Premedical students have often been viewed as academically narrow and cynical about liberal education. To investigate the veracity of this generalization, I conducted a qualitative study of premedical students at a liberal arts institution. Contrary to negative stereotypes, the students in the study expressed a positive attitude toward liberal…

Since the mid-1990s, social norms theory has become prevalent in student development literature and research. Subsequently, social norms interventions to change student behavior have spread across campuses nationwide through marketing campaigns. Theorists and practitioners have applied the social norms approach to primarily health-related student…

Given the high priority granted innovative topics in the school psychology literature, one might question the degree to which practitioners implement these innovations. This paper examines this question regarding innovation, change, and service delivery. Data were drawn from a nationwide longitudinal survey, in which a random sampling of 1000…

The Student Learning Imperative (SLI) was created to stimulate discussion on how student affairs professionals can enhance student learning and personal development. This paper outlines the antecedents and background of the SLI position paper. A member of the committee that developed the SLI discusses here student affairs' historical goal of…

Almost every profession has capitalized on the computerized processing of data. High school counselors in particular, require quick and accurate access to career information and though such technology can be expensive, it may be less prohibitive than adding additional staff. This study examines how school counselors utilize computers in their…

This monograph, addressed primarily to the concerns of practitioners, was written mostly by two-year college practitioners. Chapter 1, "Opportunities in Legacy" (Charles R. Dassance), discusses qualities of the two-year college, its special commitment to guidance of students, and its commitment to teaching as a primary thrust of educational…

The view that organizational theory should be a required component of graduate preparation in student affairs is addressed. After defining organizational behavior, conventional models and nonorthodox perspectives on organizing are contrasted. Implications of nonorthodox perspectives for leadership are also considered. Suggestions are offered of…

A proven model for screening prospective residence hall assistants (RAs), training them in critical interpersonal and leadership skills, selecting the best candidates, and giving them strong supervisory support on the job is presented in this comprehensive guide. After an introductory chapter on the historical context within which RAs operate…

Although much has been written in support of a student development role for the student affairs professional, research documentation is lacking on the contributions made by student affairs staff to the development of students. A simple research methodology, which could be easily replicated on college campuses, to begin providing these missing data…

Skills needed by college reading specialists are discussed, based on a review of the literature. Training begins at the undergraduate level, with a scholarly academic foundation, rather than with an abundance of methods and materials courses. Knowledge of the theoretical base of both the reading and the learning process is stressed, with…

The Counselor Ethnic Awareness Project involved the development, implementation, and assessment of a model training program. Its major purpose was to enable a group of professional school counselors to design and execute projects that would increase appreciation by students, faculty, and community of their own and one another's ethnic heritage. In…

This instructional package is designed to help improve the services offered to community college students by registration staff members and can be used as a reference guide or an instructional tool. The materials contain a manual that the learner uses in conjunction with a sound/filmstrip presentation, a transcript of the sound/filmstrip, and a…

This paper presents a problem-focused needs assessment process for use by student affairs personnel. A comprehen- sive perspective of the needs assessment process is recommended, which views needs assessment as a necessary step in program planning, implementation and debriefing. Five types of needs assessment are identified and explained: (1)…

This guide provides a program planning grid for college student personnel workers involved in the area of student activities. A program planning and evaluative system is proposed to address campus needs and allow greater control in planning an educationally balanced program. This system is based on an outline of topical areas to be addressed…

Higher education must be prepared to establish goals and assess its success in developing students who can function productively in a future society. One possible goal of the college experience is to develop self-directing or internally-controlled individuals. Examined were selected factors and their influence on students' locus of control.…