Guidelines for Campus Representatives

Main Responsibilities:

  1. As a campus rep you are a liaison between students (CPA members and non-members) and the CPA, including the Student Section. Your primary responsibility is to promote the CPA and Section for Students initiatives, activities, deadlines and requests through effective communication (e.g., in person, through email, and bulletin board postings) with the students and staff in your department.
  2. In October and April you are required to complete a form detailing your activities. This form will be emailed to you about a month before it is due, If you do not complete the form you will no longer be a campus representative.
  3. Provide membership information and encourage students to join the CPA (especially new students to the program) - membership in the Section for Students is free with CPA membership.
  4. Promote the Certificates of Excellence at your institution and, if possible, will aid in the selection process of these awards in conjunction with the review committee in your department.
  5. At the end of your one year term you may choose remain in your position for another term or resign with the understanding that you will recruit a replacement. To find a replacement you may advertise the position within your department (e.g., newsletters, emails, posters) and have the interested student contact the campus representative coordinator directly. When you decide to end your position as representative, notify the Campus Representative Coordinator so that Section records can be updated.

Suggested Schedule of Duties

Throughout the year

  • Inform the students in your department of CPA events, opportunities, and initiatives on a regular basis (e.g., the awards that are available to students, the Annual CPA Convention deadlines and registration, available Section executive positions).
  • Forward news from the Section Executive to students in your department.
  • Write an article to appear in the CPA newsletter, Psynopsis. It should be no more than 600 words. You can also write a profile of your university for the Campus Corner section of Psynopsis. Contact the Chair Elect for more information or if you are interested in submitting an article.

Month by Month

MONTH RESPONSIBILITIES

SEPTEMBER
  • Obtain list of students in department (e-mail addresses). The department secretary or department head may be willing to forward your emails to students if this is not possible.
  • Send a message to students, faculty, and other CPA representatives introducing yourself and your role.
  • Post posters promoting CPA membership in visible areas.
  • Liaise with the faculty representative and other student representatives at your college/university. If any of these positions are vacant, work to help fill them.
  • Hold meeting on the benefits of joining CPA to students. The meeting could be in conjunction with other events, such as a psychology society meeting or orientation. Consider having the Faculty Representative or other CPA Faculty Member speak about the benefits.
  • If possible, join and attend your psychology student organization’s meetings. These organizations are great contacts when you are interested in contacting students, holding collaborative meetings.
  • Once the Call for Submissions for the Annual Conference is released, e-mail students to let them know of the types of presentations, deadline and guidelines for submitting an abstract, and the website for submission.
  • Consider symposia that you may want to hold or have as a suggestion for the Section to sponsor at the Annual Convention.

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER
  • At the beginning of the month, send a reminder to students of the CPA Convention abstract submission deadline.

DECEMBER
  • Send a quick e-mail to students letting them know of your availability (perhaps a holiday wish).

JANUARY
  • If possible, collect e-mail addresses of any new students in the department.
  • Send message to students regarding the new term and your availability.

FEBRUARY
  • Celebrate Psychology Month! Click here for a selection of resources.
  • E-mail CPA Convention information, such as early registration fees and the location of the CPA Convention. Also, the student section will provide information on the symposia we are presenting, which can be included in your e-mail.
  • If the Annual Convention is being held in your city, contact the Section Executive to help out with convention planning (e.g. offer advice regarding appropriate venues for the student social).

MARCH
  • Send an e-mail to students regarding early registration and accommodation booking for the Convention.
  • Find out if/when there is an undergraduate/graduate conference at your University; plan and arrange to attend with information for students about CPA (e.g., have a table set up).
  • Hold a short meeting regarding how to conduct a poster presentation.

APRIL
  • Complete and submit the CPA Student Representative Report Form by April 30th.
  • Do a quick e-mail survey of students asking for comments and questions regarding CPA, what they may like addressed. Forward this to the Section Executive or if attending the Convention, discuss in person at the Business Meeting or Campus Representative Reception.
  • Contact Department Chair regarding Certificates of Academic Excellence.

MAY
  • Remind students of the Annual Convention content, including key speakers, information on registration, the student social and student section sponsored events, information on the different sections of CPA.

JUNE
  • If you are attending the CPA Convention try to attend Section sponsored events including, the Student Section Business Meeting and Campus Representative Reception.

JULY
  • If you are graduating or planning to leave the position, find an appropriate replacement (REQUIRED).

AUGUST
  • Check the website to ensure that your contact information is correct.

Resources for Campus Representatives

Print this poster and display it in your department to attract new CPA student members. French version.

Conduct a presentation (powerpoint presentation and notes) to undergraduate students on Applying to Graduate School. French version (powerpoint presentation and notes).

Wondering how to recruit a replacement, how students can get involved in the CPA, or how to communicate with students in your department? Refer to the frequently asked questions section of your campus representative package.