Background
In April 2022, the Caltech Co-Curricular Group (C3) Final Report highlighted several significant issues affecting student life at Caltech. The report emphasized that the intense focus on academics and research often hinders holistic student development. Many students expressed feeling unsupported in transitioning to industry careers, with career services and the curriculum overly focused on academic pathways. Alumni described their time at Caltech as "difficult," "painful," and "traumatic," citing long-term negative impacts on self-esteem and mental health.
The report also pointed out inadequate formal support structures, with many students relying heavily on peers due to the perceived lack of effective advisors and counseling services. According to the 2021 Assessment of Climate for Learning, Living, and Working, 71% of respondents felt "comfortable" overall, but only 38% of women and 65% of trans-spectrum respondents felt the same, compared to 78% of men. Additionally, 19% reported experiencing exclusionary or hostile conduct, with trans-spectrum (41%) and women respondents (22%) reporting higher rates. Only 39% of graduate students felt a strong sense of belonging, compared to 52% of undergraduates, leading a significant percentage to consider leaving Caltech.
Between 2015 and 2019, the percentage of undergraduates disagreeing with the statement "administrators at Caltech are genuinely concerned with my welfare" increased from 42% to 51%, suggesting a growing sense of distrust within the undergraduate community. Faculty concerns about declining student preparedness, increased course failures, and rising Honor Code violations have strained relationships further.
In response to these challenges, ASCIT is launching the Student Life and Experience Conference (SLEC). This initiative aims to foster collaboration between students, faculty, and administration, addressing all aspects of the student experience through data-based recommendations and actionable plans, with the goal of creating a more supportive and unified Caltech community.
Objectives
The objectives of the Student Life and Experience Conference are:
- Facilitate Transparent and Constructive Dialogue: Ensure that all voices are heard and valued by promoting open and transparent communication among students, faculty, and administrative staff.
- Develop and Implement Actionable Recommendations: Based on thorough data analysis and stakeholder input, create a clearly articulated plan to enhance engagement, support, and overall well-being of the entire Caltech community.
- Promote Inclusivity and Unity: Through the conference, develop initiatives and programs that promote inclusivity and unity, ensuring that all members of the Caltech community feel valued, supported, and interconnected.
Overview
The Student Life and Experience Conference (SLEC) will extend the format of the established Student Faculty Conference (SFC) to cover important non-academic aspects of student life. The SFC will continue to focus on academic issues, involving only students and faculty, while the SLEC will also include administrative staff to ensure a holistic approach to enhancing the student experience. The SFC will be held on April 10, 2025, followed by the SLEC on April 11, 2025, both in Ramo Auditorium. The scopes of each committee are currently being finalized and maybe adjusted to be more appropriate.
Special Topic Committees
Special Topic Committees are designed to address overarching topics relevant to current circumstances surrounding the student experience. These topics are decided by the Conference Chair and are intentionally broader in scope compared to standing committees. Summaries of the scope and objectives for the 2025 special topic committees are given below:
Evaluate the role of extracurricular activities in enhancing the undergraduate student experience, focusing on personal development and overall well-being. It aims to integrate extracurricular activities into campus life, promote inclusivity, and develop strategic recommendations for improvement.
Address interpersonal and institutional relationships among students, faculty, and administrative staff. It aims to foster effective communication, enhance the co-curricular experience, and recommend policy reforms to improve campus relationships.
Standing Committees
Standing Committees focus on specific, ongoing aspects of student life. These committees will be present in future SLECs, analogous to the SFC option committees. Given the interconnected nature of various aspects of student life, discussions and topics may overlap between different committees. To avoid this, committee chairs will coordinate with the conference chair regularly.
Enhance the first-year experience by analyzing data and developing initiatives to support academic and social success. It focuses on refining onboarding processes and creating support structures for incoming students.
Assess and enhance the club experience on campus, focusing on student engagement and inclusivity. It aims to expand support for clubs, streamline operations, and facilitate collaboration between clubs, academic divisions, and other campus organizations.
Evaluate and improve the structure, policies, and processes related to campus events. It aims to enhance event planning and execution to maximize student participation and satisfaction.
Inform community member of pertinent policy changes. Discuss student facing aspects of the admissions process as well as how student, faculty, and staff can collaborate to further better the admissions process on top of previous improvements.
Assess and enhance housing policies and allocation systems to ensure equity and adaptability. It focuses on developing long-term housing strategies and improving the residential experience for all students.
Evaluate and improve campus dining services to meet diverse dietary needs and preferences. It aims to enhance food quality, expand dietary options, and implement sustainable practices in dining operations.
Optimize athletics programs and facilities to ensure they are inclusive and supportive of student development. It evaluates resource allocation and recommends enhancements to athletic support and engagement.
Evaluate and enhance diversity and inclusion initiatives to foster an equitable campus environment. It focuses on assessing current programs, gathering community feedback, and developing strategic recommendations.
Assess and enhance policies and practices related to accessibility and equity. It aims to identify barriers and develop strategies to ensure full participation and inclusivity for all campus members.
Evaluate and enhance health and wellness resources to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the Caltech community. It focuses on improving accessibility and expanding health services.
Optimize career services and graduate pathways to enhance professional and academic outcomes for students. It evaluates current programs and develops initiatives to broaden career support and opportunities.