Topic of the Month: September

"What is the number one thing getting in the way of student groups being more active?"

Let the debate begin. Please post your thoughts below.

Comments

[Eric Stoller]

I don't believe that there is a singular cause for a lack of student group involvement. Unique factors on each college campus impact each group independently...funding, time, perceived value, over-saturation of similar groups, historical ramifications, etc. It's similar to how there isn't a single communications form that exists that can be used to "reach" all of our students. Hence the need for email, txt msgs, blogs, micro-blogging, RSS'ing every piece of content, and even throwing in print materials for good measure.

[Erik]

At my school, I would actually be scared if our student groups were active. On the whole, we have one of the most active student bodies I've seen in my (short) time in student affairs. Groups are active and productive.

[Tom Krieglstein]

@Erik, what do you mean you would be scared if your student groups were active? I don't get the meaning.

[Erik]

@Tom, wow, that was a typo that completely changed the message of a sentence. What I intended to say was, I'd be scared if my student groups were MORE active.

[Tom Krieglstein]

@Erik, haha that's what I thought, but wasn't sure. Thanks for clarifying.

[Amy Garrison]

At my current institution the student organizations are extremely active. They are law students and very passionate in pursuing their interests. They also receive funding and a lot of support from Student Life and other departments. The difference between this setup and the situation with student groups on former campuses where I worked has everything to do with empowerment. If student groups are trained, provided advising and support, given adequate funding (not obscene but adequate) they will thrive. Certainly there are ups and downs in the cycle of leadership which correlates to the level of activity of an organization but generally with training, advising and funding groups will be active.