CSI Student Member Guidelines

These are the guidelines for student members of the School of Critical Social Inquiry. You can also download a PDF version here:.

The guidelines currently say "Social Science" because they were last revised before the School of Critical Social Inquiry changed its name.

Social Science Student Members Guidelines for Participation Revised: Fall 2008

I. Introduction
This document sets out to define the expectations of, and rules regarding, student members in the School of Social Science. These guidelines exist for the purpose of helping students perform their duties as student members in the school by outlining exactly how the student member apparatus is supposed to function. In this document we will address: the way in which student members are selected, the responsibilities of student members, the way in which student members are selected for positions within the school, how student meetings are called, the role of the student coordinator, and the specifics of how being an active member in the school can fulfill a student’s community service requirement.

II. Selection of Student Members
A. At most, there shall be a ratio of one student member to every two faculty members (1:2) within the School of Social Science. In cases where there is an odd number of faculty, round up to arrive at the number of student members (e.g. when there are 27 faculty members there shall be no more than 14 student members).

B. Any student wishing to apply for membership may do so by e-mailing their name and contact information to the Dean of Social Science’s office. In addition, the applicant should write a paragraph describing why they wish to become a student member of the School of Social Science.

C. The Dean’s office will have the authority to accept or reject applicants. Alternately this task can be delegated to the current student members.

D. At the end of the semester, a form will be sent to all students asking if they wish to remain in the school. Students will then need to return this form in order to retain their membership in the School of Social Science. Anyone who has given up membership due to a leave or a schedule conflict may automatically regain membership providing there are vacancies to be filled.

III. Responsibilities of Student Members
A. Regular attendance of Social Science meetings and the student member meetings. The Social Science meetings are generally bi-weekly at 3:30 PM. The student member meetings are to occur regularly (as organized by the student coordinator).

B. Familiarity with topics coming before the school.

C. Preparedness to act as a voice for both students of the School of Social Science and Hampshire College at large.

D. Maintained respect for the potential confidentiality of topics discussed in meetings and committees while simultaneously keeping the Hampshire community appraised of relevant issues coming before the school.

IV. Positions for Student Members
A. Voting Members

There shall be one voting member for every three faculty voting members of the School of Social Science (1:3). The same principle of rounding up in the event of an odd number of faculty which applies to overall student members also applies to voting members. The student members will decide, as a group, upon who will have voting privileges at the beginning of each semester. A first semester student member may not be a voting member unless there are fewer experienced members than vacancies. Students may resign their voting status at any time. Student members who miss more than three meetings will have their voting privileges passed to more active members. B. Student Coordinator

One voting member shall be the student coordinator. The coordinator will be chosen, by vote, at the end of the spring semester by the student members along with an alternate (in the event that the student coordinator-elect does on return to Hampshire College or discovers a conflict with his/her schedule). Students interested in becoming the coordinator for the following year should submit brief statements of interest to the outgoing coordinator. Student members will then vote on the new student coordinator. The sitting student coordinator may submit his/her name for consideration in successive elections, though there will continue to be an election every year.

The student coordinator shall also be the member of the Policy Committee.

The coordinator is responsible for informing all student members of meetings, leading student meetings, and making sure all student members are performing their assigned tasks.

C. Social Science Committees and Representatives

Student members will participate in various committees both within the school and as representatives of the school. These committees are detailed in a separate document.

V. Community Service Requirement
In order to satisfy community service requirements for the college, the following are required:

A. Regular attendance at school meetings and meetings organized by the Dean or student coordinator.

B. Active service on a committee or as student coordinator.

The student coordinator shall make a recommendation to the Dean of Social Science including a list of the applicant’s attendance of school and student meetings, as well as a summary of the student’s participation in committees. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the coordinator that service in the school is for the purpose of gaining a community service evaluation. Ultimately the decision of whether or not to grant community service credit will fall to the Dean’s office and the student’s advisor.

Students who miss more than three meetings are in danger of losing Social Science as a qualification for their community service requirement.

Simply being a voting member, or basic involvement in the school will not satisfy these requirements.