Kim Nehls (Marketing and International Business) recently published a study in titled "Campus and Community Relationships: The Impact of Student Affairs Advisory Boards." The study used resource dependence theory to examine how advisory boards made contributions in six areas: (1) To provide advice to the vice president of student affairs; (2) To offer financial and social capital; (3) To create a connection between student affairs and institutional advancement; (4) To encourage external stakeholders' involvement with undergraduate students; (5) To increase visibility of student affairs beyond campus; and (6) To serve as a model of excellence for the rest of campus. Ironically, although the boards are termed “advisory,” this topic was only included in the written documents such as advisory board bylaws, but not highlighted in the interviews with university employees who oversaw boards on their campuses.
