Student development has become a buzz word within the student affairs profession and the concept of student development has become the guiding paradigm of the student affairs profession. Unfortunately, this embracing of student development lacked the necessary critique or debate essential to academics. This digest provides an abstract of a major critique of student development theories in an effort to stimulate discussion and debate on this issue. The student development model is examined: in relation to its adequacy in the areas of philosophy; as a theoretical base; as a research base; as a body of literature; and as a guide for practice. The model was found to possess many inadequacies in these foregoing areas and student affairs professionals are advised to reevaluate the model's applicability. Even as a guiding paradigm for the profession, the model is found to be lacking. It is suggested that the profession return to its historical and philosophical roots and build and innovate from there. It is hoped that this digest will stimulate the debate and analysis necessary to address the limitations of the current student development model. (RJM)