On Getting Involved
by CWojtkowski
Sometimes the Graduate Center feels like a hotel. Students check in and check out, pay their bills, get their learn on, and leave for the day, or week… or semester. I don’t mean that the sense of cohesiveness and community is lacking; that depends on social and familial situations of individual students. But a stroll through the fifth floor and a glance at THE ADVOCATE, or the various department web sites reveals that many students are deeply committed and involved in many aspects of Graduate Center life beyond their own writing and research. Others come to take courses and teach, and rarely are involved in anything else. What makes some students want to get involved, and not others?
To some, students are primarily here to earn a doctorate, and during the journey, to gain professional experience by publishing, presenting at and attending conferences, and teaching. When it comes to dissertation stage, our job is to write; any dilly-dallying at this stage is harmful to a career. With this already overwhelming list of demands, is it recommended or even feasible to serve on a faculty search committee, or in a Student Chartered Organization, or on Grad Council? Moreover, if you cannot add it as a line on your CV, is it worth doing at all? This last question reminds me of the inevitable scramble during junior year of high school to sign up for as many activities as possible in order to floor college admissions committees with one’s dedication and diversity. Looking at my own high school yearbook, I noticed that I was, apparently, a member of the Shaker High Figure Drawing Club in 1997, a membership of which I have no recollection, nor do I have the skills requisite of a portraitist. (But there is one unequivocal truth: students anywhere sign up for Yearbook Committee only so they can stuff it with photos of themselves and their friends. Go check!) It is easy to look at serving your institution or program on a committee or in a group as self-interested, or even unimportant, a waste of (your) time, and unhelpful. After all, you might think, that’s what those other students do – the types that are involved in everything, former class president-types. Therefore, when serving on committees and representing the student body appears like “more work,” then perhaps the notion of service needs a new definition.
Serving your department is rewarding and enriching not only with respect to your professional development, but social life as well. It is invaluable for a graduate student to learn the ins and outs of university administration, since one day, as a faculty member, you will be required to sit on committees and the like. Knowing what to expect gives you the upper hand. Problems or frustrations you may encounter might inspire you to work for change once you are in a position of power. Likewise, working with other students from different disciplines and fields is a way of networking, which is an overly business-sounding word that simply means taking the time to meet people who might be “useful” one day. (“Schmoozing” is simply networking, with the addition of alcoholic beverages and a smirk). This is especially important if you find yourself in a small, or isolated, or off-campus department and are eager to branch out. Lastly, there are slightly self-interested reasons: collectively, students can fight against tuition increases, or work to secure funding for their program, but these have overarching beneficial effects for the entire student body.
Let’s say reading this makes you want to jump up and run for university president: not so fast. Here are some ways to become more involved at the Graduate Center, and to make the most of your time here. I think it is our collective duty as students of the largest public urban university in the nation — and one which is often overshadowed by our wealthier private counterparts here in the city — to work together to increase our presence both in New York and in the nation. At the very least, you will sharpen your professional and decision-making skills, and become more articulate while working towards a common goal with your colleagues.
1. Join the DSC as your program’s representative. Although ballots are going out soon, there is still time to write yourself in and get your colleagues to do so. Next year, nominate yourself. Come to a meeting regardless and hear what goes on.
2. Join your program’s governing committees. Students can vote, and programs value students’ input on committees that hire professors, decide curriculum, and select the next year’s incoming class. This is a great way to at least appear like you are invested in your program beyond your own interests; all cynicism aside, these committees make decisions that directly affect YOU!
3. Have a conference. Interested in a topic, but there’s no conference scheduled by your program? Send out an email to your program’s listserv to form a conference committee, and then meet to discuss the topic, speakers, call for papers. Need money? Apply for a DSC cultural affairs or a professional development grant.
4. Need practice writing/giving papers, or need to brush up on a language for your language requirement? Start a lecture series or informal seminar. There are myriad resources for advertising and soliciting student interest: the DSC website, numerous easels on which to post flyers, DSC meetings, as well as a general student body listserv. Many programs are willing to contribute at least some money to student intellectual and professional pursuits, as long as it benefits the program as a whole.
5. Join one of the many auxiliary committees involved in GC administration: volunteer on a search committee or a committee dealing with ADA regulations.
6. Attend a Professional Staff Congress rally with your fellow CUNY adjuncts, informing yourself of what is at stake.
Getting involved in student activities doesn’t mean that you won’t have time to do your own work; look at it as a way of contributing to the well-being of your program and the institution. Finally, an added bonus — the line on your CV — but of course, this is the least of reasons to get involved.
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