Perceived Benefits from Participating in Content-Based Student Organizations

University students often seek affiliation with student-led, content-based organizations. We explored student expectations and perceived benefits from affiliation in terms of perceived cohesion. We asked members from three student organizations to provide self-reported data about their expectations from affiliation, reasons for staying or leaving, and benefits received from membership. We found that a sense of belonging was the largest expected benefit from affiliation. Issues involving feelings of morale were the strongest reason for attrition.