the role of student affairs and services in higher education

SECTION II – BASIC PRINCIPLES, VALUES, AND BELIEFS THAT
UNDERPIN AN EFFECTIVE STUDENT AFFAIRS AND SERVICES
PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATION
In order for any part of the higher education enterprise to be of top quality and
to be consistently applied, it must be founded on a set of principles and values
that take into consideration the expressed needs and choices of its clients (the
primary clients are students). The Manual concerns itself with student affairs
and services that may be required to assure that students will be successful
learners in the academy. While professional principles, values, and beliefs may
vary depending on the region/country of origin, the beliefs outlined in the Manual
have nearly universal appeal and allow the reader to see how they might apply
to the creation and ongoing assessment of student affairs and services in higher
education anywhere. Here are those principles, values, and beliefs:
PURPOSE AND PARTNERSHIPS
• Higher education and student affairs and services, as integral partners in
providing services and programs, must be student centred and include
students as partners and responsible stakeholders in their education.
Students must be at the table with other higher education decision-makers at
the institution, government, and UNESCO levels including follow-up
conferences and meetings related to the WCHE. Students have the right and
responsibility to organize themselves to participate in governance and to
pursue their personal and social interests.
• Partnerships with all sectors within and immediately outside higher education
must be established to promote not only life-long learning, but also learning
for life. These partnerships include students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents,
employers, social service agencies, primary and secondary education,
government agencies, and local, national, regional, and global communities.
• Student affairs and services must be delivered in a manner that is seamless,
meaningful, and integrated with the academic mission of the institution.
These practices and resulting policies must be built upon sound principles and
research, and carried out by partnering with the entire campus community.
• Student affairs and services professionals are key players in turning the “brain
drain” into a “brain gain” for all nations. This requires partnerships at the
national and international levels.
• Student affairs and services professionals must continue to partner with their
colleagues abroad through exchanges, conferences, seminars, and research.
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