Welcome, and thank you for visiting the Student Affairs–Dean of Students page during Vandal Giving Day.

Every semester, students arrive on campus with hopes, goals, and the determination to build meaningful futures. Through the programs and initiatives housed within Student Affairs, we work to ensure that every student has the support, opportunities, connections, and resources they need to thrive both personally and academically.

Your generosity helps sustain and grow a variety of student engagement and retention programs designed to meet students where they are. From helping students navigate challenges, to building community, to creating opportunities for leadership, belonging, and personal development, these programs play a vital role in helping Vandals persist and succeed.

Giving to the programs within Student Affairs directly supports initiatives that strengthen student well-being, foster engagement, and remove barriers that can stand in the way of student success. Your support allows us to respond to student needs in meaningful, compassionate, and sustainable ways.

Thank you for believing in our students and for being part of our Vandal Family. Go, Vandals!

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMS

Bruce and Kathy Pitman Emergency Fund 

Donations to the Bruce & Kathy Pitman Emergency Fund are essential because they provide immediate support to University of Idaho students facing unexpected financial hardships. Whether it’s an unforeseen medical bill, housing emergency, or loss of income, this fund helps students stay on track and continue their education during times of crisis. Every gift offers a safety net for students when they need it most, reflecting the compassion and strength of the Vandal community. By contributing, you help ensure that no Vandal has to choose between meeting basic needs and pursuing their academic goals.

Counseling & Mental Health Center Biofeedback Program 

Mental health challenges can affect students’ ability to learn, persist, and succeed in college. Research suggests that HRV biofeedback, which uses guided breathing and real-time body signals to help students regulate stress, can reduce stress and anxiety, lower school burnout, and improve overall well-being. Supporting this work helps Vandals thrive in both their academic and personal lives by making accessible, effective tools available to strengthen resilience and support mental health. Your support will help make this valuable resource more available to our Vandals!

Joe’s Closet 

Joe’s Closet is a two-day event organized by the Office of the Dean of Students to provide Vandals with gently-used and new clothing to dress for success in job interviews, thesis presentations, and other career-enhancing academic events. To run the event, we rely entirely on donations of clothing from individuals, local organizations, and a few corporate sources. Our goal is to expand our inventory of new clothing by working with suppliers such as Marshall’s, Ross Dress for Less, Costco, and others. Your donation will help our Vandals put their best faces forward to succeed in their journey beyond the University of Idaho!

Outdoor Program Student Scholarships 

The University of Idaho Outdoor Program empowers students to lead, teach, and inspire through outdoor adventure. To ensure our student staff have the highest level of training, we are raising funds for scholarships that support industry-standard certifications like Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue, and Climbing Wall Instruction. These certifications enhance risk management, leadership, and professional development for our student leaders.  

Recreation and Wellbeing Student Appreciation 

The Recreation and Wellbeing programs and the Student Recreation Center are run for students, by students. Help us say thank you to our student leaders and employees who work hard every day to serve the Vandal community. These funds go towards student appreciation events and awards for our most outstanding students.

Student Sustainability Cooperative 

The Student Sustainability Cooperative (SSC) empowers students to transform the University of Idaho through hands‑on sustainability leadership, innovative problem‑solving, and meaningful community action. Your support directly fuels the next generation of leaders who are shaping a greener, more equitable future at the University of Idaho and beyond. Join us in building a campus where sustainability is not just an initiative, but a lasting part of the Vandal experience.

Vandal Healing Garden Endowment
The Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial is an outdoor space designed to create peace and comfort. Dedicated to remembering former students who have died while attending the University of Idaho, the garden was planned, designed and built by students from the College of Art and Architecture Design-Build and Landscape Architecture departments. Each spring, a remembrance ceremony is held here to honor any students who passed away the previous year, and to remember those already memorialized. 

Vandal Spirit Squad Student Scholarships 

The John L. Reager Fund was established in remembrance of one of the first Vandal Cheerleaders, with the goal of supporting future Vandal Spirit Squad members. This endowment allows for scholarship support for one member of the Vandal Cheer Team and one member of the Vandal Gems Dance Team. Help us support these nationally recognized student athletes.