Comprised of students elected annually from across the GSD student body, the Student Forum works to improve student life at the GSD and serves as a link between the student body and the school administration. Members of Student Forum participate in the meetings of the Student Academic Affairs Committee and meet weekly with Student Services to help foster a continuous dialogue between students and administrators. Student Forum members also meet with the Dean and the Alumni Council to communicate students’ interests and concerns. Meetings open to the entire student body are scheduled every semester, including an open meeting with the Dean. Members of Student Forum represent the GSD on the university-wide Graduate Student Council and other ad-hoc administrative and student committees.

The Student Forum also has a great impact on students’ social lives, throwing the GSD’s biggest bashes and managing allocations to student groups and activities funded by the Student Activity Fee. Being part of Student Forum is a great way to feel connected and contribute your ideas—from how the plotters work, to how clean the bathrooms are, to fostering studio culture— Student Forum makes sure your voice is heard.

The Student Activity Fee provides funds for student groups as well as other activities and projects hosted by Student Forum. Income from the fee is administered by Student Forum and disbursed by Student Services staff.

Student Forum officers are elected by the GSD student body each spring. They serve for a full academic year, taking over from the outgoing leadership each May, and serving for the following fall and spring semesters. Student Forum elected chairs also have the option to appoint officers to help them carry out their work.

Student Forum 2017-2018:

President:
Taylor Halamka

Academic Chair:
Iggy So

Diversity and Inclusion Chair:
Mena Wasti Ahmed

Student Groups Chair:
Sam Matthew

Professional Development Chair:
William Baumgardner

Social Events Chair:
Esther Bang

Resources Chair:
Bryan Ortega-Welch

Download a PDF of the 2017-2018 Student Forum Leadership

To contact Student Forum, email studentforum@gsd.harvard.edu

Student Forum Elections for 2018-2019

Students interested in serving on Student Forum should note the below important dates in the elections process. Note that in addition to simply declaring candidacy, each candidate will also be asked to submit a brief statement that will be circulated to the student body via Student Announce. This statement should be a paragraph or two and serve both to introduce the candidate, and express the candidate's reason for running and vision for how they will act in the role they seek to fill.

Important dates:

Wednesday, April 11, 7:00-8:00 pm:
Info session for potential candidates

Friday, April 13, 12:00 noon:
Deadline to declare candidacy

Monday, April 16, 12:00 noon:
Deadline to submit brief statement of candidacy for schoolwide circulation

Monday, April 16, 6:30 pm:
Candidate Forum

Monday, April 16, evening:
Elections open

Thursday, April 19, 12:00 noon:
Elections close

Friday, April 20, evening:
Results announced