Student Government & Committees
SPH Student Leadership Council (SLC)
The Student Leadership Council Student is a formal part of the SPH governance structure. Student Representatives participate in and host curricular activities and extra-curricular events, and represent the unique interests of their respective programs’ student populations. The Student Leadership Council offers opportunities to develop leadership skills, become engaged in community health initiatives, and network with other students, alumni, and employers.
All Student Representatives are nominated (by self, peers, or faculty), and are selected for the positions by the faculty leadership of the various degree programs. Student representatives serve two-year, staggered terms, and meet regularly with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Community Engagement to discuss program operations, student needs, and strategic planning. Student Representatives also serve on School of Public Health committees, including the Student Affairs; Community Engagement; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Academic Policy and Curriculum Committees.
Associated Students of Portland State University
ASPSU serves as your Student Government, representing 27,000 students. As your representatives to the University administration, they:
- Advocate for and represent the interest of students before internal and external bodies;
- Facilitate formal needs of communication and interaction between students, student organizations, faculty and University administration;
- Identify and develop services not offered by other divisions of the University;
- Provide a process for students to fully participate in the allocation of student incidental fees.
OHSU All-Hill Council
The All-Hill Council is OHSU’s student government body, and is made of up of elected student representatives from the College of Pharmacy, School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Public Health and the Graduate Student Organization. Meetings are held the second Friday of the month at 12:00 pm and are open to all. In addition to facilitating communication about OHSU news and policies to students and acting as a voice of students to administrators, the Council also provides funding for events bringing students together across schools and programs. Learn more by visiting OHSU Student Central or contact scouncil@ohsu.edu.
OHSU Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
The OHSU Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) provides a forum for students to work alongside Student Health & Wellness Center staff to identify and support student health and wellness needs. The committee consists of student representatives appointed or elected by their respective program/school; school faculty and staff; and stakeholders from across OHSU (Registrar, Financial Aid, etc.). The committee meets monthly during the academic year.
Student Advisory Groups
Fat Justice Working Group
The purpose of the Fat Justice Working Group is to engage students, faculty and staff of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH) in learning, activities and advocacy to reduce weight stigma and anti-fat bias in ourselves, our School and society at large.
We are part of the SPH commitment to Social Justice, and recognize the deeply intersectional nature of this work. We imagine a future where public health is openly and firmly committed to ending discrimination and other oppression of people in larger bodies.
BREATHE Group
BIPOC Resilience, Empowerment, and Affirmations Towards Health Equity
The purpose of this organization is to connect MPH students in the common interest of uniting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students and provide a safe space to voice ideas, interests, and concerns. As well as develop and maintain an expansive network that empowers our communities and promotes solidarity and equity within and beyond the academic institution.
Abolition In Public Health
We are a relatively new and evolving collective for anyone affiliated with PSU or OHSU (e.g., undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, alumni).
Our goal is to build equitable and antiracist alternatives, create a restorative space for processing concepts like ‘justice’ or ‘crime’, educate each other on the harms of our legal system, and discuss the importance of abolition as a critical tool of public health.
Professional Organizations
PSU & OHSU Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School Chapter
The IHI Open School provides students of medicine, nursing, public health, pharmacy, health administration, dentistry, and other allied health professions a no-charge opportunity to learn about quality improvement and patient safety. The online educational community features a growing catalog of courses, extensive content and resources, and a network of local chapters that organize events and activities on campuses around the world.
Public Health Student Organization (PHSO)
PHSO is a student-led organization whose purpose is to engage and unite students with an interest in public health. Its members are committed to championing initiatives that elevate the quality of the academic experience in the effort to develop well-prepared public health professionals dedicated to social justice.
The Portland ASA Student Chapter (PASA)
PASA is an organization by and for students of statistics and data science in the Portland metro area. Its mission is to support students’ academic and professional interests in the field of statistics, data science, and the sciences utilizing statistical methods. This includes helping students navigate their academic experience both in and outside of the classroom, and assisting in procuring meaningful employment upon graduation. Membership includes full benefits in the national American Statistical Association.
Learn MoreMore PSU & OHSU Student Groups
Learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom
Across the universities, School of Public Health students have abundant extracurricular opportunities to support their personal growth and professional development. Find more PSU and OHSU Student groups to get involved with.