New Realities in the Management of Student Affairs

Student affairs organizations are at a crossroad. They are faced with increasing challenges in terms of expanding enrollment; a concomitant increase in needs for services, and often more complex services; changing demographics in terms of diversity of background, and a growing cohort of non-traditional and first-generation students; the shifting and demanding nature of responsibilities; and increased expectations related to programs and services from the greater campus community, parents, and external constituents. The challenges facing student affairs organizations are intensified by the accelerating speed of advancements in technology, globalization, innovations and student consumerism. At the same time, student affairs organizations face the reality of dramatically shrinking resources, and a strain on the ability to increase tuition and fees.