January 7, 2005—Student participation in the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) increased by five percent in 2004, ASSE reported this week, which illustrates an increase in interest by students in the occupational safety, health and environmental field.
As the result of an ASSE faculty advisor recruitment campaign, 26 colleges and universities with occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E) programs increased membership in their ASSE student sections by at least five percent. In August of 2004, ASSE had 943 students enrolled in student sections and by December the number went up to 1,168 students. There are 61 ASSE student sections. In total, ASSE has 1,585 student members.
Pennsylvania’s Slippery Rock University recruited 46 new student members, Oklahoma’s Northeastern State University recruited 27 students and Indiana University of Pennsylvania recruited 24 students. As a result of increased interest in the field of occupational safety and health and the commitment of the ASSE faculty advisors, new ASSE student sections have also been established at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. These include the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and the University of Utah.
An ASSE student section is for students planning careers in the occupational safety, health and environmental field. Through the program students, in working with a local ASSE chapter and faculty advisor, are able to participate in ASSE professional development programs, Practice Specialties, the ASSE Members Only web site and mentoring.
The annual student membership fee is $15 and upon graduation ASSE provides the students with a one-year complimentary associate membership. To qualify as an ASSE student member must be enrolled either part-time or full-time in an accredited college degree program in occupational SH&E or one of its relevant specialties; have declared an intention to enter the SH&E field to the faculty advisor; or not be presently employed full time as a SH&E professional, thereby not eligible for consideration as a regular member.
For more information, contact ASSE.
