Penn State's main campus at University Park now boasts over 500 student organizations. The 33 student groups that my office supports are only those associated with the Smeal College of Business Administration...clubs related to majors (Economics, Finance, Marketing, Real Estate, Logistics, etc.), professional business fraternities, minority groups, advising groups, entrepreneurial groups, and the Smeal College's student council.

In my job, I clearly see the side of this which is about money and jobs. My department falls under the Corporate Relations department in the College, and I spend a lot of my time advising student groups on how to contact corporate speakers and write funding proposals.

I also advise students who are looking to get involved about the different clubs in the Smeal College, in one-on-one meetings and information sessions. Often, these students see involvement in clubs as a way to learn more about a major or career path, and to learn about future job opportunities. On many occasions, students ask which clubs have officer vacancies, in hopes of landing a resume-filler. I can say with confidence that the need to show a leadership position on one's resume is a primary motivation of many students.

While I do understand the concerns student life professionals have about "Balkanization," I have also seen the upside of this specialization.

1. Students are able to participate in focused activities and learn more about their major.
   
2. Companies who want to hire these students have an easier time identifying groups to target for recruitment, and they are usually willing to send speakers and money to these groups. This helps these groups put on useful programs for their members, which hopefully will help them make better career choices in the future.
   
3. The college can help coordinate the relationships between its student groups and members of the corporate community. Providing this service enhances the relationship between these companies and the college, which in turn can translate into further funding for other college-related activities and programs (the internship office, endowed professorships and chairs, scholarships, etc.)
   

On one hand, this seems necessary, because the Student Activities Office in the Union doesn't have enough staff to give individual attention to 500 groups. It just isn't possible without a major re-thinking and re-staffing of their operation. They are stretched to the limit.

On the other hand, it creates some interesting issues when it comes to policies and procedures. There have been occasions when persons in the College didn't understand or agree with an overall University policy or procedure. The students just want to be able to do their programs, and not be in trouble with one side of the equation or the other, but sometimes they are faced with these types of situations. It's hard for them to make decisions when this happens.

As offices like mine become more common, institutions must figure out how to adjust. This would include not only college-related offices, but any religious affairs offices, multicultural centers, etc., as well.

So there is another question to be dealt with here. It isn't "Is this a good thing or a bad thing," but also "Are institutions ready to adjust?" My guess is that they aren't. But they better be. And soon.

-- Sean Cook, Coordinator, Student & Corporate Services, Smeal College of Business Administration, Penn State University (posted 9/25, 9:50 a.m., U.S. Eastern time)

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