CSU offers a variety of student services designed to augment its academic programs and to provide outside the classroom opportunities for growth and development in all areas of the students life. The Educational Environment Task Force was charged with examining the current condition of units within the university that have a significant impact on the educational environment, to determine whether they were fulfilling their stated purposes and, then, to present plans to link these activities with academic programs. The units reviewed included the athletics programs, Counseling, Wellness, Family Life and Career Development Centers, student government, student organizations and student publications, and Student Support Services.

The Career Development and Counseling Centers received the highest scores on the Council for the Advancement of Standards Assessment (CAS) self-study instrument and were determined to be the strongest among the units reviewed. Existing conditions relating to student government, organizations, and publications, and scholarly clubs, suggested there was a disparity among the groups regarding organizational operations, administrative functions and budgets. Other units studied appear to be fulfilling their missions and stated purposes although adequate information describing their various programs is not generally available to the CSU community.

Currently, athletics is attempting to fulfill its competitive sports mission; however, few students benefit from the limited opportunities for participation. The role of intercollegiate athletics in the future of CSU could be pivotal. Unlike most institutions with division one athletic programs, CSU's programs are not highly visible. In the future, it is clear that these programs must play an important role in generating enthusiasm, pride and visibility to justify their existence.

Indeed, athletic teams are, in the American culture, public representatives of their universities and, like it or not, college and universities are often judged-too superficially-by the quality of their teams. Thus, each team should be a reflection as perfect as possible of the ideals and values of the university it represents. So wrote John Hannah in 1963. It is certainly true that athletics often serve as the public face of the university, and sometimes it is the sole source of the culture and values of the institution for large segments of the public. As the university completes reviews of all major activities through strategic planning, it is fitting that intercollegiate athletics should also develop a plan for the future, with the aim of building a model program that fulfills its role as institutional representative and standard bearer for CSU and its values.

The Educational Environment Task Force concluded that Chicago State Universitys educational environment lacked a coordinated effort to provide standardized qualitative student support services. Athletic programs, recreational activities, student government as well as all student organizations, warrant immediate attention by the universitys administration based upon the task forces findings.

Coordination, communication, dissemination of information, and appropriate funding for number of students served were the emerging themes the task force found. Overall, better program marketing and promotion, both on and off campus are needed in all areas reviewed. A central location or office where information on all aspects of campus life and university services available to students should be established.