ABSTRACT
In the past decade considerable emphasis has been placed on increasing enrollment, which has helped fend off the catastrophic effects of dwindling tax-based funding. However, these increases have also placed greater demands on student services. More students equate to greater needs for services. In most cases, student affairs organizations have been expected to absorb these increased demands within existing resources and, in some cases, with even fewer resources. In the face of increased challenges, new roles and responsibilities are also emerging to address changing needs. In most cases existing student affairs professionals are not adequately trained or experienced to assume these roles and responsibilities, and individuals from outside the profession are being hired. Student affairs leaders are beginning to develop and implement new organizational designs and structures and are shifting resources to meet emerging challenges while dealing with the decrease in overall resources. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
