Leadership program to start fall term

Beginning fall term, Student Activities and Leadership Programs will be available to all presidents and vice presidents of Portland State student organizations.

The program is designed to help the leaders of student organizations develop their leadership skills and receive compensation for their hard work.

“The goal is to make sure students are getting something out of their leadership experience that is applicable for the rest of their life and education,” Laken Harrel, the ASPSU representative on the SALP Advisory Board, said.

Though she was opposed to past programs, Harrel believes that the new program will be more successful because it outlines specific objectives for participants.

SALP Director Aimee Shattuck said student leadership positions will no longer be automatically paid positions because of budget reorganization. According to a press release, the average stipend for student leaders by 2006 was $525 a month. However, the administration felt that this system was expensive and “legally questionable.”

Shattuck said the new program will be open to student leaders from all of the 132 student organizations on campus. Participants in the program may receive a $300 scholarship per term and also have the option of paying for two independent study credits per term for their work in the program.

In the future, Shattuck hopes to open the program to interns and volunteers, as well as to student leaders.

Additionally, if a student intends to pursue a civic leadership minor, the two academic

credits can apply toward that as well, according to Liane O’Banion, assistant director in the Learning Center.

Shattuck explained that there are 100 spots in the program. Selected leaders will join a cohort of 20 to 25 others for the academic year and will attend nine leadership sessions (three per term) together.

O’Banion said the cohorts will choose a theme for the year, such as social responsibility, teamwork, citizenship, common purpose or community and systems.

As the cohorts meet throughout the year, they will receive leadership training, reflect on their experiences and develop networking abilities and an e-portfolio, according to Shattuck.

One of the main goals of the program is to help student leaders make career connections in their academic fields, she said.

“This was one of the things that I benefited from as a student leader,” Shattuck said. “As I made connections through student leadership and my volunteer work…what I was doing was creating career connections.”

After a year in the program, student leaders must reapply to continue for another year. Shattuck hopes that student leaders continuing in the program will help to facilitate it in the future.

O’Banion emphasized the fact that while the program does provide monetary compensation, it should not be treated like a job.

“This is not a job,” O’Banion said, adding that students should assume leadership roles for the sake of leadership—not for money. “The opportunity to get leadership experience is great on this campus. It’s a chance to get something for your resume and a wonderful experience.”

O’Banion said that the program will be seeking students with a “proven leadership track record within a PSU sanctioned organization.” Students who wish to contribute to PSU through leadership and who wish to attain professional leadership training in the field are encouraged to apply.

The application for the program is available on the SALP website and is due by May 20. ?