Thursday, February 6, 2014

Growth in student services in U.S. raises questions

A Chronicle of Higher Education article reported on a study of faculty and staff increases from 2000 to 2012 that concluded that increases in student services staff has been growing faster than faculty.  This is sure to stimulate considerable protest among faculty members at U.S. institutions and the ripples will likely reach international higher education as well.

For those engaged in international student affairs work, an area just beginning to gain some credibility, the push back from the U.S. could be difficult to manage.  It should be noted that the Delta Cost Project that conducted the study is part of the American Institutes for Research, a private non-profit organization in Washington, D.C.  While "private and non-profit" may suggest lack of bias, review of the Delta Cost Project web site provides insight on the issues in which they have interest - labor expenses, college athletics, and public financial support.  AIR and others in both the U.S. and internationally should pay close attention to costs that can limit access to higher education.  However, it would be tragic to scapegoat student services and development programs without careful analysis of what is being contributed by whom.

 "What is being contributed and by whom" is the essential question that anyone engaged in international higher education should consider.   If student affairs and services cannot demonstrate substantive contributions to student retention, satisfaction, success, and development, then watch out because questions will be raised, if they aren't already.

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