Point systems for graduate student organization participation and funding

¶ … System in a Graduate Student Association

The formal purpose of the Student Dietetic Association at Florida State University is to increase student involvement in the professional and community aspects of the dietetics profession. Therefore, we need to provide a method (point system) that can encourage and inspire active participation within this graduate student organization and be a measurable method of awarding those individuals who take meaningful action in support of graduate students. To this end, this paper reviews the point systems that are currently being used by other selected universities to identify an approach point system method. A recommendation for a point system method is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

Review and Discussion

Florida International University's Council for Student Organizations (http://cso.fiu.edu/? page_id=31)

This university requires a minimum point level in order for organizations to quality for annual funding and special allocations. In general, organizations are required to attain at least one point in the following categories:

CSO General Meeting

Monthly Report

Signature Event (currently known as Special Project)

In addition, to qualify for special allocations, organizations are required to attain eleven points minimum with one point each in the following categories:

CSO General Meeting

Monthly Report

Signature Event (Special Project)

Communication

Leadership / Professional Development

Community Service / Philanthropy

FIU Spirit

Conference / Lecture

CSO Favorite

Collaboration

Social

Miscellaneous / Floating: May substitute any ONE point that was not obtained for ONE category ONLY.

Similar point requirements are in place for the university's Gold Status Basic Funding.

Benedict College (http://www.benedict.edu/cms/?q=node/235)

This university awards varying numbers of points according to the type of activity that was performed, with some salient examples as shown in Table 1 below (a complete list is provided at Appendix A):

Table 1

Examples of activities and number of points awarded

Activity

Number of Points

Assembly Programs / Induction Ceremonies

75

Health Programs

75

Awareness Workshops

75

Campus Clean-Up

50

Tutoring

50

Ushering

50

Food Basket Drive

25

Local Community Service Project

25

Senior Citizen Assistance

25

University of West Florida (https://uwf.collegiatelink.net/organization/ucsa/Document Library/View/74908)

This university awards points based on participation in the selected types of opportunities and events as set forth in Table 2 below:

Table 2

Points awarded for opportunity/event participation:

Opportunity/Event

Points

Leadership Development

* Officer participates in an Officer Development Program workshop - 1 point per officer per workshop (max 2 pts per workshop)

* Officers meet with Student Involvement Coordinator to discuss organizational goals and performance - 1 point per meeting (max 2 per semester)

* Members attend leadership program hosted by the organization's national or regional association - 1 point per attending member (max 2 per year)

* Members hold office with the organization's national or regional association - 1 point per office held (max 2 per year)

Organizational Unity

* Organization hosts Roadshow Workshop at organizational meeting - 1 point per workshop hosted (max 2 per semester)

* Organization participates in Fall Frenzy, Festival on the Green, or Homecoming - 1 point each

Collaboration and Service

* Organization hosts or co-sponsors campus-wide event for the benefit of the campus community - 2 points per event (max 4 points per semester)

* Organization volunteers during campus-wide event for the benefit of the campus community - 1 point per event (max 2 per semester)