Introduction

As we enter the twenty-first century, higher education and the student affairs profession are facing complex issues. These issues include, as examples, responding to the economic challenges facing our country and its educational institutions, addressing the needs of an increasingly diverse student population, working effectively with our faculty partners to enhance student learning, having a voice in advocating for social justice and human dignity within a global context, and keeping abreast of sophisticated new technology and its appropriate use in educational settings. To effectively and proactively respond to such issues, we need knowledgeable and empowered student affairs leaders who can shape and carry out creative new initiatives on our campuses and in partnership with private and public entities working to address the educational needs of this country and throughout the world. Comprehensive professional preparation and ongoing quality professional development are essential to accomplish the overarching goal of preparing our current and future students to take their places as responsible citizens within our increasingly complex global society.

The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) are the primary professional associations for student affairs professionals in higher education. Each organization has a rich history of providing quality professional development through its programs, publications, conferences and meetings. In light of the similar goals espoused by the two associations, and in response to member encouragement over the past several years, the ACPA Executive Council and the NASPA Board of Directors have agreed to convene a committee to explore the possibility of consolidating the two associations to form a new association with the potential to serve more effectively and efficiently the student affairs profession at this challenging time in its history.

Committee Composition

The members of the committee will include at least ten members -- five selected from each association. NASPA and ACPA office staff will serve in administrative support roles and will not be members of the committee.

Blue Ribbon Committee Charge

The committee will take direction from and report its findings and recommendations to the NASPA Board of Directors and the ACPA Executive Council. In doing so the committee will:

1. Conduct an analysis of the environment in which the two organizations operate;
2. Look at the potential synergistic, strategic, operational, and cultural aspects of consolidating the organizations;
3. Evaluate the comparative capabilities and limitations of NASPA and ACPA while considering the impact these factors may have on a consolidated organization;
4. Assess the expectations of the stakeholders (membership, association staff, profession of student affairs, colleges, community colleges, and universities) of ACPA and NASPA and how a possible consolidation might affect stakeholders;
5. Consider the strategic intent and rationale for consolidation;
6. Evaluate and outline the business rationale for consolidation;
7. Evaluate the benefits and risks for the profession of student affairs and ACPA and NASPA with and without consolidation; and
8. Report any additional findings and information the committee deems useful in the evaluation of whether the two associations should consolidate to form a new association.

Organization of the Blue-Ribbon Committee Work

1. Co-chairs (one from each association) of the committee will be selected by the respective presidents of ACPA and NASPA.
2. It is expected that the committee will perform its work as it sees fit, with input from the presidents of NASPA and ACPA and with their respective association's leadership.
3. The committee will establish a timetable within the parameters approved by the ACPA Executive Council and the NASPA Board of Directors for completing its analysis and presenting its recommendations. An initial report on the committee's work should be provided to the leadership of both associations at their respective national meetings in March 2003.

Consideration of Blue-Ribbon Recommendations by ACPA and NASPA

Recommendations and other pertinent information developed by the Blue Ribbon Committee will be used to help the NASPA Board of Directors and ACPA Executive Council determine whether they should continue to explore the possibility of consolidation of the existing associations to form a new association and move to the next steps of pre-consolidation planning efforts or abandon the discussions.

ACPA - NASPA Blue Ribbon Committee Members

• Greg Blimling - Appalachian State University (ACPA)
• Cherry Callahan, Univeristy of North Carolina Greensboro (NASPA)
• Jill Carnaghi - Washington University in St. Louis (ACPA)
• Shannon Ellis - University of Nevada, Reno (NASPA)
• Thomas Flynn - Monroe Community College (ACPA/NASPA)
• Michael Jackson - University of Southern California (NASPA)
• Susan Komives - University of Maryland (ACPA)
• Larry Moneta - Duke University (NASPA)
• Greg Roberts - University of St. Thomas (ACPA)
• Margaret Tosten, Maryville University (NASPA)
• Vernon Wall - Iowa State University (ACPA)

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Paul Shang, President of ACPA

Michael L. Jackson, President of NASPA