Student Councils
If you’re looking to get involved at Laurier, want to gain leadership skills, or want the opportunity to meet other first year students, consider volunteering for the LOCUS House Council or the First Year Leadership Program.
Check out the opportunities for:
Brantford and Waterloo Opportunities
On our Brantford and Waterloo campuses, LOCUS works closely with Laurier's Residence Education team to facilitate the First Year Leadership Program (FYLP). The FYLP is available for on- and off-campus first-year students and is a great way to get connected on campus.
Through the FYLP, first year students can apply for student leadership positions focused on interests such as sustainability, academics, athletics and wellness, and more. First-Year Leadership Positions, such as the Campus Council Representatives will become available during Laurier Orientation and provide students with the opportunity to connect with all first-year students, including those living in Laurier residence buildings.
House Council
Students can also enhance their leadership skills with the LOCUS House Council. During weekly meetings, the LOCUS House Council plans LOCUS-specific events and occasionally teams up with House Councils from residences for even larger-scale events.
The LOCUS House Council is comprised of exclusively first-year off-campus students. With the support of senior students, the LOCUS House Council offers monthly social programs for the entire LOCUS program. The LOCUS House Council likely resembles the student government council most students experience in high school.
House Council Positions
Read about the positions below. House Council hiring takes place in September of each academic year.
“As the Marketing and Engagement Executive with LOCUS House Council, I had so much fun with the marketing team and House Council members. LOCUS House Council is really more than a club; members genuinely connect as peers and seek opportunities to hang out outside of council meetings and events to study, dine-out, and to get to know each other on a deeper level.”
LOCUS House Council member, 2023/24
The LOCUS House Council President works closely with their House Council Advisor to engage first year students and build a sense of community. The House Council President works alongside the House Council Advisor and the executive team to facilitate weekly House Council meetings, develop meeting agendas, manage expectations, and to keep their peers on task throughout the year. The House Council President will maintain perspective throughout the year to ensure the House Council is actively working towards meetings its goals. Additionally, the House Council President must maintain high engagement in the community to ensure a supportive network is being fostered among peers.
Positions available: One per campus
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 – 1.5 hours)
- Executive Meeting (1 hour)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as scheduled (3-4 per term)
The Vice President of Training and Development regularly facilitates team building activities to strengthen skillsets within the House Council such as leadership, management and teamwork. The VP of Training and Development assesses the council’s skills and abilities and implements activities that develop these qualities. The Vice President of Training and Development also runs social events for the House Council to deepen the bond formed on council, ultimately improving teamwork and individual experiences.
Positions available: One per campus
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 – 1.5 hours)
- Executive Meeting (1 hour)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as scheduled (three to four per term)
The Vice President of Finance and Administration works closely with the House Council Advisor to manage the House Council budget. The Vice President of Finance and Administration oversees this account, and proactively plans where money will be spent. In addition, this role creates meeting agendas alongside the House Council Advisor and takes meeting minutes to conduct regular reflections on effectiveness and efficiency in meetings. The Vice President of Finance and Administration executes assessment techniques to determine the effectiveness of council efforts, as guided by the House Council Advisor.
Positions available: One
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 – 1.5 hours)
- Executive Meeting (1 hour)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as scheduled (three to four per term)
The Vice President of Marketing and Engagement focuses on the promotion of events to engage the larger LOCUS community. The Vice President of Marketing and Engagement uses various strategies to actively promote events that are designed by the House Council, with the help of their council peers, to increase attendance at council events. The Vice President of Marketing and Engagement uses marketing and engagement efforts to solicit feedback and participation from their community. The VP of Marketing and Engagement manages all the House Council media forums in consultation with the House Council Advisor and establishes effective marketing plans and strategies for optimum engagement.
Positions available: One per campus
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 – 1.5 hours)
- Executive Meeting (1 hour)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as scheduled (three to four per term)
The Vice President of Logistics works closely with the House Council Advisor and Logistics Executive to organize and plan most of the event logistics to ensure successful programming is provided by the council. The VP of Logistics uses created checklists and campus resources to ensure the LOCUS House Council events are inclusive and catered to the off-campus community. The Vice President of Logistics will create schedules and supporting documents to ensure council members are equipped with adequate resources and guidance to assist with event facilitation.
Positions available: One
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 – 1.5 hours)
- Executive Meeting (1 hour)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as scheduled (three to four per term)
The Marketing and Engagement Executive(s) will work directly with the VP of Marketing and Engagement and focus on the promotion of events to engage the larger LOCUS community. With the guidance and plan of the VP Marketing and Engagement and fellow council members in mind, the Marketing and Engagement Executive(s) will work to create content to be shared with the greater community across all council social media platforms. In addition, the Marketing and Engagement Executive(s) will create event highlights and recap videos and capture photos to share with participants.
Positions available:
- two in Waterloo
- one in Brantford
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 hour – 1.5 hours)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as scheduled (three to four per term)
The Events Executive(s) will work directly with the VP of Logistics and focus on the planning, execution and reflection of events in order to capture the engagement of the larger LOCUS community. With the guidance and support of the VP Logistics and House Council Advisor, the Events Executive(s) will work to organize the key requirements for their programming such as space booking, connecting with campus partners or vendors, and communicating with fellow council members to ensure all roles are filled. content to be shared with the greater community across all council social media platforms. The Events Executive(s) will also gain valuable insight through communication with event participants to aid in the reflection discussion and future events.
Positions available:
- one to two in Waterloo
- one in Brantford
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 – 1.5 hours)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as scheduled (three to four per term)
Community Representatives work closely with their House Council Advisor to create purposeful and engaging programming for first-year students. Students in this role contribute to the council through active support and participation in scheduled meetings and within the event planning and execution processes. Community Representatives will bring programming ideas forward that they believe would engage and support the first year off-campus experience. Community Representatives will have the opportunity to enhance their skills in leadership, communication, organization, and more.
Positions available:
- 15 in Waterloo
- five to 10 in Brantford
Weekly time commitment:
- House Council Meeting (1 – 1.5 hours)
Other time commitments:
- House Council events as schedule (three to four per term)
Milton Opportunities
On our Milton campus, students can get involved with the Milton Student Leadership Council. This council is a great way for students to meet their peers, get involved on campus and develop leadership skills.
The Milton Student Leadership Council is comprised exclusively of first year off-campus students with support from Laurier staff. This council offers monthly events for the entire campus community to engage in. The Milton Student Leadership Council likely resembles the student government council most students experience in high school.
Positions
Read about the positions below. Milton Student Leadership Council will take place in September.
The Council Chair works closely with the Campus Experience Coordinator to engage first year students and build a sense of community. Alongside the Campus Experience Coordinator, the Council Chair facilitates weekly Milton Student Leadership Council meetings, develops meeting agendas, and manages expectations, and tasks throughout the year. The Council Chair will maintain perspective throughout the year to ensure the Milton Student Leadership Council is actively working towards meeting its goals. Additionally, the Council Chair will provide input and information on the student experience and advocate for student needs, connecting with the Wilfrid Laurier Students’ Union President and Off-Campus Initiatives team members as needed.
Positions available: 1
Weekly Time Commitment:
- Milton Student Leadership Council Meeting (1 hour – 1.5 hours)
- Meeting with Campus Experience Coordinator (1 hour)
Other Time Commitments:
- Council events as scheduled (3-4 per term)
- Check-ins with Students’ Union President (as requested)
- Check-ins with the Off-Campus Initiatives Team (as requested)
The Marketing and Communications Executive will focus on promoting council events to engage the campus community and encourage participation among peers. The Marketing and Communications Executive will utilize communication channels such as email, social media, and in-person promotion to inform students about upcoming events and opportunities. During council meetings, the Marketing and Communications Executive will lead brainstorming and logistical planning for all event promotions and take regular meeting minutes to recall council progress and tasks.
Positions available: 1
Weekly Time Commitment:
- Milton Student Leadership Council Meeting (1 hour – 1.5 hours)
Other Time Commitments:
- Council events as scheduled (3-4 per term)
The Events Executive works closely with the Campus Experience Coordinator and Council Chair to organize and plan event logistics, ensuring successful programming is provided by the council. The Events Executive uses created checklists and campus resources to ensure the Milton Student Leadership Council events are inclusive and catered to the Milton campus community. The Events Executive will create schedules and supporting documents to ensure council members are equipped with adequate resources and guidance to assist with event facilitation, including assigning roles to council members for each event. During meetings, the Events Executive will lead the brainstorming and logistical planning of council events and connect with the Marketing Executive to ensure all promotional information is accurate and effective.
Positions available: 1
Weekly Time Commitment:
- Milton Student Leadership Council Meeting (1 hour – 1.5 hours)
Other Time Commitments:
- Council events as scheduled (3-4 per term)
Psychology Student Representatives work with the council to create purposeful and engaging programming for first-year students. Students in this role contribute to the council through active support and participation in scheduled meetings and within the event planning and execution processes. Psychology Student Representatives will bring programming ideas forward that they believe would engage and support the psychology student experience and will connect with faculty to explore opportunities to host guest speakers, and workshops related to the discipline. Psychology Student Representatives will have the opportunity to enhance their skills in leadership, communication, organization, and more.
Positions available: 2-3
Weekly Time Commitment:
- Milton Student Leadership Council Meeting (1 hour – 1.5 hours)
Other Time Commitments:
- Council events as scheduled (3-4 per term)
Computer Science Student Representatives work with the council to create purposeful and engaging programming for first-year students. Students in this role contribute to the council through active support and participation in scheduled meetings and within the event planning and execution processes. Computer Science Student Representatives will bring programming ideas forward that they believe would engage and support the computer science student experience and will connect with faculty to explore opportunities to host guest speakers, and workshops related to the discipline. Computer Science Student Representatives will have the opportunity to enhance their skills in leadership, communication, organization, and more.
Positions available: 2-3
Weekly Time Commitment:
- Milton Student Leadership Council Meeting (1 hour – 1.5 hours)
Other Time Commitments:
- Council events as scheduled (3-4 per term)