Student Representatives

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

Find out more about university committees here

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.