CAS was established in 1979 with the purpose of helping to foster and enhance student learning, development, and achievement at institutions of higher education.
According to CAS: These standards respond to real-time student needs, the requirements of sound pedagogy, and the effective management of more than 30 functional areas, consistent with institutional missions.
[2]CAS was developed to meet the rapidly growing student affairs profession's need for quality standards to inform both practice and preparation.
This collective effort can provide enhanced credibility within higher education by establishing standards that are inclusive of the values and interests of member professional groups and the areas they promote.
CAS standards can provide a common base that can ensuring that leadership focus on the services that students receive and can point towards support that is needed in order to be successful.