November 15, 2007

Student Affairs Leader - November 15, 2007 - Full Issue PDF
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Against Theme Halls
By Robert O’Hara
Consider these recent developments in the world of residential life: A Virginia university, under the auspices of a campus diversity program, sets off a special wing of a dormitory and makes it available only to female engineering students. A top-fifty California univeristy designates a special residential area for students with an academic interst in "interpersonal relationships." A Massachusetts university tells all its firsty-year nursing students that they must live together in a single residence hall.

On-Campus Report Capsules
Staph infection: A particularly stubborn case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in our home meant that we made many trips to the clinic for cultures, antibiotics, and consultations with an infectious disease specialist. We can speak from experience on this issue: It's a big deal.

Outsourcing Caring: The Rise of the Corporate Coaching Industry
By Ron Chesbrough
Those of us in higher education should have seen it coming. In a world where for-profit firms exist to coach students into college and into careers after college, it is no surprise that someone would fill the gap in between. Coaching students for success during their college years is now one of the most rapidly growing private sector businesses in the U.S., as cited recently in Inc. magazine (214 ranking in the list of top 5,000 companies: Inc. magazine online, www.inc.com).

Consider the Bazelton Center’s Model for Mental Health Services
By Dennis R. Black
Q. With the growing concerns over student suicide and acts of violence, where should we be headed in terms of campus mental health programming? We are worried about our students and our institutional responsibilities.

How Should Professional Associations Serve Student Affairs?
By Art Sandeen and Margaret Barr
Professional associations have served student affairs for almost a hundred years. They’ve developed policies, conducted research, and provided opportunities for professional development and interaction. In addition to our two large general associations, we now have more than 35 groups for specialties such as financial aid, counseling, academic advising, admissions, housing, career services, health services, recreational sports, orientation, judicial affairs, student activities, and college unions.