The Office of Learning Resources for Student-Athletes will be renamed the Office of Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS), according to a University press release. The former office was tasked with providing resources and academic support for student-athletes. SAAS will continue to work on this objective, and it is being rebranded as part of the Athletics Strategic Plan and the subsequent Greater Heights capital campaign, announced earlier this month.
“Student-athlete formation is one of the four strategic priorities we identified in the Athletics Strategic Plan and corresponding Greater Heights campaign,” Athletic Director Martin Jarmond said in the release.
“We feel that rebranding the Office of Student-Athlete Academic Services best conveys the complete range of services we offer and illustrates the importance we place on academic growth, development, and inclusion.”
SAAS plans to invest in additional full-time staff and increase study space available to student athletes. Greater Heights is intended to bring in $150 million in additional funds for various athletics budgets. The pillar of student formation within the campaign is meant to place emphasis on preparing athletes for life after college athletics. Renaming SAAS is one of the first steps Boston College has taken as a part of the larger campaign, refocusing the learning resource center on its new mission statement.
“The Office of Student-Athlete Academic Services supports the Boston College academic community and the Athletics Department in our mission to pursue student-athlete excellence, student formation, and a just society by remaining committed to integrity, ethics, and honesty,” the statement said. “We provide comprehensive academic support services to meet the educational, personal, and career development needs of all Boston College student-athletes.
“Consistent with the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, we will take a holistic approach to academic services and student formation, seeking to provide each student athlete with the opportunity to excel at Boston College and in life beyond the Heights.
Michael Harris, the SAAS’s director, views the changes as positive steps that will strengthen the office’s ability to work with student-athletes.
“In the future, SAAS looks forward to furthering our collaborations with campus partners, faculty and Athletics Department staff,” he said in the release.
Robert Murphy, BC’s faculty athletics representative and associate professor of economics, also praised the administration.
“The office provides vital support to our student-athletes for both their academic success and personal development, and I’m delighted it will be receiving enhanced resources for carrying out this important role,” he said in the release.
