Changing enrollment profiles have introduced differences in demographics, ability, and interest among the learners in higher education classrooms. As a result, faculty must now accomplish their jobs in a fluid environment with new teaching strategies. Their partners in this work are student affairs staff, who usually educate students in a far less…

Philanthropy has shaped American higher education from inception. While religion earns the biggest slice of philanthropy, education runs second and well ahead of other causes. Most community college donations are earmarked for scholarships. Foundation dollars can be used strategically to meet the needs of students who cannot qualify for federal…

In her seminal essay on white privilege, McIntosh (1988) began a discussion on privilege that has taken hold in areas outside her original intent. In this chapter, the author discusses privilege as it pertains not only to race and gender but to religion, especially the Christian faith. The author incorporates the current state of religious flux in…

The "Talking Stick" is published bimonthly, six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December by the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. Each issue is divided into three sections: Features, Columns, and Departments. These sections contain articles…

In the cycle of a student's college life, student affairs professionals have opportunities to engage parents and families. On these occasions, parents are searching for information about the institution and the experiences of their children. It is important that student affairs professionals be ready to provide this information and respond in a…

In this article the author surmises that student personnel, envisioned as a unifying force, can inject into higher education a coherence" appropriate to the twentieth century. As a team, personnel educators can establish educational programs and can provide leadership which will challenge students to seek education as a springboard to continuous…

Discusses four aspects of strengthening and maintaining existing programs: (1) systematic assessment of existing programs; (2) decisions emerging from this assessment; (3) the complementary roles of program directors and other staff members; and (4) methods for making positive program improvements. (Author)

This paper provides a perspective of the evolution of the doctrine of "in loco parentis" to contract law to a doctrine of responsibility of care--a sense of "ad meliora vertamur" (let us turn to better things). It provides a brief history of "in loco parentis" as it has developed in the U.S. as well as the difficulties it faces in modern academe.…

This digest focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the student affairs profession in higher education. The strengths of student affairs include diversity and involvement. Student affairs staff are trained in many different disciplines and are located throughout the campus. The diversity of student affairs professionals is seen as the thread…

Student development leaders must identify what of importance and value should be retained from past approaches to student services delivery and what approaches should be discarded. To accomplish this, community colleges must address certain key internal student development issues: (1) the changing nature of the student body (which is characterized…

Personal integrity, honesty and a professional attitude are needed by both recruiters and placement personnel if a better way of reaching, hiring, and motivating our young people is to result. No less important, states the author, is the commitment the students must make to find their own directions. (Author)

Delineates those aspects of campus politics common across institutions. First proposes a working definition of campus politics and a rationale for student affairs professionals' involvement in political arenas. Then, outlines some specific "how to's" and "how not to's" of political approaches to establishing programs. (Author)

Examines program development: diagnosis, design, and delivery of a program idea and refers to "level two" programs in sections on diagnosis and design and to "level one" programs in sections on delivery. It is meant to stimulate some ideas for new approaches to establishing successful student services programs. (Author)

Argues that Latina college and university students face distinct challenges and barriers to participation in higher education. Explores various Latina student issues including "labeling," barriers, and factors contributing to success. Examines effective strategies for student and academic affairs administrators to support Latina success…

This monograph provides an intensive examination of the student development movement in college student affairs. Chapter I examines student development as a reform movement within the field of student affairs in higher education. Chapter II challenges the assertion that student development as conceptualized in its seminal documents represents a…