Setting organizational or program objectives is seen as requiring three steps (brainstorming goals for the year, prioritizing them, and visualizing them as smaller, discrete tasks) and six principles (making goals group-specific, setting deadlines, being realistic and explicit, writing down goals, defining measurable steps, and creating…

Campus activities programers are encouraged to use creativity and to experiment in incorporating solo, or easily produced, acts into campus events. Ideas include using solo acts as openers or as part of larger special or traditional events. A sample campus survey, designed to discover campus preferences, is included. (MSE)

An effective campaign to recruit members to student organizations must use contemporary marketing strategies. Market positioning involves understanding the prospect's thinking, simplifying the message being conveyed, being first in the prospect's mind, and finding a market niche. The organization should be treated as a product, the potential…

It is logical for groups within the college or university to work together for the institution's common good. Student activities personnel can initiate partnerships on campus in the areas of activities planning, academic and intellectual programing, and governance. It is also important to plan program evaluation and anticipate resistance to…

In programing for commuting students, campus programers must take into account their different schedules, time and family constraints, and logistical considerations. Marketing of the resulting programs must be varied and carefully targeted to the students' location. However, with creativity, programing for off-campus students can be successful.…

The use of focus groups to assess existing college student leadership efforts and as a step in developing better programs is examined. Procedures include assembling a planning team, identifying information needs, determining the composition of focus groups, soliciting and training volunteers, and using focus group results to design a program. (MSE)

The responses of several college student activities programs to crises on campus (violence, civil unrest, and earthquake) are described. In each case, professionals responsible highlighted the importance of having a proactive emergency plan in place and rehearsed. Flexibility and clear thinking are also crucial ingredients. (MSE)

Preparation for college campus crises (natural disasters, violence or unrest) is discussed. Specific suggestions are made for three distinct areas of readiness: (1) response to the situation; (2) response to the students; and (3) personal response. (MSE)

Selection of campus speakers on sexuality is discussed, including assessment of speaker qualifications, the importance of teaching style and tone, choice of subject, program design for a meaningful event, and the sensitivity of both the speaker and the institution. (MSE)

A discussion of college extracurricular activities programing looks at current and predicted trends in campus entertainment preferences, based on the perceptions of student activities directors from around the country, and offers suggestions for tailoring programs to the changing needs and interests of college student populations. (MSE)

The legal risks taken by an institution in sponsoring outdoor activities are discussed, drawing on decisions in court litigation. Topics addressed include negligence, degree of risk, spectator safety, athlete safety, release forms, and immunity. The role of adequate precautionary measures is emphasized. (MSE)

Cooperative buying is a process developed to enable colleges and universities in specific geographic areas to block-book dates for an artist or attraction, resulting in lower costs to schools and more logical routing for artists. A seven-step procedure, beginning before the campus activities convention and continuing through contract completion…

Issues to be considered in developing student activities programs that attract all students, including minority groups, are outlined and some program ideas promoting cultural pluralism are provided. Consistent application of student development theory is encouraged. (MSE)

An interview with a college student activities director addresses topics concerning student activities planning including the need for good planning, activities planning as leadership training, roles of staff and students, planning phases, effective use of financial and human resources, contracting with artists, effective promotion, event-day…

A discussion of successful leadership in meetings looks at differing philosophies about the role of the group leader, the different roles assumed by group members, minimal responsibilities that the leader must fulfill, and specific suggestions for maintaining the group's interest during the meeting. (MSE)