A description of successful fundraising programs in student affairs divisions.

Abstract

Many institutions have turned to raising funds through private gifts and research grants. While this is not new, in recent years development offices have become more sophisticated and more professional. As development practices on college campuses have evolved, many areas of specialization have formed. On many campuses, fundraising has permeated every area including student affairs divisions, which traditionally have not been actively involved in fundraising.

Over the past quarter century, tuition costs at higher education institutions have increased faster than the rate of inflation. At the same time, state funding for public institutions has decreased or stayed the same in real dollars. The demands for unfunded mandates and services in non-academic areas have pressured many institutions to increase student affairs programs and services without proper funding. Consequently, higher education institutions have been forced to do more with less or develop additional sources of income.

Determining the development practices of student affairs will be critical in the future as higher education institutions are expected to raise more of their own funds and become less dependent upon state funding for programs. As student affairs divisions expand and implement new programs, it will be vital for them to be able to raise their own support if additional funding is not available. Identifying the best practices within student affairs development is crucial for institutions that want to advance their programs.

This study will examine the fundraising efforts within student affairs programs. The focus of the study will be qualitative case studies of development practices within student affairs at specific institutions. The case study will discover the development practices among student affairs divisions that currently have a student affairs development officer. At this stage, development practices will be defined as events and practices that help raise funds for the student affairs division.