Graduate Student Council Vice President Job Description
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Position: Graduate Student Council (GSC) Vice 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 or “Council”) Vice President serves as the secondary 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 President, the Vice 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 graduate students in each department and program, as well as the GSAS student body as a whole.
The Vice President assists the President in 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 Vice President is expected to work 18 hours per week. The Vice 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:
- In collaboration with the President, plan, organize, set the agenda and oversee monthly scheduled GSC meetings.
- Take Council minutes or designate the taking of them, and distribute the minutes and Council agenda, including sharing these materials with GSAS administration on a regular basis, after each Council meeting.
- 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.
- Oversee Representatives' fulfillment of their duties and inform the Council of any malfeasance or nonfeasance.
- Representation:
- When the President is unavailable, 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 and GSAS administration.
- 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, and other duties as assigned.
- Staff GSAS and GSC events, as needed. Some of these events may be held on nights and weekends.
- Financial Management:
- In collaboration with the President, act as a steward of GSC funds, overseeing budget allocation and expenditures other than the Student Support Grants.
- In collaboration with GSAS, ensure the timely approval and processing of Student Support Grants (SSGs).
- Maintain accurate financial records and provide regular financial reports to the GSC, the GSAS Council, and to members of the GSAS staff, as requested.
- Ensure that GSAS has access to all records and periodically review them with GSAS staff. GSC officers will be accountable for any missing funds. Ensure compliance with university financial policies and procedures.
- Submit an annual report in May to GSAS to be shared with the graduate student body, and GSAS Council, with a detailed itemization of expenses incurred, activities and participation at events, initiatives, etc.
- Student Support Grants (SSGs):
- Promote, convene the SSG Committee, organize and disseminate applications, oversee award letters, and facilitate and process reimbursements.
- In collaboration with GSAS, ensure that SSGs are selected and distributed in a fair and equitable manner.
- 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 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 or duties as assigned.
- Collaborate with GSAS staff on initiatives and projects to enhance the graduate student experience.
- Help to publicize GSAS events and activities.
- Provide input on policies and procedures that affect graduate students to GSAS leadership.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Specific Areas of Responsibility (as determined by GSAS in consultation with the President):
- Communications
- Take accurate meeting minutes during the monthly GSC Council meetings and ensure that they are shared with Council members and GSAS.
- Produce weekly Newsletters (GSC Weekly) and other GSAS-wide communications (email, social media).
- Ensure transparency and responsiveness in communications, both with GSAS students and with GSAS administration and staff.
- Maintain marketing and communication tools such as Canva and Mailchimp and keep accounts with such platforms in good financial order.
- Assist the GSC President in the development and presentation of the following year’s operating budget, event planning, charter groups, and initiatives for the student body.
- Organize broad-scope GSC events such as socials, external speakers, writing boot camps, professional development seminars, etc.
- As delegated by the President, keep GSAS consistently informed of GSC activities; include GSAS on GSC weekly email distribution list.
- Be the primary source of coordination and communication between the Officers and the Council, as well as between the Council and the student body.
- 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.
- Ability to use University systems and/or willingness to learn them.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace.
- Ability to navigate or learn marketing and communication tools such as Canva and Mailchimp.
- Consistent work ethic to promote the tenets of cura personalis, magis, service, and humility.
- 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 Vice 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 would be 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 Vice 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.