Guiding student affairs & services departments with national data

When factors such as new federal policy changes and provincial funding models resulted in a financial crisis on institutional campuses across the country, several student affairs and services departments found themselves facing unexpected operational constraints and budget cuts.

There was little in the way of Canadian, national data for student affairs and services departments to compare their current circumstances to or to make decisions about their operations and services from. This meant that many departments were trying to make decisions about crucial supports and services “in the dark.”

Academica Group embarked on a study of Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs) from Canadian postsecondary institutions in order to create a benchmark and gain insight into key operational decisions. More than 80 postsecondary institutions took part in the study, providing a strong foundation for exploring the stiuation in Canadian student affairs and services.

This study touched on a variety of critical topics, including if and how their student affairs and services budget had changed, whether they were exploring opportunities for revenue generation, and whether they saw a place for AI in student affairs & services. This inaugural study offered SSAOs a look into what their colleagues viewed as priorities, challenges, and opportunities for the future.