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Busyness Is Burning Us Out: The Glorification of Busy in Student Affairs

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Title: Busyness Is Burning Us Out: The Glorification of Busy in Student Affairs
Language: English
Authors: Charlie Potts (ORCID 0000-0002-1758-3092)
Source: About Campus. 2026 31(2):7-14.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Student Personnel Workers, Work Environment, Student Personnel Services, Behavior Standards, Social Behavior, Culture, Family Work Relationship
DOI: 10.1177/10864822261420156
ISSN: 1086-4822
1536-0687
Abstract: A persistent trait of many modern workplaces is the glorification of busy; that is, the misguided notion that effectiveness is measured by being overworked and underappreciated, that full calendars and endless to-do lists are a rite of passage. Existing literature and more than a few conference sessions and professional development resources emphasize the problematic nature of busyness, yet people continue to acknowledge that it is just part of how many of their organizations function. The pervasive busyness among student affairs professionals has historical roots in the abiding commitment to compassion and care. But the work, while important, should not be the primary way to fulfill one's social, emotional, and intellectual needs. The behavioral norms around busyness in student affairs are contributing to burnout and retention issues, and it is time to acknowledge that the norms are broken. Dismantling ideal worker norms is possible through culture change. Leadership through supervision is the key to empowering and promoting the management of busyness as it is understood from generation to generation of student affairs educators, as highlighted by the responses from participants shared in this article.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504320
Database: ERIC
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  Data: A persistent trait of many modern workplaces is the glorification of busy; that is, the misguided notion that effectiveness is measured by being overworked and underappreciated, that full calendars and endless to-do lists are a rite of passage. Existing literature and more than a few conference sessions and professional development resources emphasize the problematic nature of busyness, yet people continue to acknowledge that it is just part of how many of their organizations function. The pervasive busyness among student affairs professionals has historical roots in the abiding commitment to compassion and care. But the work, while important, should not be the primary way to fulfill one's social, emotional, and intellectual needs. The behavioral norms around busyness in student affairs are contributing to burnout and retention issues, and it is time to acknowledge that the norms are broken. Dismantling ideal worker norms is possible through culture change. Leadership through supervision is the key to empowering and promoting the management of busyness as it is understood from generation to generation of student affairs educators, as highlighted by the responses from participants shared in this article.
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