8. Legal and Ethical Issues

Graduates should possess a broad understanding of the legal foundations and constraints which affect College Student Affairs practice. Specifically, students should possess

a. an understanding of the federal and state regulatory environments in which institutions of higher education operate;
b. an understanding of the major constitutional issues involved in college student affairs administration;
c. an understanding of the basic liability and contractual issues involved in college student affairs practice.

Evidence One
“Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Field Trips”, document

During the CSA 543: Legal and Ethical Issues in College Student Affairs course, I developed “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Field Trips”to be considered for the Risk Management or Facilities Section of the Napa Valley College Web Site. I chose to focus on field trips because NVC Student Service programs had increased their amount of field trips, conference and use of the college van. During my research, I discovered that staff was not 100% sure if they were using the correct forms or understood the risk related to student traveling. At the time of the assignment, there was no information regarding field trips on the NVC web site. Only the full-time and adjunct faculty handbook had information on field trips. However, for staff and faculty working with Student Service programs, there was no written directions, rules or polices they could turn to. Unfortunately, since the assignment, there has been no effort to post my Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Field Trips or information on field trips on the Facilities web site.

Even though my project was not used, I am still glad I did the foot work. I learned how important it is to be proactive and to have policies in place. During this assignment, I discovered that I am a leader who notices when information needs to be communicated or a procedure needs to be created. Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Field Trips

Evidence Two
Webliography

During the CSA 543: Legal and Ethical Issues in College Student Affairs course I was required to design a Webliography that provided resources and articles that addressed important areas of Student Affairs. Some of those areas were Liability and Risk management, Federal Regulations (including FERPA and Title IX), Student Discipline and Alcohol Issues on Campus, Personnel and Employment Issues, and Crisis Management. The Webliography assignment encouraged me to create a grad school blog. Since fall 2006, I have kept the Webliography on my website under the page titled Recourse. Click here to see the: Webliography

Evidence Three
Risk, take it or know it? Workshop on Higher Education Law Workshop

During the CSA 543: Legal and Ethical Issues in College Student Affairs course, I was assigned to summarize the Higher Education Law text book The Rights and Responsibilities of the Modern University. Who assumes the risks of college life by Robert D. Bickel and Peter F. Lake, in a fun creative informative way. I chose to design a workshop that could be used to train future student affairs professionals or current managers. Click here to see the PowerPoint presentation: “Risk, take it or know it? Workshop on Higher Education Law Workshop

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