8.10.1 Motivation

Social activities relate to several motivations and goals of SLCs. One of the main missions of SLCs is to represent the student body. In order to effectively do this, the SLC must frequently interact with members of the student body in social settings. In addition, the SLC should facilitate communication between students, faculty, staff, NSF reviewers, and industry partners of the center. Social activities also enhance student life, build community, and add to the center experience. Students at NSF-sponsored centers should benefit from a broader range of experiences than typical university research assistants, including multi-disciplinary interactions and opportunities to network with a wide variety of science and engineering professionals. Finally, NSF-sponsored centers have service obligations to educate the public and the next generation of scientists with regard to the research they conduct. This function can be fulfilled through outreach activities that are also enjoyable for center students who participate.

8.10.2 Summary of Survey Results

In addition to helping to fulfill some of the main mission elements of SLCs, social activities provide a wide variety of benefits for students, including:

• Provide a forum for multi-disciplinary interaction
• Encourage informal interaction between individuals in different center roles (undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, etc.)
• Enhance research relationships
• Build community and a sense of belonging
• Reward students and staff
• Provide a fun break from work.

The type and frequency of social events at different centers varies widely. Most centers have between four and six events per year. Activities include:

Activity Type	# of Centers Approx	# of Participants
Barbeques and Picnics	5	45
Banquets	2	93
Meals with visitors	2	8
Food-based socials (holiday parties, ice cream socials)	4	45
Activity-based socials (bowling, trivia/games, Halloween)	4	45
Sports Outings or Intramural Teams 4 20 (does not count large # of non-center students)	4	20
Scientific or Outreach-Based Field Trips	2	12
Seminars	4	35

Some centers use weekly or bi-weekly social meetings and lunches to share specific areas of research with students and staff from throughout the center. This helps everyone to be more informed about everything that is going on at the center, but falls more into the realm of communication than purely social activities.

Social activities are generally planned by the SLC, but they are sometimes assisted by the education director or other staff members. There are also opportunities to partner with other research groups or professional organizations at the university. Almost all centers fund their social activities through the SLC or Education budgets. Another possible funding source is through the university. One center recently chartered itself as a university organization in order to qualify for reimbursement through departments or groups such as student government. This typically involves paperwork and annual renewal forms, but often these groups have more money to distribute than what is requested by student organizations. Restrictions may exist on the type of activities that can be funded in this way (such as not paying for food or events where alcohol is served, etc.). Students can be asked to pay all or a portion of the costs for certain types of events, particularly tickets to sports events or events where non-center students are also invited to participate. This may discourage some students from attending.

8.10.3 Multi-University Centers

Social activities are especially important when students, faculty, and staff from multi-university centers meet. Depending on the proximity of the participants, these centers can have significantly fewer events during the year. One center has only a single annual retreat, but with high attendance rates. Other multi-university centers plan quarterly or bi-monthly events. An additional source of funding for social events at multi-university centers is travel budgets.

8.10.4 Best Practices and Conclusions

Personal interaction and communication is one of the best ways to understand student concerns, perspectives, and desires.
When the SLC plans social events, several best practices will help to ensure success:

• Survey students for ideas on the types of activities they prefer and which previous activities they enjoyed most.
• Advertise well in advance of the event, through a variety of methods (e-mail, flyers in the workspace particularly near doors and elevators, website).
• Personally invite students, faculty, and staff through word-of-mouth, including announcements at meetings.
• Send multiple reminders as the date of the event approaches.
• Require or recommend an RSVP, particularly when resources such as expensive meals or advance sale tickets are required.
• Provide incentives to increase participation, such as food, rides, prizes, or the price of admission or activities.
• Even when RSVPs are used, expect more participants than just those who respond, including last-minute requests to attend.
• Enlist the help of staff members or administrators such as the education director when needed.
• Always thank everyone who participates and publicly recognize volunteers who help to plan social events or other center activities.

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