The College of the Environment Student Advisory Council advises the Dean and Associate Deans on issues related to students. The Council brings issues from the Dean’s Office to the student community and brings issues from the student community to the Dean’s Office. The Council also provides input, insight, and perspective on the student experience within the College.

Council structure and membership

The College of the Environment Student Advisory Council includes the following members:

School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

One undergraduate, one graduate

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

Two undergraduates (one from Bioresource Science and Engineering and one from Environmental and Terrestrial Resource Management), one graduate

School of Marine and Environmental Affairs

One graduate

School of Oceanography

One undergraduate, one graduate

Department of Atmospheric Sciences

One undergraduate, one graduate

Department of Earth and Space Sciences

One undergraduate, one graduate

Environmental Studies/Program on the Environment

One undergraduate

Associated Students of UW Student Senate representative

One ASUW Student Senate member who is a student in the College of the Environment

Graduate and Professional Student Senate representative

One GPSS member who is a College of the Environment student

At-large representatives

Three members from Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) affiliated with the College of the Environment. RSO student members do not have to be in a College of the Environment majors/degrees. Affiliation is defined as: College sponsors the RSO with funding; the RSO has College staff or faculty as an advisor; or College students and the RSO collaborate with the College on projects.

Total Members = 18

Council positions

Chair or co-chairs

Elected by the council members. Chairs/Co-Chairs are responsible for setting the agenda, serving as liaison with Dean’s Office staff and facilitating meetings.

Note-taker

Elected by the council members; can be a rotating position; responsible for posting meeting materials on the council’s Catalyst site and taking meeting notes.

The Student Advisory Council may create other positions as needed.

2016-17 membership

Application and review process

The Council calls for application for new members annually in spring.

Councilmember duties

Student Advisory Councilmember terms of service

• Councilmembers will serve 1-year terms with 1-year reappointment possible.
• Staggered terms (i.e., some inaugural members will serve only one year; some will proceed for re-appointment at end of first year). The council will ask for volunteers to serve an additional year or end terms as needed for staggered terms.
• Reappointment does not require a new application.
• Total annual commitment: minimum 30-35 hours, including meeting time, preparation for meetings and follow-through work arising from decisions at meetings.
• The Council may elect to create sub-committees to address specific issues. Should Councilmembers choose to join a sub-committtee, their duties may include attending additional meetings.

Meeting schedule

• Monthly meetings, except summer quarter (8/year).
• Standing meeting time is set quarterly (1.5 hours/meeting).
• Dean’s Office staff will attend meetings depending on agenda.
• The Dean will attend the first meeting of each quarter to discuss goals for the quarter.

Key topics that may be addressed annually by the Student Advisory Council

• Budget issues and planning
• Student recruitment and retention (focus on increasing diversity)
• Engaging students in research
• Course fees
• Academic Programs (new programs and expansion of existing programs)
• Graduation gift planning