Key Initiatives
We are deeply committed to improving student life on campus. The Division of Student Life works with students, faculty, and staff on a wide variety of initiatives from student wellbeing programs, facility enhancements, and new construction to changes in policy.
Initiatives and Reports
The Division of Student Life works with students and Institute stakeholders to set policies and practices that support the experiences of students outside of the classroom.
Data on Student Life
Data is the lifeblood of MIT. We continuously compile data pertinent to DSL to make it easier for community members to find. These data are also available elsewhere on the DSL website and on other MIT websites.
Student Life Renewal & Renovations
Student life spaces are more than just places to gather—they’re where community is built and lifelong memories are made. Through thoughtful construction and renewal, we ensure that these spaces remain welcoming, functional, and inspiring for every generation of students.
East Campus Renovation
Both East Campus parallels closed after MIT’s 2023 Commencement and will stay unoccupied during renovations, expected to last two academic years.
West Campus Graduate Residence
This project on Vassar Street added approximately 675 new beds to MIT’s housing stock and will enrich connections with the surrounding neighborhood.
Key Working Groups
Graduate Housing Advisory Committee
Unites stakeholders from across campus to ensure that the Institute is well-positioned to evaluate and respond effectively to the housing needs of MIT’s graduate student community.
Student Organization Working Group
Helps create an enriching campus experience and opportunities for hands-on learning at MIT, while recognizing the evolving landscape of MIT’s student organizations.
Welcome to SEABoard
DSL Staff Can Get on Board for SEABoard!
The Staff Engagement Advisory Board (SEABoard) was created early in the 2016-2017 academic year at the request of Vice Chancellor for Student Life Suzy Nelson. Vice Chancellor Nelson charged the group to find ways to increase staff engagement and professional development opportunities. It has been an interesting, active time since then. During its first full year, SEABoard Committees organized 17 events and saw several key initiatives implemented, such as the DSL Diversity & Inclusion mission statement and a June All-Staff Professional Development Conference. This pace has continued since then.
SEABoard is organized into three working committees listed below, plus a steering group composed of the leaders of the three committees.
Division of Student Life staff are invited to apply. To do so, please email seaboard@mit.edu.
No special expertise is required; this is an opportunity for us to work together and learn from each other. Committee members need to commit to attending monthly meetings as well as to work individually and in small groups between meetings. SEABoard requires this commitment of 3-5 hours per month but it is also a lot of fun and you get to work with people from all over DSL. When assigning members to committees, the goal will be to establish a diverse group that represents different perspectives, job roles, and departments within DSL.
The SEABoard Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (SEABoard DEI) strives to make DSL a more equitable and inclusive division. SEABoard DEI works collaboratively with other DEI committees within DSL and across the Institute to advance strategic priorities of composition, belonging, and achievement articulated in the Institute Strategic Action Plan for Belonging, Achievement and Composition. We do this by focusing on three key areas: Climate and Assessment, Continuing Education, and Recognition and Celebration.
Climate and Assessment: review existing data and make recommendations for future assessment efforts, as well as learn more about what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to DSL staff
Continuing Education: provide programming and other opportunities for staff development
Recognition and Celebration: find ways to promote and understand the diverse backgrounds represented within DSL
The Social Events & Wellness Committee works to increase staff engagement and encourage work/life balance by focusing on holistic wellness. The committee accomplishes this by planning social, wellness, and virtual initiatives on- and off-campus, as well as supporting relevant programs across DSL. Social events may include fall, winter, and spring socials, an all-staff breakfast, the Infinite Mile Awards ceremony, an annual holiday party, and socials with MIT partners to foster cross-campus relationships. Wellness initiatives include physical and general well-being activities, promotion of campus-wide wellness programs and service opportunities, and possible participation in Cambridge/Boston area events.
The SEABoard Professional Development Committee strives to foster a culture of education, development, and support to all DSL members. The Committee develops and implements programming to enhance proficiency as professionals and staff engagement both in-person and virtually.
Current opportunities and initiatives include, but are not limited to:
Annual Winter Professional Development Conference
DSL Mentorship program DSL Reads
The Staff Engagement Advisory Board (SEABoard) Steering Committee provides support to the three committees, and serves in an advisory capacity to the Vice Chancellor for Student Life to promote staff engagement in the following areas: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Professional Development, Social Events & Wellness, and additional areas as requested. The Committee also makes available relevant data from instruments such as the Quality of Life survey.
