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Proposed action objective:

To make USD an attractive place to be on weekends and late evenings through proactive planning of programs, services and transportation that address the expressed complaints and concerns of students and parents about the lack of programs and services available to USD students at those times currently.

How does this objective contribute to one or more of USD’s overall strategic goals?

The integrated learning experiences that USD purports to provide should not be limited to the weekdays. Weekends provide opportunities for students to explore the greater San Diego community, to study on campus, and to build a greater sense of connection with the USD community through social interaction. The absence of services and programs creates dissatisfaction and can lead to attrition, which affects USD’s fiscal viability.

Graduate and law students as well as undergraduate students have voiced the need for gathering places and services after 10 p.m. so that their academic and social interaction after class hours might be enhanced.

Who is responsible for implementing and monitoring this objective?

A Weekend and Evening Programming and Services Task Force composed of representatives from a number of departments with responsibility for programs as well as representatives from campus services. The Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students co-chairs the committee with his executive assistant. The responsibility for implementation and monitoring of this objective lies within the Student Development division of Student Affairs.

What steps are necessary to achieve this objective?

1. Establish task force to address the complaints about the lack of weekend services and programs (Fall 2004).
2. Develop collaboratively with all programming groups a complete schedule of weekend programs and services to be distributed during Orientation week.
3. Develop plan for extended hours in collaboration with dining services and library personnel based on student requests, program support needs and fiscal viability.
4. Identify budget resources needed to support programs and services.
5. Establish permanent committee with representatives from Associated Students, Residence Hall Association, Campus Recreation, Athletics, Student Organizations and Greek life, Parents Association, Campus Connections, Library, Outdoor Adventures and Dining Services to ensure continued pre-planning of weekend programs and services.
6. Establish regular communication channels with First-Year and Sophomore-Year Experience committees to foster collaboration and integration.
7. Develop mechanisms for regular communication of weekend and evening programs and services.
8. Establish and continually update Weekend website.
9. Initiate an assessment process to determine ongoing student satisfaction with weekend programs and services.

What measurable indicator(s) can be used to monitor progress?

• Programs and services planned by June 30 of each year.
• Brochure describing programs and services available on weekends printed during the summer and distributed during Orientation.
• Student satisfaction survey designed, distributed and results analyzed.
• Funding made available though various campus resources to support program.

Proposed timeline—what is to be accomplished by:

2005-06	Brochure describing weekend programs and services distributed during Fall 2005 Orientation and Spring 2006 Orientation. Permanent committee and website established. Formal communication channels established with First-Year and Sophomore-Year Experience Committees. Representatives from the Weekend and Evening Task Force on UC Expansion committee.
2006-07	Survey results analyzed. Committee continues to coordinate programs and services and communicate information to the campus community. Committee considers implications of expanded University Center for weekend and late evening programs. Continue to explore off-campus opportunities and transportation issues.
2007-08	Ongoing assessment and satisfaction surveys conducted and analyzed. Continued collaboration with representative programming groups and with the First-Year and Sophomore-Year Experience committees. Assessment plan developed for weekend and evening programs and services in the expanded University Center.
2008-09	Expanded and renovated University Center re-opens with expanded hours and services.
2009-10	Ongoing assessment of services and programs.

What resources will be required to accomplish this objective?

Financial	Funding from students ($1,000 available to undergraduate organizations for programs open to the entire campus) and administration (additional staffing in various facilities) for programs and extended services.
Personnel	Staffing for extended dining hours in various venues.
Space	Utilize currently available spaces in University Center, Sports Center, playing fields, etc. Expanded University Center.
Technical	Website, potential upgrading of sound system. A wireless University Center.