Student Activities 47
<strong>Forest</strong>ry Student Faculty Board by William Olsen Seven AM breakfast meetings are a regular feature <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Forest</strong>ry Student Faculty Board. Aside from being the only time when everyone is available, they help us to keep our feet <strong>of</strong>f the ground and our faces in the c<strong>of</strong>fee. We are a forum for students to share with faculty members their concerns about the quality <strong>of</strong> their educational experience, and we pass on recommendations to others in the college. Membership <strong>of</strong> the board is made up <strong>of</strong> student presidents and faculty advisors from each student group in the College <strong>of</strong> <strong>Forest</strong>ry. One <strong>of</strong> our main concerns this year has been trying to make freshmen and sophomores more at home in the college so that they can start learning about forestry and sorting out their particular interests sooner. This winter we passed on a recommendation to the curriculum committee to <strong>of</strong>fer an introductory course for entering freshmen which would introduce them to Green Hall, our faculty and their interests, students groups in the college, the new pr<strong>of</strong>essional visitation program, a little bit about forestry, <strong>of</strong> course, and some strategies for getting the most out <strong>of</strong> school. We also are trying to hold an information fair to acquaint students with the range <strong>of</strong> student groups and activities in the college. Officers for 1985-86 Student Co-chair William Olsen Faculty Co-chair John Bell Treasurer Audrey Koltes Secretary Laura Held 48 Society <strong>of</strong> American <strong>Forest</strong>ers: Students' Trip to Convention by Margaret Moore On the morning <strong>of</strong> July 26, the last suitcase was squeezed into the back, the van doors were slammed shut, and a crew <strong>of</strong> seven <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Minnesota <strong>Forest</strong>ry Students headed for the Society <strong>of</strong> American <strong>Forest</strong>ers Natlonal Convention at n Collins, Colorado. It was a fantastic Journey across the Northern Great Plains rolling prairie, antelope, and thunderstorms across South Dakota to the Black Hills, down through eastern Wyoming to Colorado. Two days after our departure from St. Paul we arrived at n Collins and joined with two more U <strong>of</strong> M student members. The convention gave us an opportumty to attend pr<strong>of</strong>essional talks in our area <strong>of</strong> emphasis and to mingle with more pr<strong>of</strong>essionally established members. Dean Skok provided the students with a special treat by inviting us to the alumm breakfast. O ver the four day stay at n Collins and despite the busy schedule <strong>of</strong> meetings, presentations, and tours, the student members received a lot <strong>of</strong> personal attention and encouragement. The trip was not without a few touri st stops, both on the Journey out and on the return triP We managed to visit Wall Drug, Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder, Devils Tower, and the South Dakota Badlands. We read <strong>of</strong> the geology, soils, nora, and fauna, did some hiking, took some photographs, and generally enjoyed ourselves. Upon returning to Green Hall and renecting on the Convention week's activities, the experience left all <strong>of</strong> us with a very positive attitude toward the <strong>Forest</strong>ry pr<strong>of</strong>eSSion and its members. The task <strong>of</strong> coordinati ng and funding thiS student attendance at the National Convention was not an easy one. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize several people for making this trip possible. Thanks goes to Phil Splett (Advisor) for his good advice and seemingly endless patience Also, thanks , goes to the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Resources</strong>, Alan R Ek, Head, and the College <strong>of</strong> <strong>Forest</strong>ry, Richard A. Skok, Dean, for showing interest in the Student Chapter's attendance at the National Convention and for providing financial support for our transportation They understand that this involvement in the SAF is not only in important to our pr<strong>of</strong>essional development as students, but also vital to the long term health <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>ession.
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