Role of Student Activities In Satisfaction and Success of Agronomy Students.

Extracurricular activities are an important part of the college experience.  Providing quality departmental activities requires funding and faculty time, both increasingly challenged by budget cuts and faculty downsizing.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of Kansas State University agronomy students’ participation in activities and their perceived importance in student satisfaction, retention, and academic success.  Activities evaluated ranged from departmental to university level and from academic to social focus.  Survey response was 76% (95/125).  Activities with greatest participation were the departmental agronomy club and intramural sports (over 70% involved), followed by religious groups.  Highest rated benefits of student activities were increased personal friendships, enhanced overall college experience, and increased satisfaction with K-State.  Social activities were rated as providing similar benefits, the most popular activity being spending time with friends or roommates.   For the 74% of respondents that held part-time jobs, work was also rated highly as a factor enhancing the college experience.  Social and student activities were rated about equal in encouraging students to stay enrolled, with work slightly lower.  The lowest rated outcome for all three was improved academic performance, but it was still positive.  Organized student activities were rated about equal in importance to living group activities, social activities, and intramural sports.  The main factor competing with greater participation in student activities was studying, followed by work, family, and social activities.  For those students with no or limited involvement in the departmental agronomy club, over 50% were highly or very highly involved in at least one other activity, primarily intramural sports or living group activities.  Results suggest a need to maintain strong departmental clubs and competition teams as primary tools for student satisfaction and retention, but also to advise students to explore other student activities to further enhance their college experience, especially if departmental offerings are not a good fit.