the role of student affairs and services in higher education
the role of student affairs and services in higher education
the role of student affairs and services in higher education
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The assumptions found <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> WDHE that call for such efforts are as follows:<br />
1. Education at all levels clearly has been established as a staple process <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a just <strong>and</strong> prosperous society. It has a number <strong>of</strong> <strong>role</strong>s<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>of</strong> prepar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>student</strong>s for active <strong>role</strong>s <strong>in</strong> society, match<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
skills <strong>and</strong> needs to those <strong>of</strong> society. Regional <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational cooperation<br />
would be beneficial <strong>in</strong> accomplish<strong>in</strong>g that task.<br />
2. Women are underrepresented <strong>in</strong> <strong>higher</strong> <strong>education</strong>, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> denial <strong>of</strong> a<br />
portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> benefits derived from <strong>the</strong>ir be<strong>in</strong>g educated <strong>and</strong> how that<br />
affects <strong>the</strong>ir children. Equity <strong>in</strong> <strong>education</strong>al access <strong>of</strong> prospective <strong>student</strong>s <strong>of</strong><br />
all groups <strong>and</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> society is a foundation for success <strong>in</strong> <strong>higher</strong><br />
<strong>education</strong>. Note: As was po<strong>in</strong>ted out <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Preamble, <strong>the</strong>re are numerous<br />
underrepresented groups based on geography, demography, <strong>and</strong>/or personal<br />
characteristics, that need to be encouraged <strong>and</strong> supported as <strong>the</strong>y consider<br />
<strong>higher</strong> <strong>education</strong> as a possibility for improv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir lives. The discrim<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>and</strong> under-representation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se groups will be addressed <strong>in</strong> several<br />
locations throughout <strong>the</strong> rema<strong>in</strong>der <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Manual.<br />
3. Information technology <strong>and</strong> telecommunications must play a major <strong>role</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
develop<strong>in</strong>g a quality <strong>education</strong>al program. Access to this technology must be<br />
available regardless <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> backgrounds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>student</strong>s <strong>in</strong>volved. Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong><br />
faculty, staff, <strong>and</strong> <strong>student</strong>s to utilize <strong>the</strong> full range <strong>of</strong> available hardware,<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware, <strong>and</strong> structures/systems to deliver timely <strong>and</strong> accurate <strong>in</strong>formation is<br />
just as important as <strong>the</strong> access to <strong>the</strong> same.<br />
4. Freedom <strong>of</strong> expression <strong>and</strong> a free exchange <strong>of</strong> ideas are central to a quality<br />
<strong>higher</strong> <strong>education</strong> system. Academic freedom is a concept that must extend<br />
to faculty, staff, <strong>and</strong> <strong>student</strong>s alike. To ensure <strong>the</strong>se pr<strong>in</strong>ciples will prevail, it<br />
is essential for <strong>higher</strong> <strong>education</strong> to have ongo<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> systemic support. This<br />
support must <strong>in</strong>clude not only direct f<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance for <strong>in</strong>stitutions <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>student</strong>s, but also an <strong>in</strong>tegrated support system that weaves government,<br />
community, <strong>the</strong> private sector, <strong>and</strong> <strong>education</strong> <strong>of</strong> all k<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>and</strong> levels <strong>in</strong>to a<br />
seamless whole.<br />
5. Sound management <strong>and</strong> fiscal autonomy, with appropriate oversight by<br />
governmental agencies <strong>and</strong> guided by constituent <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>and</strong> critique,<br />
are important <strong>in</strong>gredients <strong>in</strong> successful <strong>higher</strong> <strong>education</strong> structures. Related<br />
to those pr<strong>in</strong>ciples is <strong>the</strong> reality that <strong>higher</strong> <strong>education</strong> must seek multiple<br />
sources <strong>of</strong> fund<strong>in</strong>g both with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> traditional structures <strong>and</strong> throughout <strong>the</strong><br />
public <strong>and</strong> private sectors. Formation <strong>of</strong> strategic partnerships with <strong>the</strong>se<br />
groups could afford <strong>higher</strong> <strong>education</strong> new ways to achieve its goals <strong>of</strong><br />
enhanced <strong>student</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> success.<br />
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