Surveyed directors of student life at 87 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania to determine alcohol abuse programs offered, training needs, attitudes toward programs, and kinds of programs desired. Sixty-four percent of schools reported having alcohol abuse programs, 79 percent wanted additional training, and 71 percent reported an abuse…

The direct influence of student affairs professionals is not being assessed in student outcomes research nor is it being differentiated from peer influences. Conceptual arguments based on current theories, evidence of direct influence, and approaches to the inherent methodological challenges are presented to encourage researchers to consider the…

Presents possible prevention and treatment strategies for combating burnout among college student affairs professionals. Includes definition of burnout, review of symptoms of burnout, discussion of causes of burnout, and suggestions for treatment and prevention of burnout. Interventions discussed include personal counseling, using stress…

Article emphasizes the role that postsecondary institutions can play by structuring dialogue sessions that offer students an opportunity to share perspectives and insights on the issues of racism and discrimination. Proposes that the expertise that student affairs professionals have can structure processes that will facilitate input and…

Eating disorders seem to be a growing concern among college counselors and various student affairs personnel. Qualitative methods were utilized to explore the daily lived experiences of women with eating disorders. Implications are discussed for use in counseling these women. (Author/MKA)

Two student affairs researchers describe four questions that define the scope, breadth, and depth of student affairs research: "Who are today's college students?"; "How do students experience college?"; "What do students learn and who do they become?"; and How does college make a difference?" Discusses how student affairs researchers or staff can…

Explores how higher education themes and trends influence student affairs professionals. Identifies core values, principles, and theories that inform practice. Considers faulty assumptions that shape student affairs culture including the sense of powerlessness professionals have about their role in the institution. Offers suggestions about gaps in…

Fiscal concerns continue to challenge institutions of higher learning and will affect the financing of student services initiatives. By being aware of current fiscal trends, critiquing thinking about financial matters, and attempting to find new sources of revenue for the future, student affairs practitioners will be able to anticipate and address…

Examines the nature of programming partnerships between student affairs staff and others, including four case studies that highlight benefits associated with these partnerships. Summarizes the most important aspects, as embodied in these examples, that led to success in each of the partnerships. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/GCP)

A geographically stratified sample of 263 chief student affairs administrators responded to questions related to their division's professional staff recruiting and selection processes, professional development and activities, and performance appraisal procedures. This produced a descriptive overview of national staffing practice sin student…

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), colleges and universities are required to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Understanding the law and applying it to student affairs personnel can be a complicated process. This article presents an overview of the ADA and emphasizes its application to recruiting and…

Explores the perceptions of Resident Assistants (RAs) held by 20 lesbian, gay, and bisexual students were explored. Students were asked about their experiences with and expectations of RAs. Students expected RAs to be open and accepting, personally supportive, and to create accepting climates. (Contains 20 references.) (GCP)

The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether hardiness can be used by student affairs professionals to identify students (N=63) having difficulties with academic, social, emotional, and attachment adjustment. Results show that hardiness is associated with better adjustment and hardiness appears to be a better predictor of mental than physical…

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore (a) how student affairs professionals define the concept of balance in the context of balancing their personal and professional lives and (b) how student affairs professionals identified as "balanced" describe their experience of achieving and maintaining balance in their lives.

After 18 years as a student affairs professional, the author is now headed in a different direction. The personal lessons that she has learned about work-life balance over the past two decades are very similar to others. Instead of focusing on personal lessons, the author offers some structural observations, and--with respect, as she leaves the…