Communication Practices of Mandated and Student Government Organizations in Benguet State University

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the communication practices of mandated and student government organizations in Benguet State University. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents; identify the communication practices of the respondents in terms of message creation, channels being used, and communication style; identify the flow of communication in the organization; identify the communication-related problems faced by the organizations; and determine the perceived communication needs of the organizations. The study was conducted from January to April 2016. There were two groups of respondents. First group were the chosen officers in each organization with a total of 54 respondents and the second group were the 13 key informants including the 12 advisers of the organizations and the head of Students Organizations and Activities Unit. The results shows that majority of the respondents are females, although higher positions in each organization are dominated by males. Messages that were present in each organization were reminders and updates, announcements, notices and memoranda, activity and project plans, and paperwork’s and reports. Communication channels. Data also revealed two communication styles present in each organization which include passive and assertive. Upward and downward communication flows were the direction of messages in the organizations. The communication-related problems encountered by the respondents in message creation include poor communication skills where they lack writing and speaking skills; inconsistency of messages; untimely messages; and messages not being sent to the right person. Messages being distorted and over-interpreted in the choice of channels were also encountered and passive officers were also noted as a problem in the organizations. In conclusion, males dominate higher position in each organizations; all organizations were capable in determining their communication practices in terms of message creation, channels being used, and communication style; each organization faces communication challenges that lead to unorganized management and communication breakdowns; and there were identified needs in each organization that needs attention especially on message creation, channels being used, and communication style. Through this study the following are recommended: mandated and student government organizations’ workshop and seminars on effective communication skills may be required on a regular basis to improve and practice effective and efficient communication, face-to-face communication and assertive communications are highly recommended to be improved and strengthened for the student organizations to be productive, each organization needs to practice more of their communication skills and information dissemination for effective and efficient management in their organization.

` Students Organizations and Activities Unit of the office of Student Services may use the results of this study to amend or add in their student organizations’ regulations and conduct, student organizations are also recommended to connect with the BSU website as a channel, and related studies may be conducted especially to recognized student organizations to evaluate their communication practices for effectiveness and efficiency of their job or tasks in their organization.