The Coggin College School of Business houses a total of 12 clubs, and one advisory board brings them all together.
The Student Leadership Advisory Board (SLAB), an organization of student leaders, promotes communication and awareness amongst the 12 clubs at Coggin College.
“When we have 12 different organizations in one department, we are like siblings,” Sichao Ni, SLAB president said. “We fight, have conflicts, but we must also manage to stick together. And sticking together is what we help do.”
Members of the SLAB must have either a president, vice-president or treasurer position in one of the Coggin College clubs. These members report on their respective clubs, bring up issues they may be facing, and give their stance on membership and meeting dates. SLAB offers solutions and advice to these growing organizations.
SLAB implemented a master calendar to alleviate one of the biggest problems clubs face: scheduling. Joshua Adams, treasurer for SLAB, organizes this calendar and updates meeting dates and times.
“We foster communication,” Adams said. “We try to be role models for everybody at Coggin and all of UNF.”
SLAB wishes to draft a student code of conduct they hope all Coggin students can follow. Modeled after respect for others and easy communication, it will encourage future leaders to start embodying their leadership, Adams said.
“I believe that students are the most important stakeholders of the future,” Ajay Samant, Dean of Coggin College of Business said. “I need to know what the students are thinking, and the best way to know that is through the student leaders at SLAB.”
Samant attends SLAB meetings, held once a month, voluntarily. His support encourages the student body to hold itself to a higher standard.
“It would be great if other colleges on campus had a similar group,” Samant said. “This one is surely a success.”
Founded in 1996, the organization was called Student Business Advisory Counsel. Samant initiated the name change because he believed the name should reflect the leaders who participate in the organization, plus the counsel has grown large enough to be considered a board.
All positions in SLAB are voluntary. But SLAB is not just your club mediator; the organization holds a yearly charity event to give back to the community. In December 2010, SLAB partnered with Community Connection downtown to repaint a recreational room for the needy. They donated clothes, raised money and hope to increase their participation in charitable events, Adams said.
Board members of SLAB are very experienced with leadership roles. They wish to share this experience with any club that may need help.
“The trick to have a successful club is to network and socialize,” Ni said. “And we can provide that kind of opportunity because we have a good network.”
No matter how much passion a club may have, it can’t grow if the passion isn’t communicated to others. SLAB offers advice and communication skills for development.
