Nota Bene Winter 2013

Award Winning Program:  Student Affairs has been awarded the NASPA[1] Gold Excellence Award for Housing/Residential Life.  The award recognizes EWU’s success in developing a vibrant Computing and Engineering Sciences Living/Learning Community (LLC).  It is the singular top award for residence life programs nationally.   The award submission was entitled:  “Living, Learning and Laundry:  faculty involvement in a STEM-focused LLC.”  Among the outcomes highlighted were 92-94% retention for the students, 100% pass rate in math courses, increased GPAs, and strong integration into campus co-curricular activities.  Approximately 70 students are expected to be part of this LLC in fall 2013, and they will be housed in the new residence hall.

Counseling and Psychological Services served over 300 students during fall quarter, providing nearly 1,100 assessment and treatment sessions. Over 1,200 individuals participated in outreach programs provided by CAPS staff (e.g., Student Workshop Series, Veterans Grant programming, etc.).

Financial Aid and Scholarships successfully disbursed a record amount of aid on the first disbursement for winter quarter ($34 million). Several educational tax benefits were extended or made permanent in the “Fiscal Cliff” bill passed on January 1^st.

EWU’s VRC was recognized as a best practice in delivering services to veterans (The Eagles Walk the Talk[2]):

Many colleges and universities in Washington State tout being “veteran friendly” and have become Partners for Veteran Supportive Campuses through the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.  With diminishing financial resources, space being at a premium, and competing agendas and interests between departments and programs, enacting a veteran-related best practice can be difficult to do.  Not so for the Eastern Washington University Eagles!  President Rodolfo Arévalo, along with university leadership and community supports, recently “walked the talk” by opening a Veterans Resource Center.

EPIC Adventures (Campus Recreation) is planning spring break trips to Moab, UT and Puerto Rico.

Enrollment Update:  As of January 10, 2013, total FTE winter enrollment is up 3% from last year, state FTE enrollment is up 3.4% and state head count is up 2.7%.

Disability Support Services is excited to be able to offer Tactile Graphic Braille for low vision and blind students who are taking classes such as Geography.

Fall quarter Student Support and Advocacy contacts increased more than 66% over Fall 2011.  Our students continue to face complex life issues, with financial concerns, stress/anxiety, and emotional health at the top of the list.

We are seeing a rise in influenza cases since students have arrived back on campus.  As we do each year, we will educate students about preventative measures and strategies regarding what to do when you come down with the flu.

Macklemore is coming to EWU on May 30^th for a private concert for the student community.   Macklemore, a hip hop artist who hails from Seattle and has gained national acclaim for his affirming messages about diversity and his own struggles with substance abuse.  The concert will be free to all EWU students and held shortly after the ASEWU elections.  Those students who vote will receive priority admission.

Career Services is happy to note that seven out of the eight students were accepted to the Washington Legislative Internship in Olympia for Winter Quarter.