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The purpose of this study was to examine the level of relationship that existed between undergraduates with physical disabilities at East Tennessee State University and campus student organizations. The study was designated a case study as it focused on one institution of higher education. Interview and document review were the 2 methods used for data collection. People from 2 select groups were interviewed on a one-on-one basis. One group was people involved in recruiting for selected campus organizations geared toward undergraduates and the other group was undergraduates with observable physical disabilities. Constitutions, bylaws, mission statements, and other documents offered by the recruiters for the select organizations were reviewed in an effort to discover references to people with disabilities. The results of the study are intended to assist in bridging the gap between involvement in extracurricular organizations and undergraduates with physical disabilities at East Tennessee State University. It has been documented that increased campus involvement lends itself to successful college and post-graduate careers, so it is a relevant issue to resolve. Campus organizations can benefit because their recruiters will have the opportunity to view ways to reach a new pool of possible participants. The findings could also prove beneficial to any campus experiencing a similar phenomenon.

This two part study investigated whether perceptions of student organizations are related to participants' ethnicity as well as the ethnicity of the ethnic student organization. Study 1 (N = 460) assessed overall attitudes toward ethnic student organizations dependent upon ethnicity of the participants. Study 2 (N = 631) assessed how attitudes toward ethnic student organizations were affected not only by race of the participant but also by ethnicity of the student organization. Results of Study 1 indicate that overall White students found the ethnic student organizations least beneficial/necessary, most racist, and had the least interest in joining as compared to African American and Hispanic participants. Results of Study 2 indicate that, in addition, perceptions of student organizations are related to the ethnicity of the organization. Overall, White ethnic student organizations are seen to be least beneficial/necessary, least ethical/acceptable/fair, and the most racist as compared to African American and Hispanic organizations. In addition, a significant interaction effect was found between participant ethnicity and ethnicity of the organization. In addition ethnocentrism, ethnic identity, perceptions of cultural climate, and social responsibility were correlated with perceptions and it was found that these variables correlate differently with perceptions depending on the ethnicity of the participant. Implications of the results are discussed.

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The present study examined emotional intelligence (EQ) levels among student leaders and members of three types of student organizations: governing, service, and special interest. Emotional intelligence refers to one's ability to recognize emotions in oneself and others and the ability to exhibit appropriate responses to environmental stimuli. Participants included 79 students (half of those were organization leaders and the other half were organization members). An equal number of leaders and members from the three types of organizations were selected. The EQ-i or BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory (Bar-On, 1997) was administered to measure participants' levels of EQ. In general, this study compared EQ scores within and between groups of participants. In addition, the interaction between leadership status and type of organization was studied. Analysis of these data revealed that college student leaders demonstrate a higher level of EQ than student members in campus organizations. There were also significant differences between types of organizations on EQ scores. No significance was found on EQ between leadership status and type of organization, however. This research had implications for several groups. First, student activities staff may use the results of this study to design training activities to enhance particular components of EQ. The data might be used to identify skills where training might enhance leader competency within campus organizations. Results of this study may also be used by student activities staff to market extracurricular and leadership opportunities. The study provided them with data about differences in scores by type of position and type of organization. Furthermore, the results of this study might be used by students in determining what types of organizations to join and what types of roles to assume. Future employers might also be interested in the results of this study. Differing levels of involvement may make a difference in potential employees' abilities as defined by the EQ-i scales. Such information may help future employers better assess EQ associated with certain positions or organizations. / Master of Arts

The steady increase of racial and ethnic diversity in public universities has provided student leaders with many challenges. However, little is known about the effects of racial and ethnic diversity on the development of these student leaders. This study aims to evaluate the effects of racial and ethnic diversity in college student organizations on the development of student leaders and the perceived value of such diversity on their development. The sample consists of 833 student leaders from Florida's ten public universities who completed online surveys. The questions asked were designed to evaluate their past and present leadership roles and skills, exposure to ethnic and racial diversity on their campus (specifically in student organizations), and the perceived influence of racial and ethnic diversity on their leadership skills and career preparation. The results of the study show there is a positive relationship between membership in a diverse student organization and the development of leadership skills. The findings also reveal that the leadership skills learned from this exposure are expected to better prepare students for their careers upon graduation.

This qualitative study describes the experiences of Black undergraduate women who are involved in a Black student organization at a public predominantly White institution (PWI) beyond the freshman year. Understanding how these students are involved, the meaning they make of their participation, and how they simultaneously manage extracurricular activities, and their academic responsibilities is essential to providing Black women with support that will help reduce barriers to persistence. Questions about their level of involvement provide insight into how these students perceive their participation in student organizations. The following research questions are aligned with the theoretical suggestions made within Astin’s Theory of Student Involvement and Patricia Hill Collins’ Black Feminist Thought: How do Black undergraduate women describe their experience as members of a Black student organization on a predominantly White campus?, How do Black undergraduate women make meaning of their extracurricular involvement in a Black student organization on a predominantly White campus, How do Black undergraduate women simultaneously manage their extracurricular involvement and academic responsibilities while trying to reduce barriers to college retention, What perception do Black undergraduate women have regarding the role extracurricular involvement in a Black student organization plays in their persistence and academic outcomes? For this study, I utilized three tenants from Black Feminist Thought Framework (Collins, 2000) in collaboration with the Student Involvement Theory (Astin, 1984) to provide a critical lens during the investigation of Black undergraduate women who are involved in a Black student organization. The emerging themes from the study indicated the importance of Black student organizations on white campuses and the type of experiences Black undergraduate women have as members of such groups. Staff members indicated a lack of university services and support in retaining and assisting these students. The emerging themes of the study are creating culturally relevant experiences, taking on leadership roles, strategies to manage academic and extracurricular activities, Benefits of Involvement, controlling narratives and definitions. Findings from this dissertation study have the potential to contribute to the literature on Black undergraduate women and their experiences in culturally relevant student organizations. / Educational Administration

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"This survey of extra-curricular activates in North Texas State Teachers College from 1919 to 1939 was made to determine when and how extra-curricular activates made their appearances and developed in this institution."--v.