Good practice in student affairs uses high-quality information about students, their learning, their needs, and campus environments to design programs, activities, policies, and systemic change strategies to achieve stated learning goals. Knowledge of research about students and their learning, skill in using assessment methods to enhance institutional and student achievement, and the ability to critically analyze, understand, and use varied sources of information about students are important components of good student affairs practice. Good practice in student affairs provides leadership and efficient use of resources to help achieve the institution's mission and goals. Effective student affairs organizations use financial, material, and human resources responsibly to facilitate student learning and to perform administrative functions necessary for the operation of the institution. Careful stewardship of educational resources, planning, and attentive management and leadership demonstrate a commitment to responsible administration.
Human resources are the most important resource for student learning.
Recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and educating student affairs practitioners to be competent and committed to fostering student learning exemplifies good student affairs practice. Student affairs practitioners who possess skills and knowledge about student development, learning theories, human development, leadership, communication, program design and implementation, and research are important contributors to their institution's educational mission. Good practice in student affairs forges educational partnerships. Collaborative decision-making and strong work relationships demonstrate a healthy institutional approach to learning by fostering inclusiveness, using multiple perspectives, and affirming shared educational values. Good student affairs practice initiates partnerships for learning with students, faculty, administrators, and other constituent groups inside and outside the institution, and develops structures that support the development and maintenance of collaboration.