The Office of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD) exists to affirm the academic and societal mission of Boston College within the context of its Catholic and Jesuit tradition. This mission strongly affirms the uniqueness of the individual and recognizes the dignity and worth of each person. Jesuit education fosters the intellectual, religious, ethical, and personal formation of each student. Graduates of Jesuit colleges and universities are expected to be leaders in society by promoting justice and sharing faith in every facet of life.
The Office of the Dean for Student Development plays a major role on campus by:
- fostering student interaction and involvement outside the formal classroom setting by advising, supporting, and providing resources and services for student clubs and organizations;
- creating a community environment where dialogue and conversation on important personal life and campus issues can take place in an atmosphere of friendship, trust, and respect;
- acting as student advocates by creating opportunities to represent student views and concerns to the wider University community;
- advising and supporting the governance structures developed by students elected to the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC);
- acting as educators by sponsoring programs that encourage responsible decision making, accountability, appreciation of diverse cultures and values, justice, and respect for all members of the University community; and
- developing and enforcing community standards that create an environment conducive to the intellectual, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual growth of all its members.
The collective work of ODSD focuses on the personal formation of students. Staff members have been trained to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to student life issues on campus. Leadership education and mentoring opportunities are offered to many student groups and individual students as they move through their experience at Boston College. Specific areas of concern for the Dean's office include: evaluating the social and cultural needs of students and encouraging the development of programs to meet those needs; developing student leadership skills; coordinating the Student Judicial System and all matters relative to student conduct and behavior; conducting research and implementing University policies pertaining to student life; facilitating programs of alcohol and other drug education; processing immigration procedures for international students and scholars; providing services to students with hearing, visual, mobility, medical, and psychiatric disabilities; and helping foster relationships among students and between students and neighbors or community groups.
Staff members in ODSD serve on numerous University committees and special project teams in order to advance student development, improve services, and build understanding and positive communication among students. Staff members are involved in advising the Undergraduate Government, the Women's Resource Center, the Graduate Student Association and graduate student life, the Student Organization Funding Committee, O'Connell House, and virtually all student clubs and organizations. Within the broader University community, the Office of the Dean for Student Development maintains close working relationships with academic departments as well as all other Student Affairs offices.
The primary responsibility of the Office of the Dean for Student Development is to assist students in obtaining maximum educational benefit from collegiate life outside the classroom. From this purpose emerges the Office of the Dean for Student Development's involvement in all phases of student life and thus most aspects of the University.