Starting next semester, 25 Syracuse University students will serve as representatives on the Division of Student Affairs Advisory Board to provide feedback and communicate student needs.

Over the past several months, Student Affairs communications manager Shannon Andre and other Student Affairs staff members have discussed ways to seek input from SU students. Creating a student advisory board was one of those ideas, Andre said in an email.

Student representatives on the advisory board will be asked to provide insight on issues related to student life and to offer suggestions on services, communications and programs within Student Affairs, Andre said.

“The work we do in Student Affairs impacts the student experience here and so it is important to hear from the students we are supporting,” she said.

Nominations for the Student Affairs Advisory Board were received from Student Affairs, the Student Association and the Graduate Student Organization. SU students were also given the opportunity to apply for a representative position by submitting their resume and a short letter of interest, Andre said.

Four graduate students — GSO President Patrick Neary, GSO Internal Vice President Sam Leitermann and two GSO Senators — will serve on the advisory board, Neary said in an email.

“The Advocacy Center closure and other issues this semester have demonstrated the need for more communication from the Division of Student Affairs, and this board will be one way we get that,” Neary said.

SU students on the advisory board will meet with Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, along with other Student Affairs staff members every two weeks, Neary said.

Kantrowitz said she is excited to begin work with the Student Affairs Advisory Board in the spring.

“I believe the students whom have agreed to serve will provide valuable feedback for Student Affairs,” she said in an email. “And I hope that they, too, will learn from and enjoy this experience.”

Neary said he hopes the student advisory board will improve communication, especially about the issues of mental health and sexual assault, between Student Affairs and SU students.

“I do personally feel this is a critically necessary body,” Neary said. “We need more ways to connect students with the university’s leaders, and this is a powerful way of doing exactly that.”

While the Division of Student Affairs already has methods for students to provide feedback, it was important to create an official board where students can provide their thoughts and feedback on a more consistent basis. It also gives Student Affairs another place to vet ideas and create dialogue with students, Andre said.

Having a group of students committed to providing insight and strengthening relationships between the administration and the student body can be very beneficial, Andre added.

“Before this past semester, the Division of Student Affairs and the student body did not have a standing, established method of engaging in this way,” Neary said. “I am truly excited to have this group, as it will allow unprecedented student input and oversight of key university function for the first time.”

Said Neary: “This is an established group that will remain in place for years to come, ensuring that we as students will maintain this strategic-level access into the future.”

Published on December 1, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Sara: smswann@syr.edu | @saramswann