentors,theMSChasamore“closeknitsocialcommunity”
andhascreatedan“intangiblesupportsystem”forthosestudentswhoserveinthisrole.
WhiletheProgramReviewTeamwasprovidedwithdescriptionsofstaffpositionsand
responsibilities,itwasdifficulttodeterminetrulywhateachprofessionalstaffmemberdoes
throughoutthedayotherthanmeetingwithstudents.Withoutguidelines,wearenotableto
determineifthestaffisusingtheirtimeappropriatelyandproportionalityonprogramsunderthe
currentleadership.
Duringtimewithstaff,thereappearedtobeacleardivisionbetweenthosewhoareworkingwithin
thecurrentvisionoftheMSCandthosewhoarenot.TheProgramReviewTeamalsofoundit
interestingthatapara‐professional,agraduateassistantandthenewestteammemberwerethe
onlystaffmemberswhorespondedtoquestionswithoutadditionalprompting,whiletheother
membersofthestaffappearedtobedisinterestedandnotengagedintheconversation.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderworkingwiththeHRdepartmenttorenamethe
“counselor”title,staffarerarelylicensedmentalhealthprofessionalsbutrathercoaches.While
thistitlemaydefinetheone‐on‐oneservicestaffprovidetostudents,thiscouldbeproblematicas
thereisanadvisingofficeaswellascounselingservicesatWSU.Inreviewingpotentialtitles,one
availabletitlethatmaybeappropriatefoundontheWSUHRwebsiteis“specialist”anothertitle
usedatotheruniversitiesforthistypeofpositionis“consultant”.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderauditingthetimeofitsemployeestodetermine
howallstaffmembersusetheirtime.Staffmembersshouldaccountforthepercentageoftime
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spentmeetingone‐on‐onewithstudents,oncommunityrelations,inmeetings,planningprograms,
advisingstudentgroups,doingcorrespondence,etc.ThiswillassistiftheMSCconsidersre‐writing
jobdescriptionsandjustifynewstaffbudgetlines.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderreformattingtheirorganizationalchartthat
includesclearreportinglinesandclearprogrammaticresponsibilities.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldrequirethesupervisorofthePeerMentorstohavea
graduatedegree,tobeinalignmentwiththeCAS.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderexpandingtheroleoftheDepartmentSecretaryto
assiststaffmemberswithadministrativetasksanddepartmentaldatareporting.
RECOMMENDATION:Eachprofessionalstaffmembershouldconsidercreatingaprofessional
developmentplantoensuretheyareawareofcurrenttrendsanddevelopmentsofmulticultural
studentsandtheStudentAffairsprofession.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderquarterlyworkshopsforprofessionalstaffwitha
focusonorganizationdevelopment,interpersonalcommunication,programplanningand
departmentalupdates.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideradditionaltrainingofPeerMentorandother
relevantstudentstaffwithafocusonteambuilding,universityprotocol,PeerMentorboundaries,
skilldevelopment,andresourcesharing.
FINANCIALRESOURCESANDBUDGET
ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:“Fundingprioritiesmustbedeterminedwithinthecontextofthe
statedmission,goals,objectives,andcomprehensiveanalysisoftheneedsandcapabilitiesof
studentsandtheavailabilityofinternalandexternalresources”(p.262).
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Basedontheself‐reportdocument,theMSCdirectoroverseesfivebudgetlinesapproximately
totaling$700,000.Accordingtotheself‐reportdocumenttheMSCisalignedwiththedivisionand
universityaswellasmeetingtheCASstandardforresourcemanagement.Dependingondivisional
anddepartmentalneeds,inthefuturetheMSCmayneedtoconsidersecuringgrantsto
supplementuniversityfundingtosupporttheneedsofstaffingandprogrammaticefforts.
RECOMMENDATION:Ifpossible,theMSCshouldconsiderpurchasingsoftwaretocollectdata.
Thiscanaidinjustifyingtheneedforadditionalresourcesforstaffandservices.
FACILITIES,EQUIPMENTANDTECHNOLOGY
ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:“MulticulturalStudentProgramsandServicesmusthaveadequate,
suitablylocatedfacilities,adequatetechnology,andequipmenttosupportitsmissionandgoals
efficientlyandeffectively.Adequatespaceshouldbeprovidedforaresourcelibrary,private
individualconsultations,groupworkshops,andworkareasforsupportstaff.Manyoftheactivities
offeredbyMSPSrequirethesamelevelofprivacyasindividualandgroupcounseling.Whereverit
islocated,MSPSshouldprovideasafehavenforstudents”(p.263).
Withthegrowingnumberofstudentsserved,facilitieswillbecomeagreaterchallenge.Inaquick
tourofthefacility,itappearedtohavethebasicelementsthataMSPSofficewouldhave,staff
offices,centerareaforstudentstocongregate,areceptionareaandcomputingservices.Notedin
boththeself‐studydocumentandineachoftheMSCstaffmeetingswiththeProgramReview
team,theMSCstaffhastobecreativewithschedulingthespacethattheyhave.TheMSCneeds
additionalofficespacetomeetwithstudents.Currently,twoprofessionalstaffmembersandthe
PeerMentorsarenotabletohavecomfortableandconfidentialmeetingswithstudents.
DependingontheexpectationsforStudentAssociationSenatorsthecommoncouldbetoosmall,
onlyaccommodating10‐20peopleatonetime;thismayneedtobeexpanded.Lastly,thespacefor
thedepartmentalsecretaryisverycrampedanddependingonthetasksthatneedtobecompleted
bythisposition,itisnotaconfidentialspace.
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Accordingtotheself‐studyreportitappearsthattheMSCisabletoupdateequipmentasneeded
andrecommendedbytheStudentAffairsTechnologystaff.Itismorethansufficienttohave
computersupdatedorreplacedeveryfouryears.ThereisaconcernthattheMSCisunableto
purchaseadditionalofficeequipmentbecausethereisnotsufficientofficespace.
TheMSChashiredstafftospecificallyworktowardskeepingthewebsitecurrent.Thewebsiteand
otherformsofsocialmediaaregreatwaystokeepthecommunityawareofevents,meetingsand
programs.ItwillbeimportantfortheMSCtocontinuetousetheseformsofmediaandother
traditionalformsofmediatogeneratestudentusageandCentervisibility.
RECOMMENDATION:Ifpossible,theMSCshouldconsiderpurchasingsoftwaretocollectdata.
Thiscanaidinjustifyingtheneedforadditionalresourcesforfacilities,staffingandservices.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCneedsatleastthreemoreofficesforitsstaff([1]Departmental
Secretary,[1]ProfessionalStaffmember,[1]PeerMentors).Thiswillallowstafftoworkwith
studentsinacomfortablespaceandstafftonotbeconcernedwithhavingtovacatetheircurrent
spaceforoneanother.
ETHICALANDLEGALRESPONSIBILITIES
ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:EthicalResponsibilities“MSPSstaffmembersmustensurethatprivacy
andconfidentialityaremaintainedwithrespecttoallcommunicationsandrecordstotheextent
thatsuchrecordsareprotectedunderthelawandappropriatestatementsofethicalpractice.Staff
membersmustdisclosetoappropriateauthoritiesinformationjudgedtobeofanemergency
nature,especiallywhenthesafetyoftheindividualorothersisinvolved,orwhenotherwise
requiredbyinstitutionalpolicyorrelevantlaw.Staffmembersmustperformtheirdutieswithinthe
limitsoftheirtraining,expertise,andcompetence.Whentheselimitsareexceeded,individualsin
needoffurtherassistancemustbereferredtopersonspossessingappropriatequalifications(p.
264).
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ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:LegalResponsibilities“MSPSstaffmembersmustbeknowledgeable
aboutandresponsivetolawsandregulationsthatrelatetotheirrespectiveresponsibilities.MSPS
staffmembersmustusereasonableandinformedpracticestolimittheliabilityexposureofthe
institution,itsofficers,employees,andagents”(p263‐264).
Intheself‐studyreport,theMSCacknowledgesthatstaffunderstandsthevalueofaccurate
informationthatisreadilyavailabletopartiesthatrequireitandunderstandsthatfilesmustbe
protectedandkeptconfidential.Itisourunderstandingthatlockingfilecabinetsandensuringthat
computersarepasswordprotectedaccomplishfilesecurity.Also,throughone‐on‐onesupervisor
meetings,concerningoremergencyinformationissharedaddressingethicalandlegal
responsibilities.
Twoareasofconcernare,PeerMentorrolesandreportinginregardstostudentmeetingsand
professionalstaffmemberstudentmeetingdocumentation.IntheProgramReviewteams’meeting
withPeerMentors,theyacknowledgedthattheyhadtrainingandunderstandwhentorefera
studentontoaprofessionalstaffmember,weareunsureifthisispracticeamongallPeerMentors.
WhilethecurrentgroupofPeerMentorsaresharpandhavetheabilitytoconnectwithstudents,
throughourconversation,wehaveaconcernthatthePeerMentorsareoversteppingaboundary
whentheirattitudeisthereisnothingthatIdon’tknowhowtodotohelpastudent.Thereneeds
tobeclearlineswhenaPeerMentorneedstoreferastudenttoconsultwithaprofessionalMSC
staffmember.
Inregardstostaffmemberstudentmeetingdocumentation,withoutadatabasewehaveaconcern
withaccessoffilesandinformationforotherMSCstaffmembersandphysicaldocumentationof
whatwasdiscussedinmeetings.MSCstaffneedsaccesstostudentmeetinginformationinorderto
assistastudentincaseofastaffmemberbeingabsentwhenastudentisinneed.Havingprior
meetingdataallowsotherstaffmemberstohelpastudentwithoutthemhavingtosharepersonal
informationmultipletimes.
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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderpurchasingsoftwaretocollectdata.Thiscanaidin
providinginformationfortheircolleaguesandcreatesa“onestopshop”ofMSCstudent
information.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercontinuingalldepartmentaltrainingwithother
campusofficesincluding,counselingservices,tutoringservices,financialaid,bursar,andother
servicesthattheirstudentsfrequentlyuse.Thiswillhelpstaffunderstandchangingpoliciesand
remaincurrentwithnewregulations,includingannualreviewofFERPAandothercampus
informationpolicies.
RECOMMENDATION:AsmentionedunderHumanResources,theMSCshouldconsideradditional
trainingofPeerMentoronpara‐professionalboundaries.
ASSESSMENTANDEVALUATION
ExcerptsfromCASforMSPS:MSPSmustemployeffectivequalitativeandquantitative
methodologiesasappropriate,todeterminewhetherandtowhatdegreethestatedmission,goals,
andstudentlearninganddevelopmentoutcomesarebeingmet.Generalevaluationofthe
multiculturalstudentprogramsandservicesmustbeconductedonaregularlyschedulesbasis.
Assessmentsmustbeconductedinamannertoassureaneffectiveresponse.Resultsofthese
evaluationsmustbeusedinrevisingandimprovingprogramsandinrecognizingstaffperformance
“(p.265).
TheMSCprovidedSatisfactionSurveysfor2010and2009withstudentresponsesof26and68
respectively.Whilebothprovideddata,thenumberofrespondentsseemslow,thusthesesurveys
donothavethecollectivevoiceofarepresentativesampleofallthestudentsthatutilizetheMSC
service.TherewasalsonodataprovidedaboutsatisfactionofMSCstaffandpeermentor
presentations,somethingthatisapartoftheirmission.
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RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCwillneedtobegintrackingstudentretentionasanothermeasureof
effectivenessandtobeaccountabletothedivision.Thiswillrequireaccuraterecordingofstudent
dataandthestudents’usageofservices.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideralternatewaysofconductingitssatisfactionsurvey;
thismayincludeincreasingthefrequencythatthesurveyisadministered.Thetargetedresponse
ratedependsonthenumberofstudentsservedwithinaperiodoftime.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsideridentifyingtheirtargetaudienceandbegintotrack
andcollectoutreacheffortsandcontactmeetings.
UNIVERSITYANDEXTERNALRELATIONSHIPS
ThroughouttheProgramReviewvisittheteamhadanopportunitytomeetwithseveralgroupsof
individualswhoprovidedadditionalinsightabouttheMSC.Pleasefindourthoughtsand
recommendationsbelow.
Alumni:Thisgroupsharedmanyheartwarmingstoriesabouttheirexperienceswithstaffandwhat
theyhaddonetoaidintheireducationandintheirpersonallives.Someofthemalsotalkedabout
howitwasgreattohavetheadvisors,becausetheyheldthemaccountableand“keepyouon
track.”AnoverallthemethatemergedwasthattheMSCwasa“family”,whererelationshipswere
important.
Someofthechallengesdiscussedinthisgroupweretheconfusionaboutthedifferencebetween
theDiversityCenterandtheperceptionofstaffworkload.Onespecificconcernthatwasraisedwas
aboutallstaffprovidinggoodcustomerserviceandtreatingeachstudentwithrespect,allinthe
effortofcreatingastudent‐centeredatmosphere.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercontinuingandexpandingeventsforalumnito
connectwithcurrentstudentsintheformofanalumnipanelorothersocialwaysthatallowalumni
tovisittheMSC.
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AdvisoryCouncil:ThisgroupwasconcernedabouttheprogressoftheMSC.Webelievethatthe
concernisbasedoffthemnotunderstandingwhatthecurrentMSCleadershiphasbeentaskedto
complete,thustheyareoperatingonpastMSCprogramming.Theyseemedtobepro‐active,
diligent,focusedandconcernedaboutminoritystudentsatWSU.TheAdvisoryCouncilexpressed
thatMichikoisfantasticandforthemostpart,thestaffisverycommitted.Overall,theyrecognized
theimportanceofrelationshipbuildingoftheMSCandfeltthattheMSCisfarmorevisiblethanin
thepast.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderworkingwiththeAdvisoryCounciltocreatea
missionandsetexpectationsforthemembers.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsidercreatingmoreopportunitiesforstudentsto
connectwithmembersofthecouncil.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderworkingwithconnectingthecounciltothe
EducationalAccessandOutreachprogram,toassistwithpre‐collegeandrecruitmentprograms.
StudentAffairsandUniversityPartners:ThisprovidedinsightabouttheMSCandalsoshowedtheir
commitmenttohelpingtheMSCprovideagreatexperienceforstudents.Theyrecognizedthatthe
MSCsuccessfullyoutreachedtostudent‐athletesandthatoveralltheMSCisservingmorestudents.
SAandUniversityPartnersalsodiscussedhowtheMSCandotherminoritystaffmemberswere
extendedandspreadthinduetotheextensiveuniversitycommitteework.
RECOMMENDATION:StudentAffairsLeadershipshouldconsidermergingtheMSCandthe
DiversityandInclusionCenter.Ifthismergerofthesetwodepartmentsisnotfeasible,theMSC
shouldconsidermeetingregularly(minimallyeachmonth)withtheDiversityandInclusionCenter
stafftooutlineupcomingprogramsandcollaborationopportunities.
RECOMMENDATION:TheMSCshouldconsiderhostinganopenhouseeachsemestertoprovide
networkingopportunitiesforitsstaff,provideupdatesinregardstotheirprogrammingandcreate
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dialogueamongstcolleaguesabouthowtheycanbettercollaborateonhowtobestservetheir
students.ThisopenhouseshouldalsobeopentofacultymemberstoengagewiththeCenter.
CONCLUSION
TheWSUMulticulturalStudentCenterservesinacriticalroleontheWeberStatecampusandthe
community.Itprovidesbothone‐on‐oneservicesandgroupprogramstopromoteinclusionand
servesasacomfortzoneforstudentswhochoosetousetheservicesandengagewiththecampus.
Traditionally,MSC’sprovideadditionalopportunitiesforstudentstoparticipateindialogueand
programmingarounddiversityinasafespaceontheuniversitycampusandthemorestudentsyou
getinvolvedthegreatertheimpactwillbe.
Currently,theMSCisnotabletofullytakecreditforthestudentsitserves,duetoamyriadof
challenges.WehopethattherecommendationswithinthisreporthelptheMSCteamreachits
potentialasprofessionalsandasanorganizationtobetterservestudents.Ultimately,webelieve
thatwithteamwork,theMSCcansuccessfullycontinuetoservestudentsandbecomealeaderof
multiculturalcompetenceontheWSUcampus.
REFERENCES:
Dean.L.A.(2006).CASprofessionalstandardsforhighereducation(6thed.).Councilforthe
AdvancementofStandardsinHigherEducation:WashingtonDC.
Pope,R.L.,Reynolds,A.L.,&Mueller,J.A.(2004).Multiculturalcompetenceinstudentaffairs.In
Multiculturalcompetenceinstudentaffairs(pp.3‐28).SanFrancisco:Jossey‐Bass.