/ Student Life

Student Congress

Student Congress is a group of student leaders committed to making Hope College a better place, giving voice to the visions and concerns of the entire student body.

Group photo of the 2024 Student Congress members.Student Congress meets once a week to deliberate and initiate policy in any area of student concern, including academics, administrative relations and the quality of student life, while adhering to the mission of the college.

Each member also meets monthly with college boards and standing committees in order to provide a student voice in their operations. Some examples of these committees include the Academic Affairs Board, Religious Life Committee and Campus Life Board.

The Student Congress Executive Board includes the president, vice president, chief of staff, controller, chief of assessment, and chief of culture and inclusion. Their role is to oversee, facilitate and regulate the group’s functions.

Congress also includes at least two representatives from each of the sophomore, junior and senior classes for the full academic year, with freshman class representatives applying in the fall and joining officially in the spring. There is also at least one representative for each residence hall, as well as cottage, apartment and off-campus housing representatives. For these positions, students of any age, graduating class or residence are welcome to apply. Positions are usually one year long, but do occasionally open in the spring.

Any member of the public may sit in on Student Congress meetings, and the minutes from every meeting are posted to the Hope College minutes and agendas website within one week of the corresponding meeting.

If you are interested in being a part of Student Congress or would like to bring an issue to our attention, please reach out to congress@hope.edu.