Division of Student Affairs

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (The Rotunda, SW Wing, 924-7984, www.virginia.edu/vpsa) This office provides administrative leadership that supports and complements the academic and service mission of the University. The office seeks to expand the intellectual, social, and cultural horizons of the student body through a broad range of support services and programs that parallel the University’s formal academic curriculum. The Division of Student Affairs supports maintaining a diverse student community that consists of the ablest and most promising students from the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond, and is committed to expanding the educational opportunities that maximize student learning and promote student development.

Office of the Dean of Students (Peabody Hall, Second Floor, 924-7133, www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents) By connecting with other departments and offices around Grounds, this Office supports the needs of students and student communities, and identifies resources to respond to those needs. The Office of the Dean of Students serves as an advocate and a support for the student body, student organizations, as well as individual students.

The Office of the Dean of Students is a place that any student or family member can turn when uncertain about where else to go. This Office may provide a referral to a specific program or service to address any problem, or may offer general assistance. The core purpose of the Office of the Dean of Students is most fully realized by helping students turn ideas into realities, overcome hurdles, or solve personal problems.

Center for Alcohol and Substance Education (2400 Old Ivy Road, Suite C, 924-5276, www.virginia.edu/case) The Center for Alcohol and Substance Education (CASE) provides the University of Virginia community with educational activities and prevention programs related to substance abuse concerns. CASE supports peer education and provides training and consultation in order to increase knowledge of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug issues and decrease the negative consequences associated with high-risk drinking and illegal drug use among UVa students.

Newcomb Hall/University Programs Council (Newcomb Hall, 924-3329, www.virginia.edu/newcombhall) Located centrally on the Grounds, Newcomb Hall is the community center for students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university. Newcomb Hall provides a lively and comfortable atmosphere for many services and events that are an essential part of university life. Newcomb Hall is the hub for student activities, and houses several offices that provide a wide range of cultural, social, and recreational programs.

Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (170 Rugby Road, 924-7430, www.virginia.edu/ofsl) The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life works closely with the four Greek governing councils and their respective chapters: the six Black Fraternal Council chapters, eight Multicultural Greek Council chapters, thirty-one Inter-Fraternal Council chapters, and sixteen Inter-Sorority Council chapters, as well as their alumni/ae and general headquarters, to support student self-governance at the chapter and council levels. This office was created to strengthen a fraternity and sorority system that marked its sesquicentennial in the fall of 2002.

Office of Orientation and New Student Programs (1 Poe Alley, 982-4555, www.virginia.edu/orientation) The Office of Orientation and New Student Programs works with other University departments to implement summer and fall orientation for new first-year and transfer students. The office also coordinates other programs, events, and services throughout the academic year, including the Transfer Student Peer Advisor program; SERVE, a community service program that introduces new students to service opportunities in Charlottesville; Family Weekend; and support for the International Students Office’s work with new international students; as well as many other services.

Office of Residence Life (Dabney House, 924-3736, www.virginia.edu/residencelife) The Residence Life Program generates and maintains an environment in University Housing that facilitates the physical well being of students and emphasizes opportunities for personal and intellectual growth, self-governance, social and cultural programming, and informal interaction with faculty members. The Residence Life Program is a model of student, faculty, and staff cooperation and collaboration.

The Residence Life Office includes the student Resident Staff, three deans, four area coordinators, and four administrative assistants. The deans and area coordinators are full-time professionals with advanced degrees and years of experience working with college students in residence halls at the University of Virginia and other institutions. They mentor and supervise Resident Staff and work directly with students in many other capacities. Resident Staff members seek to establish the residence halls as welcoming, secure living areas by representing and promoting high standards of achievement and conduct expected of students at the University of Virginia. In total, over 245 individuals invest their time and talent to create a dynamic learning experience in UVa’s residential communities.

Office of Student Life (Peabody Hall, Second Floor, 924-7133, www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/studentlife) Student Life staff work on a wide variety of initiatives and programs, and this unit serves as a center for the generalist responsibilities of the Office of the Dean of Students, particularly to students living off Grounds. Some areas of emphasis include outreach and advising for Asian and Asian Pacific American students and Hispanic/Latino students; work with a range of student ethnic and cultural groups and organizations; support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students; programs to encourage the expansion of cultural boundaries such as Passport and Kaleidoscope Center for Cultural Fluency (in partnership with Newcomb Hall); resources and response for sexual assault; and assistance to students with children. The Office of Student Life works with individual students, student groups, families, and faculty members to provide information, advice, counsel, and assistance in solving problems.

Office of African-American Affairs (Luther P. Jackson House, 4 Dawson’s Row, P.O. Box 400132, 924-7923, www.virginia.edu/oaaa) The mission of the Office of African-American Affairs is to assist the University in providing a welcoming environment for African-American students. To this end, it works in partnership with academic and student affairs’ offices and departments.

In addition, the OAAA offers a variety of programs. For example, its nationally acclaimed Peer Advisor Program provides personalized and sensitive outreach to assist first-year and entering transfer students with their college transition. The Student-Faculty Mentoring Program offers nurturing experiences for students’ intellectual and career-related development. The Tutorial Service gives support in academic areas ranging from chemistry to foreign language. In areas of cultural growth, the OAAA’s Luther Porter Jackson Cultural Center offers University-wide workshops, lectures, performances, and exhibitions related to the African-American experience. The Nat Turner Library is a repository for print and audiovisual materials documenting the black experience in the United States. The Harris-Bland Computer Lab offers opportunities for expanded Internet research.

The OAAA also has a variety of services, including academic monitoring, outreach, and recognition; personal counseling and advising; University orientation; alumni networking; and student advocacy.

And finally, the OAAA works with parents through its Parents Advisory Association. The organization provides additional support through a variety of activities, such as annual meetings with the administration and faculty, get-acquainted events for incoming families, and emergency loans.

University Career Services (Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium, 924-8900, www.virginia.edu/career) The primary mission of this office is to ensure that undergraduate and graduate students achieve their career-related goals, whether those goals are to continue their education, secure employment, or some combination of the two. UCS accomplishes this mission by providing a variety of programs and services designed to help students explore career options, experience future work environments, learn career decision-making and effective job searching strategies, and make connections with employers.

Within the context of exploring career options, students have the opportunity to begin by assessing their personal values, interests, and skills–a foundational process often referred to as self-assessment. To support students in the self-assessment process, UCS offers individual and small group advising, career planning courses for academic credit, an extensive career resource library with numerous materials in both print and electronic formats. It also maintains a network of more than 25,000 UVa alumni who have volunteered to provide career advice to currently enrolled students.

UCS offers several programs that allow students to experience future work environments as they continue to clarify their career goals. Foremost among these is the Extern Program, a one-week opportunity in which students gain exposure to specific career fields. Many students use UCS resources to seek internships and gain experience that may or may not be directly related to their academic majors or career interests. A number of programs and services support both externships and internships, the most popular of which is the Internship Job Fair. Annually, approximately 400 employers from a variety of fields visit the Grounds to meet students who may be invited to work for their organizations.

Toward the completion of most academic programs, students find themselves planning their futures. Some pursue graduate or professional schools, while others seek permanent employment opportunities. UCS provides services and programs to support both goals. Students pursuing admission into graduate or professional schools often take advantage of the pre-medical, health professions, pre-law, and graduate school advising services. Students pursuing permanent employment participate in such programs as On-Grounds Interviewing, Minority Career Day and other job fair programs, and electronic job listing services. They also attend numerous workshops covering topics from writing professional résumés to conducting effective job interviews.

Information about all UCS programs and services for University of Virginia students is available on the UCS Web site. This site also connects students to worldwide career and job search information and employment listings, graduate school databases, and the affiliate career services offices supported by the McIntire School of Commerce, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of Architecture.

HELP Line (A Program of Madison House, 295-TALK, http://scs.student.virginia.edu/~madison/Help/mhopen.htm) Individuals use this service to speak with trained volunteers who are non-directive, non-judgmental, confidential, and empathic listeners. Referrals to professional and long-term assistance are available. The hotline operates during most of the academic year, Monday through Friday, from 12:00 noon to 7:00 A.M., and 24 hours a day on weekends.

Students with Disabilities (243-5180/V or 243-5189/TTY, Fax: 243-5188, www.virginia.edu/vpsa/services.html) Students who have any physical or emotional impairment that may require reasonable accommodation at the University should contact the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center (LNEC) in the Department of Student Health. Such disabilities may include (but are not limited to) impaired vision, hearing, or mobility, or a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia or ADHD. Students with disabilities must submit appropriate documentation in support of a request for accommodations. As the University continues to make the Grounds and its facilities convenient for everyone, students are assured accessibility by reassignment of classroom space through a need-based program. Students seeking academic accommodation are advised to make early contact with the LNEC to ensure minimum disruption of classes and progress toward their degree program. For more information about LNEC, please see the section on Student Health.

Student Legal Services Program (204 University Way, 924-7524, www.student.virginia.edu/~stud-leg) Legal counsel is available through this office to those students who pay the student activities fee. One lawyer and an administrative assistant, supported by student clerks and interns, assist students with a wide variety of civil and criminal legal matters, including contracts, criminal/traffic, consumer, uncontested divorce, landlord/tenant, name change, non-profit organizations, and wills. The program also provides referrals for issues outside of its domain (e.g., bankruptcy, estates, immigration, real estate, personal injury, taxes). The initial consultation is free, and subsequent fees are very low.

Transfer Student Peer Advisor Program (TSPA) (Office of Orientation and New Student Programs, 1 Poe Alley, 982-4555, www.virginia.edu/orientation/tspa.html) The primary goal of this program is to assist transfer student integration to the University. Every year, approximately 30 students are selected to serve as TSPAs. Each initiates contact with 15 to 20 transfer students during the summer and then serves as a primary resource and guide for these students as they enter the University.

Department of Student Health (Elson Student Health Center, 400 Brandon Avenue, www.virginia.edu/studenthealth) Student Health provides outpatient care in general medicine, gynecology, and counseling and psychological services to enrolled students. Confidentiality is strictly observed, consistent with applicable law. When necessary, students are referred for specialty services and hospitalization. Through its Office of Health Promotion, the professional staff and Peer Health Educators of Student Health provide education and support programs within the center and on Grounds.

Eligibility and Costs All students who pay the UVa comprehensive fee along with tuition are eligible for services at Student Health. Students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies and students who pay a reduced fee to maintain “non-resident” status are not eligible. The comprehensive fee covers the costs of professional services described below; there are fees charged for lab tests, medications, and some medical supplies and equipment. Please call (434) 243-2794 with questions.

Hours of Operation Student Health is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, and from 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 noon on Saturday. Hours vary during breaks and summer session. Clinicians are seen by appointment. When Student Health is closed, telephone consultation is available for urgent advice and health questions (call 972-7004). The University of Virginia Hospital Emergency Room will provide emergency treatment.

General Medicine The clinical care staff in General Medicine provides primary care services to students for a wide range of medical problems. In addition to diagnosis and treatment of illness, health education and disease prevention are emphasized. Students are seen by appointment (call 982-3915), and acute care is available without an appointment for students with urgent medical problems. Students are urged to make appointments to avoid long waits.

Gynecology The clinical staff provides comprehensive preventive and problem-oriented primary care gynecology services to students. Referrals are made within Student Health for non-gynecologic problems detected during the visit or to providers outside Student Health if the need for consultation or specialized care is indicated. Appointments can be made by calling 924-2773. Education and outreach activities are conducted by the Gynecology and Health Promotion staff and through the Peer Health Education Program.

Harrison Bowne “Tersh” Smith, Jr. Memorial Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) The center provides a broad and comprehensive range of psychological services: psychological and psychiatric assessment, referral, individual and group psychotherapy, psychiatric medication consultation, 24-hour on-call crisis consultation, emergency walk-in and crisis intervention, and consultation to administrators, faculty, students, families, and allied professionals. A substance abuse clinician provides consultation and referral to students concerned about their use of alcohol and other drugs. CAPS provides suicide prevention programming and outreach to numerous faculty and student organizations. For an appointment, call the center from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at 924-5556. For an after-hours emergency, call 972-7004.

As with all other clinical services at Student Health, CAPS abides by laws regulating confidentiality.

Learning Needs and Evaluation Center (LNEC) For students with diagnosed disabilities, the LNEC mediates academic accommodation with faculty and deans; provides reading services, word processing and written language assistance, interpreters, and class notes during periods of absence related to the disability; and serves as liaison with standardized test bureaus, Recording for the Blind, and agencies for specific disabilities or rehabilitation. Students with disabilities should be prepared to submit appropriate documentation in support of a request for accommodations. The LNEC also offers limited screening services to identify and address academic problems of matriculated students. Brief individual and/or group study skills assistance is available each term. Please call 243-5180.

Health Promotion The Office of Health Promotion staff works in partnership with students, helping them learn the skills and knowledge required to achieve optimal health. Through direct services, collaboration, and public relations connections, the Office of Health Promotion works toward building and supporting a healthier university community. Services include: health consulting, nutrition consultations, research and social marketing, academic and other courses, patient education, outreach, data collection and special events. All services are provided by health education and nutrition faculty as well as Peer Health Educators and interns (specially trained students). For information or appointments, call 924-1509.

Exclusions Student Health provides professional services only. Lab tests, prescriptions, medical supplies, and all services outside Student Health are not paid for by the University. A student’s health insurance is always billed first for services provided outside Student Health. The student is responsible for charges not covered by insurance.

Students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies pay no health fees and are not eligible for Student Health services.

Student Health Requirements see Non-Academic Regulations in Chapter 5.

Anyone with questions relating to the health of students should write to the Director, Department of Student Health, 400 Brandon Avenue, P.O. Box 800760, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0760.