Irvine: Student Services

Student Services on the Irvine campus had their inception in March, 1964, with the appointment of Richard L. Balch as vice-chancellor--student affairs. In May, 14 months before the arrival of the first student body, administrative plans were made for services in areas that included housing and food, health, student placement, financial aids, scholarships and loans.

Housing and Food Services
When Ellene J. Sumner began her duties as director of housing and food services in September of 1964, plans were already being drawn for eight student residences on the campus. Under her direction a contract for food services with a national food service organization was prepared and subsequently approved by the Regents in February of 1965. The agreement provided for meals for resident students, off-campus students, faculty and staff; for snack bars and vending machines, food concessions, and catering service at events on the campus calendar.

Food service available by the fall of 1965 included dining facilities in the commons, a snack bar and lounge on the lower level of the commons, and vending machines installed in strategic locations on campus.

Student Health Service
Pending completion of a separate student health service facility in the late 1960s, a temporary on-campus medical service under the supervision of Gerald B. Sinykin, M.D., was readied in the Campus Hall for Irvine's opening in September, 1965. The facility offered first aid, out-patient care, early diagnosis, and immunization services. The effectiveness of the service was greatly increased by adoption of an insurance plan confirmed in June, 1965, which provided hospital and surgical care and procedures for the student, as well as emergency care for students unable to utilize the campus facility.

Student Placement, Financial Aids, Scholarships, Loans
Student placement service was a function of the Financial Aids Office which was supervised by Lyle C. Gainsley, registrar and admissions officer. Assistance was offered to students who wished to supplement their financial resources by securing part-time employment.

In December of 1964, Clayton Garrison, dean of fine arts, was appointed chairman of the Committee on Scholarships and Student Financial Aids with the responsibility for determining policy and awards for the 1965-66 academic year. Mrs. Bette L. Abs was named as financial aids secretary. The committee evaluated and acted upon more than 300 applications for aid received in the filing period for Irvine's initial year. The chancellor acted upon the committee's recommendation of awards which included 12 Regents' scholarships, five President's scholarships, and 50 University and privately endowed scholarships.

The Regents of the University, various organizations, and philanthropic individuals contributed funds toward the creation of several student loan funds. The funds for this purpose were administered in accordance with conditions stipulated by the donors and by administrative regulations of the Regents. Loans from these funds were generally of a short-term nature and ordinarily did not bear interest.

Long-term loans for students from the Regents' Loan Fund and National Defense Education Act funds were also available to qualified undergraduate and graduate students. Loan applications were first accepted and processed at Irvine beginning July 1, 1965.

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