Student Governance

To have a say in decisions that affect the Department of Theatre, students are encouraged to participate in our student governance organizations, attend departmental meetings, and contribute to the process of selecting our production seasons.

Student Advisory Committee (SAC)
The Student Advisory Committee is an advisory committee representing the interests of undergraduates and graduates in the department. The Student Advisory Committee serves to represent students in the deliberations of the department and to provide a mechanism for presenting student concerns. Membership consists of eight students elected annually by the undergraduate theatre majors and graduate students: four undergrads, one MFA in acting, one MFA in design, one MA, and one PhD. Following their election, the Student Advisory Committee meets on their own to address student issues and to organize any initiatives. The committee meets once a quarter with the Chairperson. The committee elects a representative to attend departmental faculty meetings; the committee also elects representatives to attend the Undergraduate Studies Committee and the Graduate Studies Committee.

Undergraduate Student Liaison
Each year, one undergraduate student is elected by theatre majors as the Undergraduate Liaison. The Liaison works directly with the Chairperson to help facilitate communication about the department with our undergraduate majors. As well, the Liaison works with the undergraduate members of SAC to represent the concerns theatre majors and to advance initiatives on behalf of undergrads. The Liaison is responsible for keeping the Undergrad Bulletin Board up to date. As well, when called upon, the Liaison serves as a departmental ambassador at university functions.

TUG (Theatre Undergraduate Group)
Undergrads in the department are encouraged to participate in TUG. This organization is recognized as an OSU Student Activity Group. TUG champions the interests of undergrads by providing a forum for discussion of issues pertinent to theatre majors. As well, TUG supports students with their performance projects, organizes field trips, and sponsors workshops.

Undergraduate Studies Committee
The Undergraduate Studies Committee oversees and administers the undergraduate degree program in the department. Membership includes the Director of Undergraduate Studies, a faculty representative from each of the three subject areas (History/Literature/Criticism, Acting/Directing, and Design/Tech), and one undergraduate student elected by SAC. The Undergraduate Studies Committee: helps to advance all curricular changes having to do with the major or undergrad courses; hears and addresses concerns expressed by the undergrads; acts on petitions that undergrad submit when needing to deviate from the standard major requirements; and awards theatre scholarships.

Departmental Meetings
Once a quarter the department holds an all-department meeting. At these meetings, announcements are made about upcoming events and curricular developments. As well, the departmental meetings are a time when presentations are made about recent departmental accomplishments. It is important for all theatre majors to attend these meetings, to get a sense of the department as a whole and to become identified as a major by all the other students and faculty.

Production Season Selection Process
In the autumn of each year, planning begins for the following year’s production season. The planning process is open to all students, faculty, committees, and student organizations. To get the planning process started, the department’s Producer asks for each area of the department and any individual who wishes to participate to supply the producer with the following information:

1. Please identify any specific needs to which the season must respond, i.e. Thesis project, New Works, Undergrad productions, etc.

2. Please identify any guest artists who could be invited to support our curriculum/season. If you identify someone or some group, please provide a preliminary cost estimate for their residency.

3. Please identify any play titles that you think should be on our season. With the title, be sure to include the author, publisher, traditional casting gender breakdown, and a brief (1 or 2 sentence) justification for the selection.

4. Please identify the top three priorities that you feel the next season must accomplish.

This information is collated and circulated to the entire department by early winter quarter. At that point, the department’s Executive Committee serves as the season selection committee. When season selection matters are discussed in the Executive Committee, a representative from TUG and the Syndicate participate in the deliberations and decision-making. Season planning may extend into spring quarter depending on how easy it is to coordinate rights, guest artist schedules, and all the considerations that must be accommodated in our department.