SCL's Undergraduate Student Leadership Council, 2025-2026
The following is the position description for the SCL's Undergraduate Student Leadership Council role. This includes designated responsibilities, required time commitments, role qualifications, and a link to the application process.
Employer Information:
Name: Student & Campus Life
Address: 311 Day Hall
City: Ithaca, State: NY, Postal Code:14853
Employer Contact Information:
Contact Name: Marla Love
Contact Title: Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students
Email: dean_of_students@cornell.edu
Position Specifics
- Term: Academic
- Work Site: Cornell Campus
- Title: Student & Campus Life's (SCL's) Undergraduate Student Leadership Council Member
- Position Classification: Student Services/Community Assistant II (Level II)
- Position Code: 10889
- Employer Type: Student Hourly
- Supervisor: Ryan Lombardi, Vice President for Student & Campus Life (VPSCL), and Marla Love, Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students (DOS)
Position Description: The SCL Undergraduate Student Leadership Council provides advice and solutions on pressing student issues and concerns to the Vice President for Student and Campus Life. This includes opportunities to provide feedback on priorities, projects, and policies impacting the student experience at Cornell University. In addition, the Council strives to enhance the relationship between students and the administration, provides a communication channel for sharing campus and SCL updates, and equips students with the knowledge, support, and resources to become successful leaders at Cornell.
The Council will meet monthly during the academic year with Ryan Lombardi, VPSCL, Marla Love, DOS, and other SCL administrators who serve on the Council. Also, responsibilities may include participating in SCL workgroups focused on student issues and providing SCL updates at affiliated student organizational meetings.
This paid opportunity for student Council members requires a minimum of six (6) hours a month, paid at $15.25 per hour, for a maximum of $825 yearly for the role. Students must be on campus for the full academic year. Payment is only guaranteed for hours worked. In addition, dinner will be provided at each monthly in-person meeting. This opportunity is available for undergraduate students.
Specific Responsibilities: The following are specific responsibilities for this role:
- Complete all hiring processes for the role.
- Serve as a Council member from Friday, August 15, 2025 – Friday, May 15, 2026.
- Attend a fall retreat scheduled for Friday, August 22, 2025, from 1 pm – 5 pm.
- Participate in Council meetings from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm on the following dates:
- September 2, 2025 – In person
- September 16, 2025 – Zoom
- September 30, 2025 – In person
- October 14, 2025 – Zoom
- November 4, 2025 – In person
- November 18, 2025 – Zoom
- December 2, 2025 – In person
- February 3, 2026 – In person
- February 24, 2026 – Zoom
- March 3, 2026 – In person
- March 24, 2026 – Zoom
- April 7, 2026 – In person
- April 21, 2026 – Zoom
- May 5, 2026 – In person
- Attend 80% of Council meetings and other engagement opportunities.
- Registered for courses on the Ithaca campus for the academic year.
- Actively engage in Council meetings by preparing for topics beforehand and sharing constructive feedback during discussions.
- Share current student issues and provide feedback on improving the student experience.
- Provide SCL updates at affiliated student organization meetings.
- Participate in workgroups focused on enhancing the student experience (as needed). *
- Engage in leadership development opportunities offered by the Council. *
- Respond to requests for scheduling events and other opportunities.
*These opportunities will be scheduled throughout the semester, considering students' current time commitments. More information will be shared at the beginning of each semester.
This position is renewable for a maximum of two years, at the VP and DOS's discretion, and may terminate at any time for failure to comply with the requirements above. A Council member may terminate their agreement at any time, provided they do so in writing to the DOS.
Required Qualifications/Skills/Experience: Applicants for the Undergraduate Student Leadership Council role must meet the following requirements:
- Enrolled Cornell student (Ithaca campus) who has sophomore or junior status for the AY 2025/2026
- A basic understanding of SCL at Cornell University
- Desire and ability to invest in advancing SCL's mission and priorities to inspire transformation
- Understanding of current issues impacting Cornell students
- Previous leadership experience
- Ability to navigate complex topics while representing a diverse student body
- Strong interpersonal, communication, reasoning, and organizational skills
- Ability to attend the fall retreat and monthly meetings
Work Schedule: Must be available for the fall retreat and monthly meeting times listed above.
Weekly Hours: Six (6) hours per month. (This includes attending monthly 3-hour Council meetings, preparing for meetings, sharing SCL updates at affiliated student organization meetings, gathering feedback from peers, and serving on SCL workgroups focused on student issues as needed.)
FWS Required: No – this is not a work-study position
Number of Positions: 21 total (including returning and new staff)
How to Apply: Application opens soon
Timeline:
Returning USCL Process Timeline:
- Application Open: Monday, March 17 (open 3 weeks)
- Application Deadline: Monday, April 7, 11:59 pm EST
- Interview Notification to Students: Wednesday, April 16 – Friday, April 18
- Interview Week (Zoom): Wednesday, April 23 – Friday, April 25
- Hiring Notification to Students Accepted for Position: Monday, May 12 – Wednesday, May 14
New USCL Process Timeline:
- Launch Communications: Monday, March 25, 2024
- Application Open: Monday, March 25, 2024 (open 2 weeks)
- Application Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2024, 11:59 pm EST
- Application Review: Monday, April 8 – Wednesday, April 17, 2024
- Interview Notification: Wednesday, April 17 – Friday, April 19, 2024
- Interview Dates: Monday, April 29 – Friday, May 3, 2024 (Zoom)
- Hiring Notification Dates: Friday, May 10 – Monday, May 13, 2024
- Acceptance Deadline: Friday, May 17, 2024, 5:00 pm EST
Paid: Yes
Wage: $15.25/hour
Employment Start Date: 8/15/2025
Employment End Date: 5/15/2026
