Graduate Student Liaison Policy

For more information on graduate liaisons and their activities, visit the Student Resources page.

Early in ASLE’s life as an organization, the leadership recognized the significant contributions that graduate students make and established two appointed positions to be held by graduate students. (See Articles 5 and 9 of the bylaws.)  In accordance with Article 6.1.3 of the bylaws, the Graduate Student Liaisons (GSLs) are appointed by ASLE’s President (in consultation with the current GSLs and, if necessary, the Executive Council) and hold two-year terms. The two GSL positions have staggered terms so as to ensure continuity. The GSL in the second year of the two-year term is a voting member of ASLE’s EC.  It is understood that in the course of the two-year term, a GSL may complete graduate school; completion of a degree does not affect the term of office.

The GSLs serve ASLE by representing the interests and concerns of graduate students at meetings of the Executive Council (EC), and they work closely with ASLE’s Graduate Mentoring Program Coordinator in shared pursuit of this goal.  Like ASLE’s other Project Coordinators, the GSLs spearhead projects deemed by the EC to be important to the life and future of the organization. In past years, GSLs have undertaken many significant projects, including writing and revising ASLE’s Graduate Student Handbook; organizing conference panels to serve the specific needs of graduate students; overseeing the Graduate Student Working Group; compiling the syllabi collection and the dissertations-in-progress database that are on ASLE’s web site; and coordinating graduate student receptions during ASLE conferences.

Because of their central role in the life of the organization, GSLs are asked to attend both conference year and off-conference-year officers meetings. For ASLE’s travel assistance policy, see the Travel Funding Policy for ASLE Officers.

To be considered for a GSL position, candidates should submit a formal letter of application to the current ASLE President by November 1 for a term beginning in January of the following year. The letter should include a statement of interest, a description of the applicant’s professional interests (particularly as they connect to literature and environment), and the names and contact information of three faculty references. The President especially welcomes letters of application that describe the candidate’s specific interests in serving ASLE. Other factors that candidates may want to address include their length and extent of involvement with ASLE and any extra-curricular participation in environmental work or causes.  The President appoints GSLs after consultation with the Vice President, the two current GSLs, and, if necessary, the EC.