Several offices in the area of student services have undergone mergers, renaming or other changes as part of the evolution of the Office of the Dean of Students and Undergraduate Education. Five of the new offices and services--Academic Services, Residential Life and Student Life Programs, the Campus Activities Complex and Campus Dining, Student Financial Services, and the MIT Card--are profiled below. (Some have also changed locations on campus.)
OFFICE OF ACADEMIC SERVICES
The OAS combines the offices and services of the former Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and the Registrar's Office. As a unit, the OAS includes the Registrar's Office, Curriculum Services and Faculty Support, and the Academic Resource Center.
The new organization brings together many of the staff and services that support the MIT educational program and makes it easier for staff to collaborate on activities that support faculty in their roles as teachers and advisors. The location of many academic services in one organizational unit will result in improved services in several areas including student advising, academic policy, and classroom management and scheduling. The office will also provide enhanced opportunities in the areas of educational research and experimentation, support to teaching and assistance to academic departments.
Many of the academic programs that are part of the general undergraduate program are supported through OAS as well--including freshman advising and seminars, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, IAP, orientation programs and the writing requirement.
Key contacts are co-directors Mary Callahan (x8-6432) and Peggy Enders (x3-3561); Dean for Undergraduate Curriculum Kip V. Hodges (x3-2927); Connie Scribner, Registrar's Office (x8-6414); Bonnie Walters, Academic Resource Center (x3-6771); Mary Z. Enterline, Academic Information and Communication (x3-9763).
RESIDENTIAL LIFE AND STUDENT LIFE PROGRAMS
The new RLSLP combines the offices and services of the former Housing Office and Residence and Campus Activities (Food Services now falls under the Office of Campus Dining). All aspects of residential life and student life programs fall under the auspices of RLSLP.
Central to the revised organizational structure is integrating student-residence issues into the mission of MIT and creating a supportive living environment for students. RLSLP is working to organize itself to carry out the recommendations of the Task Force on Student Life and Learning.
Key contacts are Andy Eisenmann, associate dean and section head (x3-6777); Laura Capone, special assistant to Dean Eisenmann (x8-9692); Chris Nolan, facilities (x3-5144); Carl Seagren, finance (x3-5145); Phil Bernard (x8-5488) and Linda Patton (x3-4449), operations; Neal Dorow (x3-7546) and Carol Orme-Johnson (x8-8423), programs; Emily Sandberg, Public Service Center (x8-7344); and Katie O'Dair, student activities (x8-5487).
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES COMPLEX AND CAMPUS DINING
The CAC's offices work together to ensure the smooth operation of enjoyable activities for the entire MIT community. In recent initiatives, the CAC has put in place new software for event scheduling across all of its offices and has sponsored the renovation of Kresge Auditorium, the largest auditorium on the MIT campus.
The Office of Campus Dining, emerging after a comprehensive two-year study, is committed to meeting a pervasive student desire to have a dining plan that provides quality, accessibility and community. Under this plan, now being implemented on campus, each MIT residence hall will define its own dining program, thereby encouraging students to socialize with each other.
Key contacts are Phil Walsh, campus dining (x3-3913); Ted Johnson, community programs and services (x3-3913); Peter Cummings, business services (x3-3913); and Michael Foley, operations (x3-7898).
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
The SFS office integrates the former Student Financial Aid Office and the Bursar's Office. Designed to accommodate students' needs for efficiency, the office draws upon the work of four teams: the Service Delivery Team (service representatives who respond to questions in the Student Services Center), the Loan Services Team, the Student Record Team, and the Communications and Fund Management Team (Donor Relations).
For students' convenience, the Office of Student Employment has also moved to the Student Services Center. The central location in Building 11 provides a one-stop approach to service and streamlines the steps required to solve financial questions.
Key contacts are Carolyn Bunker, director (x3-4090); Sandra Chauncey, Service Delivery Team (x3-3850); Carlene Chisom-Freeman, Loan Services Team (x3-2445); Barbara Johnson, Student Record Team (x8-5667); Pat Ramonat, Communications and Fund Management Team (x8-5603); and Jane Smith, Student Employment (x3-4973).
MIT CARD
The MIT Card office produces the MIT identification card for students, faculty, employees, visitors and affiliates of MIT. The office also interfaces with Lincoln Lab. Besides the campus-wide identification application, the MIT card is used for security and access privilege by Parking, Libraries, Campus Police, Physical Plant and departments for securing labs and doors. It's also used as a debit card for financial point-of-sale transactions such as food services, copy center, residential housing, laundry and financial applications.
This MIT debit card function should not be confused with the central purchasing office credit card, which is a Visa card. The MIT Card office is committed to identifying innovative uses for the card.
Key contacts are Larry Maguire, director (x3-2814); Lucy Barrera, manager (x3-2719); and Thelma Borey, customer service representative,Student Services Center, Building 11 (x8-0705).
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on September 2, 1998.
