Student Advisory Committee listens

By Mallory Stiles
Editor in Chief

Every LCC student has had a question or concern about their overall educational experience at some point during their enrollment, but almost no one knows the correct time or place to express themselves.

The Lookout would like to inform everyone that LCC Student Advisory Committee (SAC) meetings are a great place to start.

By definition, the “primary purpose” of such a committee is to provide advice to officials from a citizen, or in this case a student, perspective.

LCC has always made it clear the student perspective is valued, and these meetings provide a specific time and place where any voice can be heard by those directly responsible for change.

LCC Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sally Welch said the SAC meetings are just about having an open discussion and addressing any issues brought forth.

"They talk about whatever students are curious about; answer any questions," Welch said.

Welch joined the LCC team in July of 2019 and said providing an open forum had always been a priority.

She explained there is a hierarchy in the decision-making process and, although she was the person who signed the official resolution, there were a lot of people involved in the creation of the SAC.

"I am over the senate,” Welch said. “The Academic Senate is a component of the provost’s office and then, underneath that, is the Student Advisory Committee. Faculty and administrators are the Academic Senate. The student advisory committee is made up of senators and students.”

Elizabeth Clifford is the chair of the committee and also a professional tutor in the LCC Learning Commons.

“My role as Student Advisory Committee chair is to facilitate the group as an avenue to hear students' voices and concerns,” Clifford said. “As faculty or students come with ideas and suggestions, our role is to see if we can make them happen.”

Clifford, who attends every meeting, said the major issues discussed lately were centered on student involvement in this year’s graduation ceremony and a possible video montage to capture the year.

“I am also very proud of another student, Andrea Sanchez, who advocated for the idea of the Sparrow Mobile Health Clinic visiting campus,” Clifford said. “Now there are four dates scheduled beginning in May.”

It was confirmed that SAC meetings will be held every other Wednesday at 12:10 in the Gannon Building, room 3246, for the remainder of the semester, as advertised for anyone interested in attending.

There are a lot of seemingly small details talked about at these gathering, but they have also made history. 

Welch said she has signed off on all sorts of things since first taking her position but, to her, the most memorable was a resolution she signed was to make LCC officially a part of a nonprofit known as “Achieving the Dream.”

"It's an organization that really works on trying to remove barriers so all students can complete their academic journey,” Welch said.

Welch said that moment was special because she noticed not all demographics were scoring the same in certain areas, and that signature felt like a big push toward equality.

Welch said the goal has always been, and will continue to be, getting as many caps tossed as possible.

“We know on the backend of a graduation that it helps economically and helps social mobility,” she said. “That’s why we are here. We are all passionate about our students and we want them to succeed.”