Welcome to the Computer Science Society (CSS) at Governors State University! We are a student-led organization committed to fostering a collaborative, dynamic, and inclusive community for those interested in computer science and related fields. Our goal is to provide resources, opportunities, and experiences that empower students to succeed academically, professionally, and socially.

• Introduction
• Purpose
• Core Values
• Organizational Structure
• Club Activities
• How to Get Involved
• Current Projects
• Membership

The Computer Science Society (CSS) is dedicated to enriching the academic, professional, and social lives of students at Governors State University who are pursuing degrees in computer science and related fields. We organize a wide range of technical and non-technical activities designed to help members grow as professionals, collaborate with peers, and gain real-world experience. Whether you are just starting your journey in computer science or are already a seasoned developer, CSS offers something for everyone.

The primary purpose of CSS is to:

• Promote interest in computer science and related fields.
• Provide academic and peer support for students pursuing computer science and related degrees.
• Host workshops, events, and speaker series to expand technical knowledge.
• Facilitate networking, mentorship, and collaboration among members.
• Prepare students for careers in technology through professional development initiatives.
• Create a welcoming environment for all students interested in computer science and promoting diversity, inclusion, and mutual support.

The Computer Science Society mottos:

“Trust, but verify.”

“You are a professional. You are an engineer and a scientist.”

CSS operates under a meritocratic structure, with members being assigned roles based on their skills, contributions, and level of experience. Our roles include a mix of technical and non-technical positions, ensuring that all members, regardless of coding skills, can contribute meaningfully.

• Documentation Writer: Responsible for maintaining clear and up-to-date project documentation.
• UI/UX QA Tester: Ensures the functionality and usability of applications through testing.
• Ops Runner: Supports operational activities during club events and large projects.
• Junior’s Mentee: Learns under the guidance of Junior Developers, focusing on coding and technical skills.

As members progress, they may take on more complex responsibilities, such as:

• Junior Developer: Involved in coding, bug fixing, and leading smaller tasks.
• Senior Developer: Takes on larger technical tasks and leads project teams.
• Junior Architect: Designs and manages larger project architectures.
• Senior Architect: Oversees the technical direction of projects and mentors other developers.

The Computer Science Society (CSS) intends to bring a wide range of technical and non-technical activities to support members' growth, collaboration, and professional development. These include:

• Peer Interview Sessions
  Members participate in code review and technical application sessions where they give and receive constructive feedback. This helps improve both technical job skills and communication skills, as well as promotes mentorship within the club.

• Coding Challenges
  Members can complete programming tasks that demonstrate their knowledge in handling coding concepts. These help reinforce problem-solving skills and reward consistent effort. The bot may follow up with questions about your approach to encourage deeper learning.

• LeetCode Problem Solving
  Solving LeetCode problems earns high Merit Points.

• Mentorship Sessions
  Members can opt to be assigned as mentees to more experienced members, who provide feedback on their work and help direct them to resources and best practices.

• GitHub Contributions
  Members are encouraged to contribute to club repositories. Submitting pull requests earns points, with successful merges (No conflicts) being rewarded more.

• Joint Projects with Other Clubs
  CSS collaboration projects with other clubs, such as the Robotics and Innovation Club, are high-value projects involving interdiscplinary work.

• Commemorate Projects
  Efforts focused on celebrating past work, maintaining legacy codebases, and honoring past initiatives with meaningful continuation or documentation.

• Ops and Event Support
  Members can participate in organizing events, helping with logistics, and ensuring smooth operations during meetings or workshops.

• Documentation Writing
  Non-coding contributors help document club projects, guides, and internal tools.

• UI/UX QA Testing
  Members help ensure applications are user-friendly and function as expected through structured testing and feedback.

Joining CSS is simple and straightforward. Here’s the process to get started:

1. Attend a Meeting:
   Come to one of our regular meetings to meet current members, learn more about the club, and get an overview of our ongoing projects. This is your opportunity to get a feel for our community and what we’re working on. At the meeting, standard GSU attendance is taken.

2. Join the Discord Server:
   After attending the meeting, you’ll be invited to join our Discord server. There, you will interact with members, receive updates, and reports for asynchronous involvement. When you join, a bot will automatically DM you to gather some basic information for internal registration. This helps us to ensure you're added to the appropriate platforms we use for our activities and communications.

3. Register for Additional Platforms:
   Once you've officially joined our Discord, you'll be invited to other platforms we host (e.g., GitHub Club Organization and other hooked API's) for project collaboration and communication. You'll have access to these tools once you've completed your registration.

4. Schedule an Interview:
   At the end of the meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to schedule a personal interview with one of our senior members. During this interview, we’ll assess where you are in your development, discuss your goals, and help you find the best path for your growth within the club. This is a key step for understanding your current skill level and helping you progress in your technical journey.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you grow as a part of the Computer Science Society!

CSS is always working on exciting and impactful projects. Here are a few things that are currently under development to be brought to the club:

• SIGNALmESH: The club's bot for tracking member activity and rewarding contributions based on coding challenges, code reviews, and other contributions.
• Joint Robotics/Drone and SE Projects: Collaborative efforts with other clubs such as Robotics and Innovation, focusing on AI-based drones and robotic systems.
• Commemorate Projects: Projects aimed at preserving legacy work and contributing to long-term initiatives of previous members.
• Club-Sponsored Hack-a-thons: Hack-a-thon events that focus on problem-solving skills and t

CSS operates as a merit-based organization, where members can advance through various roles based on their contributions. We are committed to supporting professional growth and providing a structured path for members to progress from contributors to senior architects. As you participate in activities, you will gain valuable experience and be rewarded with opportunities for further advancement.

For more information reach out to our leadership or visit Jaguar Connections. We look forward to hearing from you!