Much of a group's development is part of the natural, interpersonal dynamics that exist when people are working together. Stages in the developmental cycle of groups are identified: polite, why we're here, bid for power, constructive, and esprit de corps. (MLW)

The implications of silence are far reaching in human communication, affecting intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and mass communication events. Understanding the role of silence in self-insight and the development of self is crucial for student affairs professionals desiring to facilitate student development. (MLW)

An interview with Dr. Arthur W. Chickering, leader in higher education, student development theory, and student activities, is presented. The role of student activities professionals is discussed. Seven vectors of student development are identified. (MLW)

Student leaders and campus activities professionals can use a variety of techniques to help college students develop skill in ethical decision making, including teaching about the decision-making process, guiding students through decisions with a series of questions, playing ethics games, exploring assumptions, and best of all, role modeling. (MSE)

With a knowledge of students' thinking processes, activities advisers and leaders can design environments for maximum learning and development. An interpretation of Perry's model of intellectual and ethical development is provided. (MLW)

By working more closely and intensively with a few students, particularly in leadership training, campus activities educators can multiply the effects of their efforts and find the time they need to face new challenges. Mentor programs, workshop leaders, campus leaders roundtables, etc. are described. (Author/MLW)

New federal regulations that require all regional accrediting agencies to "place greater emphasis on the consistent assessment of student achievement as a principle element in the accreditation process" will have a large impact on student development professionals. Measuring student development outcomes is discussed. (MLW)

College traditions and their role in student development is discussed. Ceremonies reflect the community of people who are involved in their creation and perpetuation. Ceremony's role in student development is described. (MLW)

Leadership is different from management, but much of the confusion about leadership stems from equating the two. The differences between leadership, involvement, and management are discussed. Leaders have vision, power, are doers, embrace conflict, and meet the needs and wants of followers. (MLW)

Students who volunteer for student activities work gain a number of valuable skills through their participation. These skills can be turned into marketable ones that will aid student volunteers in finding paying jobs. (MLW)

Student activities programing, viewed as essential to the college experience, is defended by outlining some of the values and growth opportunities it provides for students. Several specific programing strategies useful as catalysts in values development are described, including values clarification exercises, multicultural programing, and…

Competent student leaders' actions derive from personal values, beliefs, skills, and goals. Leaders need to know themselves well and act consistently with regard to their value systems to earn followers' trust. Kennesaw State College (Georgia) combines the components and stages of student leadership in a framework for developing leadership…

Background assumptions about leadership are challenged and ways of teaching leadership to college students are questioned. The emerging beliefs of leadership are that it will be practiced in a dynamic and constantly changing system. What may be important is the inner-development of values, ethics, world views, and beliefs of the potential leader.…

ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), a national database funded by the U.S. Department of Education to collect and analyze literature on all areas of education and education-related fields, is described. Samples of student activities literature found in a search of ERIC are provided, along with a list of database vendors. (MLW)

The "Student Learning Imperative," as articulated by the American College Personnel Association, is put into context for college activities programming specialists. At its heart is the principle that intentional integration of curricular and cocurricular experiences must be the central focus of campus student affairs functions, based on…