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.[1][2] Since 1973, CACUSS has provided professional development services and programs for members in all the Canadian provinces.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] Anyone is able to contribute content to the publication, not just members of CACUSS.[6]

Health data

As an information sharing courtesy to its members, CACUSS posts health data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA).[7]  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[8]

In 2019, there were about 55,000 student respondents, an increase from the 44,000 respondents in 2016.[9] 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.[10]  

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.[11]

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.[12]

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.[13] Building on the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies Rubric,[14] 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.[13]

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.[13]

The competencies included in the model are:

  1. Communication
  2. Emotional and interpersonal Intelligence
  3. Intercultural
  4. Indigenous cultural awareness
  5. Post-secondary acumen
  6. Equity, diversity and inclusion
  7. Leadership, management and administration
  8. Strategic planning, research and assessment
  9. Student advising, support and advocacy
  10. Student learning and development
  11. Technology and digital engagement[13]

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.[15]  

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[16] 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)[17] and a member of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS).[18]

References

  1. ^ "Student Affairs Associations". Academic360.com. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  2. ^ "Professional Associations". StudentAffairs.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  3. ^ "About CACUSS". Canadian Association of College & University Student Services. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  4. ^ "Communiqué". www.cacuss.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  5. ^ "Achieving Student Success: Transitions to Post-secondary Education Webcast". 2010. doi:10.1037/e530462012-001. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ "Submitting to Communiqué". www.cacuss.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  7. ^ "Health Data". www.cacuss.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  8. ^ "About NCHA". www.acha.org. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  9. ^ "Publications and Reports". www.acha.org. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  10. ^ "NCHA Home". www.acha.org. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  11. ^ "Job Board". www.cacuss.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  12. ^ "Graduate/Certificate Programs". www.cacuss.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  13. ^ a b c d "CACUSS Student Affairs and Services Competency Model" (PDF).[dead link‍]
  14. ^ "ACPA/NASPA Professional Competency Rubrics" (PDF).
  15. ^ "Publications and Webinars". www.cacuss.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  16. ^ "Conference". www.cacuss.ca. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  17. ^ "Associate Members of AUCC". Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Archived from the original on July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  18. ^ "Members of CAS". Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2009.