Think Tank provides solutions for USU students

At Utah State University, student advocate Christian Orr is working to eliminate problems through the 

Student Voice Think Tank, which is made up of a group of undergraduates.

“Think tank is the reformed student voice committee,” Orr said. “The difference between this year and previous years is that we are not an organized group of complainers. We actively go to the students and look for things that can be improved, created, or stopped and then we execute it.”

The think tank came from several different ideas, according to Orr.

“It’s actually quite common in government,” Orr said. “It’s kind of a bureaucratic committee with some of the zesty passion of youth.”

Orr has a committee comprised of 12 students working on various projects.

“Right now I am working to make everything transparent for students,” said Kiri Higham, a think tank committee member. “We want them to be able to see exactly where their money is going.”

The think tank requires the committee members to do research on their topics.

“I am looking through years and years of student fees,” Higham said. “We will be showing students what their tuition has been used for in the past.”

For Higham, the think tank has been an opportunity to get involved with student leaders.

“I’ve met really awesome people who have such a passion for serving the students of USU,” Higham said. “I’ve gained a lot of respect for this school.”

According to Orr, school pride is one of the think tank’s governing factors.

“Students need to take ownership and pride in their campus through their actions,” Orr said. “That doesn’t happen overnight.”

While there is still a lot of work to be done, Orr views the beginning stages of the think tank as an accomplishment.

“I would say so far it has been successful,” Orr said, “but it is only in the beginning stages of what it can be.”