Why Not Remote? Campus-Centric HR Policies Impact on Wellness and Retention of Student Affairs Personnel

Abstract

The retention of student affairs professionals remains a significant challenge for academic institutions, as these professionals play a critical role in supporting student retention and ensuring completion rates. A misalignment between employees’ preferred work environments and current institutional policies and traditions hinders the transition to modern models of service delivery, contributing to the attrition of student affairs professionals. Recent surveys reveal that a substantial portion of these professionals work primarily on campus, despite a majority indicating that their responsibilities could be performed remotely. Many also express dissatisfaction with the lack of career development opportunities, recognition, and perceived unfair compensation. Institutions must acknowledge the essential role of student affairs professionals in both student success and organizational sustainability. This theoretical and conceptual article proposes an eight-pronged approach for human resources professionals in higher education to foster a culture that promotes wellness—social, emotional, physical, financial, and intellectual—while also supporting an inclusive workplace, offering career development opportunities, recognizing contributions, and creating a desirable work environment for student affairs professionals.

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