Division of Student Affairs

The Student Affairs team is dedicated to enhancing your development and wellness through collaboration and personalized support. Our vision is to create a community where all students can thrive. We’re here to support, partner with, and engage you throughout your Fredonia experience, ensuring you fully immerse yourself in everything we offer.

In the Division of Student Affairs, students are our purpose. Whether you’re finding your place on campus, connecting with peers, exploring new activities, or clarifying your values, we are here to help.

Our expert staff is committed to your health and well-being, as well as to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. Our core values guide us: we affirm each student’s individuality (Belonging), show care for self and others (Compassion), grow alongside our students (Innovation), uphold authenticity and respect (Integrity), and prioritize health and safety (Wellness).

I encourage you to explore our departments and student resources, stay updated via the events calendar, and connect with our team. You can also reach out to me via email, as we see each other on campus or at events, or visit me in 701 Maytum Hall. I look forward to connecting with you.

In closing, we are thrilled to welcome you to the Big Blue family! Here, we will support each other, grow together, and achieve great things. We believe in your potential and are committed to being by your side every step of the way—through challenges and triumphs alike. Welcome to a community where you truly belong, thrive, and succeed. Go Blue Devils!

Warmly,

Dr. Tracy L. Stenger
Vice President of Student Affairs

Our Mission

Enhancing student development and wellness through collaboration and personalized support.

Our Vision

Creating and sustaining a community where all students can thrive.

Our Core Values

Belonging

We affirm each student for who they are and help them feel connected.

Compassion

We show care for self and others.

Innovation

We grow with our students.

Integrity

We embrace authenticity, transparency, and respect.

Wellness

We recognize health and safety as fundamental to student success.

The Division of Student Affairs functional units:

• Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs - Divisional Organizational Chart
• Department of Athletics and Recreation
• Department of Student Engagement and Inclusion
• Department of Student Wellness and Support
• Department of University Police 
• Office of Residence Life
• Office of Student Conduct

Student Affairs Strategic Plan: 2024-2028 

SUNY Fredonia institutional strategic plan: True Blue Transformation (TBT)

Student Affairs Goal: Wellness  (Definition: We guide students and staff in staying safe and keeping healthy.)

Objectives:

1. Cultivate and sustain an environment that connects students to necessary services. (TBT: 1.3, 2.2, 4.3)
2. Structure services to support basic needs. (TBT: 4.3, 4.2)
3. Create processes that allow for the integration of health and wellness services for students by promoting stronger partnerships across campus. (TBT: 3.4, 4.2)
4. Create a culture in which individual wellness is valued for faculty, staff, and students. (TBT: 4.4)

Student Affairs Goal: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging (DEIAB) (Definition: Everyone belongs here.)

Objectives:

1. Create and sustain a co-curricular environment where all students, faculty, and staff can safely be themselves and be valued for who they are. (TBT: 1.3, 3.1, 3.3., 4.1, 4.4)
2. Identify and remove barriers to success for marginalized populations both academically and personally. (TBT: 1.3,3.3, 4.2)
3. Establish a culture of student involvement in divisional initiatives, allowing for many student voices to be heard. (TBT: 3.1, 4.1)
4. Advance a culture in which staff and students are engaged in continuous discovery and learning about identities, marginalization, privilege, and other topics connected to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. (TBT: 4.1, 1.4, 5.3, 3.1, 3.4)

Student Affairs Goal: Academic Excellence  (Definition: We support student’s academic and personal success.)

Objectives:

1. Provide opportunities for co-curricular learning (e.g., student leadership opportunities, service learning, internships, local and global citizenship, etc.). (TBT: 1.4, 3.4)
2. Explore and develop overt partnerships between the divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. (TBT: 1.3, 4.2)
3. Maintain and improve support structures necessary for student academic and personal success. (TBT: 1.3, 4.4)

Student Affairs Goal: Financial Sustainability   (Definition: Manage resources with intention and responsibility.)

Objectives:

1. Create an environment where students can find what they need easily. (TBT: 2.2, 4.3)
2. Develop a mechanism that facilitates short-term and long-term planning for the division. (TBT:  2.1)
3. Create a culture of collaboration between departments. (TBT: 2.1, 4.2)
4. Promote transparency about Student Affairs funding, spending, and resources. (TBT 2.1, 2.2)
5. Cultivate a culture where professional development is prioritized and supported. (TBT 1.4, 5.3, 3.1, 3.4)

The Student Affairs Council on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Belonging (SAC-DEIAB) was established in fall 2022 to review and advocate for critical diversity issues, create and promote division-wide training and education, and provide resources related to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging .

Mission: The mission of the SAC-DEIAB is to, in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

1. Recognize / Inventory / Celebrate / Highlight current DEIAB efforts within the division; seek opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing;  
2. Create and promote division-wide training and education for employees and students; 
3. Support the collective work of the division, units and individuals in the identification and implementation of initiatives focused on DEIAB;
4. Serve as the formal body appointed by the Interim VPSA and the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT) to provide recommendations annually and strengthen division and unit DEIAB initiatives;
5. Empower and assist in creating opportunities for all students and employees to feel valued and connected.

Short-term Goals

• Coordinate educational programs and training for division staff to increase the knowledge, skills and abilities of staff in the areas of DEIAB;
• Coordinate trainings for divisional staff to be prepared and educated on how to lead strategies;
• Create curriculum for peer educator internship and job descriptions for students participating in the program;
• Create opportunities for students to be involved in the planning and implementation of our goals and strategies; 
• Develop assessments and evaluations to measure the success of our strategies.

Long-term Goals

• Develop a multi-year plan for DEIAB initiatives, in support of the Institutional Strategic Plan, for the division;
• Collaborate to develop a diversity advocate program for peer-to-peer education;
• Develop a unit recognition program to acknowledge and appreciate efforts that support diversity and global-engagement initiatives;
• Identify initiatives that contribute to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students and staff;
• Implement wrap around services and resources to support wellness and well-being.

While hours and access will vary, during breaks (fall, winter, spring, summer), there are a variety of resources that remain available to students. Check the links below and contact offices directly with questions: 

• University Police (for any and all emergencies: 716-673-3333)
• Campus Life (events and programs on-campus)
• Mental Health Support (including crisis services)
• Student Health Center (health & medical services available on campus)
• Blue Devils Fitness Center (call 716-673-3409 for holiday hours)
• FSA Dining Services (see what locations are open and when)
• Food Pantries (resources available on- and off-campus)
• Residence Life (RD on Duty can be reached at 716-679-8524)
• Reed Library (check website for hours)
• Local Hiking Trails, Events and Attractions
• Local Transportation 
  • Campus-Community Bus Service Schedule (check for changes to operating schedule during breaks)
  • The Coach USA bus operates daily between Buffalo - Fredonia - Jamestown. Tips on traveling between SUNY Fredonia and Buffalo on Coach USA can be found here. 
  • The CARTS Bus [Dunkirk City Route] runs Monday through Friday (except holidays), 7:30am - 5:30pm, to D & F Plaza, TJ Maxx/Aldi's, Tops Plaza, Wal-Mart and other locations in Dunkirk. It costs about $2.75 to $3.25 for each ride (must have exact amount). For more information, call 716-366-4500 or 800-388-6534.

In June 2024, Chancellor King announced the Harvey Milk Award for Student Leadership. The new scholarship, named in honor of University at Albany class of 1951 alumnus and LGBTQIA+ rights champion Harvey Milk, recognizes an outstanding upper-level student who has dedicated their time to improving LGBTQIA+ inclusiveness on their campus for fellow students. 

The Harvey Milk Award for Student Leadership is open to all SUNY full time students regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination laws. The following are the specific criteria for the award:

• Upper-class (sophomore, junior, and senior) students and graduate students 
• In good academic standing (a cumulative GPA at 2.5 or higher) 
• Demonstrate a commitment to advancing an inclusive campus community to enhance LGBTQIA+ members' sense of belonging and experiences 
• Demonstrate leadership experiences that have significant and positive impact on campus or local communities in relation to LGBTQIA+ population, including but not limited to removing barriers that affect LGBTQIA+ experiences, advocating for policy changes, or implementing campus-wide events/celebrations 
• Nomination required, which includes self-nomination*. A one-page essay to support a student's candidacy that demonstrates student's involvement and leadership experiences as described in scholarship eligibility and requirement. All nominees must submit one letter of recommendation. (*Students who would like to self-nominate themselves should contact the Vice President for Student Affairs - student.affairs@fredonia.edu).  

Award:  

The selected awardee for the Harvey Milk Award for Student Leadership will receive a one-time $2,000 scholarship award. Other nominees will receive a certification of recognition, recognizing their leadership and commitment to improve campus culture for the LGBTQIA+ community on their respective campus.  

For more information about the Harvey Milk Award for Student Leadership and access the nomination form – please click on the following URLs: Website and Nomination Form  

If you have any questions, please contact the SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ODEI@suny.edu.

All completed nominations (essay and letter of recommendation)  must be submitted to student.affairs@fredonia.edu by close of business on Monday, December 16, 2024, for consideration.