Personal and professional development opportunities outside of student organizations are available to the WSFR community. WSFR students are a vital component of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Student representation is an important, integrated component of our School, and student representatives provide an active voice to the School’s committees, University Council, UGA leadership roles, and outside affiliations. Natural resources educational training exists through PLT, WET, and WILD, and outside speakers enlighten WSFR through seminars and colloquium.

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

The University Council is the body responsible for deciding many of the policies that govern the operation of the University. It is composed of students, faculty, staff, and administrators. As indicated in the Council By-Laws, The University Council, as authorized in Article V of the Statues of The University of Georgia, shall establish policies and enact such rules and regulations as it deems appropriate to provide for the interests and welfare of The University of Georgia and its academic community. WSFR has one student representative.

STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Student Advisory Council is composed of the WSFR Club Presidents and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Meetings are held on a semester basis. The Council is responsible for upkeep of the Student Lounge, facilitating New Student Lunches, speaking at the WSFR New Student Orientation, and holding WSFR Student Elections.

WSFR STANDING COMMITTIES

Undergraduate Affairs

The Undergraduate affairs committee A.) Develops and recommends to faculty WSFR policies governing administration of WSFR undergraduate programs. Examples include WSFR admissions policy, undergraduate academic appeals policy, and transfer of credit from other colleges and universities. B.) Admits students to the WSFR Professional Program. C.) Hears and rules on undergraduate programs, and recommends to faculty measures to enhance undergraduate programs. D.) Assesses strengths and weaknesses of WSFR undergraduate programs, and recommends to faculty measures to enhance undergraduate programs. E.) Assists in development of undergraduate recruitment strategies and materials. Two undergraduate professional program students serve on this committee.

Graduate Affairs Committee

The Graduate Affairs Committee A.) Develops and recommends to faculty WSFR policies governing administration of WSFR graduate programs. Examples include the graduate screening policy, and teaching assistant assignment policy. B.) Reviews and makes recommendations to Graduate School on Graduate School policy changes. C.) Recommends students for admission to the WSFR graduate program. D.) Assesses strengths and weaknesses of the WSFR graduate program, and recommends to faculty measures to enhance the graduate program. E.) Assists in development of graduate student recruitment strategies and materials. One graduate student serves on this committee.

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee A.) Develops and recommends to faculty revisions in WSFR curricula. B.) Reviews and recommends to faculty new and revised WSFR courses. One undergraduate student and one graduate student serve on this committee.

Honors and Awards Committee

The Honors and Awards Committee A.) Develops and recommends to faculty WSFR policies governing the selection of students for honors and awards bestowed by WSFR, and policies governing the presentation of awards. B.) Selects students to receive honors and awards bestowed by WSFR. C.) Assists in planning and executing WSFR graduation ceremonies at the end of fall and spring semesters. D.) Assists in planning and executing the WSFR Spring Awards Banquet. One undergraduate student and one graduate student serve on this committee.

Seminars Committee

The Seminars Committee A.) Arranges for experts to present seminars on topics of interest to the WSFR community. B.) Publicizes WSFR seminars. One undergraduate student and one graduate student serve on this committee.

Colloquium Committee

The Colloquium Committee A.) Arranges for a speaker of national/international stature to present a colloquium at WSFR. Normally one colloquium will be held each year. B.) Assists in planning and executing publicity campaign for the colloquium. C.) Assists in planning and executing events ancillary to the colloquium, including a reception for the speaker, and meetings between the speaker and faculty, staff, and students. One undergraduate student and one graduate student serve on this committee.

WSFR STUDENT AMBASSADORS

The Student Ambassador program provides opportunities for students to grow and develop beyond educational experiences. Student Ambassadors represent the School at University functions and off-campus as well. Ambassadors mix and mingle with alumni and leaders in the various forest resources professions. Opportunities are provided to interact with prospective students and gain recruitment experience, while giving something back to the School. The Student Ambassador positions are open to both Professional and Graduate level students and include at least one representative from each major. Students and are chosen by a committee.

PROJECT LEARNING TREE® (PLT)

“Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is an award winning, broad-based environmental education program for educators and students in PreK - grade 12. PLT helps students learn HOW to think, not WHAT to think, about the environment. PLT, a program of the American Forest Foundation, is one of the most widely used environmental education programs in the United States and abroad.” WSFR normally schedules one PLT training session every academic year. This training session is open to WSFR students, and the purpose of this training session is to inform and instruct WSFR students on how to use PLT activities to educate children about Natural Resources. For more information on PLT, please visit the PLT website.

PROJECT WET (Water Education for Teachers)

“Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is a nonprofit water education program and publisher for educators and young people ages 5-18. The program facilitates and promotes awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and the establishment of internationally sponsored Project WET programs.” WSFR schedules WET training sessions on a needed basis. This training session is open to WSFR students, and the purpose of this training session is to inform and instruct WSFR students on how to use WET activities to educate children about water resources. For more information on WET, please visit the Project WET website.

PROJECT WILD

“Project WILD is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. The program emphasizes wildlife because of its intrinsic and ecological values, as well as its importance as a basis for teaching how ecosystems function.” WSFR plans to schedule a Project WILD training session during this academic year. This training session is open to WSFR students, and the purpose of this training session is to inform and instruct WSFR students on how to use Project WILD activities to educate children about wildlife. For more information on Project WILD, please visit the Project WILD website.

COLLOQUIUM

Once a year, a colloquium is held for the WSFR community. The colloquium is composed of a speaker of national/international stature that addresses a Forest Resources related topic and then answers questions relating to their presentation. The colloquium is generally held during the fall semester.

SEMINARS

Once a week during the fall and spring semesters, Forest Resources related experts present topics of interest to the WSFR community.

FFA FORESTRY FIELD DAYS

During the fall and spring semesters, WSFR students are given the opportunity to assist with FFA Forestry Field Days. These field days provide opportunities for our students to meet other professionals and to encourage high school FFA students with an interest in natural resources.

UGA STUDENT LEADERSHIP CENTER

The Student Leadership Center strives to develop responsible campus and community leaders and citizens through the use of leadership education and experiential learning opportunities. For more information, click here.