During your first year on campus, Colgate University offers a unique leadership opportunity for incoming students to help shape the Residential Commons experience.
Join the Commons Council to develop leadership skills and make connections within the Colgate community. You'll work with faculty and staff to enhance experiential learning opportunities within the residence halls, build community within each Commons, and interact with peers to gather feedback for future programming.
Appointments to the Commons Council are made in consultation with the Commons leadership team. The 2026-27 application deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 6.
Commons Council Positions
The Commons Council is made up of 13 positions in honor of Colgate tradition: president, vice president, director of events, director of public relations, trustees (2 from each Commons), and a staff advisor. Additional student members may be accepted.
- Serves as the primary executive officer of the Commons Council.
- Facilitates biweekly Commons Council meetings where initiatives are discussed, concerns shared, and events planned under the direction of the staff adviser and with the support of Commons leadership.
- Sets the agenda for biweekly Commons Council meetings, in consultation with the advisor, vice president, director of events, and director of public relations, and disseminates at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
- Meets with the adviser and director of Residential Commons to discuss how well the Commons Council is aligning with the vision of the Commons.
- Conceives, plans, promotes, and delivers Commons events in conjunction with the Commons Leadership Teams. This includes promoting and attending Commons Council-related events.
- Works alongside the Residential Commons and residential life staff to plan and deliver Commons-wide programming. This includes a new large annual Commons event.
- Facilitates Commons participation in the Commons Cup, including two Commons’ namesake events.
- Produces a 1-2 page report at the end of the year including highlights and challenges of the group, as well as a self-reflection.
- Supports the initiatives of all other members of the Commons Council and Commons programs.
- Attends the biweekly Commons Council meeting and biweekly executive team meetings.
- Attends the monthly Commons Leadership meetings when able.
- Serves as the primary financial officer of the Commons Council.
- Assists the president in facilitating biweekly Commons meetings where initiatives are discussed, concerns shared, and events planned under the direction of the staff advisor and with the support of Commons leadership.
- Records attendance and minutes for biweekly Commons Council meetings.
- Meets with the staff advisor to discuss how well the Commons Council is aligning with the Commons' vision.
- Maintains internal files, records, and archives for the Commons Council.
- Conceives, plans, promotes, and delivers Commons events in conjunction with the Commons Leadership Teams. This includes promoting and attending Commons Council-related events.
- Works alongside the Residential Commons staff to plan and deliver Commons-wide programming.
- Facilitates student participation in the Commons Cup, including two Commons’ namesake events.
- Produces a 1-2 page report at the end of the year, including highlights and challenges of the group, as well as a self-reflection.
- Supports the initiatives of all other members of the Commons Council and all Commons programs.
- Attends the biweekly Commons Council meeting and biweekly executive team meetings.
- Consults and works closely with the advisor on opportunities to continue existing events or develop new ones to meet Commons' needs.
- Promotes existing service structures, clubs, organizations, and opportunities to first-year students of the Commons.
- Works alongside the Residential Commons and residential life staff to plan and deliver Commons-wide programming. This includes a new large annual Commons event.
- Facilitates Commons participation in the Commons Cup, including two Commons namesake events.
- Works alongside the Residential Commons staff to plan and deliver Commons-wide programming.
- Produces a 1-2 page report at the end of the year, including highlights and challenges of the group, as well as a self-reflection.
- Supports the initiatives of all other members of the Commons Council and Commons programs.
- Attends the biweekly Commons Council meeting and biweekly executive team meetings.
- Meets with the staff advisor to discuss how well the Commons Council is aligning with the vision of the Commons.
- Serves as the chief Commons Council publicist for all Commons-wide events.
- Makes use of social media, print media, email, and other forms of communication with residents to ensure that all members of the Commons are informed about Commons events throughout the year.
- Works with the Residential Fellows to coordinate advertisement of Commons events.
- Acts as a historian and collector of Commons photos/videos to share with the Residential Commons staff, and the undergraduate student body.
- Creates PR materials for programs designed by Commons Council members.
- Facilitates student participation in the Commons Cup, including two Commons’ namesake events.
- Works alongside the Residential Commons staff to plan and deliver Commons-wide programming.
- Produces a reflective project at the conclusion of the year, documenting the life of the Commons.
- Produces a 1-2 page report at the end of the year, including highlights and challenges of the group, as well as a self-reflection.
- Supports the initiatives of all other members of the Commons Council and Commons programs.
- Attends the biweekly Commons Council meeting and biweekly executive team meetings.
- Meets with the staff advisor to discuss how well the Commons Council is aligning with the vision of the Commons.
- Attends biweekly Commons Council meetings representing the interests of their Commons’ residents.
- Assists with all stages of event planning for Commons Council events and Commons’ namesake events.
- Supports the initiatives of all other council members.