Starting a Killer Society at Uni

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Student societies are part of university life, and for some students, they are a way of getting to know other people while being involved in something they are interested in. They are usually started because someone notices a niche where there is not one, and are run by the students themselves.

Applying To Set Up A Student Society

You cannot just decide to start a student society and say to people this is it, we are here. You have to have your idea approved and to get the OK you need to have at least 10 other people who would become members. The decision makers at your university will also be looking to see how you intend to move the idea forward. How will you let other students know about it?  Will you consider getting posters printed for the society by a company like www.printsafari.com or you will be relying on social media and word of mouth to get your new society known, which is fine, but students are often out and about and a big bold poster will be seen. Cover all of the bases and you’ll get a better turnout.

Getting Your Team Together

Most universities will want a society to have a present, a vice present, a secretary and a treasurer. When you are starting out you will probably appoint the first batch of officers yourself and you should try to aim for a range of talents. Look at your weaknesses and find students who have these as a strength as you should never think you can do everything yourself.

Funding The Venture

When it comes to funding you should run your society in the same way as you would run a business, and doing so will give you some insight into running a business if that is something you’d like to do after graduation.. Keep strict records of membership fees as they come in and any expenses that have to be paid out. As a student society registered with your university, you can often use venues and facilities free of charge and some of them have a startup fund they give to new societies that can be as much as £100.

Getting Students Interested

There are lots of ways to get students interested in your new society. If your society is TV or film themed you could hire costumes to attend events like the ones at https://metaphysicalfantasy.wordpress.com/. All four team members could go as characters from Star Trek, for example, as long as there are no arguments over who wears the big ears to be Spock.  You could dress up as Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock if you are starting a Gardening Society or be Gordon Ramsey for a Hell’s Kitchen Society. The choice is endless and so are the ways of letting people know you are then and when your first meeting will be.

Letting Go

So, you start a successful student society, and the skills you have had to use can be useful when you leave university. In fact, most employers are very impressed because a student has run a society and it could tilt the balance between you and another candidate for the job you are after.

You will have put a lot of effort into the society you founded and it should not close just because you are leaving university. The officers will need to be replaced and that should be dome with a democratic vote among the members. It is not easy to stand by and watch someone else take over something you started, but you should be proud of yourself that it is still around to pass on.

Worlds Collide: The Divide Between Gamblers And Gamers

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Obviously, love for games is synonymous with both video gamers and gamblers. So, why is there a divide between these two groups, at all? Well, from years of gaming, it’s easy to see that there are different motivations afoot! With a little snooping, it’s obvious that there’s a difference between the two communities. So, here’s a post to give you an insight into the distinction between and gambler and a gamer.

Of course, there are many similarities between the two communities. For one, without games, neither group would exist. And, with playing a game being both group’s goal, this is the primary connection they have with each other. But, there are other similarities, as well. Both communities are notorious for aggressive behavior in-game, and even out of the game, on forums and social media. Gamblers and gamers are also often looked at as reclusive people, only socializing when their favorite game is on offer. On a lighter note, you’ll also find both groups constantly vying for cheaper or free experiences. You’ll find the free spins guides and tricks to get free games that you find online to be very popular amongst the groups. So, what is really different about these groups?

Well, even though both parties will play games, they will play them for different reasons. For a gamer, there are loads of reasons to play. A lot of games have no competitive edge at all and are played simply for the story or fun factor. Other games, like MOBAs and FPSs, can get extremely competitive. For most gamblers, it’s all about the rush before and after a win. For example, most gamblers won’t be having much fun, if they’re losing.

A lot of the enjoyment both parties get from playing is found in the adrenaline rush the games cause. But, the chemicals in our bodies are triggered by different things. Gambling releases these chemicals because you’re in a position of risk. You have to out think, or out draw, your opponent. Within video games, adrenaline can be present because of many factors. Certain games will cause more chemicals to be released because of the action involved. A lot of games are based on pin point accuracy and reaction time, as well as strategy.

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Different people will play games or gamble for different reasons. But, most people do it all for the rush. Ultimately, your preference between video games and gambling is probably based on your age and social group. OIder generations and people from poorer backgrounds are more likely to gamble. Whereas young people and those considered to be nerdy will tend towards games. It can also depend on what you go hooked on first, as well. Both videos games and gambling require a dependency to remain fun. Whether you do it for the rush or because you want to escape the real world, you’re still dependent on it for your everyday entertainment.

These two communities are very similar. With the only real divides being the reasons for playing, generational gaps, and prejudices that are hard to shake. Whether you game or gamble, you’re still part of an elite community filled with interested people and new friends to make. So, drop the differences, and embrace the similarities.

Gaming and the Antisocial Myth, Debunked

When you think of people playing games, what pictures does it bring to mind? For many people with no understanding of gaming, it’s still a stereotype. They will often imagine the social recluse, hiding away in a bedroom, tapping furiously on a keyboard or controller. It’s a narrative that has existed ever since home computers became popular - and it doesn’t seem like it is going away at times.

I find this odd, I must admit. I've gamed my entire life and love to play alongside or against other people. After all, way back in 2008 a study into gaming found that three-quarters of all gamers played with other people either online or in person. This is objectively about as far from antisocial as it can get. But, here were are, eight years down the line and it’s still a view that many people have of gaming. I thought I would pull together some ideas to prove that, far from being a lonely activity, the community is very much part of the gaming experience.

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The arcade

Back in the early days, most people only had the option of hitting their arcade if they wanted to play the latest games. And, while most games were only one or two players, it was still a social experience. In fact, arcades were home to all different kinds of groups, who often when on to form significant communities. There was a little too much competition at times, of course. But overall, ask anyone who remembers the early days and you will get a positive response.

Home PCs and consoles

It was only when home computers became widespread and consoles became popular that people started playing alone. Even then, that period didn’t last long. People would always look for multiplayer games, even before broadband made MMOGs possible. Now, of course, when you find the best games online, you'll tend to find  thousands of other people playing them, too. It's a chance to connect with people from all over the world, make new friends, and join a community of like-minded others.

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Board games

Don’t forget; gaming isn’t just about sitting in front of a screen and pushing some buttons. Board games are still relevant now as they have ever been. And these highly complex games are a lot of fun to play, and most rely on a group of people getting together. Even the mainstream success of games like Cards Against Humanity (which I personally love) could be used as evidence for the social benefits of gaming.

Roleplaying games

Another are to think about is role playing games. Again, the best RPGs involve a group of people coming together. RPGs rely on groups, and to think that makes players antisocial is pretty wide of the mark. In fact, the whole point of RPGs is that you come together as a group and try to solve a problem. It teaches you everything you need to know about teamwork - and a lot more besides.

The future...

Finally, let’s take a look at where games are going right now and into the future. A quick look at Pokemon Go’s success will reveal that social gaming is close to exploding. And I, for one, look forward to seeing what comes next.

Thanks for stopping by!

#SAGeeks - The Guilded Age

The SAGeeks series is all about celebrating the geeky and nerdy sides of all of us working in higher education and student affairs. The series is edited by Jenn Osolinski and Lynne Meyer. Check out our resources page for more geeky goodness.

I love online video games. The objectives aren’t the part that really draws me in, but mostly the interaction with other people. That interaction would be a lot less plausible without the in game communities often called “guilds.” Guilds are often easy-to-make, in game communities that allow players to work actively or passively together towards common goals — whether it be to help each other overcome challenging content, team up to compete against other players, or just to socialize with other players while trading tips. Those are just some simple examples; guilds, like offline associations, can have various complex missions and objectives. Getting into them can range from just simply asking, to long-term applications depending on the game and the guild.

    Interacting with these online communities was where I first learned about the power of community as a teenager playing World of Warcraft and EVE Online. Like many communities, guilds often have histories, either written down or passed on orally from player to player as times go on. They also have politics. Like many organizations, they have executives who often lead the group and do not always make all the right calls. The same can be said of non-executive players.  Being part of various guilds taught me about organizational dynamics two years before I entered college and thanks to what I learned from them, I was a better leader in my fraternity and now a better professional. I’ve seen both horrible, and beautiful examples of leadership and organizational dynamics.

My favorite group is the Warcraft guild I’m in that sends welcome packages to newbies and members who have become active in the game again. One new member was so impressed by the thought of a welcome package, they donated considerable in game funds to the guild. In addition, the guild didn’t start out as it is now — it was originally formed from several other guilds who decided to re-organize under one roof. When times of need occur, I’ve seen members, who haven’t played Warcraft in years, log into the guild’s separate voice chat program and say hello as well as post supportive messages in our forums.  I’ve also seen “alumni” players, people who have left the guild on good terms, even assist in times of need.

As a master’s student, I remember discussing virtual culture with my class. I was, and still am, a staunch supporter of it because I know, thanks to my time in guilds, that these virtual communities can be just as interactive and memory-fulfilling as the tangible world.

One memory that stands out greatly  took place about two years ago, soon after I joined the guild. Two guild members and I were exploring a haunted forest in one of the beginning areas of the game. We discovered, hidden in the mountain range, a murky pine grove. It was almost inaccessible. If we hadn’t been more experienced players who had riding mounts that could fly, we ourselves would not have been able to reach it. So it wasn’t intended for new players, despite being in a new player area and it wasn’t on the map. We had to check it out.

The pine grove was textured darkly. It was near midnight in the game and despite the moonlight, the place was shadowy. The first thing we spotted were very bizarre elk. They had jagged horns and black fur, but the most disturbing part was their eyes which were a phosphorus green. One of the guild members with us played a hunter-class character which tamed animals. He immediately attempted to tame one of the elk. Not all animals in Warcraft are tameable, but these were. I congratulated him as he caught it and spotted something else among the pines — a blue floating shape about the size of the elk. And then I spotted another blue floating shape right behind my character.

I changed my camera angle to see a large, blue chameleon behind my character hovering above the ground with two large wings on its back. It wasn’t tameable like the elk. In fact, the game didn’t even register it as attackable. It was shown as “friendly” as if it were an ingame shopkeeper or mission-giver. I clicked it. No window popped up, but a name appeared above the creature which labeled it “Fey-Drunk Darter”. It wasn’t the only one. The forest was slowly becoming filled with them, appearing out of nowhere. The model for the creatures wasn’t that unusual (especially when juxtaposed beside demonic elk) but the name was weird. We decided to follow them through the forest.

The Darters led us to an opening in the pines we hadn’t noticed before. In that opening was a ring of mushrooms. We waited. More Darters showed and they began to form a circle around the mushrooms. The server clock struck midnight and the Darters opened their mouths and began to sing. The background music changed to a song we had never heard before. Then the mushrooms began glow and beams of green light began to shoot from them and converge in the center. The music continued. It wasn’t on a loop. As the song’s volume grew, so did the vibrancy of the beams. The song and glowing soundly ended and the Fey-Drunk Darters departed from the circle, fading into the forests.

Most things in a game are constructed by design and then play tested. Little in a game that has lasted a decade is likely left up to chance. A designer, or designers, had set this up on purpose. It was a in game secret. A little smile to those who explore beyond the paths most traveled. In the end those beams didn’t create a gateway into some dimension or give birth to more of those creepy elk, but it had given us a story. And that had made the exploring worth it.

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Andy Gilbert recently graduated from New England College’s master's degree program in Higher Education Administration where he was a graduate assistant for the college’s Center for Community Engagement and Leadership. His hobbies include video games, tabletop games, card games, reading, relaxing in coffee shops, and taking nature walks. He was raised in Maine where he formerly worked in journalism. Connect with him on Twitter.

Movie Review Monday: Back in Time

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2015 documentary Back in Time highlighting the fan-base around the beloved classic Back to the Future.

Like some of the other fan documentaries I've reviewed here  for the cult followings of shows like Star Trek and Firefly, this movie is a fun look at the passionate community that has come up around this simple movie from 30 years ago. The majority of the exploration focuses on the original movie, with some lesser emphasis on the second two parts of the trilogy. I love the Back to the Future series of films, and this was an entertaining way to explore the enthusiasm others share for these silly sci-fi films.

The documentary features fans, actors, and the people who made Back to the Future to examine every aspect of the film's reception and production respectively. I did find that the direction was a bit aimless at times, especially towards the middle when the documentary seems to get lost a midst different details of the production and stories from fans. Nevertheless, the documentary is fairly comprehensive (some cast members are absent), and as we celebrate a milestone anniversary for the franchise, this is a must watch for any fans like myself.

What I love about these sorts of films is how they highlight the positive aspects of passionate geek/nerd communities. People meet their spouses through them, they do good for the world through them, and they find peace as well as kinship through them. It always warms my heart to see stuff like that and reminds why I'm so proud to be a part of this global community, even in my own small way.

Check out the documentary's website for more information and stream Back in Time instantly right now on Netflix!

Thanks for stopping by!

Finding Yourself & Geek Identity Theory

During my first semester of graduate school, I took a course on theory development within college students.  I learned about theories grounded in career development, religious development, and personal identity development.  Within personal identity development I noticed a commonality between all the theories.  I was taught to use theory as a base knowledge to understand a student better, being able to assess where each person was on the developmental level.  As a self-named geek, I was determined to find other applicable identities for students to develop.  Here is the "Wagner Geek Identity Development Model" (WGIDM) as seen through my own development.

Stage 1: Non-geek

During this stage, students do not consider themselves to be geeky.  This was reflected during my first year of college.  My interests were of movies and not much else.  I did not have an overt affection towards video games, superheroes, or anything deemed “geeky” by society.

Stage 2: Open to Geek Culture

During this stage, students are opened up to the geek culture.  In my second year of college, a fellow resident assistant took me to a comic book store and opened my mind to my favorite superhero, Green Lantern.  This moment sparked an internal revolution into geekdom, leading into stage 3.

Stage 3: NooB

This stage is when geeks begin to make meaning of their identity.  This can be seen through a new variety of one’s Netflix qeue, frequent trips to comic book stores or GameStop, and enhanced research on the geek culture.  It is during this stage that individuals seek out groups of fellow geeks to validate their feelings and share in experiences.

Stage 4: Leroy Jenkins

During stage 4, individuals dive into the culture in an attempt to figure out what type of geek that person wants to be.  For me, that resulted in watching YouTube videos about video games, downloading podcasts about Star Trek, and buying midnight premiere movie tickets.

Stage 5: Geek Chic

This stage revolves around individuals refining the type of geek they want to be.  Folks have searched every outlet in an attempt to whittle down what geek really means to them.  I finally decided that I did not know enough of World of Warcraft to try and become a level 70 goblin, however I knew I enjoyed superheroes and video games, so I stuck to where my true passions were.

Stage 6: Live Long and Prosper

This final stage can only be accomplished when a person fully admits to their geekdom.  This stage occurs when one has accepted that they are a geek and has begun to integrate their geeky tendencies into their personal life.  I was finally able to walk into the comic book store without feeling like an outsider, using superhero inspirations for door decorations for my residents.

Obviously with this theory comes one major critique: what does it mean to be a geek?  This notion is relative for each individual person.  To someone, a geek can only refer to science fiction novels, however to others being a geek can mean they are excited about woodworking.  The term geek is open to interpretation.  My own definition is that a geek is a person that understands a topic incredibly well and has become a true passion.  No matter what the definition, this theory can serve as an opportunity for folks to assist their students in the development of their identities.

Remember, with great power comes great responsibility, so use it wisely.

Hey y'all!  My name is Julie Wagner and I am a current graduate student in my second year of the College Student Personnel program at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.  Currently I am working in Campus Activities and get to work with fantastic students and their organizations.  I began my obsessions with higher education and geek culture in the fall of 2012 and have not stopped since.  My bookshelves are equal parts graphic novels and development theory books. Connect with me on Twitter!

Higher Ed Geek 2.0

Higher Ed Geek started in April of 2013 as an effort to allow for me to nourish a creative outlet in my life. I wrote a few blog posts when I could, but I wasn't consistent and often forgot about it. I committed in January of 2014 to put more effort into the blog. I invested in the site and I found that the more I put in, the more I got out. I was able to reach a wider audience, make more connections with people about the stuff I cared about, and was able to spread a message that had a positive impact on others.

I'm excited to commit to put even more energy into the site now.

I have some big ideas of where Higher Ed Geek can go but I need help to get there. Any donations people can give helps get the site towards the next stage in it's life. I'm hoping to at least refresh the design of the site, commission a new logo, maximize the back end of the site, and get more people writing on a regular basis. (If donating isn't your thing, check out my book of collected blog posts. Proceeds from that helps fund the site as well.)

Depending on how far this crowdfunding campaign goes, I could do even more (trust me, I have plenty of ideas!).

I appreciate anyone and everyone's support. Either donating, sharing, or giving feedback is all helpful in reaching the goals I'm setting for this effort and the site as a whole. I'll be keeping up the page until the end of the month of October so make sure to help get the word out and show your support!

Stay geeky, weird, and proud, everyone!

The Power of Student Government in Shaping the Campus Community

* This post was originally featured on The Student Affairs Hub.

College students have long used the campus environment to work towards positive social change. The very nature of a university encourages this sort of intellectual discourse, and a common way for students to get involved in making a difference on campus is through student government. It allows for students to debate important campus topics, and provides a platform for the institution to directly hear the needs of the student body.

The beauty of student government is that it is typically accessible to all students. New incoming students can be encouraged to find a voice within this organization, meet fellow students, and start making their legacy known at their institution (Trust me, they'll thank you for the legacy stuff come graduation time).

I found out about the power of student government far too late into my undergraduate career. In my final year, I was passionate about getting hydration stations installed on campus, to provide cold, clean and filtered water in a sustainable way that would reduce the use of plastic water bottles while encouraging healthier habits in students. I realized a way to start to make this change possible was to lobby the student government to accept a stance of advocating for these to become a part of the community. Once they accepted, within months there were a few of these stations popping up around campus. This felt so inspiring to accomplish in such a short amount of time!

Perhaps they were already planning on doing this, but at the very least, through my efforts, the student body representatives let their voice be heard and for the future, the administration would know that students wanted to have the hydration stations and would feel more accountable to do so.

Especially for new, incoming students, building confidence, connections, and communication skills are all pretty valuable goals for student affairs professionals. So I encourage you to empower your students to get involved in student government. Even more importantly, I encourage you to bring students to the table and let them be heard when it comes to decision making. They'll have some important insights and they are the ones who it will affect, so I think it is only fair to hear them out. At the very least, they'll benefit from the experience.

How Running a Successful Orientation Can Impact Student Retention

* This was originally posted on The OOHLALA Blog.

With summer upon us, it is the season of New Student Orientation for colleges and universities across the country. Incoming students, fresh out of high school, are becoming acclimated to what will (hopefully) be their home away from home for the next several years. Orientation programs come in all shapes and sizes, and there will always be different form of programs that fit better for every institution. Nevertheless, the overall importance of a proper New Student Orientation program cannot be understated. It is the first chance to engage new students in the culture, expectations, and resources your institution has to offer, and the impact of your efforts, is increased retention and student success as a result of their preparation and knowledge that they are supported as students at your institution.

Here are 3 specific ways New Student Orientation programs impact student retention and success (and what you can do to maximize this potential).

1. Encourages Social Involvement

A great part of orientation is the fact that it is the first time a big batch of incoming students are all coming together ahead of the start of the semester. There may have been disparate open houses and other chances before, but all of these students are committed to your institution and are all together. This changes how they interact with you and how they interact with each other. It's important to get the students to connect with their fellow peers rather than having you being the main conduit for their interactions and questions. The bonds that students make at orientation can be their saving graces in those first few weeks as they are still figuring everything out and wanting to meet new people. If they feel alone, isolated, and like no one cares, then they are far more likely to check out of the whole college experience altogether. More possibilities for social involvement at orientation are chances for incoming students to interactwith current students. This could be through icebreakers with their Orientation Leaders, student panels, or engaging with student clubs at a fair type portion of the day where all the organizations table and speak to their offerings.

2. Builds Student Pride

An important component of New Student Orientation is welcoming the incoming students into your community. This includes getting students excited about being a part of it and partaking in the traditions of your campus and institution. Incorporating your mascot, branded swag (shirts, hats, prizes, etc.) and having students participate in a tradition such as learning the student slang or signing a class banner (Don't have a tradition? It's never too early to start!). Even at the very least, just having a fun, engaging, positive, and friendly atmosphere for students is the least you can do to get students excited about attending your school. They could have chosen any number of other places to go, and they should feel like they can't wait to get the school year started!

3. Provides Support

Something more practical and functional to accomplish during New Student Orientation is to make students (and families) feel like they are supported and guided through the process of getting into and through college successfully. It can be a very confusing and stressful experience to get acclimated to the large bureaucracies that many campuses have become. We shouldn't assume students and families (especially those that have never gone to college before) can just figure it all out on their own. We need to make everything as simple and efficient as possible while also letting everyone know how to reach out if they need some more help. Orientation can be an overload of information for everyone involved, so the most basic thing we can do is make sure that students and families feel like they are cared for and supported by our staff. That goes a long way since we can't anticipate every single need that could ever arise, and we shouldn't just dump information on everyone to try to solve all the questions ahead of time.

I believe New Student Orientation is one of the most important functional areas in student affairs since it brings together every other area to help shepherd in students and make them feel valued, excited, and supported. The tone that is set and the investments made at orientation can pay dividends later in huge ways. I encourage you to continue to tinker and improve your New Student Orientation programs and make sure as many students attend as possible. Your students and your institution will thank you for it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Some Final Thoughts on San Diego Comic Con

San Diego Comic Con is the pinnacle of geek culture. Pretty much everything you can think of in the entertainment world is somehow represented there. From Power Rangers to Galactus to Buffy to Peanuts and Charlie Brown, and everything in between. It's a great melting pot of fandom, with people coming from all over the world to take part, but there are some elements that were distressing to me as a newcomer, much like with national student affairs conventions.

The Verge did a great piece that gave voice to some of my concerns, and The New York Times highlighted well the convention experience as a whole. The long lines, the shallow industry showcases disguised as fan service, the overwhelming crowds, and the exclusive, fairly expensive nature (especially with airfare, meals, and hotels) of it all just seemed very privileged to me. The convention lost some of its immediate luster to me after spending a few days there. Maybe I just didn't do it right, but I didn't feel like the point of it all was to spend half of your hard fought ticket to SDCC waiting in lines for a short session that essentially was just a studio patting itself on the back for how great their thing is (and then the trailer you saw being released the next day online). There was a lack of depth that annoyed me to most of the proceedings. There was so much going on it's not surprising. There just wasn't a time or place for it.

Maybe the whole event has become a bloated version of what it was originally intended to be and it will eventually deflate back to a more focused event. Or maybe that is what the other conventions are for. Nowadays though, a lot of comic conventions seem to be trying to model themselves after SDCC, becoming huge entertainment industry showcases versus a focus on panels, artists, and personal interactions. Also, it's a whole other post in itself about the problems SDCC has with consent and cosplay.

Don't get me wrong, I had a great time. It just feels like it could have been even better. Maybe if I get the chance to go again it will be different. Maybe I'm expecting too much or maybe it's all just not for me. The crowds were frustrating for me at times, I couldn't buy a lot of stuff even if I wanted to (I didn't that much), and I got confused many times about just how the convention worked. Maybe I should have done more homework and preparing.

Well, either way, until next year, here's to the memories and the weird, wild, and one of a kind San Diego Comic Con.