Information on the various forms of parental involvement in higher education is lacking. This paper investigates parental engagement in college students' academic lives, the mode and frequency of student-parent communications, and how all of this varies across different student populations (by race/ethnicity, social class, parental immigrant…

Describes the process by which one university considered the development of a multicultural student union and the research project that was undertaken to gain information from all campus constituencies concerning the interest in such a union. Reports on student responses gathered in telephone interviews and discusses implications for other…

The purpose of this study was to explore recreational prescription drug use among undergraduate students. Although anecdotal accounts on this subject abound, empirical research is extremely limited. Data from a survey of a random sample of 734 students at a large public research university in the Northeast were examined. Results indicate that a…

Resident Advisors (RAs) have a significant hand in helping students adjust and thrive in college life. Given the importance of selecting high-performing RAs, this study sought to examine how well various measures of intelligence (e.g., general, emotional) in addition to personality and additional "internal belief" characteristics predict…

This study of National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) institutional members (n=294) examines professional preferences for educationally and legally sound procedures to manage academic misconduct. Based on the results, a model policy is provided as a benchmark of current thought against which academic institutions may…

The student recreation center (SRC) at many colleges and universities has evolved from being a place to lift weights and take aerobics classes to becoming a high-powered recruitment tool (Colleges use recreation, 2002). The present study included the development of an instrument to assess the use and impact of SRCs. Students (N = 655; users = 537,…

Provides a background on the importance of research in student affairs. Presents information about Project Pulse, a weekly telephone survey operation at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Describes studies on fire safety, awareness of the threat of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome on campus, and cigarette smoking. Discusses…

Suggests college campuses conduct studies of nontraditional students to determine their characteristics and needs. Presents sample study of nontraditional students. Provides recommendations to student personnel administrators concerning these studies, focusing on including the students themselves, methodology, and disseminating the findings. (ABL)

Surveyed chief student affairs officers (N=564) to determine effects of current safety standards and practices in college cheerleading. Found injury rate lower than six major team sports; no correlation between injuries and coach training; greater number of injuries when under supervision; and institutions with no cheerleading guidelines tended to…

Attempts to assess current alcohol-policy changes on campus and their possible implications for student personnel administrators. Reports results from completed surveys (N=600) on alcohol policy. Makes recommendations based on findings from the study. (Author/ABB)

Special report by the NASPA Division of Research and Program Development. (Author)

The present study examined how important services were for distance learners and how satisfied they were with the services provided to them. Data were collected through a national on-line survey and threaded discussion. Results revealed that services overall were not particularly important to participants, though there were significant differences…

Heavy drinking continues to be a nationally recognized problem on college campuses. This article describes how student affairs professionals play a pivotal role in identifying and referring these students for relevant services. A five-step model for alcohol screening, advising, and referral is described using motivational enhancement strategies.

Examined 600 student and 300 faculty perceptions of the environment at the University of Wyoming as it relates to student retention and attrition. Results suggest that perceptions of persistors and subsequent dropouts differ less than expected. (TE)

With the passage of Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 was amended to make it substantially easier for institutions of higher education to notify parents when their students violate institutional policies or laws concerning alcohol and other drugs. This study examines how common parental…