We’re underutilizing a key population.
I’m not talking about identities, students, or even engaging other student affairs partners (though there is much to say about each). I’m talking about student affairs failing to maximize opportunities to connect and engage with academics.
Despite calls for collaboration, many institutions still exist with operational barriers or non-existent communication between academic affairs and student affairs. Divisions become an all-too-real description of campus culture instead of a term for organizational structure. While we know assessment can spark partnership across campus, it’s beyond time we recognize all of the common goals binding institutional entities and identify opportunities to create inroads for partnership.
While collaboration, like communication, is a two-way street, I’d encourage student affairs folks to take the initiative.