Graduate student representatives hold a total of 17 seats across various departmental committees. Committee seats are appointed by the Graduate English Organization (GEO) during the summer/early fall. For a full view of committee service, please review the list of all departmental committees for AY 2026-2027.
Below are the current graduate student representatives serving on departmental committees for AY 2026-2027.
CAARES Committee
This committee serves as a conduit for communication between various departmental constituencies and administrators, develops strategies for creating a culturally responsive community, and fosters connections between members of our department and faculty, staff, and students beyond the department who are also working to create an equitable, just, and inclusive campus. The committee meets at least once a semester.
- Declan Langton
- Abhinav Bhardwaj
CLCS Steering Committee
The committee approves policies and annual programming for the Center and advises the Directors on any other matters relevant to the Center’s programming and budget.
- Niyanta Sangal
- Anne Rong
Coordinating Committee
The GEO President serves on Coordinating Committee, the executive committee of the department. The Committee advises the Chair on matters of concern related to the department, including academic matters, personnel actions, and resource allocation. The Committee generally meets two times per semester on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
- Elias Diakolios
Creative Writing Committee
The committee sets standards for admission, financial aid, the curriculum, advising, and learning outcomes for the MFA Program in Creative Writing.
- Jupiter Berrysmith
- Sydney Cimarolli
- Basil Payne
Department Assembly
The Department Assembly is the voice of the department on matters of general policy. Proposals of substantive importance in regard to programs and policies of the department suggested by the Chair, or other standing committees, are submitted to the Assembly for review. The decisions of the Assembly generally become department policy. The Assembly generally meets two times per semester on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
- Abhinav Bhardwaj
- Niyanta Sangal
- Basil Payne
- George Koors
Graduate Studies Committee
The committee develops, evaluates and revises standards and procedures related to graduate student success, admission, etc.
- Dalton Greene
- Declan Langton
- Abhinav Bhardwaj
Undergraduate Studies Committee
The Undergraduate Studies Committee reviews matters related to undergraduate education, including curricular and course changes and learning outcomes assessment. The UGST Committee generally meets four to five times a year.
- Elias Diakolios
Writing Committee
The Writing Committee reviews all aspects of the writing programs and their coordination, including the curricula, the use of instructional methods, and staffing. It participates in assessment within the Writing Programs. It consults on issues brought up by the Directors. It advises on new course offerings, programs of study, and research. It promotes outreach on issues related to writing to the campus as a whole. The committee meets at least once a semester.