Student Action Committee meeting also held on campus
The Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee was hosted by Eastern’s Student Government Saturday and Sunday to discuss issues before the Illinois Board of Higher Education this week.
The Student Action Committee is similar to an extension of IBHE and the meetings this weekend drew other state student governments to discuss the state organizations’ agenda before making recommendations this week, said Ronnie Deedrick, student vice president for academic affairs.
Deedrick said the student governments discussed topics using five committees — the budget surplus committee, access and diversity, non-academic affairs, special operations and academic affairs committees.
The main issue of discussion was the current state budget, Deedrick said.
The budget also was the main issue with the Student Government Student Action Team, which lobbied for Eastern’s interests in Springfield this past Wednesday and Thursday, said Marty Ruhaak, student vice president of public affairs.
“(Legislators) kind of saw higher education in the same boat as the rest of the state. It was tough for us to make a big impact,” Ruhaak said previously. He headed the access and diversity committee.
Deedrick said the university Student Government has formed relationships to help make an impact on the university.
“I would say we’re the most active Student Government in the state because we have a relation with faculty and administration,” he said.
University provost Blair Lord spoke at the Student Advisory Committee meeting and said Eastern does have the most involved Student Government.
“I believe Eastern is particularly instrumental in giving students a voice,” he said.
He said student involvement in such areas as attending meetings of the Council on Academic Affairs and the Faculty Senate demonstrates their involvement.
He said the Student Advisory Committee, as one of the IBHE’s advising committees, gives the Student Governments an opportunity.
“It gives an opportunity for the students to hear the opinion of IBHE,” Lord said.
