The National Association of Scholars has issued a strongly worded statement arguing that professors, not student-affairs officials, should have authority over what students learn outside the classroom.

In particular, the statement questions residence-life programs that have moved to a “curricular model,” going well beyond the social activities that once were their domain. “Staff members in residence life may be well meaning,” the statement says. “But they can never be ‘equal partners’ with the faculty.”

The association, which has fought racial preferences in admissions, became interested in the residence-life issue last fall, after a program at the University of Delaware came under fire for promoting certain views on diversity. The group’s statement says that faculty members must speak out against such programs, and urges academics to take back responsibility for fostering debate among students and building a sense of community.

Gwendolyn J. Dungy, executive director of Naspa—Students Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, said in a statement that her group “supports those in student affairs as they partner with faculty to reinforce what is taught by helping students make connections between what they learn in the classroom and how they live their lives as responsible and engaged citizens.” —Elyse Ashburn