Graduate Committees

Graduate Council (GC) of Student Government (SG)
The Graduate Council is the graduate student half of the Assembly of the Student Government of the University of Chicago. It is made up of 17 representatives chosen by the various professional schools and graduate divisions. The number of seats on the council depends on the enrollment in the division, though every division is guaranteed one seat. Among its many purposes is the planning and funding of events that involve students from across the divisions and schools to encourage inter-divisional interaction. In past years, in addition to large on-campus events such as the annual spring barbecue, GC-sponsored events have included bowling nights, First Fridays at the MCA, a discussion panel series, ice skating on the midway, and other events paid for or subsidized by the Graduate Council with its share of the student activities fee. The GC also helps other campus organizations publicize their events to graduate students throughout the University.

In addition to this programming aspect, the Graduate Council serves as an intermediary between graduate students and the administration. As a representative body, it creates a space in which students from the several professional schools and divisions can identify areas of mutual concern and discuss possible solutions. Because of its position within Student Government, it is able to maintain a high level of dialogue with administrators. One of the important responsibilities of Council members is to assist in the appointing of graduate student members to standing committees that cover a variety of issues affecting all students. Many of these are Student Government committees, such as the Student Government Finance Committee, which oversees funding allocations to RSOs throughout the year, while others function outside SG and throughout the University.

GC represents half of the larger Student Government Assembly, and meets with the full Assembly each quarter to conduct any necessary business, such as appointing and approving committees; hearing reports from various officers of the Government; etc. All meetings of the Graduate Council are open to any graduate student in the University. GC meets every other week during the quarter and works closely with its ORCSA advisor to accomplish its goals. If you wish to be notified of upcoming events and meetings or you wish you become involved with the Council and its committees, please email the Council Chair.

Contact:
Anthony Green, Chair, ahgreen@uchicago.edu
Jigna Shah, Associate Director, ORCSA, jigna@uchicago.edu
Website:
http://sg.uchicago.edu/

BSD Dean’s Council
The purpose of the Dean’s Council is to advocate for graduate student issues and to organize and fund BSD social events. There are roughly 20 members who meet monthly throughout the academic year, and the group is aided by up to 4 administrators from graduate affairs and Dean Nancy Schwartz. The group is comprised of volunteers from each department within the BSD.

Contact:
Parag Shah, Executive Administrator of the BSD Dean of Students Office, pshah@bsd.uchicago.edu

Divinity Student’s Association (DSA)
The purpose of the DSA is to promote student enrichment, both academically through funding clubs and grants, and socially through extra-curricular activities. The DSA also runs the coffee shop. All Divinity School students are members and there are 3 elected officers, who meet several times per quarter.

Contact:
Sarah Imhoff, sarahi@uchicago.edu

Graduate Business Council
The GBC is the elected student body government for the GSB and acts as the umbrella organization for 55 full-time student groups. The GSB hosts a range of student organizations including career, cultural, diversity and social focused groups. The primary objective of the GBC is to maximize the student experience while at the GSB so that students can take full advantage of all the exceptional resources at the GSB and be excited about maintaining a link with Chicago GSB years after graduation. The GBC supports and enhances the overall experience of students and represents the entire student body to faculty and administration. GBC initiatives include grade disclosure/non-disclosure vote, weekly social events, winter formal, Distinguished Speakers Series, Chicago GSB-Kellogg Olympics, Random Walks, and the Mentor Program. From academics to social events and careers to clubs, the GBC has information on student groups, social events, career opportunities, and Chicago and Hyde Park events of interest to students.

The GBC is made up of six executive officers as well as 20 other elected representatives from each cohort. Each cohort elects two representatives each Fall to serve on the council, making 4 total representatives per cohort (2 from the first year class and 2 from the second year class). All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend GBC meetings but only council members vote. The council meets approximately 5 times per quarter.

Contact:
Andy Yang, GBC President, ayang1@chicagogsb.edu
Megan Smiley - GBC Adviser, megan.smiley@gsb.uchicago.edu

Graduate School of Business Student Advisory Council (SAC)
The mission of the Student Advisory Council is to: (1) Facilitate connections between students, student groups, and the GSB administration; (2) Execute activities with broad student appeal and foster community and relationships; (3) Encourage leadership within the part-time student body; and (4) Serve as a center for innovation and improvement within the GSB community.

SAC aims to enhance the GSB experience of the part time students. We understand the unique needs of our community and difficulties of managing work, school and personal lives at the same time. The GSB offers more than an excellent academic education and SAC is here to make it easy for you to discover more. We are student leaders who believe in the importance of community, networking and a strong education.

Contact:
Ryan Boyle, Student Leader, rboyle@chicagogsb.edu
Kristin Gallagher, Student Leader, kgallagh@chicagogsb.edu
Holly Shearer, SAC Adviser, Holly.Shearer@chicagogsb.edu

Law Student’s Association (LSA)
The Law Students Association (LSA) is the student government of the Law School. It is comprised of 5 elected representatives from each class, plus one elected representative from the L.L.M. candidates. The entire Law School elects the President of LSA, and LSA itself then fills the remaining positions. The activities include:

1. Planning Schoolwide Events
LSA plans several events that allow Law Students to socialize together outside of the Law School . Each quarter features one "mega-party" in downtown Chicago , with the "Party of the First Part" in fall, "Over the Hump" in winter, and "Spring Formal" in spring. Throughout the year, LSA also sponsors events both in and out of the Law School . This past year featured get-togethers at the Law School (e.g., barbecues, etc.), as well as trips to various athletic/cultural events (e.g., Cubs, Blue Man Group, etc.).

2. Overseeing Student Organizations
Another major responsibility of LSA is overseeing the Law School 's nearly thirty Student Organizations. This role includes providing funding (approximately $34,000 annually), as well as working with the various groups to access funding from various other sources. Each year, LSA also works with individuals who seek to start new organizations to ensure continued vitality and diversity in the range of activities available to students.

3. If you wish to become an official Law School Organization, you should speak with Heidi Mueller, LSA President. You will most likely be asked to draft a proposal for presentation at one of the weekly LSA meetings. You explain the purpose of the organization and submit a proposed budget. LSA will then vote on your allocation. Once you become an official Law School organization, the name of your group may be listed in appropriate law school directories and publications. In addition, you will qualify for tax exempt status when making purchases (see Linda Kiser for a tax exempt letter). Student groups should consider requesting additional funding from the University's Student Government ("SG").

4. Working with Administration on Strategic Decisions
LSA represents student concerns to the Administration on several important fronts. LSA sponsors a quarterly "Town Hall" with the Dean, in which students can voice their concerns directly to the Dean. Moreover, LSA administers an annual Student Satisfaction Survey, which it then uses to press for improvements in specific areas.

5. Working with Administration on Institutional and Planning Decisions
LSA representatives also regularly interact with the Administration in making institutional planning decisions. To assist in this task, LSA has formed several committees: Academic Affairs (dealing with curriculum, appointments, etc.); Employment (working with Office of Career Services to better students' clerkship and career opportunities); Open to all students, these committees make specific recommendations to LSA about changes that would improve the Law School.

Contact:
Sarah Feinstein, President, saf@uchicago.edu
Website:
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/current/studentorgs/lsa.html

Pritzker School of Medicine Dean's Council
The Dean's Council meets monthly and its function within Pritzker is to serve as a forum by which students can present, through class representatives, matters of concern ranging from medical school activities to hospital policies. Membership includes three representatives from each of Pritzker's four classes, and elected class representatives are expected to represent their colleagues' ideas and opinions at these meetings and act as liaisons between their medical colleagues and the Pritzker School of Medicine. First-year representatives rotate the responsibility of taking minutes and disseminating information from these meetings via email to the entire medical school. Any medical student organization or student-run activity desiring funding must apply through the Council. In addition, the Council administers the appropriation of, and distributes, medical student funds to various student organizations and functions. Applications for funding can be obtained on the Pritzker Student Portal, accessible through http://pritzker.bsd.uchicago.edu/current/students/organizations/deans_council.shtml. Elections for first year Dean's Council Representatives are held during the fall term of first year, at which time representatives are elected to a two year position.

Candidates are elected for a second two year term during the Clinical Biennium.

Contact:
Anshuman (Anch) Das (MS2) das1@uchicago.edu
Website:
http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/

PSD Student Social Committee
The Student Social Committee’s purpose is to plan social, athletic, and cultural events for students in the PSD. They appropriate the funds from the student activities fee for the Division. The Committee meets 1-3 times per quarter and the number of volunteer members varies.

Contact:
Rick Hefley, Dean of Students rhefley@midway.uchicago.edu
Website:
http://psd.uchicago.edu

Public Policy Student Association (PPSA)
PPSA is the elected student representative body of the Harris School. It serves as an advocate, communicating student concerns to the faculty and administration. It is comprised of 6 committees, a student ombudsperson, a graduate student council representative and the office of the President. Each is responsible for a different area of Harris students' lives, while the President's office is a communication and oversight body. In addition, the PPSA works to foster a strong community within and beyond the Harris School through a variety of events, activities, and community service efforts, as well as support and allocate funds for Harris School student organizations.

Finally, the PPSA organizes and oversees the Amy Bosman Auction and Fellowship, which allows 3-6 students to participate in non-paid internships with higher callings.

Contact:
Yerik Kaslow, President, ykaslow@uchicago.edu
Website:
http://harrisschool.uchicago.edu/

Student Government Association (SGA) of the School of Social Service Administration (SSA)
Student Government Association and the student organizations/activities of SSA provide students with the opportunity to express their views on a variety of issues of importance to the School and the profession of social work. Through their collaborative efforts, a system of mutual support for special events and activities is created within the student body. SGA and other student associations take an active role in the discussion of academic, professional, and political issues at SSA and in the community. In addition, SGA and the student groups also sponsor and co-sponsor various educational and social activities that enrich the graduate school experience.

Contact:
Willie Carl (C.J.) Harmon, Jr., President, harmonjr.wc@gmail.com
William Walker, Vice President, wjwalker@uchicago.edu
Website:
SSA student associations

Graduate Disciplinary Committees
Each graduate division and school, and the Graham School of General Studies, has written procedures for disciplinary committees. Those procedures may be obtained in the Office of the Dean of Students of the division or school, or in the Office of the Dean of Students in the University. Many of the graduate areas do not have standing disciplinary committees. When a question of misconduct arises, a committee is appointed. Although committee structures vary somewhat, each committee has at least three members of the faculty. There may be (and at the insistence of the accused student must be) a student member on the committee, selected by the area Dean of Students. All voting members of the committee are from the appropriate division or school. Meetings convene as necessary.

Contact:
Sheila Yarbrough, Associate Dean of Students in the University for Student Affairs, sayarbro@uchicago.edu