Class Representatives

Description

Every August, the incoming class of first year students in the Vanderbilt MPH Program elect a class representative. The class representative serves a two-year term, beginning in August of the first year and ending in April of the second year. Student representatives serve as liaison between the MPH students and the MPH Program administration.

Eligibility: current first-year students in the Vanderbilt MPH Program.

Term: 2 years or five academic semesters (August of Year 1 through April of Year 2).

Note for 2015-2016: in August 2015, second-year students will also elect a class representative who will serve an eight month term (two semesters).

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the student representatives include event planning, information sharing, and serving as a liaison between the MPH students and the MPH Program administration.

The role of student representative is unpaid; however, the MPH Program provides a budget from which the representatives can plan events.

Year 1 Class Representative	Year 2 Class Representative
Lead planning process for student service events (at least one every fall and spring semester) Work with Year 2 class representative to help coordinate student social events Assist Year 2 Class Representative with planning of student feedback sessions Facilitate information sharing among MPH students and across relevant academic programs (practicum placements, advocacy opportunities, special course offerings, guest lectures, etc.) Attend MPH Program special events as a representative for the program (Orientation, MPH lectures and meetings with visiting speakers, site visits, reunions, etc.) Assist with applicant recruitment as needed (meet with visiting students, address questions from applicants)	Coordinate student feedback sessions (at least one every academic year) and solicit input from students on courses, programming, etc. Work with Year 1 Class Representative to help coordinate student service events Facilitate information sharing among MPH students and across relevant academic programs (practicum placements, advocacy opportunities, special course offerings, guest lectures, etc.) Attend MPH Program special events as a representative for the program (Orientation, MPH lectures and meetings with visiting speakers, site visits, reunions, etc.) Assist with applicant recruitment as needed (meet with visiting students, address questions from applicants)

Year 1 Class Representative

Year 2 Class Representative

Lead planning process for student service events (at least one every fall and spring semester)
Work with Year 2 class representative to help coordinate student social events
Assist Year 2 Class Representative with planning of student feedback sessions
Facilitate information sharing among MPH students and across relevant academic programs (practicum placements, advocacy opportunities, special course offerings, guest lectures, etc.)
Attend MPH Program special events as a representative for the program (Orientation, MPH lectures and meetings with visiting speakers, site visits, reunions, etc.)
Assist with applicant recruitment as needed (meet with visiting students, address questions from applicants)

Coordinate student feedback sessions (at least one every academic year) and solicit input from students on courses, programming, etc.
Work with Year 1 Class Representative to help coordinate student service events
Facilitate information sharing among MPH students and across relevant academic programs (practicum placements, advocacy opportunities, special course offerings, guest lectures, etc.)
Attend MPH Program special events as a representative for the program (Orientation, MPH lectures and meetings with visiting speakers, site visits, reunions, etc.)
Assist with applicant recruitment as needed (meet with visiting students, address questions from applicants)

Click here for a list of resources and ideas for events and service opportunities.

Election Procedures

Every summer, the MPH Program will send incoming students an email seeking nominations.
Interested students complete a brief online form (REDCap) and write a one-paragraph statement summarizing why they are suited for the position. Students may also be nominated by faculty, staff, or their fellow students.
The MPH Program will compile nominations and create an electronic ballot, then distribute the ballot to students by email.
Students will have 2-4 weeks to submit their anonymous vote electronically.
At least 3/4 of students in the cohort must submit a vote.
The MPH Program will compile results and announce class representative by email and on website.
Election procedures and additional information and resources will be available on the MPH website.

Contact: Annie Smart, annie.smart@vanderbilt.edu