Canadian Association of College and University Student Services

The Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) is a professional association representing and serving those individuals who work in Canadian post-secondary institutions in student affairs and services. Since 1973, CACUSS has provided professional development services and programs for members in all the Canadian provinces. Cross-divisional interest groups called communities of practice and networks were formed by members in 2015 based on their professional needs, focusing on areas such as student health and wellness, first-year students, new professionals, and leadership education.

Communities of Practice CACUSS is a comprehensive organization consisting of networks and Communities of Practice representing many topical and functional areas of Student Affairs and Services.

The following communities currently exist:

Aboriginal Student Services Assembly (NASSA)  Accessibility and Inclusion  Academic Learning  Community Engaged Learning Co-Curricular Record    Digital Communications Equity Seeking Groups  Advising Internationalization in Student Affairs Leadership Educators  Orientation, Transition, Retention  Post-Secondary Student Counselling Campus Mental Health  Research Assessment, Evaluation  Spirituality and Religious Pluralism  Student Case Managers  Student Conduct    Student Health & Wellness  Student Peer Support Programs  Students with Family Responsibilities  Graduate and Second Entry Student

Resources for Members

Communiqué Communiqué is a journal that is published bi-annually by the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services which includes material relevant to college and university student services in Canada. The journal provides an opportunity for student affairs professionals and senior leadership to keep up to date on current issues and trends, best-practices, new developments, and initiatives. Anyone is able to contribute content to the publication, not just members of CACUSS.

Health data As an information sharing courtesy to its members, CACUSS posts health data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA).  This nationally recognized research survey is administered in Canada every three years by the American College Health Association. The NCHA is a comprehensive assessment of college student health and it examines:

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use Sexual health Weight, nutrition, and exercise Mental health Personal safety and violence

In 2019, there were about 55,000 student respondents, an increase from the 44,000 respondents in 2016. Student affairs professionals can utilize the data to learn about their students’ health and behaviours, to design programs and initiatives applicable to their student populations, and inform resource allocation.  Data can also be used by student affairs professionals, as well as faculty and students, to inform presentations, classes, marketing campaigns, and promotional material.

Student affairs job board The CACUSS website posts current job opportunities available in Canada in the student affairs field.  Jobs are submitted by Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Listing of graduate and certificate programs in student affairs For new student affairs professionals, or for professionals looking to advance their career, the CACUSS website provides a comprehensive listing of graduate degree and certificate programs offered in Canada.  Each listing includes information on the institution, type of program, style of delivery, area of focus, and contact information for additional information.

Professional Development

Student Affairs and Services Competency Model In 2014, CACUSS developed the Student Affairs and Services Competency Model with three goals in mind:  to grow CACUSS as a professional organization, to advance the professionalization of student affairs in Canada, and to support the development of student affairs professionals in Canada. Building on the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies Rubric, the model was developed through a consultation process with student affairs professionals across Canada, which also included gathering and articulating the shared values that informed student affairs practice specific to Canada.  Student affairs research from around the world also informed the development of the competency model.

The competency model details the values of Canadian student affairs practice:  that student affairs professionals are educators; that student affairs is student-centered and holistic in practice; and that student affairs is a professional and ethical practice. Each competency is divided into three levels which include core, intermediate, and advanced.  The levels represent increasing skills and knowledge student affairs professionals attain as they advance in their practice. Student affairs professionals can develop their competencies by utilizing this model to inform and guide their professional development as they advance through each of the levels.

The competencies included in the model are:

Communication Emotional and interpersonal Intelligence Intercultural Indigenous cultural awareness Post-secondary acumen Equity, diversity and inclusion Leadership, management and administration Strategic planning, research and assessment Student advising, support and advocacy Student learning and development Technology and digital engagement

Webinars CACUSS members, as well as non-members, can access free webinars on the CACUSS YouTube Channel.  Members have access to additional webinars on the members' webpage.

Annual Conference CACUSS hosts an annual conference in alternating locations across Canada. Members are encouraged to build presentations and panels, and special guest speakers are asked to attend. The conference is attended by a wide range of professionals (Senior leaders, student life professionals, emerging student affairs professionals, registrarial staff, etc) both as members and non-members of the association The conference provides an opportunity for attendees to network, discuss current issues, share resources and ideas to support students on their campuses. +YearHost/LocationThemeNotes1970Montreal, QC1971Dalhousie University/Halifax, NS1972University of Windsor/Windsor, ON1973Universite de Montreal/Montreal, QC1974University of Calgary/Banff, AB1975Brock University/St Catharines, ONHigher Education in Austerity: New Perceptions and New Directions19761977Memorial University of Newfoundland/St John's, NL1978University of Waterloo/Waterloo, ONThe Student and the Environment-Beyond the Ivory Tower/ L'etudiant et l'environment- Au dela de la tour d'ivoire1979Universite de Sherbrooke/ Sherbrooke, QCFor a Better Life/Mieux Vivre1980University of Victoria/ Victoria, BCWorking Together/Travailler de Concert1981University of Ottawa/ Ottawa, ONThe Student Population From the Perspective of Student Services1982Concordia University/ Montreal, QCEnrichment and Survival/Reussir et Survivre1983University of Prince Edward Island/ Charlottetown, PEThe Successful Student/L'Etudiant Accompli1984University of Windsor/ Windsor, ONNew Faces: New Challenges/Nouveaux Visages: Nouveaux Defis1985Universite de Laval/ Quebec City, QCHope for Youth!/De L'Espoir Pour La Jeunesse!1986University of British Columbia/ Vancouver, BC1987University of Western Ontario/ London, ONExploring Excellence/A La Recherche de l'Excellence1988University of Manitoba/ Winnipeg, MBThe Challenge of Change/Le Defi Du Chagement1989Acadia University/ Wolfville, NSHigher Education and the CommunityIn partnership with the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services1990University of Toronto/ Toronto, ONA Delicate Balance: Human Needs and Institutional Limits/Un equilibre fragile...Les Besoins Humains et les limites Institutionelles1991University of Calgary/ Calgary, ABBold Horizons1992Universite de Sherbrooke/ Sherbrooke, QC1993Brock University/ St Catharines, ONJuggling Needs, Making Choices/Faire des Choix un Tour D'addresse1994The Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Cabot College/ St John's NewfoundlandCatch the Drift: Thriving in the 90'sIn partnership with the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services1995University of Guelph/ Guelph, ONRising to the Challenge1996Simon Fraser University/ Burnaby, BCExploring New Heights: Reaching the Summit Together: 1997Dalhousie University/ Halifax, NSNavigating Uncharted Waters/Comment Navigeur Dans Les Eux Inexplorees1998University of Ottawa/ Ottawa, ONTotal Student Learning...A Capital Investment25th Anniversary of CACUSS1999University of Victoria/ Victoria, BCSoften the Landing/L'arrivee en douceur2000York University/ Toronto, ONEclectic Voices2001Concordia University/ Montreal, QCDialogue Transition/Dialogue Transition2002University of New Brunswick/ Fredericton, NBWhere the Land Meets the Sea/La Ou La Terre Accueille La Mer2003University of British Columbia/ Vancouver BCImagine the Learning/Soyons Imaginatif2004Winnipeg, ManitobaAt the Centre of it All2005Queen's University/ Kingston, ONHigh Tech, High Touch/Haute Technologie, Haute ContactIn partnership with Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators2006McMaster University/ Hamilton, ONLeading The Way/Frayer La Voie2007Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology and University of Saskatchewan/ Saskatoon, SKBuilding Bridges/Batir Des Ponts2008College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University of Newfoundland/ St John's, NLImagine!2009Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo/Waterloo, ONThe Power of Three/Le Pouvoir des Trois2010MacEwan University, Norquest college, Concordia University College of Alberta, University of Alberta, and Yellowhead Tribal College/ Edmonton, ABShine2011Ryerson University/ Toronto, ONAt the Heart of Diversity2012Brock University/ St Catharine's ONEngaging Digital Citizens2013McGill University/ Montreal, QCPassion2014St Mary's University/ Halifax, NSNavigating Change: Campus, Culture, Community2015Simon Fraser University/ Vancouver, BCWhole Campus Whole Student: Creating Healthy Communities2016Red River College/ Winnipeg, MBMuddy Waters, Blue Skies2017Carleton University/ Ottawa, ONOur Past, Our Future2018Holland College and University of Prince Edward Island/ Charlottetown, PEISea ChangeIn partnership with the Association of Registrars of The Universities and Colleges of Canada2019Mount Royal University/Calgary, ABMoh-Kins-Tsis: Where the rivers meet2020Centennial College, George Brown College, Humber College, Seneca College and Sheridan College/ Toronto, ONLearn, Unite, ActCancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic2021VirtualNow More Than Ever2022VirtualCritical Reflection in Shifting Times2023Niagara FallsHonour, Engage, Evolve2024VirtualSupporting our students; Sustaining ourselves2025Halifax, NSKeeping the wind in our sails; Cultivating joy in our purpose

CACUSS Institutes Similar to a conference, Institutes are offered over a period of several days, however they focus on a single theme or topic. They may be hosted by external or partnering affiliations. CACUSS provides detailed information on their upcoming events page. Institutes are an opportunity to develop skills or knowledge in a specific area related to student support and student affairs.

Past Presidents