WSU President Elson S. Floyd leads the university, but not without the direct input of WSU students through The Presidential Student Advisory Board (PSAB).

ASWSU President Taylor Hennessey said PSAB is a student-led committee that acts as a sounding board for key issues of concern regarding both students and faculty.

“It’s been a spearhead for a lot of university changes,” he said.

PSAB meets once a month and consists of 20 to 25 students that the current ASWSU president picks each year regardless of age, major or involvement with the university, Hennessey said.

Floyd said in a previous interview with The Daily Evergreen that he established the PSAB when he first took his job at the university. He said the board has now operated for six years.

“The really unique part about it is each year I ask the ASWSU president to make the appointments because I want it to be student-driven,” said Floyd. “I don’t want members of the president’s student advisory council to believe I’m manipulating it somehow as president or have my sort of hand-picked favorites that I want to interact with.”

Assistant Dean of Students Karen Fischer said the board opens up conversations between Floyd and the student body he represents.

“It’s an opportunity for the president to receive input and advice from students on issues of student interest,” Fischer said.

ASWSU Vice President Kevin Massimino has been a member of PSAB since his freshman year at WSU. He said he has enjoyed addressing a variety of student and faculty concerns while on the board.

“Everything from parking and transportation to classes and tuition – which, of course, is always a popular subject,” he said.

PSAB is accepting applications for the fall 2013 semester, and Massimino encouraged all interested students to apply.

“From a student’s perspective it’s awesome because you get to talk to the president in a very open way,” he said. “It’s a wonderful way to get connected to the university.”

PSAB applications can be found online at aswsu.wsu.edu. The deadline to apply is Sept. 6.