Graduate Student Voice

Two graduate students from each area serve as graduate student representatives who act as liaisons between the graduate students and the faculty/staff. This includes holding meetings with graduate students in the area and graduate Area Head. At least one colloquium in each area is set aside for a student-only Townhall Meeting when students discuss any concerns or questions, and then the grad representatives follow-up with the Area Head. All graduate representatives will meet with the Department Chair, Area Heads, the Department Chair, and the Graduate Program Coordinator in the spring to review issues raised during the year. This meeting often leads to changes to improve departmental policies. 

Role of Graduate Student Representative

Graduate student representatives act as liaisons between graduate students and faculty/staff. This includes holding meetings with graduate students in the area and the faculty area head. At least one colloquium in each area is set aside for a student-only Town Hall Meeting where students discuss any concerns or questions, then grad reps raise these issues to the area head and department. As a response to these meetings, and the effort provided by graduate student representatives to voice student concerns, grad reps have contributed to changes implemented to improve departmental policies. Grad reps may requested to provide feedback on potential implementation of department policies, or requested to seek input from graduate students in their areas on behalf of department staff and the Department Chair. 

How to become a Graduate Student Representative

Students interested in the serving as a Graduate Student Representative can notify their current grad rep, or the graduate program coordinator and indicate your interest in the role for the following year. The department aims to have these roles filled by the end of an academic year. In cases where an open position is available, the area head or graduate program coordinator will send a call out to the area to seek interested students in volunteering for the role. It is recommended students discuss with their advisor before agreeing to serve as a grad rep. 

The Psychology Department recognizes that graduate students constitute a vital part of our intellectual community. As emerging scholars who work closely with faculty and undergraduate students, they have distinct and valuable perspectives on potential new faculty. As such, they play an important role during the faculty recruitment process. 

Please refer to the document linked here for more information on how graduate students engage in faculty recruitment, including Participation in scheduling, recruiting of volunteers, and meeting attendance; Service to Psychology Community; Professional Development; Graduate Student Perspectives on Candidates; and a list of FAQs. 

The DEI Committee is charged with advising the Department Chair on promoting the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Psychology Department. The Department Chair selects 3 faculty (1 from each area),  graduate students (at least 1 from each area), and interested Psychology staff to serve on the committee. The committee typically organizes one department-wide colloquium each quarter addressing DEI-related issues; in addition, the committee supports student-initiated events to promote inclusion.

The Department Chair will send a call out to the psychology department community requesting interested students to share their wish to serve on the committee. 

For more information on the DEI Committee charge, including DEI members and events, please visit the Psychology Website (linked here). 

The GSA is a campus organization designed to advance the welfare of graduate students. For example, it advocates for students’ rights, hosts social events, and offers small conference travel grants for graduate students. 

There will be occasions when the Psychology faculty will see fit to change aspects of the graduate curriculum and/or this graduate handbook. Each spring, the Graduate Affairs Committee reviews the handbook and asks the faculty representatives from the three research areas to meet with their respective faculty to review the curriculum and this document. Suggested changes will then be brought forth for the department chair and advisory committee to decide which changes to implement. Suggestions for change (and clarification) are also welcome from the graduate student representatives. Each cohort of students is governed by the version of the handbook in effect during the year they enter graduate training at UCSC. If special circumstances occur, students are welcome to submit a petition to the Graduate Affairs Committee requesting changed requirements in their case.