Environmental Assessment-ARPE 623 Spring 2010

San Diego State University (SDSU)

Jennifer Louie

DESCRIPTION OF INSTITUTION & NATURE OF YOUR INTEREST/KNOWLEDGE

I chose to analyze San Diego State University, my undergrad and graduate institution. SDSU is a public
university established in 1897 and was founded as a coeducational institution. It is an
academically rich, urban university that emphasizes equity, access, diversity, and teaching.
The nature of my interest in this institution lies in my personal history and commitment to the
espoused mission and values. I very much wanted an institution that fosters and promotes
diversity throughout its curricular and co-curricular activities and events.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The sources of information from for my assessment include the SDSU website, csumentor.com, personal
experience, The Daily Aztec, SDSU’s Diversity website, Carnegie Classification website, all the student
affairs department websites, the SDSU general catalog, Wikipedia, SDSU NewsCenter, and SDSU 360
Magazine.

I also utilized stories that I’ve heard from undergraduate and graduate students. Although official
university websites can offer a representation of the institutional climate, culture, and facts, I find that
hearing about experiences from current students offers a beneficial compare and contrast to official
university documents.

INSTITUTIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS

Size: 35,832 students

Location: SDSU is located in San Diego, CA in the College Area. CSUMentor’s describes the location
description as in or near a large town (population 25,000-75,000). There is also an additional Imperial
Valley Campus located in Calexico, CA.
Student Demographics: As on Fall 2009, SDSU had 42.3% men and 57.7% women. The average age for
first-time freshman was 18.5, 22.4 for undergraduate, and 30 for graduate. In terms of ethnicity, students
reported 0.5% American Indian, 4.1% African American, 20.7% Mexican American, 5.2% Other Hispanic,
4.4% Asian, 2.7% Southeast Asian, 0,8% Pacific Islander, 7.4% Filipino, 1.3% Multiple Ethnicities, 41.0%
White, 8.5% Other/Not Stated and 3.4% International. The average units taken my first-time freshman and
undergraduates was 13.3 and graduate students enrolled in an average of 9.2.
Type: SDSU is a y-year and above public institution. The undergraduate instructional program is
Bal/HGC: Balanced arts & sciences/professions, high graduate coexistence. The Graduate instructional
program is Doc/Prof: Doctoral, professions dominant. SDSU is a high undergraduate (HS) institution. The
undergraduate program is T4/S/HTI: Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in and the size and
setting is L4/NR: Large four-year, primarily nonresidential. SDSU is a high research activity university,
with a distinction of American’s #1 small research university.
Median Age/Age range: The average age for first-time freshman was 18.5, 22.4 for undergraduate, and
30 for graduate.
Scope of Athletics: SDSU offers men’s baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer and tennis. For women,
they offer basketball, crew, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball and
water polo. The mission of the San Diego State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to
support the university mission by providing a balanced, high-quality education for student-athletes, and by
serving the university community, alumni, and friends through success and distinction within an
environment of uncompromising integrity. The goal of the department is the same as that of the university:
 Environmental Assessment-ARPE 623 Spring 2010
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Jennifer Louie
excellence. That excellence is to be demonstrated in graduation of student-athletes, service, and
competitive success against major collegiate competition. Intercollegiate Athletics recognizes its role in
promoting school pride and uniting students, faculty, staff, and alumni through shared experiences. It will
strive to be recognized as a leader in diversity and inclusion, and will promote an environment of
teamwork, leadership, and personal accountability.
Greek life: Greek life as SDSU has been a core component of the campus community since 1899. There
are 45 social fraternities and sororities, including both general and culturally based organization,
represented by four governing councils. These councils are Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic
Association, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the United Sorority and Fraternity Council. Greek life is a
major component of campus life and student culture at this university. Many undergraduates choose to
get involved in Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association as part of their campus experience.
Commuter/Residential: Information regarding community students is sparse. The university does not have
Commuter, Residential, or Transfer lounges to support this community. In the New Aztec Center Student
Union plans, commuter student services will be a priority as these students are often forgot about.
In/Out State: Most students that enroll at SDSU are from California: San Diego, Orange County, Los
Angeles, and Bay Area. While international and out of state students are on campus, they are few and far
between.
Mission: The mission of San Diego State University shall be to provide well-balanced, high quality
education for undergraduate and graduate students and to contribute to knowledge and the solution of
problems through excellence and distinction in teaching, research, and service. The university shall impart
an appreciation and broad understanding of human experience throughout the world and the ages.
Surrounding environment: SDSU is located in a college area surrounded by restaurants, malls, public
transportation systems, and other universities as UC San Diego, Point Loma, University San Diego, and
community colleges.
Tuition amount: The tuition fees for Spring 2010 are $1,650 for part time undergraduate and $2,469 for full
time undergraduate. Graduate students pay $1,923 for part time and $2,964 for full time. Doctoral
students pay $4,821 for part time and full time.
Financial Aid: The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships provides financial support for all qualified
students from freshman to graduate. There are three types of aid: grants, loans and work study. Students
may also apply for scholarships based on merit, major, discipline, department and community service.
Staff/Faculty student ratio: Since SDSU is not a research-focused institution, there is more emphasis
placed on teaching and student learning. The class sizes at SDSU range from 10 students to a lecture of
500 students. Faculty are available before and after class and also during office hours. Staff members are
readily available on campus during business hours but are easier to get in touch with in certain
departments.

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE

Ceremonies: SDSU offers a Convocation ceremony for students, faculty, and staff to kickoff the new
academic year. There are also Commencement ceremonies held in May for all the graduates. In addition,
there are cultural graduation ceremonies including Filipino grad, Latino grad, Chicano/a grad and Black
Baccalaureate.

Traditions: There are a wide range of activities and events that have become a staple if SDSU traditions
and culture including AzFest, Family Weekend, Homecoming Week, Welcome Week, Aztec Nights, and
the Undie Run.

Language: SDSU if typically referred to as State. The residence halls all have shortened nicknames such
as Chappy, Cuic, Z-Town, UT and T-Noch. Students looking to add a class and are on the waitlist are
 Environmental Assessment-ARPE 623 Spring 2010
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Jennifer Louie
referred to as “crashers” hoping to get an add code from the professor. Students can often be heard
talking about the streets surrounding the university such as Montezuma, College, El Cajon, 55th and
Campanile.

Symbols: SDSU is known for its colors Red and Black. The institutional logos vary from the Presidential
Seal, Athletics Symbol, and the SDSU Hepner Hall logo. Since the mascot is the Aztec, one can typically
see an Aztec Warrior at athletic games and other campus events. The Warrior is usually seen with a
loincloth, Aztec shield and spear, gladiator sandals, and eagle head piece.

Campus Artifacts:

Aztec Warrior Mascot Glass Dome Love Library

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPLEXITY

General SDSU Organizational Chart

 Environmental Assessment-ARPE 623 Spring 2010
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Jennifer Louie

Student Affairs Organizational Chart

The majority of senior officials and administrators are centrally located in Manchester Hall on the SDSU
campus (President, Provost, Chief Diversity Officer, etc.). However, the Vice President for Student Affairs
is located in his own office in the Student Services building. Students are allowed to freely walk into both
 Environmental Assessment-ARPE 623 Spring 2010
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Jennifer Louie

buildings making the accessibility of these officers somewhat simple. One must have an appointment.
This rule is different for those who are “regulars” of the office, as they roam somewhat freely around the
office or drop in the say hello.

PERSON-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

People gather at the main “hubs” of campus that include East Commons, West Commons, and Aztec
Center. Students are also seen in the more open areas of campus such as Campanile Walkway and the
grassy fields throughout campus. Faculty, staff and students also meet virtually through internet venues
such as SDSU Newscenter, SDSU blogs, The Daily Aztec forums, and more nontraditional social
networking sites including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Academically, people communicate via
Blackboard on course assignments, documents and discussion boards. Overall, there are ample
opportunities for the campus community to interact.

The social climate is seen as a party school to prospective students and the local campus community.
First-time freshman are aware of this stereotype and often times live up to this expectation and standard.
Greek life, in particular Panhelleic and IFC, are a major social aspect of the SDSU environment. Many
fraternities and sororities are responsible for campus parties on Fraternity Row and students in the
residence halls are first to be involved. There are other portals to become socially included on the campus
including student organizations, community service, volunteer opportunities and athletics. The local area
is chock full of beach towns, making surfing and other water sports a key element that attracts students to
the social environment. A major sticky place is Starbucks in Aztec Center because many faculty, staff,
administrators and students have meetings inside or around the area, making conversations audible by
anyone.

Faculty interactions depend on the type of professor (Adjudct, Lecturer, etc) and how often they are
physically on campus. Many faculty members at SDSU are also teachers at a local community college.
The majority of faculty members hold regular office hours and time before and after class. E-mail is the
prime option for students to get in contact for assignment questions, due dates, projects and course
questions. Although professors are not the fastest to respond, it serves as the best method of
communication for both parties.

Staff members are on campus from approximately 8am until 5pm. Interaction is much easier with campus
staff members because they are much more accessible for students. One can either drop by the office
they are seeking or make an appointment to see an advisor, counselor, mentor, etc. In addition, some
staff members serve as student organization advisors so students actively involved in campus groups
receive more attention from student affairs professionals.

It is interesting to note that East Commons serves as a major communication and interaction venue for
the entire campus community. One can eat in this large food court and see the President eating Panda
Express, the Chief Diversity Officer enjoying Rubio’s, an Admissions counselor drinking coffee and a
student group working on a project. This sticky place is a hub for major communication and discussions
among many levels of the SDSU community.
 Environmental Assessment-ARPE 623 Spring 2010
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Jennifer Louie

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

What process does the university implement to attract and retain faculty and staff members of color?

The institution espouses diversity as an important pillar, but why is there no LGBT Resource Center,
Women’s Center, Lactating Room, Prayer Room, etc?

What methods does SDSU utilize to bridge Academic, Business, and Student Affairs besides
committees?

When will SDSU incorporate its co-curricular transcript and how does this compare to the Certificate in
Cultural Competency?

How has SDSU’s distinction of being the #1 Small Research University changed how the mission is
espoused (ie: valuing teaching and undergraduate learning)?

DISTINCTIVE ELEMENTS OF HYPOTHETICAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM

If I created a new student orientation program, I would hold it in Viejas Arena because that would give
students an opportunity to also see the nearby Aztec Recreation Center, Fraternity Row, Peterson Gym
and the newly built Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. Since these are all staples of the SDSU culture,
students would be immersed in this aspect of campus and be able to visit these centers after orientation.
A critical point of my orientation would be the SDSU Ambassadors (student leadership group) give a
complete campus tour, showing off the mission-style buildings, major traffic areas such as Aztec Center
and East Commons and fun activities for students to participate in such as the Aquaplex and bowling
alley. I would also have the Ambassadors guide students through Fraternity Row since Greek Life is a
popular social component of the SDSU experience. To help students develop a sense of membership and
belonging, I would make sure they traveled to Hepner Hall Walkway and yelled something in the Echo
Statue near the Music Building. Most new students do this when they arrive on campus and it serves
almost as a rite of passage. I would also bring them to East Commons to sit in the food court and take in
the atmosphere of this sticky place. Finally, I would acquaint them with the Residence Halls since most of
them will be spending the next academic year there. To help them acclimate to their new housing
environment, the tour guides would show them the recreation rooms, laundry centers, study lounges,
eateries, and possibly even have them join any res life programming taking place. My orientation would
also allow them to have an SDSU “take away” such as a t-shirt, pin, folder, sticker or hat. This artifact
would foster a sense of belonging and mattering on campus, signifying that the new student is now part of
the Aztec family.
 Environmental Assessment-ARPE 623 Spring 2010
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Jennifer Louie

Pictured is an SDSU artifact for students to take home fro Orientation and the Viejas Arena, the place of
my Orientation as well as the official center for Convocation and Commencement.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

San Diego State University is an academically rich, urban university that provides endless possibilities for
students. Above all, SDSU strives to provide students the tools and resources to help them reach their
potential. The campus itself is a very inviting, aesthetically pleasing and relaxed. In terms of ethnic
diversity, the university is populated with a large percentage of Caucasian and Mexican American
students. SDSU is several students shy of qualifying as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Campus activities
and student life is highly active, with hundreds of student and Greek letter organizations.
Underrepresented cultural communities can find a sense of belonging and mattering in the many cultural
organizations and places on campus. However, this institution is lacking a Women’s Center and an LGBT
Resource Center. Current students and alumni report that this severely impacts resources for students,
physical spaces for students and opportunities for student growth and development.

Academically, SDSU a wide range of majors and minors to suit any undeclared student. It is also helpful
that each major has its own advising center for specialized information and resources. The curriculum at
SDSU is also becoming more culturally diverse, especially with its new LGBT Studies Minor. However,
the class sizes can be overwhelming and large, with the largest lecture fitting up to 500 students.
Students are recommended to

Current students and alumni are pleased with their experience at SDSU. I’ve spoken with commuters who
strictly view SDSU as “school” because they do not want to be on campus and get involved. Overall,
much like other schools, the college experience is what you make of it. Between the university and the
local community, SDSU is a dynamic powerhouse of access, teaching, student involvement and cultural
experiences.