Class Presidents

Each class slate works closely with a University assigned advisor. Class Presidents are expected to meet with their assigned advisors on a regular basis. Sophomores and juniors work with Office of Student Engagement staff and the seniors work with the Stanford Alumni Association. All are expected to cultivate close working relationships with other University staff including those from the Undergraduate Advising, Career Development, Vaden Health Promotion, Campus Recreation, Office of Development, VPSA and VPUE.

More About Class Presidents

Once elected, the Class Presidents are in charge of recruiting and appointing a Cabinet that helps them design class programming and communication activities. The Presidents are responsible for developing an annual budget (the University provides between $12,000­-$15,000) and managing their accounts in a responsible and cost effective way while following University financial guidelines. Program plans and expenditures should reflect University goals and expectations. The Class Presidents also administer their class email list and are expected to communicate pertinent news and information to their class members on a regular basis. Ongoing communication with their class members through emails, newsletters, Facebook and other social marketing outlets is an important aspect of Class President responsibilities.

The Class Presidents are expected to attend orientation and training sessions during spring quarter. By the end of spring quarter, they are expected to have developed an annual program plan, created an annual budget and to have selected their Cabinet. The first training session will review next steps on these expectations. They are also expected to return early Fall Quarter to be available for additional orientation and training sessions throughout the day on the Thursday and Friday of the week prior to the beginning of classes.

Expectations

The slate of Class Presidents should be broadly representative of their class. Members of the slate should reflect a broad spectrum of interests and experience. 

Class Presidents are expected to be enrolled and on campus during their full tenure (except summer). Junior Class Presidents run as a slate of five or six so that one or two students may be abroad from each quarter. Other slates are comprised of four members.

Each class has a Cabinet. Cabinet members are expected to represent all segments or constituencies of their class. The ongoing development of these Class Councils is a critical aspect of the Class Presidents’ role. Discussion of the composition of your Cabinet will be discussed during training.

Class Presidents serve as key leaders and representatives of their class. They should strive to serve as positive role models for Stanford undergraduates.

The opportunity to serve as a class officer is a privilege and honor that also requires hard work, dedication and commitment. Students who pursue these roles should make this leadership role their top co­curricular activity. To maximize their effectiveness, class officers should not concurrently serve as freshmen RAs or in other very significant leadership roles.

Class Presidents must be and remain currently registered Stanford students in good academic standing.

Senior Class Presidents also are expected to

• Serve as important undergraduate representatives to the President’s Office and hold a position on the Stanford Alumni Association Board.
• Partner with the Stanford Alumni Association on specific senior class programs such as Senior Welcome, Kickoff to Commencement and Senior Dinner on the Quad.
• Have significant involvement in various Commencement events such as Baccalaureate and the Class Plaque Ceremony. They provide important feedback regarding the Commencement Speaker.
• Serve as lead event planners for Senior Nights and Senior Formal, ensuring effective management of alcohol and other risk management issues.
• Provide other educational and non­alcoholic programs for their class such as class lectures, career development events, and life skills.

Time Commitment

All class presidents should

• Spend considerable planning time immediately after their election (on average 10 hours a week) and an additional ten hours of time in orientation and training activities with University staff in Spring Quarter.
• Regularly plan activities and communicate with University staff over the summer.
• Arrive on campus early and participate in University sponsored orientation and planning activities.
• Sophomore and Junior Class Presidents should be able to commit a minimum of 8­-10 hours a week during the regular academic year. Senior class presidents should commit an average of 15 hours a week.