Helping to raise student voices
Student representatives are here to advocate for your interests and ensure that your voice is heard and considered in decisions that impact the student experience.
You can connect with a student representative to have your say on the things that matter to you, or you can become a student representative yourself and help to raise the voices of your fellow students.
What are Student Representatives?
Student representatives sit on a number of university committees and advisory groups, and hold various positions within our student associations.
At Griffith, student representatives help to provide student perspectives in a number of areas including:
- Equity and diversity
- Academic program and courses
- Disability support
- Postgraduate & HRD student experience and support
- International student experience and support
- First Nations student experience and support
- Teaching and learning quality and standards
- LGBTQIA+ allies and support
- Mental health and wellbeing
- General student support, services and experience
University Committees
The role of committees
Committees are a collective of people officially delegated to perform a task or function on behalf of the University. The tasks or functions can vary, but they most commonly act as a decision-making body, but can also perform assessments or reviews, consider official reports, oversee the implementation of policy or plans and ensure legislative requirements are met.
Committees at Griffith
Griffith has a number of committees and sub-committees that support the development and improvement of policies and procedures, academic and strategic planning, quality assurance, program and course delivery, and the enhancement of the student learning experience, teaching and research.
Under the Griffith University Act 1998 [the Act], Council delegates some of its powers to these committees, and the constitutions of each committee or sub-committee will detail its role, functions, delegated authority and who makes up its membership.
Student representatives on university committees
Many of Griffith's committees include elected or appointed members, including student representative positions. The student representative positions are there to represent student voices and needs and to provide valuable input into the decision-making processes of the committee. How members and student representatives are appointed is usually outlined within the committees constitution.
Elected positions
For elected committee positions, the selection process is conducted through a voting process. The returning officer will notify eligible students of the call for nominations for elected student positions and once nominations are closed, further communications will be sent to detail the voting process and timelines.
Voting processes are conducted via an eballot and elected positions are usually appointed for a designated period of time.
Appointed positions
For appointed committee positions, the selection process is usually conducted via a nomination process and selection is considered by the committee, committee chair or a delegate of the committee or chair.
For student representative positions, as part of the nomination process you may be asked to respond to a selection criteria or provide details about your expertise or experience and how it will contribute to the committee. Appointed positions are advertised to eligible students via our usual student communications channels.
Find out more
Committee vacancies
Don't miss your chance to influence the strategic direction of Griffith and the experiences of students with a role on a committee.
Student Associations
Student Representative Council - SRC
Always on your side, putting your needs first!
The Student Representative Council represents undergraduate students enrolled at Logan, Mt Gravatt, Nathan, Queensland College of Art, Queensland Conservatorium and those studying online.
The SRC includes a board of elected student members who are responsible for promoting and representing the interests, welfare and views of students.
Gold Coast Student Guild
Your student life experts
The Student Guild Board includes student members who are responsible for advocating for the interests, needs and wants of the student body enrolled on the Gold Coast Campus.
The Student Guild are here to make your time on campus as active and enjoyable as possible.
Griffith University Postgraduate Student Association
Griffith University Postgraduate Student Association is the representative organisation for postgraduate and research students enrolled at Logan, Mt Gravatt, Nathan, Queensland College of Art, the Queensland Conservatorium campuses and students enrolled online.
GUPSA's elected members aim to assist students to succeed in, and enjoy their studies through representation, lobbying, researching, networking, professional development and organising social and cultural events.
Gold Coast Association of Postgraduates
The Gold Coast Association of Postgraduates has been enhancing the postgraduate experience on the Gold Coast campus since 2013.
GCAP 's elected board members aim to help create a positive experience for Gold Coast students through the provision of academic services and support, opportunities for increased social engagement and assistance in preparation for the transition from postgraduate study.
Why become a student representative
Benefits
By becoming a student representative you can expand your professional networks, develop personal and professional skills and make a difference at Griffith.
You will also:
- help to amplify student voices
- be an advocate for change
- support informed decisions across all areas of the university
- positively impact the student experience
As a student representative you will also build postive relationships so that you can work to proactively improve the experiences of your fellow students.
To be an effective student representative, you may also need to actively seek out ways to engage with your fellow students so that you can represent their needs and act as their voice.
Career readiness
When you are thinking about your employability throughout, and beyond the completion of your studies, there is also a range of skills that you will have the opportunity to develop if you become a student representative. These skills can include:
- critical thinking
- communication
- collaboration
- persuasion and networking
As a student representative these skills can be readily sought after by employers across various industries.
Need more information or help?
If you need more information about becoming a student representative, or if you are a current student representative and want help with connecting to student voices.
Contact the Student Partnerships Program or one of our Student Associations.
Contact us
Need more information?
Get in touch with the Student Partnerships team.