“I have one of the most fun jobs on campus,” said Shannon Timm. A faculty member of the Student Activities and Leadership Program, Timm wears many hats, but her primary role as coordinator of Student-Led Services brought her to the six-member Speakers Board. “I get to stay really plugged in to what’s happening on campus,” Timm said.
If there is a lecture, conference or special event, chances are good it was funded through the Speakers Board. The board is comprised of three students and three staff members and has an annual budget of approximately $35,000 to fund special guests for student organizations and academic departments’ public lectures.
The board has reviewed—and approved—nearly 22 applications for such funding this academic year. International studies senior Melissa McCue sits on the board for the second year in a row, this time as its chair. “Most requests receive funding,” she said. “We’ve had really great applications so far this year.” She added that applications to fund guest speakers have doubled from fall to winter term.
“We are all really busy,” McCue said, and explained that coordinating schedules amongst the board has proved difficult. “Most of our board meetings are via email.”
The board gets its funding from the Student Fee Committee. Senior economics major Krystine McCants serves as both the vice chair of the fee committee and the office specialist for the activity and leadership program. She explained that the committee allocates funding to the Speakers Board, but that the leadership program oversees the funds.
McCue stressed that she does not speak for the board and that personal preferences aren’t considered when making funding decisions. But, her favorite event so far this year was the two-month series held by the Department of English that brought in PSU graduates to discuss their career paths. “It really provided inspiration to students to hear how they can use their degrees,” McCue said.
One upcoming event has Timm excited: the ’80s Video Dance Party. A food drive for PSU’s food pantry, the event will be held Thursday in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom. Admission is two cans of food.
Student groups and campus organizations that want to bring a guest lecturer to campus can apply for funding through the board. Each group on campus has a specific activity and leadership adviser, and the first step is contacting the adviser. The event must be free and open to PSU and general community members, and the speaker’s fee should fall between $500–1,500. Additionally, applicants will need to prepare materials for submission: an agenda for the event, curriculum vitae for each speaker, press materials and an itemized budget.
The board will consider applications for speakers one month away, but getting paperwork processed that quickly may prove difficult, and a two-month minimum lead time is recommended.
Typically, applications missing information are contacted and the board will work with applicants to improve the request. Excessive cost could prevent funding from the board, and each department or group is allowed a maximum of $5,000 per year. In return for funding, the Speakers Board requires that any event promotion list the board as a co-sponsor.
Applications are made through the Org Sync website orgsync.com/20714/forms/show/19158. To contact the Speakers Board, email Shannon Timm at shannonw@pdx.edu.