The Committee on Student Issues and Concerns (COSIAC) of the LSA is soliciting nominations for the Student Representative position to the Executive Committee (EC), including self-nominations. 

We ask nominators to provide a brief statement (ca. 150-200 words) that explains why the student nominee is an appropriate candidate. Relevant factors include contributions to the discipline, evidence of commitment to the LSA based on past service to the Society, leadership skills, and a record of effective and active community service, among others. Members of under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to self-nominate. Nominees should be graduate students at the time of nomination and should remain students for at least 18 months of their term.

Student members of the Executive Committee serve a term of two years. The Committee meets at least three times a year: once in May, once in January, immediately prior to the annual LSA meeting, and once in September. Except for the January meeting, meetings are held virtually. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory. Student members of the EC receive full reimbursement for travel, accommodations, and per diems.

The Executive Committee serves as the governing Board of the LSA. As such, it provides oversight and governance for the LSA's operations as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. A major responsibility of the EC is to ensure effective implementation of the LSA's Strategic Plan.

Issues that the Executive Committee is expected to face in the coming years include:

  • Ensuring that the LSA remains relevant to the widest possible range of linguists by offering a diverse array of programs, services and activities that meet their needs as scholars and professionals at all stages of their careers;
  • Advocating for the value of linguistics scholarship to elected officials and policy makers, within the broader context of the liberal arts and sciences in the U.S. and internationally, particularly in light of the impact of the pandemic on funding and resources in the higher education sector;
  • Enhancing the effectiveness of the LSA in meeting the needs of the membership, increasing member participation in the Society, and attracting new members, particularly student members, international members, and minority members;
  • Addressing issues of professional conduct, bias, power dynamics, and harassment within the LSA and its associated events and publications;
  • Harnessing technologies in new ways to serve the linguistics community;
  • Identifying strategies for increasing revenue and decreasing expenses;
  • Increasing the visibility of linguistics to our academic colleagues outside the discipline, to the news media, and to the general public.

Prospective nominators and nominees should also consult the more detailed description of the Executive Committee and the LSA Constitution and Bylaws.

Please send your nominations and supporting statement to the Chair of COSIAC, Marie Bissell, no later than May 30, 2023. We particularly welcome nominations of individuals from groups that have been historically underrepresented in LSA governance. After receiving your nominations, COSIAC will determine a ballot consisting of two nominees for the seat of Student Representative on the Executive Committee (EC).