Spring 2020 Application Process

Applications for the position of two non-voting graduate student representatives to the Washington University Board of Trustees for the 2020-2021 academic year will open on Monday, January 13, 2020. All interested, qualified graduate and professional students are encouraged to apply. Completed applications must be submitted no later than Monday, February 17, 2020.

Qualifications

A graduate student representative to the Board of Trustees must be a full-time graduate or professional student in residence (May 2020 through May 2021), in good academic standing, and able to make the necessary time commitment. In addition, it is important that the graduate student representatives have knowledge of graduate study at Washington University, be articulate, be able to present a variety of opinions, have sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and hold the respect of peers, faculty, and others who know them. The graduate student representatives should be willing to maintain close communication with the several graduate and professional student constituencies within the Washington University community, such as the university-wide Professional and Graduate Student Coordinating Committee (ProGradS) and the Graduate Professional Council (GPC). 

Responsibilities

1. Attendance at all four Research-Graduate Affairs and full Board of Trustees Meetings for 2020-2021

  • October 1 & 2, 2020
  • December 3 & 4, 2020
  • March 4 & 5, 2021
  • May 6 & 7, 2021

2. Deliver a brief, end-of-year presentation to the Research-Graduate Affairs Committee and Board of Trustees focusing on an issue relevant to the graduate & professional student community from a graduate student perspective.

3. Participation in special events as requested by university administration (Founder's Day, Building Dedicatiions, etc.)

4. Attend meetings and activities of the Graduate Professional Council and provide updates.

5. Serve as ex officio members of the Professional and Graduate Student Coordinating Committee (ProGradS) and present a brief report at each meeting.

Interested students should attend information sessions hosted by the two current graduate student representatives. Session dates and locations:

Danforth Campus:  January 15, 4 pm in the Liberman Graduate Center, DUC 300
Medical Campus:  January 21, 4 pm in BJC Insitute of Health, 10th Floor Conference Room A/B

Application and Selection Process

Please complete both Part I and Part II of the application.   Applications are due Monday, February 17, 2020.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all parts of the application are submitted by the deadline.  Applicants selected as semi-finalists for interviews will be notified after February 26, 2020.

A completed application consists of:

  • Applicant's CV or resume
  • Completed essay
  • 2 recommendation letters (Note:  Members of the ProGrads selection committee are unable to provide recommendation letters to applicants.)

The ProGradS Committee, chaired by William F. Tate, Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education forms the selection committee and will interview the semi-finalists on March 18, 2020 between 12 pm and 5 pm. The selection committee is composed of members of the ProGrads Commitee.  A full Committee list can be found here.

Finalists will be interviewed by the current Chairman of the W.U. Board of Trustees Andy Newman and former Chair Craig Schnuck on April 7 between 2:30 and 4:30.  Two graduate student representatives will be chosen to serve for the 2020-2021 academic year.


If you have questions, you may contact the Dean's office in your school or your school’s ProGradS Committee representatives.  An overview of the Board of Trustes can be found here.