The college experience should help students develop basic thinking skills required of aware, discerning individuals in society. Healthy skepticism is a foundation for learning. Student activities are a good place to teach critical thinking skills. Specific skills must be identified, challenges offered, and alternating periods of analysis and…

Ways in which to revive and promote creativity in campus activities programming are offered. Specific steps to take, particularly in committee meetings, to energize individual thinking and group processes and to improve programming and publicity are detailed. (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)

A guide for using cooperative buying to block-book campus activities or attractions through a campus activities convention provides a step-by-step process and outlines some specific considerations, including forms, pricing, preparation for the conference, follow-up approaches, and hints for new users of the system. (MSE)

Examines issues in the development of campus programming for distance learners, including creating effective orientation programs, promoting participation in student government and student organizations, providing service learning opportunities, and offering wellness and recreational sports opportunities. (MSE)

In addition to conventional methods of easing leadership transition in student activities organizations (orderly transfer of significant organizational knowledge, minimizing confusion, sense of completion for outgoing leaders, identification of potential leaders, careful nominee selection), retreats are recommended as a means of creating shared…

Provides advice to college programming boards on how to work effectively with agencies when booking talent for campus shows, focusing on the research, negotiation, booking, and program implementation phases of the process. Includes risk management and contract check lists, along with the assistance that the National Association for Campus…

Original documents, artist's riders, technical riders, and sponsor's riders all go into a contract for a performance and they are all negotiable. Common practices used in negotiating contracts and riders with performing artists for a campus activities program are discussed. (MLW)

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)

Higher education has much potential for developing a sense of community and for modeling community behavior and leadership. However, it will not be accomplished by top-down leadership with a fixed vision and focus on ends rather than means. It will require leadership that embodies 10 basic principles of community. (MSE)

Offers guidelines for risk management to campus entertainers and their representatives, including options for insurance coverage, types of insurance policies, and risk management for non-insurable factors associated with concerts and novelty events. (MSE)

Provides advice to campus activities chairpersons, faculty advisers, and other student organizations on how to recruit volunteers to advance organizational goals. Focuses on determining organizational needs, attracting volunteer interest, job descriptions and applications, diversity, evaluation of volunteers, and continuing motivation. (MDM)