Higher education is deploying a range of innovative strategies in response to rising costs and financial challenges. This report presents findings from a NASPA [National Association of Student Personnel Administrators] study on cost-saving initiatives at three institutions. Each institution aimed to creatively address different areas affecting…

This article gives an overview of a new model for assessment practice within student affairs divisions. With the current increase of accountability and greater demands from higher education stakeholders, student affairs practitioners need to understand how to demonstrate the effectiveness and value of their work as it relates to the mission of…

This article presents an approach for the preparation of studentactivities professionals; it deals with one instance in which a professional organization and an institution of higher education have applied the principles of competency-based education to provide training for student activities programming managers. (Author)

Why should service learning be placed within student affairs? What special skills can student affairs professionals bring to service-learning program implementation? How can administrators use this program to promote strong student affairs-academic affairs collaboration? This article discusses a "best practices" model that is working…

In the state of Washington, a consortium including representatives from professional associations, the local school district and school of social work constructed a systems-oriented model for certifying school social workers. Evaluations were based on competencies defined according to the specific job context in which each candidate was working.…

This article describes the ideal roles for the student development specialist as developed by the Commission on Professional Development of the Council of Student Personnel Associations in Higher Education. (Author)

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…

Increased attention is being given to division-wide professional staff development. Readers are invited to consider the Mini-U format. (Author)

The University of Guelph Learning Commons brings student affairs professionals and librarians together to offer students a coherent and integrated approach to learning, writing, research, and technology support. It is distinguished by three characteristics: (1) a partnership model between academic and student affairs; (2) a solid foundation of…