Student Affairs officially kicked off the new academic
year with our annual Fall all-staff meeting, held
on October 27 in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. Giving
this “kick-off” an especially high trajectory,
Chancellor Albert Carnesale joined us as the guest
speaker.
Vice Chancellor Janina Montero opened the meeting
with the announcement that Al Setton, Deputy Assistant
Vice Chancellor for Student Development and Health,
would be leaving Student Affairs to take on new
responsibilities in Graduate Division. We’re
glad to note that the move involved is only from
the Ashe Center to Murphy Hall, and we wish him
all the best of luck.
Next, the Vice Chancellor told the audience that
Student Affairs and our departments have developed
an “ambitious agenda” for the 2004-05
year. However, she noted that it’s one that
is “eminently attainable.” She said,
“After one-and-half years in UCLA Student
Affairs, I’ve had the chance to see first-hand
the talent, energy, and capacity for achievement
our staff possesses. I’m very enthusiastic
about the level of engagement in every area, and
I’m confident that we can reach the goals
we have set.”
As she introduced the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor
Montero noted that she has been “very gratified”
at the level of his “support and concern for
the work of Student Affairs.” She said, “In
my many conversations with Chancellor Carnesale,
he has consistently been most positive and appreciative
about the broad educational experiences UCLA’s
students receive and the critical role Student Affairs
plays in the process.”
In his remarks, Chancellor Carnesale amplified
this point. “Student Affairs is a vital part
of UCLA,” he told the audience, “and
what you do each day is critical to ensuring the
academic and personal success of our students.”
He went on to highlight accomplishments and notable
developments in various Student Affairs departments,
but summed it up with a high compliment for all
of Student Affairs. He told us, “While we
can quantify many of your achievements, what we
can’t measure is the positive impact those
accomplishments have on the lives of UCLA students
every day – the number is simply too large.”
The Chancellor also spoke about some of the more
challenging issues facing UCLA in the months and
years to come. On the issue of our State and UC
budget situation, he observed, “Funding challenges
lead us to look more to businesses, foundations,
communities, and individuals for support. We need
to create new funding and management models in order
to meet the needs of students while being less dependent
on the state.”
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He also told the audience that “access”
will remain a primary concern for UCLA. He said,
“Public universities have a special responsibility
to ensure access, which is key to economic and social
mobility.”
One other comment offered a note of reassurance
that seemed to embrace students, staff, and faculty
alike. “I’m working closely with my
colleagues,” the Chancellor told us, “to
ensure that the UCLA experience continues to be
of the highest quality for every member of our UCLA
community.”
Our thanks to Chancellor Carnesale for joining
us for this “kick-off” event. For many
of us, having the chance to see and hear from our
top campus administrator was a rare treat, and it
certainly provided a special start to our year.
At the end of the program, all staff members in
attendance received a “Student Affairs Organization
E-Kit” – a backpack for storage of emergency
supplies at every individual’s workstation.
Thanks to UCLA Recreation for helping us to facilitate
the acquisition of these great packs.
