Annual Report 2005-2006 - Osgoode Hall Law School - York ...

Student Services
Introduction
The Offices of Student Services encompass the key administrative areas relating to the Bachelor of Laws
Program, namely the Programs & Records Office (PRO); the Recruitment and Admissions Office (RAO); the
Student Financial Services Office (SFSO); and the Career Services Office (CSO). Most aspects of the academic
and administrative life of the approximately 900-strong LLB student body are impacted daily by these areas.
In 2005-06, the Offices of Student Services began operating under an enhanced philosophy of
partnership with its constituents, primarily the student body. While still offering a high level of dedication
and service, students were encouraged by all areas within Student Services to play a much more active
and engaged role in their academic and administrative life at Osgoode. Given the positive response of
students, generally, such an emphasis will continue to guide decisions and actions for the area in 2006-07.
There is a growing concern, however, that while some students and constituents are prepared to take on
such responsibilities, others are unwilling and/or unable, creating increased friction and security concerns
among members of Student Services. In addition, most of the areas deal with decision-making of some
sort, often times resulting in a negative response to a student request. There is an increasing sense that
students (and other constituents) are unwilling to accept such responses and will react accordingly,
further increasing the regular pressures on all those in this “front-line” capacity at the Law School.
Further, all Offices of Student Services recognize clearly the need for engagement and cooperation among
all constituents of the Law School in attaining both individual area goals, and the overall goals of the Law
School. In addition to the students (prospective, current and alumni), Student Services members often
work closely and intensely throughout the year with the Osgoode Faculty and Faculty Assistants,
Advancement Office, Communications Manager, IT Department, Executive Office, Research and Graduate
Programs Office and the Dean’s Office. Success is only possible in any particular area when cooperation,
understanding and fairness exist among all areas and constituents.
The upcoming year, 2006-07, will likely see decisions in many areas arising from the Law School’s
Strategic Plan that will impact the Law School, generally, but the Offices of Student Services directly.
Student Services will be called upon to design, implement and/or administer a variety of new initiatives,
including a Mandatory Public Interest Requirement, First Year Curricular Changes, increased
Combined/Joint Programs and expanded International Student Exchange Opportunities. At the same time,
the Ontario Government’s decisions on tuition and student funding will have direct impact on our Student
Financial Assistance programs (including our Bursary, Special Funding and Scholarship processes), as well
as create resource challenges for the Offices of Student Services.
Key Developments and Accomplishments of 2005-06
The Student Services team continued to work together cohesively and effectively last year, welcoming a
new Associate Dean, Director of Career Services (covering a two-year leave) and a Recruitment &
Admissions Coordinator (covering a one-year maternity leave). In addition, over the summer of 2005, the
area underwent an extensive review by York’s Human Resources Department. The review identified what
the members of Student Services have been stating for some time: the Student Services area is underresourced
considering the demands placed on each area. The report provided a number of
recommendations regarding staffing solutions, both short-term and long-term, which were reviewed in
2005-06 and will be implemented in 2006-07 and beyond. With respect to the work of the Student Services
Team, below are some of the more significant accomplishments of the various areas, from 2005-06:
24 OSGOODE HALL LAW SCHOOL