Faculty Handbook 2025–2026

3.3.5 The Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs serves all UVA students – undergraduate, graduate, and professional. It is guided by six core values: academic rigor, sense of community, health and wellness, student engagement, public service, and student self-governance. Units within the division seek to expand the intellectual, social, and cultural horizons of the student body through a broad range of support services and programs that parallel the University’s formal academic curriculum. Within Student Affairs four units (in addition to the vice president’s office), expert staff provide a variety of student services across Grounds:

  • Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) supports the growth and development of students as they progress through the University – from orientation activities to graduation and the launch into careers or further education. Members of the ODOS team advocate for students, connect them with resources in Student Affairs and throughout the University, and provide mentoring and guidance to enhance their academic and personal journeys. Devoted to the concepts of student self-governance and citizen leadership, the team fosters leadership development, community service, and self-growth as students become contributing members of the UVA community. Involvement in student organizations is a major avenue for students to develop skills, form friendships, and discover the values and interests that will potentially become lifelong guideposts long after completing their degrees at UVA. The work of ODOS includes support for more than 750 student organizations, offering students engagement in community service, club sports, the arts, media, professional development, and other interests. Additionally, Greek life is a strong component of the student experience at UVA. Approximately 30 percent of the student body are members of the fraternity/sorority community, which is governed by four Greek Councils.

Integrated into the mission and structure of ODOS, the UVA Career Center works with students at all stages of their college careers. The Career Center’s outreach and collaboration with students include encouraging exploration, offering customized coaching and advising, fostering tailored connections, creating innovative programming, curating relevant content and technologies, developing essential skills, and facilitating transformative experiences. Partnering with faculty and other members of the University community, including affiliated career staff in several schools, Career Center staff develop opportunities for career exploration and discovery throughout the college years. Working with UVA alumni and employers, the Career Center devotes focused attention on applied learning in the form of internships, externships, and part-time work. Pre-law and pre-health counseling offers specialized assistance to students interested in those fields.

When students require assistance outside of the Department, the teams facilitate referrals to the most appropriate resources at UVA or within the community. SHW is housed in a 156,000-square-foot state-of-the-art building with ample space for students to meet individually with their care providers in a welcoming and private setting and access laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy services on-site. With an emphasis on student well-being, the facility also offers spaces for students to explore on their own, including numerous group meeting rooms, quiet study spaces, a living room with a fireplace, wellness suite, reflection rooms, art room, a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, and much more. For more information, please visit the SHW website.

  • Housing & Residence Life(HRL) oversees more than 2.5 million square feet of residential living space and creates welcoming communities where students are supported and encouraged to develop as scholars and leaders through self-governance and participation in residential programming. HRL offers first-year and upperclass options in apartment-, suite-, and hall-style buildings; residential colleges, and language houses. In addition, students can access peer leadership opportunities through the Resident Staff program and Residential Leadership Experience (RLE).
  • Policy, Accountability, and Critical Events (PACE), encompasses coordination and support of student disciplinary processes, policy and compliance, and critical incident/event response. Supporting the student-run Honor and Judiciary committees, PACE promotes a student culture of self-governance, honor, respect, safety, and freedom.

Newcomb Hall serves as the main center of undergraduate student activities at the University, in addition to a satellite facility, 1515 University Ave, in the heart of the Corner area near Grounds. Conveniently located adjacent to the main UVA Bookstore and the Central Grounds Parking Garage, Newcomb houses Fresh Food Co., one of three residential dining rooms on Grounds; a U.S. Postal Service branch; a Bank of America full-service bank; Student Affairs offices and centers welcoming all students, including Student Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Multicultural Student Services, the Veterans Student Center, the Hoos First Student Center; offices for key student organizations, such as Student Council and the Honor Committee; and meeting rooms for students, faculty, and staff. To reserve space in Newcomb Hall or any student activity space, contact Event Management.

In addition to the central support services managed by the Division of Student Affairs, most UVA schools provide some level of student services and support through student affairs professionals in the school. This is especially true of graduate and professional schools. All critical issues and emergencies should route through Student Health and Wellness via Care and Support Services (CASS). If there are immediate safety concerns, faculty should dial 911.