The Division of Student Life fosters student success by creating and promoting inclusive educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom. The departmental program review process empowers departments within the Division of Student Life to critically evaluate their work and their effect on the UI student experience through a lens of continuous improvement. As a unit of the Division of Student Life, Student Care and Assistance (SCA) engaged in a program review process in fall 2023. SCA completed a comprehensive self-study and hosted three external reviewers for a multi-day campus visit. The action plan is intended to be a living document based on the current campus environment. Action items and outcomes may change.

 

Recommendation 1: Outline scope and identity

Determine the appropriate scope and identity of Student Care and Assistance.

Year 3 Critical tasks

  • Determine level of support needed from the Communications and Marketing departments to assist in the sharing of SCA support resources, as in alignment with the Collaborative Care Model and developing needs of the new Well-Being center. 
  • Streamline reporting structures on campus (concerns as well as absence notices). 
  • Work with SCA's new Administrative Assistant to assist in streamlined communication to campus/community partners increasing reach and scope of support offered through SCA. 

Success measures and updates

  • SCA will create and document the scope of responsibilities for the office in accordance with strategic priorities for the DOS, DSL, and UI. (in process summer 2025)
  • Work in the office will be reviewed regularly to ensure it falls within the defined scope of the office. (ongoing)
  • Position descriptions will be updated, if needed. (in process summer 2025)
  • SCA will determine a process that refers matters landing outside of scope to the appropriate campus or community resource. (in process summer 2025)
  • Campus community will be aware of the plethora of resources available to them within the well-being center. (in process summer 2026)
  • University community, and more specifically colleges, will work to support the usage of a central reporting sturcture to faculty and staff. Absence notice procedures will be removed from the responsibility of the Registrar's Office and sit with SCA in a manner of notification only to faculty members from students. (in process summer 2026)
  • Administrative responsibilities will be realigned to offer SCA staff more time to meet with students and serve the campus community. (in process summer 2026)

Recommendation 2: Strategic planning and communication

Complete strategic planning and communication priorities for the office for the next 2-3 years.

Year 3 Critical tasks

  • Review the website to determine if available information accurately represents the current mission and goals of the office.

Success measures and updates

  • Website information aligns closely with the mission, goals, and scope of the office as well as Well-Being Center and Well-Being collaborative.
  • Mission/vision is reviewed and updated. (in process summer 2025)
  • Document care/case management communication in alignment with identified  scope of work and share as appropriate with others on campus doing similar work. (in process summer 2025)
  • Strategic goals are created and assessment plan reflects the identified strategic goals. (in process summer 2025)
  • An outreach/communication plan is created to share updated scope and services.

  • An annual plan is determined outlining necessary communications to ensure an accurate understanding of SCA's services and scope.

     

Recommendation 3: Create model for case management

Create a written model for case management to inform office practices and campus procedures, utilizing existing tools.

Year 3 Critical tasks

  • Work with UCS to develop SOP's between Clinical and Non-Clinical Case managment practices. Likewise partner with UCS to further develop partnerships between UIHC, GuideLink, ect.)

Success measures and updates

  • Defined protocol that can be follow up with (for UCS, SCA, and Community partners). (in process summer 2026)
  • Completed outline of SCA's role in response to suicidal ideation that is in alignment with UCS and TAT. (in process summer 2025)
  • Modify drafted model to coordinate and compliment internal models drafted by UCS and TAT. (ongoing)
  • Use of the NABITA Risk Assessment Scale to assess cases while they are managed by SCA staff. (in process summer 2025)
  • Documented care/case management process and procedures in alignment with scope of work is provided and utilized by SCA staff members. (in process summer 2025)
  • Understanding of resources, policies, existing procedures, structured professional judgement tools, and similar that guide practices and interventions across campus. (ongoing)
     

Recommendation 4: Increase collaboration

Enhance partnerships and collaborations with campus and community partners.

Year 4 Critical tasks

  • Establish internal expectations for coordination, cooperation, and communication with the identified key campus partners.
  • Establish internal expectations for coordination, cooperation, and communication with the identified community partners.

Success measures and updates

  • Creation of a list of expectations and responsibilities for SCA staff related to the identified liaison relationships. (in process summer 2026)
  • Creation of a list of expectations and responsibilities for SCA staff related to the identified liaison relationships. (in process summer 2026)
  • A list of campus offices/resources that specific staff will serve as a liaison for. (completed spring 2025)
  • A list of community resources that specific staff will serve as a liaison for. (completed spring 2025)
  • A direct relationship is developed with the Provost's Office, in partnership with the collaborative work with CLAS UP. (in process spring 2025)
  • The creation of specific resources to assist faculty impacted by students navigating challenging situations. (completed spring 2025)
  • The reporting form is reviewed and updated in accordance with recommendations and HLC requirements.
     

Recommendation 5: Create learning outcomes

Create student learning outcomes.

Year 3 Critical tasks

  • Assess student learning outcomes.
  • Assess needs from Maxient system and other case management tools and make appropriate changes.

Success measures and updates

  • Draft three to five learning and development outcomes.
  • Modify the drafted learning and development outcomes to reflect input from campus partners.
  • Develop assessment plans for the office based on the identified learning and development outcomes. (in process summer 2026)
  • System will provide us with a more robust data set. (in process summer 2026)