1. Benefits of bridging the gap between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs:

2. Seamless connection between in- and out-side of classroom experiences
When a student is trying to navigate a process that involves multiple departments (like coordinating disability services), lack of communication between departments can lead to frustration. If the student is already distressed, these disconnected experiences can exacerbate the student’s situation.

3. Co-curricular experiences that enhance and compliment the curriculum
There are many opportunities, including Service Learning, for students to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world environments. When student affairs and academic affairs work together, students benefit from a richer learning experience.

4. Holistic support and development of the whole student
Both faculty and student affairs staff are critical to student development. Both play a major role in orienting students to campus, helping students transition into college, and advising students in various aspects of personal and professional growth

5. Increased resources and support for students resulting in academic and personal success
Students need many types of role models, mentors, and advisors, and student success is greatly improved when the faculty and student affairs staff who are supporting a student are working collaboratively

6. Increased satisfaction with the overall university experience
The success of an institution is dependent on the quality of education and service provided to students. Taking care of our students improves the relationship between the student and the university.

7. Barriers
Barriers exist on both sides of the university. Barriers specific to faculty include lack of recognition and rewards for participation, significant turnover in student affairs, and lack of orientation and training on student affairs. Barriers specific to student affairs staff include, restricted freedom within the university due to classification (lack of tenure status), lack of understanding of tenure process that drives academic affairs, and perceptions that student affairs play a subordinate role in the university.

8. Barriers Barriers to both Student Affairs and Academic Affairs:
Lack of knowledge or understanding of roles
Assumptions and incorrect perceptions
Competition for resources
Lack of trust
Organizational culture and language
Values and priorities
Organizational structures

9. Current Partnerships Honors Program Student Travel Search Committees
Grant Writing – VAWA, Suicide Prevention
Sustained Dialogue
Focused Interest Communities
Faculty Fellows
House Calls
Sharing Resources – (don’t know if you want to talk about the money we switched last year from me to you to hire faculty
International Host Program
URCA
Extended Hours at finals in Library
Conversation Hours
Basketball Pep Band
New Trailer for Engineering Competition Teams

10. Future Partnerships Opportunities for collaboration:
Classroom announcements and in-class trainings provided by student affairs
Faculty office hours in Living Learning Communities/Housing
Service learning courses
Campuswide Task Forces
First-year experience courses
Academic-Student Affairs Partnership Meetings
Campus-based Leadership Institute
Conferences and Presentations
Collaborative Grants and Research
Institutes and Centers
Advisory Boards
Internships in Student Affairs
Recruitment & Outreach
Search Committees