# Canadian Association of College and University Student Services

The Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) is a professional association representing and serving those individuals who work in Canadian post-secondary institutions in student affairs and services. Since 1973, CACUSS has provided professional development services and programs for members in all the Canadian provinces. Cross-divisional interest groups called communities of practice and networks were formed by members in 2015 based on their professional needs, focusing on areas such as student health and wellness, first-year students, new professionals, and leadership education.

## Communities of Practice

CACUSS is a comprehensive organization consisting of networks and Communities of Practice representing many topical and functional areas of Student Affairs and Services.
The following communities currently exist:
* Aboriginal Student Services Assembly (NASSA)
* Accessibility and Inclusion
* Academic Learning
* Community Engaged Learning
* Co-Curricular Record
* Digital Communications
* Equity Seeking Groups
* Advising
* Internationalization in Student Affairs
* Leadership Educators
* Orientation, Transition, Retention
* Post-Secondary Student Counselling
* Campus Mental Health
* Research Assessment, Evaluation
* Spirituality and Religious Pluralism
* Student Case Managers
* Student Conduct
* Student Health & Wellness
* Student Peer Support Programs
* Students with Family Responsibilities
* Graduate and Second Entry Student

## Resources for Members
### Communiqué

Communiqué is a journal that is published bi-annually by the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services which includes material relevant to college and university student services in Canada. The journal provides an opportunity for student affairs professionals and senior leadership to keep up to date on current issues and trends, best-practices, new developments, and initiatives. Anyone is able to contribute content to the publication, not just members of CACUSS.

### Health data

As an information sharing courtesy to its members, CACUSS posts health data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). This nationally recognized research survey is administered in Canada every three years by the American College Health Association. The NCHA is a comprehensive assessment of college student health and it examines:
* Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
* Sexual health
* Weight, nutrition, and exercise
* Mental health
* Personal safety and violence
In 2019, there were about 55,000 student respondents, an increase from the 44,000 respondents in 2016. Student affairs professionals can utilize the data to learn about their students’ health and behaviours, to design programs and initiatives applicable to their student populations, and inform resource allocation. Data can also be used by student affairs professionals, as well as faculty and students, to inform presentations, classes, marketing campaigns, and promotional material.

### Student affairs job board

The CACUSS website posts current job opportunities available in Canada in the student affairs field. Jobs are submitted by Canadian post-secondary institutions.

### Listing of graduate and certificate programs in student affairs

For new student affairs professionals, or for professionals looking to advance their career, the CACUSS website provides a comprehensive listing of graduate degree and certificate programs offered in Canada. Each listing includes information on the institution, type of program, style of delivery, area of focus, and contact information for additional information.

### Professional Development
#### Student Affairs and Services Competency Model

In 2014, CACUSS developed the Student Affairs and Services Competency Model with three goals in mind: to grow CACUSS as a professional organization, to advance the professionalization of student affairs in Canada, and to support the development of student affairs professionals in Canada. Building on the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies Rubric, the model was developed through a consultation process with student affairs professionals across Canada, which also included gathering and articulating the shared values that informed student affairs practice specific to Canada. Student affairs research from around the world also informed the development of the competency model.
The competency model details the values of Canadian student affairs practice: that student affairs professionals are educators; that student affairs is student-centered and holistic in practice; and that student affairs is a professional and ethical practice. Each competency is divided into three levels which include core, intermediate, and advanced. The levels represent increasing skills and knowledge student affairs professionals attain as they advance in their practice. Student affairs professionals can develop their competencies by utilizing this model to inform and guide their professional development as they advance through each of the levels.
The competencies included in the model are:
* Communication
* Emotional and interpersonal Intelligence
* Intercultural
* Indigenous cultural awareness
* Post-secondary acumen
* Equity, diversity and inclusion
* Leadership, management and administration
* Strategic planning, research and assessment
* Student advising, support and advocacy
* Student learning and development
* Technology and digital engagement

#### Webinars

CACUSS members, as well as non-members, can access free webinars on the CACUSS YouTube Channel. Members have access to additional webinars on the members' webpage.

#### Annual Conference

CACUSS hosts an annual conference in alternating locations across Canada. Members are encouraged to build presentations and panels, and special guest speakers are asked to attend. The conference is attended by a wide range of professionals (Senior leaders, student life professionals, emerging student affairs professionals, registrarial staff, etc) both as members and non-members of the association The conference provides an opportunity for attendees to network, discuss current issues, share resources and ideas to support students on their campuses.
| Year | Host/Location | Theme | Notes |
| 1970 | Montreal, QC | | |
| 1971 | Dalhousie University/Halifax, NS | | |
| 1972 | University of Windsor/Windsor, ON | | |
| 1973 | Universite de Montreal/Montreal, QC | | |
| 1974 | University of Calgary/Banff, AB | | |
| 1975 | Brock University/St Catharines, ON | Higher Education in Austerity: New Perceptions and New Directions | |
| 1976 | | | |
| 1977 | Memorial University of Newfoundland/St John's, NL | | |
| 1978 | University of Waterloo/Waterloo, ON | The Student and the Environment-Beyond the Ivory Tower/ L'etudiant et l'environment- Au dela de la tour d'ivoire | |
| 1979 | Universite de Sherbrooke/ Sherbrooke, QC | For a Better Life/Mieux Vivre | |
| 1980 | University of Victoria/ Victoria, BC | Working Together/Travailler de Concert | |
| 1981 | University of Ottawa/ Ottawa, ON | The Student Population From the Perspective of Student Services | |
| 1982 | Concordia University/ Montreal, QC | Enrichment and Survival/Reussir et Survivre | |
| 1983 | University of Prince Edward Island/ Charlottetown, PE | The Successful Student/L'Etudiant Accompli | |
| 1984 | University of Windsor/ Windsor, ON | New Faces: New Challenges/Nouveaux Visages: Nouveaux Defis | |
| 1985 | Universite de Laval/ Quebec City, QC | Hope for Youth!/De L'Espoir Pour La Jeunesse! | |
| 1986 | University of British Columbia/ Vancouver, BC | | |
| 1987 | University of Western Ontario/ London, ON | Exploring Excellence/A La Recherche de l'Excellence | |
| 1988 | University of Manitoba/ Winnipeg, MB | The Challenge of Change/Le Defi Du Chagement | |
| 1989 | Acadia University/ Wolfville, NS | Higher Education and the Community | In partnership with the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services |
| 1990 | University of Toronto/ Toronto, ON | A Delicate Balance: Human Needs and Institutional Limits/Un equilibre fragile...Les Besoins Humains et les limites Institutionelles | |
| 1991 | University of Calgary/ Calgary, AB | Bold Horizons | |
| 1992 | Universite de Sherbrooke/ Sherbrooke, QC | | |
| 1993 | Brock University/ St Catharines, ON | Juggling Needs, Making Choices/Faire des Choix un Tour D'addresse | |
| 1994 | The Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Cabot College/ St John's Newfoundland | Catch the Drift: Thriving in the 90's | In partnership with the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services |
| 1995 | University of Guelph/ Guelph, ON | Rising to the Challenge | |
| 1996 | Simon Fraser University/ Burnaby, BC | Exploring New Heights: Reaching the Summit Together: | |
| 1997 | Dalhousie University/ Halifax,NS | Navigating Uncharted Waters/Comment Navigeur Dans Les Eux Inexplorees | |
| 1998 | University of Ottawa/ Ottawa, ON | Total Student Learning...A Capital Investment | 25th Anniversary of CACUSS |
| 1999 | University of Victoria/ Victoria, BC | Soften the Landing/L'arrivee en douceur | |
| 2000 | York University/ Toronto, ON | Eclectic Voices | |
| 2001 | Concordia University/ Montreal, QC | Dialogue Transition/Dialogue Transition | |
| 2002 | University of New Brunswick/ Fredericton, NB | Where the Land Meets the Sea/La Ou La Terre Accueille La Mer | |
| 2003 | University of British Columbia/ Vancouver BC | Imagine the Learning/Soyons Imaginatif | |
| 2004 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | At the Centre of it All | |
| 2005 | Queen's University/ Kingston, ON | High Tech, High Touch/Haute Technologie, Haute Contact | In partnership with Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators |
| 2006 | McMaster University/ Hamilton, ON | Leading The Way/Frayer La Voie | |
| 2007 | Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology and University of Saskatchewan/ Saskatoon, SK | Building Bridges/Batir Des Ponts | |
| 2008 | College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University of Newfoundland/ St John's, NL | Imagine! | |
| 2009 | Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo/Waterloo, ON | The Power of Three/Le Pouvoir des Trois | |
| 2010 | MacEwan University, Norquest college, Concordia University College of Alberta, University of Alberta, and Yellowhead Tribal College/ Edmonton, AB | Shine | |
| 2011 | Ryerson University/ Toronto, ON | At the Heart of Diversity | |
| 2012 | Brock University/ St Catharine's ON | Engaging Digital Citizens | |
| 2013 | McGill University/ Montreal, QC | Passion | |
| 2014 | St Mary's University/ Halifax, NS | Navigating Change: Campus, Culture, Community | |
| 2015 | Simon Fraser University/ Vancouver, BC | Whole Campus Whole Student: Creating Healthy Communities | |
| 2016 | Red River College/ Winnipeg, MB | Muddy Waters, Blue Skies | |
| 2017 | Carleton University/ Ottawa, ON | Our Past, Our Future | |
| 2018 | Holland College and University of Prince Edward Island/ Charlottetown, PEI | Sea Change | In partnership with the Association of Registrars of The Universities and Colleges of Canada |
| 2019 | Mount Royal University/Calgary, AB | Moh-Kins-Tsis: Where the rivers meet | |
| 2020 | Centennial College, George Brown College, Humber College, Seneca College and Sheridan College/ Toronto, ON | Learn, Unite, Act | Cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2021 | Virtual | Now More Than Ever | |
| 2022 | Virtual | Critical Reflection in Shifting Times | |
| 2023 | Niagara Falls | Honour, Engage, Evolve | |
| 2024 | Virtual | Supporting our students; Sustaining ourselves | |
| 2025 | Halifax, NS | Keeping the wind in our sails; Cultivating joy in our purpose | |

#### CACUSS Institutes

Similar to a conference, Institutes are offered over a period of several days, however they focus on a single theme or topic. They may be hosted by external or partnering affiliations. CACUSS provides detailed information on their upcoming events page. Institutes are an opportunity to develop skills or knowledge in a specific area related to student support and student affairs.

## Past Presidents

| Years | Name |
| 1973-1974 | George McMahon, University of Windsor |
| 1974-1975 | Horace Beach |
| 1975-1976 | Treffle LaCombe/Elizabeth Chard |
| 1976-1977 | Bill Dick |
| 1977-1978 | Nelson Ferguson |
| 1978-1979 | Aurele Gagnon |
| 1979-1980 | Bill Stewart, Simon Fraser University |
| 1980-1981 | Sheila Scott |
| 1981-1982 | Dan Lee |
| 1982-1983 | Bob Willihnganz, University of Victoria |
| 1983-1984 | Georges Allard, U de Sherbrooke |
| 1984-1985 | Dave Morphy, University of Manitoba |
| 1985-1986 | Pat Donahoe, Dalhousie University |
| 1986-1987 | Paul Gilmor, University of Guelph |
| 1987-1988 | Bill Stewart, Simon Fraser University |
| 1988-1990 | David Jordan, Brock University |
| 1990-1992 | Dima Utgoff, Acadia University |
| 1992-1994 | Peggy Patterson, University of Guelph |
| 1994-1996 | Garth Wannan, University of Manitoba |
| 1996-1998 | Pam Broley, York University |
| 1998-2000 | Donna, Hardy-Cox, Memorial University |
| 2000-2002 | David McMurray, Wilfrid Laurier University |
| 2002-2004 | Heather Lane Vetere, University of Guelph |
| 2004-2006 | John Harnett, College of the North Atlantic |
| 2006-2008 | Rob Shea, Memorial University |
| 2008-2010 | Jim Delaney, University of Toronto |
| 2010-2012 | Chris McGrath, University of Toronto at Mississauga |
| 2012-2014 | Janet Mee, University of British Columbia |
| 2014-2016 | David L. E. Newman, University of Toronto |
| 2016-2018 | Patricia Pardo, Mount Royal University |
| 2018-2019 | Tim Rahilly, Simon Fraser University |
| 2019-2020 | Patricia Pardo, Mount Royal University |
| 2020-2022 | Mark Solomon, Seneca College |
| 2022-2024 | Patty Hambler, Douglas College |

## Affiliations

CACUSS is an associate member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and a member of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS).