“Referees on a Field:” A Grounded Theory Analysis of How Student Affairs Professionals Think About External Demands on Practice

Abstract:Student affairs professionals face increasing pressure from ideologies, people, and organizations outside of higher education institutions. Historically, student affairs practice has been focused on student development theory. In this constructivist grounded theory study, we explore this tension using interviews with 21 early-career, mid-level, and senior student affairs practitioners. Our findings highlight the complex forces now shaping student affairs practice, including external demands related to (a) efficacy and efficiency of student services; (b) compliance with local, state, and federal laws; and (c) student and public relations crises. We theorize these pressures relative to Foucault’s thinking about surveillance and self-regulation within total institutional spaces, using these ideas to offer new insight into student affairs practice.