MEMBERSHIP

Number of Members

All student class leaderships will have a minimum of the following leadership positions:

• President (DPT, MPAS) or CoPresidents (MS MedSLP)

• Vice President (DPT, MPAS)

• Secretary

• Historian

• Treasurer

• Service Chair

• Social Chair

• Diversity Chair

• Professional Development Chair (DPT) or Professional Development/ Outreach Chair (MPAS and MS MedSLP)

• Student Senate Representative (if applicable)

◦ *Student Senate Representatives are selected by the Program Director. There is only one Student Senate Representative per program except for DPT.

• Representatives for national/state organizations

◦ DPT: Utah Physical Therapy Association (UPTA) Representative

◦ MPAS: Assembly of Representatives (AOR) Representative; State Chapter Student Representative (Utah Academy of Physician Assistant [UAPA] Representative)

◦ MS MedSLP: National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Representative

Any essential positions that are not filled will be combined with another position.

The following leadership positions are optional, depending on interest and cohort needs:

• Public Relations Representative (DPT and MS MedSLP only)

• Wellness Chair (required for MPAS)

• Academic Chair

Co-leadership positions will no longer be in effect for DPT and MPAS programs. For the MS MedSLP programs, there will be two co-presidents instead of a president and vice president. There will be no other co-leadership positions unless specified in the bylaws; however, the creation of committees is highly encouraged (see “Committee Formation’’).

Eligibility Requirements

As a class leader, you must remain in good academic and professionalism standing with your program and the University. If you are ever placed on academic or professionalism probation, your program director and the Associate Director of Student Services will meet and determine whether you will remain serving in the class leadership.

Length of Service

You will serve in your class leadership throughout the entirety of your program, unless other circumstances arise. Representatives for professional national/ state organizations and the Student Senate have term limits, but all other positions will last for the entirety of your program. During clinical rotations, your leadership will remain intact, but your responsibilities will be reduced (see “Meetings - Clinical Phase”). Once your term limit has arrived or you have graduated, you will be relieved of leadership responsibilities.

General Responsibilities

Regardless of your position, each member of the class leadership is responsible for the following:

• Attend monthly leadership meetings to collaborate on initiatives and work towards SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) goals

• Support the leadership team in planning cohort activities and working with Student Services

• Adhere to your program’s class leadership bylaws

• Work as a liaison with future leaderships

Position-Specific Responsibilities

Required Positions

President (DPT, MPAS) or Co-Presidents (MS MedSLP)

Presides over monthly class officer meetings. Sets meeting agendas and submits them to the secretary for copies and distribution. Informs the cohort of the activities of the various clubs/committees, and communicates information to the program and University via the Faculty Liaison and the Student Services Specialists. Primary duties of the President or Co-Presidents include working with individual students and the cohort to resolve problems while informing the Faculty Liaison and the Student Services Specialists of ideas or issues emanating from the class. Attends faculty, staff, and RMU Senate meetings as deemed appropriate.

Vice President (DPT, MPAS)

Has the primary responsibility of assisting the President in planning and implementing meetings, programs, committees, and activities. Responsible for ensuring the Student Services Specialists and Faculty Liaison are invited to all meetings. May be required to run Leadership meetings, write class letters, and facilitate communication among the cohort and Leadership. Assumes the duties of the President in the absence or at the request of the class President. In the event of a vacancy in the position of President, the Vice President shall succeed to the President position for the unexpired portion of the term, and the Leadership position of Vice President shall remain vacant.

MPAS only: (in addition to duties listed above) The Vice President is responsible for maintaining the snack cart and works with the Treasurer to maintain the finances associated. It is also the duty of the Vice President to form student mentor/mentee groups for incoming cohorts to have as a resource as they begin matriculation.

Secretary

Facilitates communication among the cohort, Leadership, Faculty Liaison, and the Student Services Specialists. Creates meeting agendas, takes meeting minutes, obtains meeting minutes approval from Leadership, and distributes meeting minutes to the cohort, Faculty Liaison, and Student Services Specialists. Charged with maintaining the Bylaws for the specific program leadership. Contributes ideas for cohort activities, service projects, professional development forums, cohort initiatives, and other cohort functions. Creates an accessible archive for Leadership minutes and manages the dissemination of important meeting items to the cohort.

Historian

Creates an archive of photos in preparation for commencement presentation and any other special events decided upon by the program and/or University. Attends cohort events with the responsibility of taking pictures for archival purposes. Aids all other class leadership positions by coordinating class activities and communication with the University for social media marketing, publications, and blog postings. Documents important events and changes in the program’s history. Assists in monthly social/service activities and professional development reporting.

Treasurer

Responsible for requesting funds for activities, service projects, professional development forums, and other cohort activities through the Student Services Specialists. Obtains annual budget allocations from the SS team and maintains a record of monthly cohort expenditures in the “Student Affairs Budget Allocations” sheet in the leadership Google Drive.

Service Chair

Manages and plans service opportunities with cohort, Leadership, Faculty Liaison, and Student Services Specialists. Compiles and reports monthly data to the SS Specialists on the number of service projects held and student attendance. Collaborates with the University’s Marketing & Communications Department to ensure adherence to the approved Style Guide and usage of the University logo. Manages service projects in alignment with the University’s Core Values and Mission Statement. Manages communication and marketing of service events, along with photos provided by the Historian.

Social Chair

Works in conjunction with the University’s student-led Student Social Committee. Manages and plans cohort activities with the Leadership, Faculty Liaison, Associate Director of SS, and Student Services Specialists. Collects monthly data on activities and student attendance to report data to the SS Specialists. Collaborates with the University’s Marketing & Communications Department to ensure adherence to the approved style guide and usage of the University logo. Manages cohort activities in alignment with the University’s Core Values and Mission Statement. Manages communication and marketing of social events, along with photos provided by the Historian and in coordination with the University’s Marketing & Communications Department. Attends all Student Social Committee meetings.

Diversity Chair

Works in conjunction with the University’s student-led Diversity Committee. Encourages and ensures an institutional climate that is not only aware, appreciative, and respectful of all commonalities and differences but actively embraces the subject of diversity. Sponsors events that foster diversity throughout the academic year such as guest speakers, discussions, and activities. Establishes and maintains relationships with external organizations that support diversity initiatives. Makes recommendations to faculty/staff on curricula, student welfare/morale, and policies/regulations related to the subject of diversity and inclusion.

Collaborates with the University’s Director of Institutional Equity within the Department of Student Affairs. Actively seeks ways to reduce barriers that bar minorities from equal access to healthcare and healthcare professions education. Attends all Student Diversity Committee Meetings.

Professional Development Chair (DPT, MS MedSLP) or Professional Development & Outreach Chair (MPAS)

Manages and plans monthly Professional Development Forums for the cohort in collaboration with the other cohort Professional Development Representatives, Leadership, Faculty Liaison, and the Student Services Specialists. Collects monthly data on Professional Development Forums and student attendance to report to the Student Services Specialists. Collaborates with the University’s Marketing & Communication Department to ensure adherence to the approved Style Guide and usage of the University logo. Manages communication and marketing of Professional Development

Forums, along with photos provided by the Historian, in coordination with the University’s Director of Institutional Marketing & Communication and the University’s Marketing & Communication Department.

MPAS Only: (in addition to duties listed above) Coordinates activities and public relations efforts between the student society and external groups, which can include but are not limited to: other medical professionals (MD, DO, PT, OT, nurses, speech, etc.), city/county organizations, state organizations, national organizations, and other community-related organizations. This individual promotes the PA profession and seeks out ways to work with other organizations in their community. Assists the Service Chair (or associated committee) when needed regarding coordinating service activities and public relations with external groups as defined above.

Student Senate Representative (if in the cohort)

The Student Senate representatives shall be part of the University’s Student Senate and be recommended by the respective Program Director. This is not a class leadership elected position. To serve for a one year term with no more than two consecutive one-year terms

(maximum of 3 years). The Student Senate Representative works with the Student Senate within the University’s shared governance model by developing and supporting systems of open communication amongst the following; President’s Executive Council (PEC), President’s Cabinet (PC), Academic Leadership Council (ALC), Faculty Senate, Employee Senate, and Class Leaderships. Student Senate meetings are to occur on a monthly basis. Meetings shall be held via teleconference at a time convenient for the members of the Student Senate. Attendance is required for all Student Senate representatives. This position requires the officer to attend both the monthly Leadership and Student Senate meetings. Reports appropriate information from the Student Senate meetings to the Class Leadership.

Recommendations: email all cohorts from your program once a semester to see if there are any concerns to bring to the Student Senate. Concerns should be brought to the Student Senate meetings. All questions about the Student Senate should be brought to Jeanine Revillo, Associate Director of Student Services.

National/State Organization Representatives

DPT: Utah Physical Therapy Association (UPTA) Representative

Attends the UPTA Board of Directors meetings (usually held every other month). Attends the UPTA Fall and Spring Conference as able. Represents student physical therapists of the state of Utah. Provides a student’s perspective and input to the UPTA.

MPAS: Assembly of Representatives (AOR) Representative

The Student Academy Assembly of Representatives (AOR) Representative of each respective cohort shall be responsible for the distribution of all Student Academy and AAPA information to their program. The AOR Representative will serve as point of contact for the Student Academy Board of Directors and committees. Once a new AOR is elected, the previous cohort AOR will serve as the AOR Alternate. If possible, the AOR Representative shall attend the annual AOR meetings at the AAPA Annual Conference to elect new officers of the Student Academy, to establish and amend policy of the Student Academy, and to conduct business as necessary. If the AOR Representative cannot attend the conference the AOR alternate will attend the national conference. In the event that the AOR representative and AOR Alternate are unable to attend the conference, another member of the Board should be designated to attend the national conference.

MPAS: State Chapter Student

Representative (Utah Academy of Physician Assistant [UAPA] Representative)

The UAPA Student Representative from each cohort shall be the liaison between the SAAAPA and the state constituent chapter, UAPA. At least one UAPA Student Representative shall attend quarterly UAPA meetings to represent the University PA Program and will then report back to the SAAAPA. At UAPA meetings, all University UAPA Student Representatives in attendance will collectively provide one vote on behalf of the program.

MS MedSLP: National Student Speech Language Hearing

Association (NSSLHA)

Representative

Attends the NSSLHA Board of Directors meetings (usually held every other month). Attends the NSSLHA Fall and Spring Conference, as able. Represent student speech-language pathologists for the state of Utah. Provides a student’s perspective and input to NSSLHA . Distributes information and opportunities from the ASHA and NSSLHA to all local members and files annual paperwork with ASHA to keep our local chapter in good standing nationally.

Optional Positions

Public Relations Representative (DPT and MS MedSLP Only)

Manages the cohort social media presence and ensures adherence to the approved Style Guide and usage of the University logo in collaboration with the University Marketing and Communications Department. Assists the Historian and works as a liaison with future classes.

As Public Relations Representative, you may be asked to act as a student representative of RMUoHP and participate in University Marketing initiatives, events, etc.

Wellness Chair (required for MPAS, optional for DPT and MS MedSLP)

Listens to, talks with, and advocates for fellow cohort students by assisting them and directing them to specific resources for their holistic health/wellness (physical, psychological, sociological), worklife balance, family, and relationships. Supports the leadership team in planning cohort activities and working with Student Services. Works closely with the Office of Student Services in providing support to fellow students in their non-academic concerns and struggles. Connects with the faculty liaison for any academic concerns students may have. Is familiar with different resources in order to efficiently and effectively help students. Provides reminders to students of their resources and any encouragement and events coming up that are geared towards their wellness.

Academic Chair

Responsible for providing general academic support to the cohort, such as hosting academic-related events, sending out study tips to the cohort, and organizing cohort study guides and quizlets. Supports the leadership team in planning cohort activities and working with Student Services.

Role of Student Services

Your cohort leadership will work closely with Student Services Specialists from the Office of Student Services within the Department of Student Affairs. The Student Support Specialist and the Student Services Specialist will attend all cohort leadership meetings and provide general University updates and support to all leadership groups by connecting you to any and all relevant University or community resources. During leadership meetings, the Student Services Specialists will also ask if there are any concerns about students in your cohort or general cohort concerns that need to be brought forward and discussed. Student Services must approve all leadership activities or initiatives that involve using cohort funds