News

NIRSA joins forces to support student affairs professionals and faculty

Executive Director Kent J. Blumenthal represented NIRSA at the CHEMA Student Affairs Meeting, hosted by the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), November 15-16, to discuss collaboration for the improvement of student affairs in higher education. The participating associations (see below) are all part of the Council for Higher Education Management Associations (CHEMA).

Executive directors from ACUI and the following organizations participated:

• College Student Educators International (ACPA)
• Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I)
• Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA)
• National Association of Campus Activities (NACA)
• Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)
• National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)

Comments from participants included:

Kent J. Blumenthal, Executive Director of NIRSA, "The CHEMA Student Affairs Group has created a great synergy for our organizations, and ultimately, for our respective members."

Marsha Herman-Betzen, Executive Director of ACUI, "The collective members of these seven higher education associations are the core of student affairs on college campuses. Never before have so many student affairs associations worked together on initiatives that will positively impact student learning."

The associations discussed new philosophies for partnerships in which they could work together on projects with shared risks and rewards. Rather than acting independently, competitively, or simply endorsing each other's programs, the group looked at the benefit in collaboration.

Presently, NIRSA Members are actively involved in the "Learning Reconsidered 2" publication, (due out in March 2006) which will be a practitioner's handbook for implementing a new model for transformative student learning that points to the codependency of academic life and student life. The student affairs associations will each share examples of how to implement the "Learning Reconsidered" model in their respective areas of student affairs.

Another resource with tremendous potential for impacting student affairs is the new "ACUInfo" benchmarking resource. Developed by ACUI for its members, this database contains information about college union facilities, staffing, programs, budgets, and services. The associations discussed possibilities for ACUI to build similar resources for other areas of student affairs.

All of the executive directors walked away from the meeting energized and with new ideas to better support their members and ultimately improve student learning.

Association of College Unions International

Founded in 1914, ACUI is a nonprofit educational organization that brings together college union and student activities professionals from hundreds of schools in seven countries. Its members work on urban and rural campuses, in two-year and four-year institutions, and at large and small schools. They are students and administrators whose mission is to build campus community. ACUI enriches them all through education, advocacy, and the delivery of services. www.acui.org

College Student Educators International (ACPA)

ACPA, headquartered in Washington, DC at the National Center for Higher Education, is the leading student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. ACPA, founded in 1924, has nearly 8,000 members representing nearly 1,500 private and public institutions from across the U.S. and internationally. Our members include graduate students enrolled in student affairs/higher education administration programs, as well as faculty who are teaching and researching in this area to student affairs professionals from entry level to senior student affairs officers. www.acpa.nche.edu

Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I)

ACUHO-I is the preeminent professional association dedicated to supporting and promoting the collegiate residential experience by: creating value through services, information, and collegial relationships that are indispensable to its members; and continually changing and adapting in ways that assist members in meeting the needs of dynamic campus environments. www.acuho.ohio-state.edu

Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA)

Founded in 1976, the Association of Fraternity Advisors has provided individuals concerned with the fraternity/sorority movement an avenue for professional growth and development. Since that time, AFA has grown into a multifaceted international organization providing resources, recognition and support for campus fraternity/sorority advising professionals. www.fraternityadvisors.org

National Association of Campus Activities (NACA)

NACA links the higher education and entertainment communities in a business and learning partnership, creating educational and business opportunities for our student and professional members. www.naca.org

Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)

NASPA, student affairs administrators in higher education, is the leading voice for student affairs administration, policy and practice and affirms the commitment of student affairs to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. With 8,500 members at 1,400 campuses, and representing 29 countries, NASPA is the largest professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty and graduate students. NASPA members are committed to serving college students by embracing the core values of diversity, learning, integrity, service, fellowship and the spirit of inquiry. www.naspa.org

National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)

NIRSA is a non-profit membership organization serving a network of more than 4,000 highly trained professionals, students and Associate Members in the recreational sports field throughout the United States, Canada and other countries. It is the leading organization in many areas: training and professional development, intramural sports, sport clubs, recreation facilities, fitness programming, outdoor recreation, wellness programs, informal recreation and aquatic programs. www.nirsa.org.