From the Dean of Students

Cal has chosen your student and now your student has chosen Cal!  During the time of your student's tenure there will be a myriad of opportunities for learning, growth, self-discovery and engagement on campus or in the community and the Office of Student Life (OSL) will be at the center of those opportunities.

OSL acts as the campus leader in promoting student engagement and co-curricular development by touching virtually every student with its programs and services.  First and foremost, OSL staff are educators who are here to counsel and assist students as they move through their academic and personal journey at Cal. The primary components of OSL are the Dean of Students functions, the Center for Student Opportunities and Leadership, the Cal Corps Public Service Center, the Gender Equity Resource Center, Student Judicial Affairs, and the Attorney for Students.  The shared goals of all OSL programs and services are to provide students with opportunities for leadership development, involvement in public service, and experiences that enable them to explore and clarify their personal values and ethics.

As the Dean of Students, I have the honor every day to engage students and help them explore what it means to take responsibility for their own development and leadership. We define leadership as the process of creating positive social change.  Students here at Cal are given the tools and the laboratory to push beyond what is comfortable for them and to understand best how they learn.

The beauty and vibrancy of our campus invite students to give their all. I encourage you to encourage your students to take full advantage of their collegiate experience and to embrace the campus community as their own. My challenge to students is to take advantage of all Cal offers, to always have more questions than answers, and to contribute broadly. Welcome to the Cal family!

Jonathan Poullard
Dean of Students