Identifies some of the reform initiatives influencing student affairs and offers reasons why the author believes most will fail. Proposes that student affairs has matured as a field and can no longer be regarded as having a single coherent purpose. Discusses four communities of practice that coexist in student affairs. (Contains 33 references and…

Originally published in July 1989, uses meta-analysis to integrate and summarize the empirical research from 1966 through 1987 regarding the influence of college residence halls on the academic performance of undergraduate students in the United States. Results indicate that residence halls do not generally exert a major influence on students'…

Originally published in March/April 1996, examines the research literature examining the effects of students' out-of-class experiences on academic, intellectual, or cognitive learning outcomes. Identifies those aspects of students' out-of-class experiences over which student affairs professionals have some control through policy or programmatic…

Clarifies the commonalities between the educational roles of student affairs and academic affairs in student learning. Suggests additional ways in which student development educators can fulfill their mission to assist in student learning. (SNR)

Used meta-analysis to integrate and summarize the empirical research from 1966 through 1987 regarding the influence of college residence halls on the academic performance of undergraduate students in the United States. Found research did not show living in a conventional residence hall significantly influenced academic performance over living at…

Introduces statistical and procedural methods of meta-analysis, and explains how to interpret the findings of meta-analytic studies currently appearing throughout the social science literature. Includes overview of meta-analysis and discussion of seven steps used in conducting a meta-analysis. (Author/NB)