The document is the notes from a September 1, 2017 division meeting presented by Dr. Dennis Pruitt, Vice President for Student Affairs at the University. The summary includes: 1) An overview of the historical role of student affairs and how it has changed from an "in loco parentis" model to focusing on meaningful services, experiences and support to empower student success. 2) A discussion of the current state of the University's student body including enrollment numbers, demographics, academic profiles and graduation/retention rates which are increasing but still lag behind peer institutions. 3) Notes on national trends in higher education including increasing enrollment of women and students of color while white student numbers are projected to decline

1. Dennis Pruitt
Vice President for Student Affairs
Division Meeting
September 1, 2017

2. Dr. Dennis A. Pruitt, Sr.
Vice President for Student Affairs,
Vice Provost and Dean of Students
110 Osborne Building
Columbia, SC 29208
Office: 803-777-4172 Fax: 803-777-9354
Email: dpruitt@mailbox.sc.edu
2

3. 3
Worries
and
Wonders

4. 4
Disclaimers and Pre-Apologies

5. What is Wisdom?
Wisdom:
 Is not simple accumulation of knowledge
 Is not paralyzed by ambiguity, but in fact embraces
uncertainty
 Is expert knowledge about life in general and good
judgment in the face of complex, uncertain
circumstance
 You know it when you see it
5
- Ansberry (2000)

6. wisdom [wiz-duh m]:
the ability to view more things
with a “blank slate.”
6

7. wisdom:
can also be the ability to see things
“from the perspective of others”
7

8. - Aurelius (n.d.)

9. A little about Student Affairs,
a little about our students,
a little about our worries and wonders.
9

10. Anyone can do Student Affairs, right?
10

11. Historical Role of Student Affairs
What happened to the Good Ole Days of
In Loco Parentis?
11

12. Historical Role of Student Affairs
 Disciplinarian
 Custodian
 Educator
 Integrator
 Combined: contingency (threats and opportunities)
manager
12
- Garland (1985)

13. New Mission – To provide meaningful services, experiences and support that empower
students to achieve success at Carolina and beyond.
New Vision – An optimum learning environment that inspires students and university
community members to reach their full potential.
13
Current Goals (under revision):
 Manage the comprehensive and collaborative efforts of the university to meet student
enrollment goals, and provide essential programs and services to recruit and enroll new
freshmen and transfer students and facilitate their successful transition to the university.
 Improve student progress and persistence to degree completion by increasing student
engagement in campus life and by providing and supporting essential programs, services,
and educational activities that lead to student success and satisfaction.
 Collaborate with campus and external constituents to provide essential programs and
services that advance learning, at the university and in the higher education community.
 Provide essential programs and services that shape responsible citizens and develop
future leaders, in collaboration with university, community and external partners.

14. 14

15. Student Affairs is a Profession
 Theories
 Statement of Ethics
 Professional Preparation Programs
 Journals, Books, Monographs, Research Studies
 Listservs, social media, websites
 Professional Associations
 Standards of Good Practice
 Certification Programs
 CAS Standards for Professional Practice
 Foundations
 Has many associated professional organizations
 Practicum and internship
 Graduate assistantships/apprentice programs 15

16. Student Affairs Functional Areas
 Academic Advising
 Academic Support Services
 Admissions
 Adult Student Services
 Alumni Relations
 Athletics
 Campus Ombudsperson
 Campus Recreation
 Career Services
 Community Service Programs
 Commuter Student Services
 Counseling
 Disabled Student Services
 Development/Fundraising
 Emergency Management
 Enrollment Management
 Family Services
 Financial Aid
 Greek Life
 International Student Services
 Law Enforcement and Safety
 LGBT Program
 Minority Student Affairs
 Multicultural Student Affairs
 Orientation
 Parent Programs
 Registrar
 Residential Life/Housing
 Retention & Assessment
 Sexual Assault Services
 Specific Facilities Management
 Strategic Planning & Innovation
 Student Activities
 Student Conduct
 Student Government
 Student Health Services
 Student Legal Services
 Student Life
 Student Media
 Student Success Programs
 Student Union
 Testing Services
 Visitors Center/Tours
16

17.  Student Affairs & Academic Support
 Stay-Informed: DSA/AS weekly staff newsletter
 UofSC Student Calendar
 UofSC Weekly Student Email
 National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and
Students in Transition (NRC
17
Resources

18.  USC Organizational & Professional Development courses
 DSA/SA Professional Development opportunities
 Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)
 Pipeline for Academy Leaders (PAL)
18
Professional Development Resources

19. Our Students
A peep at our students and
their student experiences.
19

20. Flagship Institution - USC Columbia
Comprehensive Campuses
USC Aiken USC
Beaufort USC
Upstate
Palmetto College
USC Lancaster USC
Salkehatchie USC
Sumter
USC Union
School of Medicine
Columbia
Greenville
System Overview
20

21. Total
45,774
46,264
46,672
48,167
49,449
50,099
USC System Headcount Enrollment

22. Total
30,721
31,288
31,964
32,972
33,724
34,099
- Preliminary Fall 2016
USC Columbia Headcount Enrollment

23. 3690
3826 3881
4423
4569
4580
5002 4975
5190
5104
1183
1191 1192
1185
1199 1199
1208
1210 1210
1216
1100
1120
1140
1160
1180
1200
1220
1240
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Fall 2009 Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015* Fall 2016~
AverageSAT
Enrollment
Enrollment SAT Avg.
*Undergraduate Admissions, 2016 Annual Statistical Report
~Cube Data-Estimated as of Dec 2016.
Ten Year Trend
SAT Averageand FreshmanClass Size

24. 2016 Freshman Profile
(Summer/Fall)
All Freshmen
Capstone
Scholars
Honors
College
Gamecock
Gateway
Number 5,104 962 500 420
Avg. SAT 1215 1315 1442 1007
Avg. ACT 27.3 29.5 32.4 21.3
GPA 3.99 4.40 4.65 3.26
- Undergraduate Admissions, 2016 Annual Statistical Report

25. 2017 Projected Freshman Profile
All Freshmen
Capstone
Scholars
Honors
College
Gamecock
Gateway
Number 5,900 1,180 580 450
THE TRIFECTA ACHIEVED

26. 2017 Projected Freshman Quality
Number SAT ACT WCGPA
Freshmen 5,881 1,254 27.3 4.04
Honors 580 1,478 32.5 4.68
Capstone 1,112 1,357 29.7 4.36
Gateway 443 1,075 21.4 3.14

27.  17% freshmen are 1st generation
 South Carolina residents – up 20% (+478)
 Non-residents – up 12% (+317)
 African Americans – up 25% (+60)
 Hispanics – up 37% (+85)
 22% are Pell Grant recipients
 45/46 SC counties are represented
27
2017 Projected Demographics

28. USC Columbia Freshman Student Admissions
Summer/Fall
21,311
23,429
23,035
23,341
25,736
25,441
13,451
14,199
14,844
15,219
16,618
17,302
4,636
4,625
5,046
4,980
5,190
5,104
63.1%
60.6%
64.4% 65.2% 64.6%
68.0%
34.5%
32.6% 34.0% 32.7% 31.2%
29.5%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Applied Accepted Enrolled Accept Rate Yield Rate
Score
Averages
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
SAT 1198 1201 1206 1210 1210 1215
ACT 26.4 26.4 26.9 27.1 27.3 27.3
28

29. 29

30. Program
Graduation Rate
65%
Gamecock Guarantee
Selection Procedures
1. SC Resident
2. Regular USC
acceptance
3. Parents not 4-yr degree
holders
4. Eligible for federal Pell Grant
Program Benefits
1. Minimum $4,500 award
2. Support of a learning
community
3. Guarantee of full grant
support for tuition &
technology fee
Profile of 2015 Recipients
1. Average family income --
$17,600
2. Gender – 58% Female
3. Race
• White (47%)
• Black (36%)
• Other (17%)
2015 Gamecock Guarantee
Freshmen
Average FAAward
• $21,356
Gift Aid as a Percent of Total Award
• 96% Gamecock Guarantee
• 49% Overall Freshmen
Loans as a Percent of Total Award
• .4% Gamecock Guarantee
• 51% Overall Freshmen
Average Freshman to
Sophomore Retention,
2008 to 2015
• 90%
993
Students Served
2008-2015
30

31. Top 10 States Fall 2016

32. College of Arts and Sciences 31%
Darla Moore School of Business 26%
College of Engineering and Computing 13%
College of Hospitality, Retail, Sport Management 7%
College of Nursing 6%
College of Information and Communications 5%
Arnold School of Public Health 5%
College of Education 3%
Pharmacy 3%
School of Music 1%
College of Social Work <1%
Freshman Class Percentage by
College/School
Summer/Fall2016

33. Freshman Class Top Majors
in First Year
Biological Sciences Public Relations
Exercise Science
Criminology/Criminal
Justice
Experimental Psychology Hospitality Management
Nursing Retailing
Finance Marketing
Management Political Science

34. Adjusted Gross Family Income
Fall 2015 All Students
Adjusted Gross Family Income All Students SC Resident Out-of-State
$0-49,999 19.8% 27.6% 7.3%
$50,000-99,999 16.9% 21.5% 9.6%
$100,000-249,999 26.1% 23.8% 29.9%
$250,000-499,999 4.1% 1.9% 7.6%
$500,000-749,999 0.5% 0.2% 0.9%
$750,000-999,999 0.1% 0.1% 0.2%
$1,000,000+ 0.1% 0.1% 0.3%
Not Reported 32.3% 24.9% 44.2%
TOTAL 24,862 15,292 9,570
34

35. Fall 2015 Incoming Freshman Aid
by Source and Type
Federal
$27,234,668
State
$14,298,495
Institutional
$8,952,156
External
(Private
Loans)
$6,552,701
Aid by Source
Grants
$5,859,765
Loans
$28,911,399
Scholarships
$22,038,696
Federal Work-
Study
$228,160
Aid by Type
35

36. Cohort return rate for the following fall.
83.10%
85.80%
86.90%
87.20%
86.70%
85.90%
86.80%
87.20%
88.10% 87.90% 88.10%
76.0%
78.0%
80.0%
82.0%
84.0%
86.0%
88.0%
90.0%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
First-time, Full-time Freshman
Retention Rates

37. First Year Retention Rates
(2014 Cohort)
SEC Schools First Year Retention
Vanderbilt University 97%
University of Florida 96%
University of Georgia 94%
Clemson University 92%
Auburn University 91%
University of South Carolina 88%
The University of Alabama 87%
The University of Tennessee 87%
Louisiana State University 85%
University of Mississippi 85%
University of Arkansas 83%
University of Kentucky 82%
Mississippi State University 80% 37

38. First-time, Full-time Freshman
Graduation Rates
44.9% 45.8% 45.7%
51.2%
53.0% 53.9%
55.7%
54.7% 54.4%
58.0%63.6%
66.1%
64.3%
67.2%
69.6% 69.7%
71.3%
69.7% 69.9%
66.8%
69.0%
67.5%
70.3%
72.3% 72.8% 72.9% 72.3%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
50.0%
55.0%
60.0%
65.0%
70.0%
75.0%
80.0%
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
4 Year 5 Year 6 Year
38

39. Six Year Graduation Rates
(2008 Cohort)
SEC Schools Six Year Graduation Rate
Vanderbilt University 93%
University of Florida 88%
University of Georgia 85%
Clemson University 82%
University of South Carolina 73%
Auburn University 71%
University of Tennessee 69%
University of Alabama 67%
Louisiana State University 67%
University of Arkansas 62%
University of Kentucky 61%
University of Mississippi 61%
Mississippi State 60%
- IPEDS Data Center
39

40. 2006 2016 Change
Freshman Applications 13,946 25,444 +11,498
Freshman Class 3,697 5,107 +1,410
Freshman Class Yield 42.1% 29.5% -12.6%
Average SAT 1171 1215 +44
Freshman Honors Enrollment 312 500 +188
Capstone Scholars Enrollment 550 962 +412
First to Second Year Retention 86.9% 87.9% +1.0%
4-Year Graduation Rate 53.0% 54.7%* +1.7%
6-Year Graduation Rate 72.3% 72.3%* nc
- OIRA Factbook and Office of Undergraduate Admissions Annual Report
USC Columbia
Enrollment Summary 2006-2016
Summer/FallFreshmen

41. Freshman and Undergraduate
Totals 1985 to 2015
1985 2000 2015* Growth Since
1985
Freshmen 2,825 2,542 5,190 84%
SAT 951 1116 1210 +259 points
Total UG
Enrollment
15,098 15,266 25,237 67%
41

42. 42

43.  Women will continue to outpace men in enrollment,
numbers, and persistence
 Women are making gains in educational aspirations
 More women are pursuing traditionally “male” fields
- CIRP data 2014
National Demographics
43

44. Projected Change in US Public High
School Graduates By Race
2015 - 2024
Academic
Year
Native
American Asian Black Hispanic White
2015-2016 31,684 186,448 414,653 602,242 1,699,256
2024-2025 38,152 261,979 443,882 807,087 1,639,604
Change +6,468 +75,531 +29,229 +204,845 -59,652
-WICHE

45. 45
Non-White FT Enrollment
at South Carolina Institutions
8823
9430
9643
10038
4748
5120 5248 5438
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015
USC System
USC Columbia
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Francis Marion University
Winthrop University
College of Charleston
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

46. African-American FT Enrollment
at South Carolina Institutions
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
5049
4944 4957 4924
2197 2162 2168 2105
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015
USC System
USC Columbia
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Francis Marion University
Winthrop University
College of Charleston

47.  5900 freshmen
 1500 transfers
 350 USC system change of campus
 440 Gamecock Gateway
 410 other new undergraduates
47
But – We Really Have 8,600
New Undergraduates

48. 48

49. Characteristics of this Generation of
College Going Students
49

50. Meet Generation Z
- Ellis (2017)

51. Disclaimer
Generational research is often first developed by MARKETERS as
a way to understand how best to reach a population and is often
presented in broad sweeping GENERALITIES.
It is important to know that students will exist along a SPECTRUM
of experiences within these characteristics. The term “in general”
is omitted but implied with this disclaimer in mind.
51
- Ellis (2017)

52. Characteristics
 1996 – 2011
 60 million strong
 Digital Natives
 Small Windows of Interest
(8 second)
 Aware of their Social Media
Presence
 Pragmatic
 Accepting of Identity
 Most Diverse
 Debt Averse
 Want to Make an Impact
 Ambitious/Career Focus
 Wary of “Establishment”
 Expect Authority Figures to be
Coaches and Collaborators
 Value Applied Education
52
- Ellis (2017)

53. Additional Characteristics
 1 in 10 incoming freshmen plan to participate in student protest
(HERI)
 15%+ of minority students report feeling “unsafe” on campuses
(NSSE)
 Increased usage of Counseling and Psychology
 Increased reporting of suicidal ideation
 Increased reports of disruptive behavior in the classroom
53
- Ellis (2017)

54. Additional Characteristics
 Increased exposure to medication (both prescribed and illicit)
 Increased abuse of alcohol
 Increased use of marijuana as drug of choice
 Increased number of Title IX related claims
 Parents continue to play a big role in students’ lives beyond high
school
54
- Ellis (2017)

55. 55

56. Performance Funding Metrics
Input to Output
56

57. New Performance Criteria
 Freshman to sophomore
retention rates
 Sophomore to senior
persistence rates
 Graduation rates
 Length of time to degree
 Placement
 Gainful employment
 Manageable debt
 Institutional default rates
 Life-long learner
 # of Pell Grant recipients
graduated
 Value added
NEXT:
Transferability
57

58. 58

59. 59

60. - Randy Bass, 2012
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/disrupting-ourselves-problem-learning-higher-education
60

61. Astin’sInput - Environment- OutcomesModel
INPUT
ENVIRONMENT
OUTCOMES
• 6 year graduation rate
• Students’ learning achievements
• College completion
• College completion - value added
• Graduates’ employment status
• Employability
• Life long learner
• Competency and proficiency in chosen field
• Admission to professional /graduate school
WTC – Degree Programs, Courses
BTC Matters - Involvement
• Student Affairs & Academic Support
• Undergraduate Research
• International Programs
• Internships
• Service
• Leadership
Services
• Total undergraduate enrollment
• Quality advising
• Technology resources
• Average freshman SAT scores
• Motivation to attend and graduate
• Scholarship skills / habits
• Financial status
• Life goals
• Class Rank
• High school service, leadership
- Astin (1993)

63. Creatingan OLE: IntegratedLearningin the
Classroom(ITC) and Beyond the Classroom(BTC)
 Personalized Learning Systems
 Integrated ITC with BTC
 Manage Self-Destructive Behaviors
 Comply with State and Federal Laws
 Utilize Best Business and Educational Practices
63

64. 2017-2018 Topics of Interest
 Tattoos and Drones
 On Your Time (OYT)
 USC Connect / GWLD
 Beyond the Classroom Matters (BTCM)
 Student Success Collaborative
 First Year Advising
 Diversity and Inclusion
64

65. 2017-2018 Topics of Interest
 Recruitment and Retention
 Campus Sexual Assault
 Harassment and Discrimination
 Hazing
 Alcohol and Drug Abuse
 Cost of Student (mis) Behavior
 Collegiate Recovery Program
65

66. 2017-2018 Topics of Interest
 Academic Integrity
 Digital Identity/ Privacy
 Suicides
 Free Speech (political correctness; empathetic
correctness; trigger warnings)
 Diversity, Inclusion, & Social Justice
 Next Generation Transcripts
 Mental Health
 Eating Disorders
66

67. 2017-2018 Topics of Interest
 Campus safety
 Crisis/emergency/disaster management
 Career Services: employability and internships
 Social media
 Gallup Work and Life Well-Being
 Elections
 Protest and Demonstrations
 Viewpoint Diversity
 Academic Freedom
67

68. How do we Keep our Customers (oops!)
Students from Failing?
How to Prevent
Your Customers
from Failing
Stephen S. Tax, Mark Colgate
and David E. Bowen
Spring 2006

69. How do we Keep our Customers (oops!)
Students from Failing?
 How do we create high expectations that our
students will move from surviving to thriving?
 How do we get students to assume ownership for
their learning, both in the classroom (ITC) and
beyond the classroom (BTC)?

70. Campus Cultures = Optimum
Learning Environment
Safe
Non-discriminatory
Civil
74

71. 75

72. Next Big Thing (NBT)
 Viewpoint diversity (Heterodox Academy)
 BTCM and next generation transcripts
 OYT (On Your Time)
 Student Enrollment Services Center
 Center for Health and Well-being
 Diversity and Inclusion = Belonging

73. NBT Continued
 Extenuating Circumstances Withdrawals
 Student Success Collaborative
 Alumni Outcomes Project
 Gamecock Recovery
 Social Justice Program
 Title IX reporting

74. NBT Continued
 Update: Succession Planning
 Dean of Students search
 AVP for Student Life search
 DSA/AS Climate Survey
 Statues and monuments
 Abatements, discounts, and non-resident students

75. Facilities
 Outdoor Recreational fields
 Greek Village garage
 Greek Village II
 South Campus Village
 Coliseum Conversion
 Campus Visitors Center

76. NBT Continued
 New leadership: department heads
 New graduate assistants
 New employees
 3% reallocation for excellence
 Student affairs investment in growth

77. NBT Continued
 Future fundraising: programmatic needs
 Abatements and non-resident student
 Cocky statue installation
 Optimal Learning Environment (OLE); social media;
duty to care

78. Trend Summary
Student Affairs Professionals Engage in:
 constituent/cultural management
 contingency management (threats and opportunities)
 compliance management
 critics management
 community management
 constraint and accountability management
 commitment and pride management

79. Thank you for all you do to make
Carolina a better place to be!
Shout - outs

80. As Professional Educators
Let’s all:
 Inspire our students to engage in high impact
educational activities in the classroom and
beyond the classroom.
 Help our students manage their self-destructive
behaviors (both in and beyond the classroom)
and assume a shared responsibility for others.
 Create high expectations for our students and
hold them accountable.
80

81. As Professional Educators
 Thrilled to have attracted individuals of your
caliber, with your dedication, and your
commitment to “care”!
 Your role is one of “the most significant” in the
educational lives of our students.
 You have selected a great university…and
remember…
81

82. ….a great
University has
selected you.
Thank you for
becoming a
Carolinian!
82

83. 127

84.  The most important people on the campus…
…without students there would be no need for the institution
 Not cold enrollment statistics…
…but flesh and blood human beings with feelings and emotions like
our own.
 Not people to be tolerated so we can do our thing…
…they are our thing.
 Not dependent on us…
…rather, we are dependent on them.
 Not an interruption of our work…
…but the purpose of it. We are not doing them a favor by serving them.
They are doing us a favor by giving us the opportunity to do so.
- Noel-Levitz. “Enrollment Strategies That Work in Attracting and Retaining Students”
Students are…

85. References
Annsberry, Clare. “Older and Wiser.” Wall Street Journal Millennium Edition.
1 Jan 2000.
Astin, A. (1993). Assessment for excellence: The philosophy and practice of
assessment and evaluation in higher education. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.
Aurelius, Marcus. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see
is a perspective, not the truth.” Cartoon. fb/the idealist: Web.
Ellis, Keith. “Generation Z.” Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
Division Meeting, University of South Carolina. January 27, 2017.
Garland, Peter H. Serving More than Students: A Critical Need for College Student
Personnel Services. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No. 7. Washington,
D.C.: Association for the Study of Higher Education, 1985.
85