By Adrienne Gavula
Students within the College of Health and Human Services have an advantage when it comes to interacting with faculty and students from the six different majors. The Student Advisory Council within the college provides students and faculty the opportunity to interact with each other outside the classroom and outside the college.
Every spring, faculty members nominate approximately 13 to 17 students, and then these students are appointed to the council by Margaret Goodwin, assistant dean for student services and Student Advisory Council adviser.
"We try to have as much representation across the college as possible," Goodwin said.
The Student Advisory Council serves on various college committees and is responsible for planning and promoting the yearly winter skating party and spring picnic with students, faculty and their family. The council is also involved in helping with visitation programs. When prospective students hear each college's presentation, the council is there to answer any questions the prospective Health and Human Services students have about the majors or college life.
Last year, the council had a program where new students to the college could come to an ice cream social and dessert reception, where they were introduced to the dean and faculty and take a tour of Grover Center provided by the council.
The largest responsibility of the council is to organize and decide the College of Health and Human Services Outstanding Teacher Award. They are responsible for soliciting and compiling nominations, observing and interviewing professors and making a final decision for the award.
"This award is all a student effort," Goodwin said.
"It's been a wonderful experience," said Megan Kinnison, senior diatetics and food service management major and member of the council. "It's given me the opportunity to work with various faculty and students that I normally wouldn't have met."
Because the council is a registered student organization, it holds fundraisers to help pay for activities and philanthropic activities. The council tries to have at least one volunteer activity every quarter. Winter quarter, the council provided a dinner for the GoodWorks Friday Night Suppers. This quarter, it is hosting the College of Health and Human Services' first American Red Cross Blood Drive. The drive will be held Friday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Grover Center. Call (740) 593-9334 to schedule an appointment.
To recruit students, Goodwin sends communication to the faculty within the college for student recommendations and then makes appointments. She attends meetings, helps put together the agenda and connects the council with outside activities. She helps guide the students to accomplish their goals set at the beginning of the year.
"Advising is my favorite part of this job," she said. "I get to interact with students from various majors throughout the college on a longer-term basis."
The council began in 1981; one year after the college was created. Goodwin has served as adviser to the council since 1985.
"We've been really fortunate to have that student input," said Beth Vanderveer, associate professor of Recreation and Sport Sciences, who served on the college curriculum committee with a council member. "They have provided direction, vision and new ideas. Students are encouraged to participate and take part in the learning process."
Adrienne Gavula is a student writer for University Communications and Marketing.
