Graduate Student Council President Job Description
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Position: Graduate Student Council (GSC) President
Location: Fordham University
Department: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
Term: 2026-2027 Academic year, selected this spring
Overview
The Graduate Student Council (GSC) President serves as the primary leader and representative of the graduate student body. This role involves a combination of administrative, representational, and advocacy responsibilities. Under the supervision of the GSAS Vice Dean or their designee, and together with the Vice President, the President coordinates and leads the activities of the GSC. The officers act as chief stewards of the GSC budget and primary spokespeople for the Council. As members of the Council, they coordinate its activities towards the end of representing the interests, viewpoints, and concerns of each department and program, as well as the GSAS student body as a whole.
The President is responsible for ensuring the effective functioning of the GSC and advocating for the interests of all GSAS students within the university community. Duties are set by GSAS, with input from the GSC. The President is required to submit bi-weekly timesheets and to keep a detailed record of all activities performed each week.
Responsibilities
- Leadership and Meeting Management:
- Plan, organize, and run monthly scheduled GSC meetings.
- Create meeting agendas, distribute materials, and ensure meetings are conducted efficiently and effectively.
- Preside and call to order Council meetings in conjunction with the Vice President.
- Set the Council agenda in consultation with the Vice President, distribute materials, and ensure meetings are conducted efficiently and effectively.
- Facilitate discussions and ensure all members have the opportunity to contribute.
- Oversee programs and activities planned by the Council, standing or ad hoc committees or the officers.
- Chair the Budget Committee and propose the annual budget as crafted by that committee.
- Representation:
- Serve as the primary representative of the GSC at GSAS Council and A&S Council meetings and other university committees.
- Communicate the concerns and needs of graduate students to university administration and faculty.
- Collaborate with other student organizations and university departments on shared initiatives.
- Event Planning:
- Plan, organize, and successfully execute events open to the entire GSAS student community, including an opening year welcome event, end of the year celebration, and other activities as determined by the GSC council and GSAS student body.
- Assist the GSAS on events of general interest. Staff events, as needed. This may include night and weekend hours.
- Financial Management:
- With the assistance of the Vice President, act as a steward of GSC funds, overseeing budget allocation and expenditures other than the Student Support Grants.
- Maintain accurate financial records and provide regular financial reports to the GSC, the GSAS Council, and to members of the GSAS staff, as requested. GSC officers will be accountable for any missing funds.
- Ensure compliance with university financial policies and procedures.
- Submit a report each semester to all GSAS students, GSAS, and GSAS Council about all GSC activities, SSG disbursements, and other expenditures, broken down by department, program and amount.
- Submit an annual report in May to GSAS, with a detailed itemization of expenses incurred, activities and participation at events, initiatives, etc. At the same time, in collaboration with the incoming president, submit a preliminary budget for the following year for GSAS review.
- Student Support Grants (SSGs)
- Promote, convene the SSG Committee, organize and disseminate applications, oversee award letters, and facilitate and approve reimbursements in a timely manner.
- In collaboration with GSAS; ensure that SSGs are selected and distributed in a fair and equitable manner.
- In collaboration with GSAS, ensure the timely approval and processing of Student Support Grants (SSGs) selected by the SSG Committee.
- Reimbursement Processing:
- Process reimbursements for SSGs accurately and in a timely manner (no later than the end of the semester in which expenses were incurred).
- Review and approve all reimbursement requests, ensuring accuracy and completeness of documentation.
- Communicate regularly with students regarding the status of their reimbursements.
- Student Advocacy and Support:
- Advocate for graduate student needs and work to resolve problems effectively.
- Connect students with appropriate university resources and support services.
- GSAS Collaboration:
- Assist the GSAS with planning and executing events (such as Orientation, Admitted Student Week, Commencement, etc.) and other activities.
- Collaborate with GSAS staff on initiatives and projects to enhance the graduate student experience.
- Assist the GSAS on events or projects of general interest to the GSAS student body. Such assistance may include helping to publicize events, canvassing students for ideas about events or speakers, performing research or writing reports, etc.
- Provide input on policies and procedures that affect graduate students to GSAS leadership.
- Ensure the smooth transition to the next year’s GSC officers and representatives. This includes providing GSAS with the names of all representatives elected in the spring semester for the following year, as well as the slate of candidates for the following year’s president and vice president. GSAS should receive the list no later than April 15, in order to ensure that officers are in place before the start of the summer.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a graduate student in Fordham’s GSAS.
- In good academic standing, making satisfactory progress toward the degree, and not under academic or disciplinary probation.
- Strong leadership and organizational skills.
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace.
- Consistent work ethic to promote the tenets of cura personalis, magis, service and humility.
- Ability to use University systems and/or willingness to learn them.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage a sizable budget and related finances, as well as to process reimbursements efficiently and effectively.
- Commitment to representing and advocating for graduate student interests.
- Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and university staff.
Reporting Structure
The GSC President reports to the GSAS Vice Dean or their designee and is responsible both to that individual and to the GSC Council.
Time Commitment
This position requires a time commitment of 18 hours per week. Duties are for the academic year only. If deemed necessary, additional work over the summer is for 10 weeks, with an expectation of 18 hours per week, compensated at the stipend rate of GSAS summer research fellowships, paid from the GSC funds.
Compensation
The President will be compensated at the Teaching Fellow (TF) rate listed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Please email Associate Dean Sara Lehman at slehman@fordham.edu and the Graduate Student Council at gscouncil@fordham.edu if you have any questions regarding this position.