Analysis and Conclusion
From Dickinson College Wiki
After concluding our research, we found the following trends among respondents. Based on these trends, we have come up with six recommendations that we believe will help the Dickinson social action community.
Trends
- The majority of the groups that responded claimed funding as one of their major barriers in carrying out many of the events they would like. This is not to say that group members didn’t think that Student Senate didn’t have the money, but rather had different priorities on where to allocate funding.
- Many groups also claimed that they had difficulty in gaining acceptance and involvement from a diverse group of students. For example the African American Society has trouble bringing in non-Blacks into their events because students feel the events are only for Black people and are only about Black culture. Similarly, the majority of people who go to Spectrum meetings are either gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgendered individuals. It is those who aren’t the stereotypical members that would most promote change, awareness, and acceptance.
Recommendations
- Branch Out! By working with an organization that has a different membership type, you will expand your horizons and even more likely, your effectiveness on campus. Also, branch out to a wider audience. Students claimed that there were many events they were unaware of but may have attended had they known about the event. For example, many students were unaware of events with Multi-Cultural Week because the events were not well publicized to the campus at large.
- Marketing! Many groups do not have updated websites or do not have one at all. Dickinson’s campus is based on internet communications. Having an up-to-date website is essential. Students would like to know what your upcoming events are, when your meetings are, and who your officers are. This is the best way for students to become involved.
- Work Together! Instead of competing with an organization that has a similar mission to yours, work together to create an even more successful event. Students are more likely to attend if you have one event supporting one cause rather than three events for the same cause.
- Programming! While we recognize that hosting a dinner as a means for attendance is effective, we have found that students often leave after the dinner, not staying for the content aspect of the event. Most of the dinners are held in order to promote certain themes yet many students don’t absorb the message because they don’t stay for the entire event. We recommend that dinners begin with an educational aspect so that students will learn something before receiving dinner.
- Look Within Your Group! Issues related to gender, sexuality and classism can be discussed within your group. Before looking to other groups to discuss similar issues, learn more about them with people you feel comfortable with.
- Respect and Understanding! Everyone has different views but every group will be more successful if we create a common understanding and respect for one another.
Opinions | Analysis and Conclusion | Works Cited
