DRAC’s Structure and Purpose:
The Department Related Activities Committee (DRAC) is the organizing framework for budgeting and distributing Services and Activities (S&A) fees for student programs and activities that are departmentally related.
DRAC meets each quarter to conduct business, orient/elect new members, approve program budgets, and manage reserve fund requests. Voting members are student representatives and advisors, one appointed administrator, and two at-large members from Associated Students. Students hold a majority of the voting power on DRAC.
Significance of DRAC programs for Students:
State law stresses the need for “the stability of programs that benefit students” and that those programs “represent diverse student interests” (RCW 28B.15.045). DRAC plays a unique role:
- Elite-level activities, with award winning programs and national championships.
- Diversity of activities, spanning four colleges and embodying a wide set of skills that stress distinct creative, intellectual, cognitive, and social skillsets.
- Uniqueness of activities, with substantial variety between and within programs.
- Expert guidance and high impact mentoring, via access to top performers and faculty.
- Professional and personal relevance, immersing students in activities directly applicable to their desired career or future programs of study.
- Accessibility, through inclusive participation for all students.
Forensics
The Forensics program is home to the Western Debate Union, a co-curricular organization that offers WWU students access to a national caliber intercollegiate debate experience involving in-depth preparation and coaching at the hands of skilled argumentation experts to attend competitions hosted throughout the country (and across the globe in some cases). In response to the COVID pandemic, debate competitions have also adapted to expand access by offering opportunities to engage in debate online in addition to in person competitions requiring travel. Tournaments, weekly business meetings, practices, and sessions with coaches occur throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters and are accessible to all WWU students regardless of skill level or prior experience. The majority of students who join have no prior speech or debate experience but find the program rewarding, and a key outlet for establishing community and friendship through reasoned argumentation. The Western Debate Union is an exciting opportunity for students looking to strengthen their research, critical thinking, communication, and community-building skills.
Student Publications
The Student Publications Program at Western Washington University serves to showcase and archive the diverse talent and effort of student produced journalism, arts, literature, and research. As an activity, Student Publications provides more than 50 student jobs each quarter and a platform to present the independent and academic work of hundreds of students each year. Paid positions provide experience in management, editing, photography, graphic design, advertising sales, community networking, distribution, and administration. As a service, our award-winning publications deliver independent news as well as scientific, artistic, and academic content to Western’s campus and the community beyond.
The Front is the award-winning student online newspaper of Western Washington University.
KLIPSUN magazine is an independent award-winning student publication generating long-form journalism at Western Washington University. Each edition includes feature stories, video projects, personal narratives and opinion pieces of interest to those living in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
The Planet magazine is an award-winning quarterly environmental publication dedicated to environmental advocacy and awareness through responsible journalism. It is the only undergraduate environmental magazine in the United States.
Jeopardy Magazine is a student produced publication showcasing the unique artistic and literary talents of Western Washington University.
Occam’s Razor is a student produced academic publication showcasing the undergraduate scholarly research of WWU students in any discipline.
Music
Music Department DRAC funding supports public music performances and other music events, music purchases, performance licensing, software licensing, sound technology, and student employment. These funds make it possible for all students (including nonmajors) to access our department resources and allows for department outreach to audiences from Western’s community and the larger Bellingham community. Through local, national, and international tours, this outreach positively impacts the reputation of our university and allows our department to recruit from populations that might otherwise not know of our resources and opportunities.
The Symphony Orchestra, String Sinfonia, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, University Choir, Treble Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and Jazz Combos are open to any student on campus. In our ensembles as well as our other classes and activities, we enrich the WWU student experience with opportunities to study and perform diverse music, including works of under-represented composers and music from non-Western traditions. We include voices of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community, as well as international voices, through our programming and through guest teachers. Culture bearers frequent our classes and ensembles and share not only their musical traditions with our students, but place these musical traditions within their cultural and historical context. We create access to all of our programming through livestreaming. The department has invested in new technology and software to allow students to create and produce music digitally. In addition to sharing the
Theater and Dance
DRAC funds support the Theatre and Dance Department’s various co-curricular activities, primarily our performing art productions and student travel. Hosting 6-9 performances each year, DRAC funding is essential for our department, allowing us to produce professional quality performances and giving students opportunities to act, dance, choreograph, design, stage manage, or work in our scene shop and costume shop. This funding brings in guest artists to work side by side with our students, allowing for hands on, out of the classroom experiences alongside industry professionals. We also use these funds to send WWU students traveling to the American College Dance Festival and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, covering the accommodations and registration for WWU students who apply for the travel funds. These conferences allow students to attend performances, workshops, auditions, portfolio reviews, and interviews, and serve as a valuable extracurricular educational experience during their time at Western Washington University.
International Affairs Association
Western Washington University’s International Affairs Association (IAA) is a student-run association that promotes global citizenship. It seeks to be an inclusive and welcoming environment for Western students of all backgrounds and interests to engage with international politics in informed, thoughtful, and creative ways.
At the heart of IAA’s activities is developing and supporting an award-winning Model United Nations (MUN) team, which travels to regional and national MUN conferences each year. At MUN conferences, WWU students join other university students from around the world to simulate the affairs and procedures of the United Nations and debate global issues in teams of delegates.
IAA also hosts and co-sponsors a variety of campus and community events each year on global and international politics. This includes (co)hosting speakers, documentary screenings, and teach-ins; as well as facilitating an annual “Chat with the Diplomat” for students to speak with the current Diplomat in Residence for the Northwest.
The IAA provides students with the opportunity to explore contemporary global issues outside of the classroom, to develop personal and professional skills, and to prepare for post-graduate opportunities in graduate school or in a variety of career tracks. IAA members come together from all across campus, from Political Science and Public Relations, to Computer Science and Biology. IAA develops student leadership by empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a global society. Please join us! Learn more about how to get involved by emailing outreach@wwuiaa.com or attending one of our regular meetings, Wednesdays at 6pm in Miller Hall 131.
WWU Racing
WWU Racing has been hard at work designing our first electric vehicle. The market for electric vehicles is currently expanding rapidly. We chose to challenge ourselves to design an electric formula car so that students could gain the experience required to one day have an impact on this market. Through this design challenge we are continuously improving our technical abilities, understanding of engineering fundamentals, mechanical and electrical knowledge, project management, budget management, and ability to work collaboratively. We are making strides on these fronts every day. We plan to begin manufacturing this vehicle next fall with whatever lab access is available, and possibly begin prototyping/testing the electric drivetrain this spring. We have an active student base of around 20 students in addition to consistent involvement with team alumni to help us on our path.
DRAC
The Department Related Activities Committee (DRAC) was established in the 1970s as one of four constituents represented on the Services and Activities Fee Committee. DRAC’s primary function is to develop budgets and distribute Services and Activities Fees specifically to the departmentally related student activities.
Currently six departmental members including Forensics, Music, Theatre and Dance, Publications, International Affairs Association, and WWU Racing make up the Department Related Activities Committee. Each of the departments is represented by one faculty advisor and one student with voting privileges. Additional voting members include two at-large students and a representative from Enrollment and Student Services.
Throughout the year DRAC holds 2 or 3 meeting each quarter. Fall quarter meetings are focused on electing officers and representatives. Updates and orientations are also on the agenda for fall quarter. Winter quarter focuses on preparing budgets and presenting departmental budgets to the committee. Upon approval by the committee, departmental budgets are compiled for presentation to the Services and Activities Committee. During spring quarter the DRAC budgets along with the other S&A Fee Committee member budgets are presented to the S&A Fee Committee for discussion and approval. If reserves are available they are discussed along with any other business items.