The Arkansas State University chapter of NSSLHA is a recognized chapter of the nationwide organization designed for students majoring in the field of Communication Disorders. 

The purpose of this organization is:

•     to encourage professional interest among college and university students in the study of human communication sciences and disorders,

•     to provide continuity to the dissemination of professional information, and

•     to provide a vehicle for student representation in matters of professional concern.

NSSLHA also offers communication disorders (CD) students the opportunity to get involved by joining various chapter committees designed to organize and participate in university and community services, raise funds, recognize outstanding contributions by alumnus and current students, and to actively promote recruitment and retention of new CD students. NSSLHA also participates in intramural sports and other seasonal events that allow them to come together in formal and informal settings with their professors and peers to support NSSLHA and have FUN!!

How do I know if I am eligible to join?

Any college or university student, graduate or undergraduate, not yet eligible for membership in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, interested in the study of normal and disordered human communication behavior is eligible for membership.

Dues & Privileges

Annual ASU NSSLHA dues for membership are $5 a year and are due before or on October 10. Any member unable to meet the October 10 deadline is still eligible to join with an additional $2.50 late fee. All members of the local chapter are eligible to vote, hold office, and to serve on NSSLHA committees.

National NSSLHA dues are $45 a year. Applications received between January 1 and August 31 are processed for the calendar year (January - December) in which they were received. Your journal selection will be activated the month that your application is processed and you will receive the next available issue of your journal. You will not receive back issues of your journal.

NSSLHA membership applications received between September 1 and December 31 are processed for the following calendar year, with certain membership services activated as soon as the application and payment are processed. Receipt of your journal begins in January of the following year for those applications received between September 1 and December 31 of the current year.

NSSLHA Faculty Advisors

National Bylaws require that each NSSLHA Chapter have a faculty advisor who is a member of ASHA. Chapter advisors are professionals active in the field of communication sciences and disorders that serve as a link between the chapter members and the profession. These advisors show enthusiastic interest in the organization of NSSLHA activities and provide suggestions and ideas for meetings, speakers, films, discussion topics, fund-raising activities and Regional Projects.

The advisor(s) are kept informed of and invited to participate in all chapter activities and their guidance is sought on any policy matters.

NSSLHA Officers

There are four official offices within the ASU NSSLHA Chapter: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Chapter officers are elected by a majority vote of the membership. A nominating committee consisting of the Executive Council (Current Officers) and the faculty advisor(s) shall determine the qualifications of candidates for office. Additional nominations may be made from the floor subject to the nominee's acceptance and approval of the nominating committee. The official duties of officers as indicated by the NSSLHA Bylaws are listed below:

•     President (Office held by a graduate student)

The president calls and presides over all meetings of the Chapter Executive Council and Chapter meetings. The President appoints all committees, serves as an ex-officio member of all committees and also designates special duties not provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws.

•     Vice-President (Office held by an undergraduate student)

It is the duty of the Vice President to resume the powers of the President in the event of the President's absence, or inability to execute the duties of the office. Other duties of the VP include overseeing the preparations for the monthly meetings to include establishing the meeting time, location, and the presentation of the meeting agenda.

•     Secretary (Office held by a graduate student)

The secretary handles all liaisons between the National Office and chapters including reports and correspondence. It is the duty of the Secretary to act as Parliamentarian at the monthly meetings, maintain a notebook of minutes of each meeting, and serve as historian for the Chapter.

•     Treasurer (Office held by an undergraduate student)

The Treasurer is the custodian of all the funds of the Chapter and is responsible for all monies received and spent by the local Chapter which is to include dues and organizational expenditures, report on the Chapter's financial status during each meeting, and maintain an accurate and current list of Chapter membership.

Officers    2007-2008

President: Jessie Curtner (Graduate Student)

Vice President:  Ashlee Whittingham
                (Undergraduate Student)

Secretary: Holly Cagle (Graduate Student)

Treasurer: Megan Bailey (Undergraduate Student)

NSSLHA Committees

NSSLHA has five standing committees: Public Relations, Ways and Means, Honors, Current Issues, and Service

Committee Duties

•         Public Relations

This committee is responsible for seeking opportunities to publicize local Chapter undertakings and events in appropriate media so as to project the NSSLHA Chapter in the most positive manner. One person is designated from this committee to produce and distribute a quarterly NSSLHA newsletter that informs the Chapter of NSSLHA activities and announcements.

•         Ways and Means

Ways and Means is responsible for devising and supervising methods of raising funds.

•         Honors Committee

The Honors Committee is responsible for organizing all matters concerning Chapter recognition of students and professionals in the community which will include formulating a list of persons to be considered by the Chapter as Honorary Members or Outstanding Student Members.

•         Current Issues

The Current issues Committee is responsible for providing the membership with current information pertaining to events on the local, state, and national levels.

•         Service

The Service Committee is responsible for rendering special services to the University, to the Department, and to the Association.

AD HOC Committees

NSSLHA has two Ad Hoc committees that provide service and leadership for the chapter each year in the following areas:

•         Conference Committee

The conference committee is co-chaired each year with one chair being a graduate student and one being an undergraduate student. The graduate student will assume the lead role in the planning and completion of the current NSSLHA Continuing Education Conference. The undergraduate chair serves as an assistant to the chair for the current conference and assumes the position of chair for next year's conference. The undergraduate chair is appointed by the NSSLHA President in consultation with the Faculty Advisor(s). The undergraduate chair is also responsible for leading the chapter's effort to complete an activity for "May is Better Speech and Hearing Month".

•         Intramurals

The intramural committee is chaired by an active member with interest in athletics and is appointed by the Executive Council in consultation with the Faculty Advisor(s).

Committee Chairs

All chairs are appointed by the Chapter President in consultation with the Faculty Advisor(s). Each chair is responsible for the supervision and coordination of all activities undertaken by their committee(s).

 

Committee Chairs

•    Public Relations Chair: 

•     Ways and Means Chair: 

•     Current Issues Chair: 

•     Honors Chair: 

•     Service Chair: 

•     Intramural Chair: 

NSSLHA Events

•         Membership Drive, Election of Officers,                September - October and Membership Dues ($5).

•         Arkansas Speech Language Hearing Association          October (ARKSHA) Convention, Hot Springs, AR.

•         Select-A-Major Fair                                  October

•         Intramural Volleyball                                October - November

•         Continuing Education Conference                       June (beginning 2007)

•         Christmas “White Elephant” Party                           December 

•         Intramural Basketball                                        February

•         Heart Walk                                                    March

•         Preparation for May  is Better Speech and Hearing Month              March - April

•         Spring Social                                                   April                             

Page last updated:   07/22/2008