Letter from the Dean of Student Life

Greetings!

Strong Women, Proud Women, All Women, Mills Women! Welcome to Mills College where you will join an amazing 156-year legacy of meaningful traditions as well as an extremely diverse community committed to outstanding education for women. We are beyond excited that you will be joining us as we all engage in SO Mills: Student Orientation beginning Saturday, August 23, 2008. We have created opportunities for you to get connected to critical allies and resources to ensure that you begin your career as a Mills woman with unabashed support.

As the Dean of Students, I have the awesome pleasure and responsibility to lead the Division of Student Life in promoting our vision that you have "a transformative student learning experience" at Mills College. The Division of Student Life is comprised of four departments that are all here to assist you during this important journey: Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (APER)—located in Haas Pavilion; Community Life, comprised of Office of Residential Life (ORL), Office of Student Activities (OSA), and Student Diversity Programs (SDP)—located in Rothwell Center; Student Services, comprised of Career Services Office (CSO), Health Programs (HP), Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), and Spiritual and Religious Life (SRL)—mostly located in the Cowell Building with SRL in the Chapel; Operations, comprised of central systems and the Administrative Support Team—located in the Cowell Building in partnership with the Dean of Students Office. To contact someone in the Division of Student Life, please call 510.430.2130 or email deanofstudents@mills.edu.

The following materials will be mailed to new students for your review:

• President's Letter to New Students
• Academic Advising Assignment & Information
• Housing Assignment (for students living on campus)
• Transportation Information
• Campus Map
• Orientation Schedule At-a-Glance
• New Student Checklist for Success

We encourage your full particpation in Orientation. Research shows that students who are involved both in and outside of the classroom are more likely to succeed academically and persist to graduation. Orientation will give you a head start in making meaningful connections with your new classmates, continuing Mills students, and your academic advisor. It will provide an introduction to a host of resources to assist you in utilizing your brilliance to meet your goals as Mills women who "make the world more!" We know that this is not only an important milestone for you, but also for your family, loved ones and other important people in your life who may be impacted by your decision to join the Mills community. Special programing for those important folks in your life will be available in the afternoon on Saturday, August 23. We will provide further information about this programming as you begin your time at Mills College.

We look forward to having you join our amazing Mills community in the fall! I look forward to meeting each of you, and to challenging and cheering you on through this amazing journey.

All the best,

Joi D. Lewis
Dean of Student Life