Wayne State Group Becomes Official PSO

By Michael Boettcher

In September of 2002, at the beginning of the academic year, more than three dozen urban planning students at Wayne State University in Detroit met to form Wayne State Student Urban Planners (WSSUP), a Planning Student Organization (PSO). The busy group has since become the state of Michigan's only PSO recognized by the American Planning Association.

In fact, WSSUP is one of only 31 PSOs in the U.S. recognized by APA. APA-recognized PSOs benefit from access to the national organization; they make students' needs and concerns known via their representation on the Student Representatives Council (SRC). PSOs help to develop strong working relationships between student members and their respective chapters and to foster a sense of community among planning students across the country.

"WSSUP aims to provide its members leadership experience, professional enrichment, networking opportunities and social connection through collaboration with the Michigan Society of Planners (MSP), internships, social events and the like," says Co-Chair John Bugg.

WSSUP has been busy. In October, volunteers from the group helped to construct the new Beniteau Park in Detroit and with logistics at MSP's annual conference in Kalamazoo. At the conference, MSP honored several Wayne State students with the Best Student Project Award. WSSUP formally introduced itself to MSP at the chapter's January board meeting at the office of the Detroit Planning and Development Department. The two groups discussed possible areas of collaboration that could get Wayne State students and faculty involved with professional planners.

WSSUP held its first social event, the Great Race, in November. Students from other urban planning programs in Michigan were invited to join WSSUP on a scavenger hunt held entirely by bus and on foot in Detroit and nearby suburbs. With the support of the Wayne State Geography and Urban Planning Department and Faculty Advisor P. Anthony Brinkman, WSSUP members also participated in the process of choosing candidates for Department faculty positions.

At the APA 2003 National Planning Conference in Denver, WSSUP Co-Chair John Bugg was elected SRC Regional Representative for APA Region IV, which includes six PSOs in eight Midwestern states. John will participate in the SRC's semiannual meetings, including one during the APA Fall Leadership Meetings, to discuss issues pertinent to students, from sharing research to assistance in finding jobs.

WSSUP plans a second Great Race in June 2003, a speaker series for the upcoming fall semester, and more joint events with student groups from other urban planning programs in Michigan. To encourage member participation, WSSUP has formed committees to explore hosting an urban-oriented film series and a charrette for the Wayne State campus or an adjacent neighborhood.

For more information on WSSUP, to receive a copy of the group's newsletter, Here's WSSUP, or to get involved, contact either of the co-Chairs, John Bugg (313-831-4631; ag2213@wayne.edu) or Chris Garland (313-331-7939 or chrisgarland@hotmail.com).

A version of this article appeared previously in The Michigan Planner, the newsletter of the Michigan Chapter of APA.