About us

The UC Davis Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is a department within the Division of Student Affairs and the Community Resource and Retention Centers. We serve as the primary contacts for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). Additionally we advise Club Finance Council and each of the six governing sorority and fraternity life councils. CSI staff assists these organizations with funding, event planning, leadership development, organizational growth and management, and more. Our office also serves as the primary contact in Student Affairs for freedom of expression response, consulting, and advocacy. In order to enhance the overall student experience, we intentionally ground our work in the field of Student Affairs and are informed by the Relational Leadership Model and student development theories, and employ best practices to guide our work.

Mission

The Center for Student Involvement empowers students to get involved and to author their own experience through meaningful co-curricular engagement. We purposefully cultivate an environment that enables students to access the resources they need to develop a sense of belonging while discovering their passion.

Vision

Our vision is to be recognized by all UC Davis students, faculty, staff, and community members as the center that empowers students to demonstrate effective leadership strategies to achieve an organizational mission.

We strive to accomplish this through:

  • Engaging students to get involved with and/or create co-curricular experiences that foster personal and professional growth, retention, and sense of belonging.
  • Advocating for the creation and modification of processes, policies, and programs that impact students and campus climate so that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to participate fully and thrive.
  • Empowering students to apply lessons from their co-curricular experiences and trainings to future endeavors.
Core Values

These are the guiding principles that define who we are and how we approach our mission while maintaining a productive, fun and healthy work environment.

Advocacy

We advocate for all student needs and concerns by creating and sustaining institutional change that fosters an inclusive campus climate and promotes retention. We speak up and out on behalf of Registered Student Organizations, student councils, and or boards to be recognized and valued as effective learning environments.

Learning/Growth

We foster purposeful and innovative student centered programming and advising  that is informed by research, theory, and best practices to promote student development, including personal and professional identity, leadership, transferable skills, and integrative learning.

Inclusiveness

We cultivate a welcoming community that is inclusive of all members, embraces difference and diversity, and fosters respect and civility. We strive to ensure everyone has equitable access to the resources they need to participate and fully thrive.

Collaboration

We partner and share information, resources, and ideas in a mutually beneficial way with Registered Student Organizations, student councils, boards, and University departments to form intentional, trustworthy relationships which create community and enhance engagement, outreach, and student involvement.

Empowerment

Students will author their own experiences through the utilization of resources that promote self-awareness, develop leadership skills, and create communal and societal change.  Additionally, students will identify approaches to achieve goals, solve problems and utilize strategies for success.