Department Comittee Representative

Each fall, we invite students to apply to serve as undergraduate representatives on several of our departmental committees. If you are a declared sociology major, we encourage you to participate in the policy-making of the department by getting involved and submitting your application.

Membership on a departmental committee can be enriching. Involvement with faculty in decision-making permits interactions that you would not otherwise have; the faculty learn more about what undergraduates need and want from their education; and you learn how the department "ticks". Such an experience is a valuable addition to a resume. The amount of time required to serve on a committee is minimal (an exception is the department's Personnel Committee).

If you are interested in serving on a particular committee, please download an application (RTF).

If you prefer to apply in person, pick up an application form from the Sociology Department office, 909 Social Sciences, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The application consists of (1) the application form, (2) an application letter telling us about your background and interest in this position, (3) a current unnofficial transcript and/or APAS report including all your grades through the previous Spring.

Committees needing undergraduate representatives include:

Undergraduate Affairs and Ethics/Grievance Committee (1-2 Students), this committee serves as the policy and advisory body to the Director for Undergraduate Studies. The committee considers and gives advice on matters relating to the undergraduate curriculum, special undergraduate programs of study including honors, advising to undergraduates, and other undergraduate matters referred to it by the Director of Undergraduate Affairs.

The members of the Ethics and Grievance Committee are the same as the Undergraduate Affairs Committee. This committee is responsible for recommending policy and procedures regarding general expectations of its faculty in instructional, research and service matters. The Ethics and Grievance Committee serves as the formal hearing of the department as specified by the University Senate Report on Academic Freedom and Responsibility. The committee also handles ethics and grievance problems arising among students and staff of the department. If a member of the committee is personally involved in a grievance, a substitute will be appointed.

Executive Committee (1 student), serves as an advisory board to the chair on general departmental matters (including budget), serves as a sub-committee on long range planning, and helps coordinate the resources and work of the department.

Personnel Committee (1 student), this committee is responsible for recruiting, screening and presenting candidates for faculty positions to the department. It recommends policies to the department related to the hiring of new personnel within the personnel policies of the College and University. It is also responsible for presenting the credentials of full-time or part-time temporary personnel.

Sociology Research Institute (SRI) (1 - 4 students), this committee is co-chaired by a faculty member and one or more graduate students. The committee is responsible for planning all aspects of the department's spring research institute. These duties include selecting a date for the event, a speaker(s), student presenters, and assigning subcommittees for awards and food.

If you have questions, please contact Ann Miller, Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising, at soc-advisor@soc.umn.edu or (612) 624-6013.

Undergraduate input is vital to the success of this department and its programs. We hope you'll consider joining us!