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Committees offer opportunities for student involvement
Archive
There is no end to opinions about how to make BSU better. Just ask any student walking through the Quad how they would resolve parking issues on campus, and chances are they will give you an earful of ideas.
The same goes for a host of issues, ranging from the cost of books to Fine Host cuisine. And it is a safe bet that if you ask any student on campus about their particular pet issue, it will immediately send them into a heated monologue.
Unfortunately for many students, their ranting (or good ideas) often fall on deaf ears. Despite the general perception, however, complaining can actually make things happen.
Going off in the SUB will usually do little more than make you feel better. But being a student-at-large representative on a policy-making committee might actually help get things closer to the way they “should be.”
ASBSU President Nate Peterson would like to see more students motivated to get involved with campus and education issues. He says being a committee member is a good way to do it.
“If you have a problem with any part of campus, find out what committee administrates its policies and get on it,” he said. “We need good, solid, critical thinkers in those positions.”
Student committee members sit on boards that determine policy on many issues that directly impact students and spending of funds. According to ASBSU Personnel Selection Director Chris Holman, there are about 50 such committees at BSU. Student representatives attend meetings and vote on decisions. Some committees have spots for as many as five students.
Committees that have generated the most student interest lately are the Women’s Center Advisory Board, the Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee, and the Student Union Building Board of Directors.
Despite the important role student representatives play in decision-making, some committees lack student representation, Holman says.
Some committees that could use more student involvement are the Special Events Center Board of Directors and the Pavilion Policy Committee. Holman noted that even when committees have already met their quota of students, there are still ways to get involved.
Time commitments for most committees are not too taxing. Many of these committees meet once a month, although some meet more often than that. Holman estimates most student committee members put in about four hours a month. The committee positions are open to any part-time or full-time student with a GPA of at least 2.25.
If you are interested in being on a committee, or just discussing pet gripes with ASBSU representatives, contact ASBSU at 426-1147.
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