Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Getting involved on campus can mean a multitude of things — going to various sports games, participating in events, joining a club or a combination of all of them. Another way students can be involved is through committees. Western has a variety of committees that students can be a part of to make a difference on campus; here’s a few of them that students can partake in.

The Incidental Fee Committee, or IFC, deals with allocating funds to different areas on campus and deciding how much students pay for fees with their tuition. Students that are involved on this board vote to see where such funding goes, and are the only ones who vote — unless there is a tie. Students are picked via the Associated Students of Western Oregon University elections, the Student Body President and Western’s president. However, students can also give feedback during open hearings after preliminary decisions, so they can be included and make a difference without being on the committee itself. An open hearing will take place on Feb. 17 in the Werner University Center.

The Honors Committee is restricted to those in Western’s Honors Program, and is an opportunity for students within the program to become more involved with it. Only one student from each class can serve on the board; they assist with thesis proposals, course selections and overall each student serves as a representative for their grade level. For those that are interested, they advocate to their peers and a voting process takes place. The student can then give their thoughts and opinions on the Honors Program itself along with courses.

The General Education Committee reviews the general education program; students can assist the faculty on the board with ensuring that the curriculum is accessible and up-to-date for Western’s students. In addition to managing information and handling course details, the students in the committee coordinate functions with other committees as well.

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees sends out emails frequently about meetings and such that students can attend to give their opinion. Recent meetings have been in regards to the Finance and Administration Committee, Academic & Student Affairs Committee (ASAC) — which involves reviewing and recommending actions that affect curriculum, enrollments and admission — and the Executive, Governance, & Trusteeship Committee (EGTC). The meetings themselves are public and those who are interested can feel free to contact the WOU Board of Trustees with questions.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu