(approved 2019; revised 2026)
As an Institutional Representative (IR), you are one of 18 senior leaders who set the priorities for Science Atlantic and support Science Atlantic members and activities.
Your role falls into three key areas:
Governance
As the senior Science Atlantic representative for your institution, you are responsible for diligently attending to matters related to the governance of Science Atlantic. This includes:
- Supporting Science Atlantic’s mission and activities
- Acting as the point of contact for the Memorandum of Understanding between your Institution and Science Atlantic
- Upholding the Membership Code of Conduct and Student Support Philosophy
- Participating in the Annual Members’ Meeting, including
- contributing to legal and financial decisions
- hosting every 10 to 15 years
- Participating in Strategic Planning
- Electing the Board of Directors
- Sharing Science Atlantic events and information across your campus and with potential partners and sponsors
Division Representative Support
Science Atlantic consists of 10 Divisions which organize student conferences, speaker tours, faculty workshops, and special projects. Each Division relevant to the programs offered at your institution is represented by a faculty member from your institution.
As IR, you are responsible for:
- Working with Science Atlantic to ensure that each relevant Division has a representative
- Hosting an annual Science Atlantic representatives meeting
- Educating Department Chairs about the benefits of Science Atlantic
- Ensuring Department Chairs support Science Atlantic representatives by:
- Recognizing and valuing their service contribution
- Accommodating the time commitment required for representative duties
- Providing departmental support when hosting a student conference
- If a faculty member is Chair of a Division, supporting them to attend the Annual Members Meeting
- When applicable, navigating Membership Code of Conduct issues
Conference Support
As outlined in the Member Institution Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Science Atlantic assists the Members in hosting nine annual student conferences.
When the conference is held at your school, you are responsible for:
- Educating departments and leaders of their responsibilities as outlined in the MOU
- Participating in the initial conference planning orientation meeting
- Supporting organizers in the planning process and navigating challenges
- Reviewing the monthly Conferences Scorecard for updates
- When possible, supporting financially (suggested contribution at least $2,000)
- Assisting when deficits arise based on costs not included in the approved conference budget
When your institution is not hosting a conference, you are responsible for:
- Financially supporting participant attendance