This study evaluated utilization and satisfaction levels with Student Center services and programs for a sample of students living in the Student Residence Hall at Central Texas College. So that the conducted study may be placed in context, this chapter presents an overview of the existing research on participation in student activities. While a most of the research is of college students, where relevant studies of high school students participation in student activities are also examined.
The review begins with a general discussion of the intent, purposes and administration of student activities programs. This discussion is followed by an examination of the research on student activities and student activities-related evaluations. The third and final section of the review examines the literature on measurement of student participation or involvement in student activities programs.
Student Activities Programs: Intent, Purposes and Administration
Intent and Purposes. According to Grady (1981), recent testing conducted by the American College Testing Board discovered that the most common characteristic of successful people was involvement in school activity. Grady lists several functions of student activities programs. These include promotion of school spirit, provision of a healthy outlet for energy, and provision of a small scale democracy in which students learn the fundamental norms and values of the larger society.
Grady notes that student activities programs are intended to serve the following purposes:
(1) To learn how to use leisure time more wisely
(2) To increase and use constructively whatever unique talents and skills students possess
(3) To development new avocational and recreational interests and skills
(4) To develop a more positive attitude toward the value of avocational and recreational activities
(5) To increase student knowledge of and skill in functioning as a leader and/or as a gro...