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 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, certain Board Committee meetings, and special meetings as needed each year.
• Prepare for meetings by reviewing the agenda and supporting materials.
• Meet appropriately with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and University Governance.
• When appropriate, express to the Board your own views on issues and, if possible, an estimate of the views of other students.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Serve as a liaison to keep channels of communication open between the Chancellor and students.
• Serve as called upon to represent student perspectives on other board or university-appointed committees
• The new term of the Undergraduate Student Representative will begin at the September 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.
• In person attendance at board meetings is required. Therefore, students planning to study abroad during the 2024-2025 academic year are not eligible. Note: students currently studying abroad are eligible to apply and will be interviewed virtually instead of in person.
• Applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at WashU, as determined by the student’s academic unit, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, prior to and throughout the duration of their appointment as an undergraduate representative to the board of trustees.

In general, it is important that the student representative have knowledge of the undergraduate experience at WashU, 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.

Applications are accepted each spring for the two positions for non-voting graduate student representatives to the WashU Board of Trustees. The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and International Affairs facilitates the annual selection process for new graduate 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, certain Board Committee meetings, and all special meetings as needed each year.
• Prepare for meetings by reviewing the agenda and supporting materials.
• Meet appropriately with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and International Affairs, and the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and University Governance.
• When appropriate, express to the Board your own views on issues and, if possible, an estimate of the views of other students.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Serve as a liaison to keep channels of communication open between the Chancellor and students.
• Serve as called upon to represent student perspectives on other board or university-appointed committees
• Attend meetings and activities of the Graduate Professional Student Council and provide updates.
• Serve as ex officio members of the Professional and Graduate Student Coordinating Committee (ProGradS) and present a brief report at each meeting.
• The new term of the Graduate Student Representative will begin at the September Board Meeting and shall end at the next May Board Meeting.

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 WashU, 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 WashU community, such as the university-wide Professional and Graduate Student Coordinating Committee (ProGradS) and the Graduate Professional Student Council (GPSC).

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.