Accountability in Higher Education- The Role of Student Affairs Practitioners

Accountability has, indeed, become a salient issue nowadays. The author of chapter 6 outlined a number of reasons, which are all correct, but I think parents spend colossal sums of money on education and deserve better. Barham and Scott (2006) were right about the four responsibilities that student affairs practitioners need to ensure. That is, provision of high quality services delivered in an efficient manner; facilitation of students’ development; and contribution to students learning. If these three main responsibilities are well executed, stakeholders in higher education will surely be satisfied and those who provide funds will always pledge their unflinching support.

I also supported the idea that students need to be assessed based on competencies. In most of the universities in Europe, offices have been created and charge with the responsibilities of ensuring participatory learning. This makes students translate what they learn into real life situation. I think it’s about time student affairs professionals stopped being arm-chair officers and see to address the real developmental needs of students. If possible, student’s progress should be tracked at the time they are enrolled until graduation and even after graduation. Data collected in this regard can be evaluated to improve upon the learning situation.