Washington State University Pullman students looking for a unique way to get involved on their campus are invited to apply to serve on one of the Division of Student Affairs’ advisory boards.
These vital boards help shape the direction of the division by advising on programs and initiatives, helping set policies, acting as a sounding board, and giving students a say in how some of their fees are used.
“Advisory boards provide a voice for students,” said Linda McDermott, assistant vice president of finance in the Division of Student Affairs. “They provide opportunities to influence proactive changes for the future and empower students to share their priorities and perspectives with others.”
Student funded, student led
The division’s dozen or so advisory boards are part of an important governance process that lets students and others share their perspectives.
“Being involved with an advisory board opens opportunities for input and influences satisfaction with decisions, especially decisions that shape resource allocation,” McDermott said. “Students are able to establish priorities, influence budget decisions, and pay close attention to the decisions that are made. Through meaningful involvement, students gain a wider institutional perspective; in return, they can see how their views are reflected in final budgets and institutional policies.”
For division staff, the boards are a vital component of their decision-making process. Jeff Elbracht, the director of facilities and operations for University Recreation (UREC) and the Chinook Student Center, said the UREC board helped the department approve updates to the mandatory student fee for the Student Recreation Center, set policies on parking and youth entry for facilities, assisted in sport club processes, and more.
“Our board acts as a key sounding board for us,” he said.
Because UREC is a large recipient of student fees, Elbracht said, it’s important that students have a say in how those fees are used.
“About 90% of students use UREC, so the board is a good way for students to have a say in something that affects a lot of the student body and ensure their money is being used in a way that’s beneficial,” he said.
The community standards boards that are part of the Office of the Dean of Students don’t manage student fees, but they do offer a way for students on all campuses to get involved in another key area: community standards.
The boards are designed to hold students accountable for behaviors that don’t align with WSU community standards. A strong student presence is important on these boards, said Student Hearing Boards Manager TJ Page, because they provide a unique perspective on student behaviors.
“Students are going to have a perspective that no one else can,” he said. “They know what it’s like to be a student and what pressures they’re under, whereas faculty and staff may not. Students often understand the intention or motivation or reason behind a behavior, and we need to see that side of things.”
‘It can really take you places’
Elbracht and Page emphasized that student advisory board membership is beneficial for both the division and the student members. Not only do student board members get a say in where their fees go and how policies are enacted, but they also get to develop valuable leadership and decision-making skills.
“I think students get a lot of personal growth out of it,” Page said. “There’s a lot of networking and leadership experience. It can really take you places.”
Interested students can apply now to serve on the UREC and Community Standards boards, along with the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center and Cougar Food Pantry boards. Some boards also have openings for faculty and staff.
For more information about the division’s advisory boards, visit the Your Input Matters page.
