Student Representatives

Applications are accepted each spring for the two positions for non-voting undergraduate student representatives to the Washington University Board of Trustees. The Undergraduate Representative position provides a distinctive and significant opportunity for direct student participation in the governance of the university. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs facilitates the annual selection process for new undergraduate student representatives to the WashU Board of Trustees. Representatives are appointed to a one-year term and actively participate in meetings and other board-related events.

• Attendance and participation in the four (4) quarterly meetings of the Board and all special meetings as needed each year.
• Preparation for the meetings by reading prepared material with care so that they can discuss, modify, and make recommendations on proposed resolutions.

• Meet appropriately with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
• When appropriate, express to the Board your own views on issues and, if possible, representation of the views of other students.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Serve as a liaison to keep channels of communication open between the chancellor and students.
• The new term of the Undergraduate Student Representative will begin at the October Board Meeting and shall end at the next May Board Meeting.

• Students must be enrolled in, regularly attending, and complete at least twelve (12) undergraduate credit hours for the semester in which they are an applicant, as well as during their one year term as an Undergraduate Representative.
• Students must be able to complete a full year (fall and spring semesters) as a full time enrolled student during their term.
• Students must be in good academic standing, not be on academic probation or warning and have completed their first year at WashU in good academic standing.
• Be approved through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards’ conduct review process and not be found responsible for one or any combination of the following violations within the past two semesters:
  • Drugs (possession, use, distribution)
  • Repeated Alcohol policy violations
  • Usage and/or possession of false identification – three or more instances
  • Vandalism
• In addition, the student must not be found responsible for any of the following violations during their tenure at the University:
  • Repeated violations of Academic Integrity policies
  • Assault and/or other issues of violence

In general, it is important the student representative have knowledge of the undergraduate experience 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 of others in the community. The student representative should also be willing to maintain close communication with the undergraduate community.

All information about the application process and selection committee can be found on the Student Affairs website. You can also find deadline information and complete your application on that page.

A graduate student representative to the Board of Trustees must be a full-time graduate or professional student in residence, 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 able to cogently represent a variety of graduate student perspectives and 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). 

1. Attendance at all Student Experience Committee, Academic Affairs Committee and full Board of Trustees Meetings for the academic year.

2. Participation in Board of Trustees orientation.

3. Participation in special events as requested by university administration (Founder’s Day, Building Dedications, 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.

All information about the application process and information sessions for interested graduate students can be found on the Graduate Student Representative website. You can also find more information about the application itself.