Director of Student Affairs (DOSA) office
The Director of Students affairs (DOSA) office is responsible for the overall functioning and performance of student welfare services on four campuses: Bunda, ODL, NRC and City campus. The office provides day to day leadership and direction with respect to policies, practices, systems and
operations in student engagement/campus life, and counseling services. The office also provides and initiates academic and social guidance to students facing challenges.
It ensures quality standards of engagement, handles complaints, grievances and appeals and also performs other duties as needed. This section of the institution contributes to the universitys success as it offers input in the student constitution and student rules and regulations.
DOSA's Office Services
Student Conduct
The DOSA is involved in implementing and enforcing university policies related to student conduct and discipline like rules and regulations. They work to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for all students.
Advising and Support
The office of the DOSA provides guidance and support to students facing academic, personal, or social challenges. They collaborate with other university departments like gender coordinating unit to address the needs of individual students effectively.
Student Events and Activities
The DOSA plays a key role in organizing and coordinating student events, orientation programs, and cultural activities. These events are designed to enrich the student experience and foster a sense of community.
Student Development
The DOSA oversees programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing students' personal and professional development. This includes workshops, seminars, leadership training, and career counseling services.
Student Welfare
The DOSA is responsible for providing support and guidance to students on various welfare matters, including counseling services, healthcare facilities, and accommodation.
Student Grievances
The DOSA serves as a point of contact for students who have grievances or complaints. They work to resolve issues and ensure that students' concerns are addressed in a timely and fair manner.
Student Engagement
The office of the DOSA promotes student engagement in extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations on campus. They strive to create a vibrant and inclusive campus community.
Student Represantation
The DOSA works closely with student union to advocate for student needs and concerns at the institutional level. For example: student loan and repayment, funding for disability costs or child care, funding opportunities that students apply and eligibility criteria and how to apply for funding.
Students Support Services
Provides direction and supervision including support for students who are struggling academically and socially while respecting their confidentiality. This includes support through guidance and advice to students in need.
Develops key collaborative relationships with campus administrators, faculties, and other departments to enhance planning and implementing strategic initiatives, resolving issues, and responding to crisis incidents.
Provides direction and intervention for students in crisis and non-crisis. This includes intervening with mental health issues, providing victim counselling, and working with staff and students affected by the crisis.
Students Welfare
In a nutshell, the student welfare office plans, organizes, directs, and administers activities and services that support students in assigned areas while ensuring this is within their budgetary limits. ?It develops, implements, monitors, and reviews tactical and operational plans, procedures, systems and support in accordance with the universitys strategic goals (policies, procedures and regulatory requirements).
It Provides students with wide leadership skills by involving them in different welfare roles through students unions. The students welfare office coordinates with faculty, staff, and community partners in order to support, provide and/or facilitate activities that ensure that the university achieves its student leadership development, and engagement goals. Ultimately, the Dean of Student Affairs Office is concerned with the physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing of students in both their social and academic life.