A complete understanding of education recognizes that learning occurs both in and out of the classroom. Seattle Pacific University seeks to graduate people of competence and character who can lead the way for meaningful change in our world. Together with students, faculty, and staff, the Office of Student Life (OSL) strives to unite learning and living in a grace-filled community as we seek the uncommon path to a good life as described below:

• A life that harmonizes mind with heart, reflection with action, scholarship with celebration, and our own needs with the welfare of others.
• A life of wisdom that transforms ourselves, our students, our neighbors, and our world.
• A life restored to wholeness by the grace of a loving God.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Student Life
The Office of Student Life (OSL) is dedicated to enhancing a vital campus community through dynamic curricular and co-curricular opportunities. To unite these functions, OSL oversees the co-curricular education of students in partnership with academic life and reports directly to the Office of Academic Affairs.

To further strengthen this relationship, the dean of student life serves as associate vice president for academic affairs, providing a liaison between academic work under the vice president for academic affairs and various student life programs. In addition to managing all the units that comprise OSL, the dean of student life acts as ombudsperson to all students to assist in resolving problems. The dean also works with the University�s chief judicial officer in the matter of community standards and expectations, discipline issues, and appeals.

Ombudsperson
Students may request the services of the University ombudsperson as a neutral party who can assist in resolving problems that arise with respect to academic and student life policies. The ombudsperson will help students understand procedures, including both their rights and responsibilities as students, and the rights and responsibilities of University officials. The ombudsperson role does not substitute for the University judicial and appeal channel, but may assist students in understanding and navigating processes. Students wishing the services of a University ombudsperson should contact the associate vice president for academic affairs/dean of student life by calling 206-281-2481.

To resolve problems related to enrollment services, such as admissions, financial aid, student accounts, or registration and records policies, students may contact the Office of the Vice President for Administration and University Relations by calling 206-281-2650.

To appeal a decision to the vice president, a student must first complete the office or area process of appeal. This process is typically a written appeal to the department head. If the student is not satisfied that his or her interests were properly served by the area appeal process, an appeal may be directed to the vice president for administration and university relations. The appeal should include all information that was submitted through the area appeal process.

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