Pres

1. The CACUSS Identity Project
What we have learned
Our future

2. About CACUSS
Founded in 1971
1500 members across the country
Current structure is by functional division
York is an institutional member (YEAH!)
Member of AUCC and Council for the
Advancement of Standards
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

3. More about CACUSS
Annual conference
Ongoing PD—webinars/regional workshops
Over $25,000 in grants, bursaries
Communiqué magazine, published 3x year
High level of support for new professionals
Job board
Communities of practice (learn.cacuss.ca)
Support for major Canadian Student Affairs initiatives
Achieving Student Success
National Mental Health Working Group
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

4. History of CACUSS/Identity Project
• 1971—CACUSS was formed
• 1989—Mission of Student Services
• Statement of Guiding Principles
• 2008—a core group of professionals wanted
to review/update “Mission of Student
Services”
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

5. Goals
• Review and reflect
– Consider current landscape of Student Affairs in
Canada
• Consult
– Get a wide range of member and professional
feedback
• Renew
– Be future focused/change oriented
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

6. CACUSS Identity Project
• “Leaders in Learning; Student Affairs in the
21st Century & Implications for the Canadian
Association of College & University Student
Services”
• Outward AND Inward focus
• Intended to be a living document, which is
utilitarian.
• Published by CACUSS and ACPA
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

7. Leaders in Learning
Context of Canadian Higher Education
Historical context
Predominantly Public System
Shaped by geography
Limited Institutional Differentiation
Institutional Autonomy
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

8. Contemporary Issues
• Aboriginal Education
• Access, Diversity & Inclusion
• Globalization
• Student Engagement
• Accountability
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

9. Purpose and Values of SA in Canada
Functions:
Identify and address barriers or
impediments to participation and success
Facilitate active participation in the
campus and wider community
Support students in their pursuit of
academic and personal growth/well-being
Build an environment that facilitates
learning, development and purpose.
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

10. Purpose and Values of SA in Canada
Core values
• Responsibility to institutional mission
• Appreciation of whole student
• Respect for difference
• Acknowledgement of student autonomy
• Focus on student success
• Dedication to experiential learning
• An emphasis on the common good
• Commitment to democratic principles
• Orientation to social justice as an outcome
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

11. Emerging trends
• Strategic Enrolment Management
• Integration
• Mental Health & Well-being
• Built Environment
• Support for Distance Learner
• Information Technology
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

12. Role and Future of CACUSS
Asked 5 questions:
1. What role should CACUSS play in bring profile to our
work on a national scale?
2. Does CACUSS have the capacity to organize multi-
institutional assessment activities?
3. How can CACUSS use technology and social media
more effectively?
4. Does the organizational structure of CACUSS support
collaboration in the most effective way?
5. Should CACUSS actively support professionalization of
student affairs?
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

13. Membership Consultation
• Close to 250 professionals from across the
country participated in discussions and gave
feedback.
• Five CSAO roundtables in
Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, and the West.
• Published in “Developments” and reviewed by
colleagues at ACPA.
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

14. What we have learned
1. There is broad support for CACUSS to invest in
the creation of a national research/assessment
program.
2. Members are looking to engage beyond the
conference.
3. Cautious investment in advocacy; start with
strategic partnerships.
4. CACUSS should play a role in defining
professional competencies.
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

15. What we have learned…
5. CACUSS should emphasize a Canadian
approach but should support regional
infrastructure.
6. CACUSS should rethink divisions in favour of a
network structure giving members multiple
opportunities to engage.
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

16. What else we have learned
• Engagement of college and other non-
university professionals (technical colleges)
• Meeting the needs of francophone members
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

17. Structure of CACUSS
• Potential for matrix type structure:
– Area of Responsibility (what you do)
– Level in the Organization (with what responsibility)
– Region (where you do it)
– Institutional Type (in what context)
More inclusive
Engaging senior leadership and new professionals
Cross-functional rather than siloed
Organic and flexible
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

18. The future of CACUSS
• Strategic Planning
Balance of inward and outward focus
Our two most important resources
• Membership engagement
• Annual conference
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

19. Goals
• Professional Development
• Research and Outcomes
• Knowledge Source
• Inclusive Membership
• Organizational Development
• Advocacy and Influence
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

20. Opportunities to contribute
• Town Hall, Fall 2012
• Webinars “Careers in Student Affairs”
• Communiqué (fall, winter, spring)
• Conference presentations
• Committees/involvement
• Apply for awards and grants
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

21. Feedback/Comments
Discussion
What else should we be thinking about?
Given these findings, what should we be doing as an
organization to support you as a professional?
What does this mean?
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"

22. Follow us on twitter @cacusstweets
What we have learned since "Leaders in Learning"