Graduate Leadership & Advocacy Council at Northwestern University

Goal of the DR Program

GLAC’s department representative (DR) program is designed to be a channel of communication between GLAC and graduate students in the DR’s department/program. GLAC is a liaison between graduate students and The Graduate School (TGS). More information about GLAC can be found on the website.

DR Responsibilities

Notify the GLAC DR Coordinator as soon as possible after taking office.
Provide up-to-date contact info for the DR records and listserv.
Announce themselves by email to their Director of Graduate Study (DGS) and department/program graduate students in the beginning of the school year, and cc the DR coordinator. An example email for contacting the DGS can be found here.

Attend at least one GLAC meeting each quarter. The GLAC meeting schedule is posted here, and there will be a reminder before each meeting.
Solicit feedback from the students in their department and notify GLAC of advocacy-related issues in the department.
Recruit at least one student to serve as the next DR at the end of service term and notify the GLAC DR Coordinator of the transition.

How many DRs does each department/program have? How are they selected?

There should be at least one DR per department/program. Multiple DRs are allowed as long as they fulfill the responsibilities.
DRs should be elected or nominated by graduate students in their department/program:
- An election process is strongly encouraged, ideally at least a week before the DR office is scheduled to transition.
- A nomination process can vary between departments/programs as long as the incoming DR can fulfill the responsibilities.

How long does a DR serve for?

DRs serve for at least one year.
If a DR is not able to complete their responsibilities or has to leave the position, then:
- If the department/program has an election process, hold an election for new DR before leaving the position.
- If the department/program does not have an election process, recruit a new DR before leaving the position.
- Notify the following people at least 2 weeks before leaving:
  - Graduate students in their department/program
  - DGS of their department/program The GLAC DR coordinator
A DR can serve multiple terms as long as they are re-elected, re-nominated, or cannot recruit another student to serve as DR. The same person cannot serve as DR for more than 3 years.

What else can a DR do?

Represent graduate students on Northwestern University committees.
Participate in meetings with the TGS administration, speaking on behalf of students in their department/program.
Work with the GLAC treasurer to apply for funding and organize department-level advocacy events (e.g., hold town hall meetings, workshops, or discussions on issues affecting graduate students).
Serve on GLAC committees (e.g., finance or survey committees).
Attend department representative appreciation events (free drinks!).

How do DRs bring up issues to GLAC?

If not urgent, and no anonymity needed:

The DR should email GLAC (glac@u.northwestern.edu) to add the issue to the next GLAC meeting agenda. The DR or at least one person involved in the issue should be present at the meeting to discuss the issue.

If need immediate attention and/or anonymity needed :

The DR should email the DR coordinator (seandiament@u.northwestern.edu) to report the issue. The DR coordinator will find an appropriate way to bring the issue to GLAC. A response can be expected within 24 hours.