School Psychology Student Association (SPSA)

SPSA is a formal student group that was organized during the 1992-93 school year to promote student involvement in the program and in the field of school psychology. The group emphasizes professional development in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. SPSA has a social committee which organizes and sponsors social events for faculty and students each semester. All students in the program are invited to join SPSA.

Curriculum Committee.
Devoted to understanding what is required within the program curriculum and maintaining our program’s student resources. This includes the resource room, SPSA Web site, and curricular materials. This committee and the work completed by the committee embody the program’s curricular resource.

Responsibilities:

• Upkeep/updating resource room computers
• Organizing/maintaining resource room
• Upkeep of the course and program schedule binders
• Keeping up to date on current program course requirements
• Set-up of SPSA Web site

Goals:

• Improve current computers and possibly gain more computers for the resource room
• Fully clean and organize the resource room library
• Gain course info and sample schedules from every school psych student
• Be up-to-date on current program requirements and disseminate information to students
• Facilitate greater member participation with increased delegation of responsibilities
• Field student questions about program requirements/curriculum
• Order new materials and keep materials current for the resource room (yearly inventory)

Communications/Student Meetings Committee
This committee is designed to facilitate communication between students in the school psychology program to keep them well informed of what is going on within the program, the university, and the field of school psychology. It is also designed to maintain open communication between students and faculty.

Responsibilities:

• Arranging SPSA Student meetings (how often these will occur will be determined)
• Having student representatives at faculty meetings (as needed)
• Creating an e-mail newsletter with all SPSA committees to keep students informed
• Sending other mass e-mails as needed
• Assisting Deb with the School Psychology News

Goals:

• To keep students informed of program news (class info, social events, bag lunches, etc.)
• To help students get questions answered from faculty and/or other students
• To maintain consistent, open communication across the program

Social Committee

This committee is responsible for organizing social events, and assisting with organizing community service events. These events could include informal gatherings to increase contact between students and faculty, events to welcome new students to the program, and activities to serve children, adults, and families in the community. These events will be designed to strengthen the sense of community among those affiliated with the school psychology program.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting the executive board with organizing community service events
• Assisting the executive board with organizing orientation and interview days
• Organizing seasonal get-togethers for the program
• Organizing frequent informal gatherings

Political and Professional Committee
The Political and Professional Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining dialogue between students and the broader community on issues related to educational psychology with special focus on connecting with school psychologists who work in a variety of settings. The goals of this committee are to (1) inform students about current issues in school psychology and/or concerning children in general and (2) develop a strong network between students and professionals. Information will be gathered through issue advocacy groups (e.g., Children’s Defense Fund, PACER) and professional organizations (e.g., MSPA, NASP, APA, SASP) and relayed in student meetings, bag lunches, and email communication.

Responsibilities:

• Connection to professional organizations (e.g., APA, SASP, MSPA, NASP)
• Develop resources with current information in the field for students
• Internship resource
• Bag lunches

Goals:

• The committee will enrich students’ professional interests through exposure to practicing school psychologists and professionals in related fields as well as through communication about relevant policy issues and current events.

Revised April 2004