Drawing on Sanford's notions of challenge and support, coupled with Tinto's theory on retention, this quantitative investigation sought to measure the association between supportive relationships and success in college for a sample of Black men. Results suggest that supportive relationships are associated with higher levels of satisfaction but not…

This study revisited research on award-winning campus leaders who were effective change agents working on the behalf of first-year students (Anttonen & Chaskes, 2002). Participants were recipients of the "Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award" given annually by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in…

Student affairs could potentially play a vital role in the internationalization of colleges and universities, but the extent to which international issues are included in the preparation of future student affairs administrators has remained relatively unknown. As such, a team of researchers sought to investigate the extent of internationalization…

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…

Continuing professional development is a foundation of the student affairs field. To stay current, practitioners use a variety of methods to learn about areas that they need to master to be successful in their careers. Results of this research indicate that staff use interactive methods such as consulting with colleagues and mentoring more so than…

For schools to communicate that student retention is valued, a program must be instituted that communicates this to students. D'Aprix's model of communication is a planned, systematically implemented communications program aimed at distributing messages of genuine value. This proactive stance can be used to develop programs increasing student…

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…

Discusses results of a survey of undergraduate student opinion (n=949) in 1991 about the U.S. involvement in the Persian Gulf War. Determines the students' support for or opposition to U.S. involvement, and the extent to which they did or did not act on those beliefs. (JPS)

Surveyed 212 chief student affairs officers to study career paths, individual characteristics, and the influence of school size on responsibilities. Results showed few changes in responsibilities in recent years. Those administrators from small colleges tended to have more experience in and preparation for student affairs work. (JAC)

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)

Reports on a nationwide survey to gain information about the current status of the student personnel profession. Questions were designed to provide a profile of the institutions surveyed, a profile of the chief student personnel officers, and a profile of student affairs staff. Discusses several areas of concern about the results of the data. (PC)

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)

Examines the perceived needs of incoming freshmen on a newly created instrument, the Freshman Survey. The instrument contains four scales with items related to personal/emotional, social, academic, and career needs. Freshmen indicated higher pre- and post-orientation needs on the academic and career scales. Also discusses student needs with…