Purpose and Goals of the Urban Studies & Health Equity Student Advisory Council
The main focus of the Urban Studies & Health Equity Student Advisory Council is to help develop the Urban Studies & Health Equity Program. Members will meet three times per semester to discuss curriculum programming and community engagement. They will meet as a group with and without faculty to evaluate and propose ideas.
The council will be inclusive and open to all Urban Studies & Health Equity majors but there is an expectation of leadership and dedication. Students must submit an application to show their interest. Members may also need to attend lectures and prospective professor talks. After the first semester, members’ involvement will be evaluated jointly by department professors and possibly other council members. If it is determined that a student has not made a sufficient time contribution to the council they may be asked to leave.
Not every student who takes urban studies courses will be a major and not every Urban Studies & Health Equity major will have time to dedicate to the council. Therefore members must ensure they are soliciting input and advice from the Rhodes community. The council may hold a student forum where non-members can advocate for their own ideas. There may also be a forum with students and Urban Studies & Health Equity faculty where students and faculty can discuss what they would like to see in the department. Council members must also be willing to meet with students who wish to propose an idea outside of the forums and then present that to the committee. Care must be taken to provide multiple venues for Rhodes community members to present ideas so that no one’s voice is left out.
Although there may be issues that need to be kept private for a certain time period it is important to ensure that the council does not appear to be a secret committee that makes decisions without input from the community. Meeting minutes of pertinent non-sensitive information should be shared with any member of the Rhodes community who requests to see them. A report should be compiled at the end of each semester that summarizes the work done by the council.
Collaboration with Upsilon Sigma
Upsilon Sigma is a national honors society that recognizes academic excellence and leadership in the field of Urban Studies. It provides students with opportunities for networking, professional development, and scholarly activities. Membership in Upsilon Sigma typically requires a strong academic record and a demonstrated commitment to the field of Urban Studies. The society aims to promote academic achievement and foster a community of scholars dedicated to understanding and addressing urban issues.
In addition to its primary objectives, the Student Advisory Council will collaborate with Upsilon Sigma to assist in recruitment efforts. This partnership aims to leverage the council’s outreach capabilities to spread awareness and activate interest in Upsilon Sigma among the student body. By working together, both groups can enhance their impact on campus, fostering a greater sense of community and engagement.
Student Advisory Council Goals
