Student-Centeredness at UC San Diego
About UC San Diego
The University of California San Diego—one of the world’s top public research universities—is defined by a culture of risk-taking, collaboration, and innovation. Established in 1960, UC San Diego has been shaped by exceptional scholars who aren’t afraid to look deeper, challenge expectations, and transform conventional wisdom in order to make our world better.
The university is organized into seven undergraduate residential colleges, five academic divisions—Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Jacobs School of Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences—and five professional and graduate schools, including the Rady School of Management, School of Global Policy and Strategy, School of Medicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography/School of Marine Sciences, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
UC San Diego is committed to achieving inclusive excellence. Through innovative programs and scholarships, the campus offers access to higher education for students from all backgrounds, including first generation students and those from underserved communities. Students are invited to engage in open dialogue, to develop leadership skills, and to learn about social issues at six campus community centers.
Statement on Student-Centeredness
"UC San Diego is committed to being a student-centered research university by putting all students first; inviting and respecting their voices and existing strengths; and honoring the intersectional identities of our Triton community. As a campus, we hold ourselves and each other accountable to transformative action that ensures equity, inclusion, and success across all aspects of the student experience at UC San Diego."
Background
2017
In 2017, Latinx students participating in focus groups asked the HSI Taskforce to define what “student-centered” meant.
2019
In 2019, the HSI Workgroup decided that this recommendation could benefit the entire campus community and moved it into the purview of the VCSA.
2019-2020
During the 2019-2020 academic year, the VCSA office launched an IdeaWave Campaign, conducted focus groups, and began to draft the statement in partnership with the Undergraduate Experience Success Team (UEST).
Voices Represented in the Student-Centered Campaign
Presentations to Campus Community Members
During the Summer and Fall of 2020, the statement was presented to various campus partners for review and feedback including:
- Chancellor & Executive Vice Chancellor
- Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs Leadership
- Student Retention and Success Leadership
- Student Life Leadership
- Global Education Leadership
- Academic Senate and Academic Deans
- The Colleges
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Housing, Dining, and Hospitality (HDH)
- Associated Students
- Graduate and Professional Student Association
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Leadership
- Council of Provosts
- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Workgroup
- Undergraduate Experience Success Team