There are ten committees and two coordinator positions that make up LAC. Each committee and coordinator position is led by two people, with the exception of the Liberator. Committee chairs are responsible for planning and executing committee activities and delegation of committee responsibilities. Coordinators are tasked with recruitment and retention within the council.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The Academic Affairs committee develops college-wide programs and hosts events that enrich the student academic experience in Liberal Arts. Members do this by connecting students with faculty outside of the classroom and advocating for academic calendar, curriculum, and other changes on behalf of other students. The committee also facilitates the distribution of $12,000 in study abroad scholarships each year and other faculty recognitions such as the Liberal Arts Council Excellence in Advising Award and Jean Holloway Teaching Award.

STUDENT AFFAIRS

The Student Affairs Committee is all about a healthy body and healthy mind. Here, we engage with our fellow COLA students and strive to create events that emphasize mental and physical health. The committee helps to develop well-rounded students by facilitating connections with on-campus resources by putting on events such as “I Scream for Ice Cream,” where we gave out ice cream for World Mental Health Day, “Crafternoon,” where we offered COLA Students snacks, sleep kits, painting, succulent potting, and scrapbooking, as well as “LAC Valentines” where our fellow LAC members could decorate valentines bags and receive valentines goodies from Student Affairs. We worked on creating “Yoga On the Lawn” for LAC and many more little side events that make our fellow LAC members happier. One of the most critical connections Students Affairs has is direct communication with the Wellness Coordinator of COLA, where we have been able to work together on creating more significant events for the College of Liberal Arts.

COLLEGE AMBASSADORS

The College Ambassadors committee engages in direct dialogue with the students and administration of COLA departments, centers, and programs.  The committee plans and develops town halls, focus groups, and surveys to reach underserved populations in the college, and better identify widespread student issues. Members of the committee help to host and facilitate discussion of COLA issues with the deans of the college during regularly scheduled Dean’s Meetings.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY FOCUS

The Campus and Community Focus Committee fosters service minded individuals within the College of Liberal Arts. It represents liberal arts students by providing volunteer opportunities and leading targeted service initiatives. Internally, the committee coordinates LAC participation in community service events. Externally, the committee works with the Recruitment and Retention Committee of Senate to coordinate the College of Liberal Arts’ involvement with campus-wide service opportunities.

Samiya Taylor

• Classification: Fourth-Year

• Email: samiya.taylor@utexas.edu

Judy Zhu

• Classification: Second-Year

• Email: judyzhu@utexas.edu

THE LIBERATOR

The Liberator is the official publication of the College of Liberal Arts. As a liberal arts-focused news magazine, they aim to keep students connected to the university through updates on legislation, campus affairs, world news, and student life. Additionally, The Liberator provides a platform for aspiring writers to get published, as the magazine also champions creative writing. The Liberator heads work to maintain an award–winning news blog and publish one print issue per year. Liberator publications reach thousands of students every year. 

ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT

The Advocacy and Engagement Committee strives to improve the experience of underrepresented students in the College of Liberal Arts through  college-wide programs and events. These events are often done in collaboration with on campus centers such as the GSC and other student organizations. They also hosts events to celebrate a multitude of cultures and to highlight underrepresented groups on campus. The committee exists to promote inclusivity and to ensure liberal arts students from all backgrounds feel welcomed and supported, part of which is done through the promoting and providing of resources that are made available to liberal arts students.

DEVELOPMENT

The Development Committee is tasked with maintaining the alumni relations through managing the official LinkedIn group of Liberal Arts Council and hosting alumni x LAC events. The Development committee also runs fundraising and sponsorship efforts within the council, designs and distributes merchandise, this means frequent contact with suppliers and COLA staff. Members will also work together to organize council involvement in university wide events such as Forty-for-Forty and Pillars of the Forty Acres.

POLICY

The Policy Committee aims to promote engagement with student legislation both within Liberal Arts Council and in the College of Liberal Arts at large. The committee aids in student outreach by attending focus groups, town halls, and meetings with administrators in the pursuit of passing and implementing impactful legislation. They also work to improve communication about policy amongst the other standing committees.

Nidhi Chanchlani

• Classification: Second-Year

• Email: nc27368@my.utexas.edu

Haeeda Mubashar

• Classification: Second-Year

• Email: haeedamubashar@utexas.edu

TRADITIONS

The Traditions Committee organizes and coordinates various social events aimed to create an engaging community within the Liberal Arts Council and the College of Liberal Arts as a whole. From putting together council retreats, inter council mixers, banquets, and working alongside COLA admin, Traditions ensures that council remains lively and connected. The committee takes pride in making sure that members within the council have a space to build lasting relationships and cultivate a strong sense of unity.