Next year will be a huge year for Western and the Associated Students.
After 15 years as university president, Dr. Karen Morse will be stepping down and Dr. Bruce Shepard will take over.
The Associated Students (AS) will celebrate our 100th Anniversary.
Western students will participate in both a gubernatorial and presidential election.
This is the perfect opening for each and every one of us to become more involved, both within the AS and the community.
One of the easiest and low-pressure ways to become involved is to join a club. These range from the Harry Potter Club to Students for Educational Equality, which tries to give students in low income communities a leg up, both through fundraisers and tutoring.
The Red Square Info Fair that occurs right before school starts in the fall will be a great way to get information on these clubs and everything in between (there is also a list of all AS clubs on the AS Web site).
Another amazing way to make a difference is to volunteer in an office within the AS. We have a wide range of offices and opportunities for any interested.
You could help organize an eye-opening event with the Social Issues Resource Center, help students get legal advice in the Legal Information Center, screen movies with ASP Films, DJ with KUGS, or be part of the television production crew at KVIK.
If you have an interest, we have an outlet, and all we need is for you to come in and talk to one of us.
If you want to have more of a behind the scenes impact on all of Western, the best way I can think of is to join an AS or University Committee.
Students have representation on nearly every committee, ranging from the Legislative Affairs Council and Student Senate within the AS to University Committees like the Parking Appeals Board and the Student Technology Fee Committee.
All of these are essential to the functioning of our university, and the most important voice is that of the student. Come in to the AS Board of Directors Office in Viking Union Room 504 for a complete list of all appointments that will be available next year.
Western students have a huge impact on the community around the campus, which is well-known to those of us who have spent a summer in Bellingham.
If you are living off campus next year, I strongly encourage you to be active within your respective neighborhood associations. Most neighborhoods are ecstatic to have student representation and often have a spot on their board of directors for a student.
If that’s not up your alley, then check out one of the many service clubs in the AS devoted to volunteering within the community or head to the Whatcom Volunteer Center.
Community service is a great option because there is always something that can fit in with a student’s busy schedule, allowing us to still participate in all the amazing events on campus.
I was asked to write a guest column about my next year as AS President, but this next year is not about me, it is about you. I have learned as much working in the AS as I have in the classroom, and I want every student to have the opportunity to experience the same.
Only registered users can post comments.
Please login or register.
Be first to comment on this article
