Educational Staff Development Team

Educational Staff Development Team Presents:

The Spring 2010 Student Affairs

Professional Development Series

Showcase of Student Affairs Departments

Feb. 10 8:30am-10am LBJSC 3-10.1

Presenters: Dr. Greg Snodgrass, Director - Counseling Center; Mr. Curt Schafer, Director - Career Services; Ms. Judy Row, Director-Alcohol & Drug Resource Center

Showcase of Student Affairs Departments

March 19 11:30am-1pm Alkek 105, 106

Presenters: Dr. Sherri Benn, Director - Multicultural Student Affairs; Dr. Emilio Carranco, Director - Student Health Center; Dr. Tina Schultz - Director, Office of Disability Services

Law in Higher Education

April 30 11:30am-1pm LBJSC 3-10.1

Amanda Clay - Domestic partner benefits: An issue facing higher education administrators

This presentation offers information regarding domestic partner benefits in institutions of higher education. Providing domestic partner benefits is a necessary component of attracting and retaining well-qulaified individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT). This presentation will discuss what a domestic partnership is, why domestic partnerships are not currently recognized in many states, proposed pro-LGBT legislation, Texas State's policy on domestic partner benefits, and what you can do to help make your campus more LGBT inclusive.

Reggie Toussant - FERPA: A General Overview, Related Legislation and Relevant Court Decisions

This workshop presentation begins with a brief overview of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), discussing some of the most significant implications of the document as they pertain to the fields of higher education and student affairs. Following this introduction and overview is a discussion of some of the other laws and legislation that intersect and interact with FERPA, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Before closing, there will also be a presentation on some of the landmark court decisions that have involved FERPA, specifically in dealing with issues of mental health.

Rachel Griffey - The Legal Implications of College Student Suicide

With an increase in the number of students coming to college with psychological and mental disorders, student affairs administrators and health professionals on campus are faced with increasing challenges regarding proper care, support, and intervention of these students. I will discuss similarities and differences of some of the cases that provide knowledge and precedent for liability in college student suicide, many of which involve a “special relationship” or “duty of care.” I will also discuss the liability issues regarding notification of parents and the pros and cons of both sides. Lastly, I will discuss how higher education institutions can successfully implement an effective suicide prevention and postvention program on their campuses.

*The sessions are brown bag style, so please bring your own food.

*For more information, contact Terence Parker at tp11@txstate.edu.