All graduate students at King’s are members of the King’s College Graduate Society! The Committee is elected annually by Society members, and we help to build and represent the community. KCGS Committee meetings are held once a fortnight and are open to everyone. Once a term we have a “General Meeting” where matters of importance to the whole graduate community are discussed, and all graduates are able to vote.
To buy tickets to Grad Formals and Formal Swaps, use the Graduate Ticket Store. For mixed formals with Undergrads and most Superformals, use the Undergraduate Ticket Store. For more information on how to buy tickets through the store's system, check out this Video Tutorial.
President's Role
The President is responsible for ensuring that the concerns of King’s graduates are raised at a College level and are addressed appropriately, as the president, along with the Joint Rep, are the two graduate representatives on College Council and King's Governing Body.
The President also represents the Graduate Community much more broadly by sitting on several ad hoc Working Groups, and being involved in close consultation with senior College Officers and personnel on a wide range of issues. At several stages throughout the year, it is also President's responsibility to help publicise and document the achievements and campaigns of the KCGS Committee through information packs sent to alumni and prospective students.
The Secretary draws up the agendas for meetings of the KCGS Executive Committee and for General Meetings, in which all grads can come together to discuss the issues affecting the graduate community. The Secretary takes minutes of these meetings, helps moderate the society’s mailing lists and manages KCGS’s magazine subscriptions.
The secretary serves as a central coordinating point for the committee’s activities, helping to facilitate its smooth running. If you have a question but don't know which officer to ask, the secretary can help get you in contact with the right people!
The KCGS Treasurer manages the finances and accounts of the society. KCGS is funded by College every year according to membership numbers. As a Junior Treasurer, they are responsible for drafting the KCGS Budget and reimbursing members for expenses incurred on behalf of the society. The largest portion of money goes towards organising social events, followed by welfare spending (for example providing supplies in the graduate suite).
In addition, the Treasurer represents graduate interests at the College’s Finance Committee, which reviews and determines spending for all College departments. All of these duties are overseen by the Senior Treasurer, a fellow appointed by the College Council to advise KCGS and KCSU on finances.
The role of Joint Rep involves two different positions. The first is within college, where the Joint Rep represents all graduate students as the Junior Member of Council and Governing Body, the independent voting member on the College Council (an elected body charged with running the day to day affairs of college) and Governing Body (a congregation of all King's fellows that decides on important college issues.
Outside of college, the Joint Rep is tasked with managing the MCR's interactions with the rest of the university, which involves representing King's at CUSU and Graduate Union meetings and working with other MCRs on university-wide initiatives. If you have any problems or initiatives you would like to bring up within college or at the broader university level, please do not hesitate to reach out.
The role of Chair is to impartially preside over KCGS meetings. This basically means the Chair ensures everyone gets a chance to put their point across, and stop the meeting dwelling too long on one topic. They also decide when the Committee should take a vote. The aim is to clarify complex matters, steer the discussion, and bring balance to any debate.
The Chair seeks to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to express their ideas, thoughts, and opinions. You are encouraged to come along to KCGS meetings and get involved in graduate affairs, especially at the termly General Meeting in which all members of the Society are allowed to vote. The Chair also oversees the elections and appointments of graduates onto the graduate Committee, and makes sure KCGS functions in line with its constitution and standing orders.
The Social Secretaries are responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of official social events for graduate students at Kings College, Cambridge. The Social Secretaries plan events ranging from those as simple as afternoon tea and game nights to Superformals in Hall. They work with college officers such as the Vice Provost, Senior Tutor, Bursarial Tutor, Lay Dean and Executive Chef to coordinate all aspects of social events, from entertainment and uniquely chosen menus, to the provision of alcohol or other special privileges on College grounds.
Amongst the many graduate social events, the Social Secretaries are responsible for facilitating Formal swaps with other colleges. Other social events include: Fresher's Week (welcoming all new Graduates in the fall), pub crawls in coordination with other colleges, High Table dinners, and a variety of themed events (such as seasonal celebrations). They welcome input and ideas for events you would like to see.
While the current climate might not always allow us to meet in person, we look forward to getting to know many of you during the year. If you have any suggestions for events you would like to see in the future feel free to drop us an email!
The Social Secretaries are responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of official social events for graduate students at Kings College, Cambridge. The Social Secretaries plan events ranging from those as simple as afternoon tea and game nights to Superformals in Hall. They work with college officers such as the Vice Provost, Senior Tutor, Bursarial Tutor, Lay Dean and Executive Chef to coordinate all aspects of social events, from entertainment and uniquely chosen menus, to the provision of alcohol or other special privileges on College grounds.
Amongst the many graduate social events, the Social Secretaries are responsible for facilitating Formal swaps with other colleges. Other social events include: Fresher's Week (welcoming all new Graduates in the fall), pub crawls in coordination with other colleges, High Table dinners, and a variety of themed events (such as seasonal celebrations). They welcome input and ideas for events you would like to see.
While the current climate might not always allow us to meet in person, we look forward to getting to know many of you during the year. If you have any suggestions for events you would like to see in the future feel free to drop us an email!
The Social Secretaries are responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of official social events for graduate students at Kings College, Cambridge. The Social Secretaries plan events ranging from those as simple as afternoon tea and game nights to Superformals in Hall. They work with college officers such as the Vice Provost, Senior Tutor, Bursarial Tutor, Lay Dean and Executive Chef to coordinate all aspects of social events, from entertainment and uniquely chosen menus, to the provision of alcohol or other special privileges on College grounds.
Amongst the many graduate social events, the Social Secretaries are responsible for facilitating Formal swaps with other colleges. Other social events include: Fresher's Week (welcoming all new Graduates in the fall), pub crawls in coordination with other colleges, High Table dinners, and a variety of themed events (such as seasonal celebrations). They welcome input and ideas for events you would like to see.
While the current climate might not always allow us to meet in person, we look forward to getting to know many of you during the year. If you have any suggestions for events you would like to see in the future feel free to drop us an email!
The Social Secretaries are responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of official social events for graduate students at Kings College, Cambridge. The Social Secretaries plan events ranging from those as simple as afternoon tea and game nights to Superformals in Hall. They work with college officers such as the Vice Provost, Senior Tutor, Bursarial Tutor, Lay Dean and Executive Chef to coordinate all aspects of social events, from entertainment and uniquely chosen menus, to the provision of alcohol or other special privileges on College grounds.
Amongst the many graduate social events, the Social Secretaries are responsible for facilitating Formal swaps with other colleges. Other social events include: Fresher's Week (welcoming all new Graduates in the fall), pub crawls in coordination with other colleges, High Table dinners, and a variety of themed events (such as seasonal celebrations). They welcome input and ideas for events you would like to see.
While the current climate might not always allow us to meet in person, we look forward to getting to know many of you during the year. If you have any suggestions for events you would like to see in the future feel free to drop us an email!
The Welfare Officer is here to offer impartial support and information on what to do next if you encounter any difficulties during your time at King’s. These may be related to accommodation problems, safety concerns, stress or depression, work worries, student parenting, sexual health matters, drug and alcohol addiction, or harassment and discrimination.
If you need any advice, support, or representation within college on welfare-related issues, or just a friendly ear then feel free to drop the officer an email.
The Academic Officer is there to help and support all members of the Graduate Society with any questions or problems regarding academic matters. They provide material about conferences, funding, and research opportunities and are responsible for organising events related to academic issues, such as evenings with the Junior Research Fellows (JRFs), the Research Exchange Evening series and occasional talks.
The academic officer also runs regular writing groups where grads work silently together, and take breaks every hour or so to discuss their research and share resources and suggestions. This can be a very useful resource when the writing stretch seems endless and isolating! If you have any academic related questions, opportunities to share, or academic event suggestions, do reach out!
The International Officer is responsible for creating a welcoming community for all graduate students at King’s regardless of one’s nationality and making sure that international students are represented at a college level. The international officer endeavours to promote diversity, understanding, and exchange of experiences, ideas, and values without prejudice through cultural events! So if you have a tradition, food, film, or holiday you'd like to share with the community, do reach out!
More practically, the international officer works to support new students in settling down here in Cambridge. The international officer strives to make Cambridge terminology and British information accessible to global audiences. If you have any questions, comments, or just fancy a chat, please get in touch!
The Domus Officer is responsible for graduate accommodation matters and acts as an intermediary between the student body and college. They attend the Buildings and Safety Committee meetings, which give valuable insight into the college’s building projects and allow them to voice the student opinion. The officer also sits on the Adornment Committee and Security Working Group to discuss decoration of the college and improve college security.
Importantly, they meet and keep in regular contact with the Domus Bursar, Accommodation Officer and Assistant Tutor as there are currently several projects concerning graduate accommodation. Please do not hesitate to contact the officer at any time if you have accommodation-related queries or any matters that you would like them to discuss with college – they're always happy to help!
The LGBTQ+ Officer has a dual role of providing welfare support for our community here at King's, as well as organising fun LGBTQ+ activities which provide a safe space for people to express themselves! Additionally, the LGBTQ+ Officer provides representation for the communnity at a college level, and works to promote and support equality initiatives with the Equality Officer, Women's and Non-binary Officer, and Welfare Officer.
Importantly, the LGBTQ+ Officer hosts a variety LGBTQ+ events, some that are restricted to LGBTQ+ members, but often allies are encouraged to come along too! In the past these events have included LGBTea, Queer Poetry Sessions, Artist Expression Sessions, plus Mega Mixers and Formals with other colleges! The LGBTQ+ Officer is also a great point of contact if you are curious, questioning, or struggling with your identity. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to talk! We would love to hear from you!
The Women’s and Non-Binary Officer supports women and non-binary graduates at King’s and works to promote gender equality. They also work to raise awareness of and improve college’s response to gender-based violence through a more survivor-focused model and approach. The Women's and Non-binary officer works closely with the Equality Officer, LGBTQ+ Officer, and Welfare Officer, to support the larger graduate community.
They also organise events throughout the year, including the annual Women’s Dinner and fresher’s week consent workshops with the KCSU Women’s and Non-Binary Officer. Finally, they keep King’s graduates up to date with university and local events pertaining to issues around gender and feminism, like promoting events and meetings run by the King’s Feminist Society. If you have any questions or just want to chat, please get in touch!
The Equality Officer campaigns on and promotes issues concerning equality in College and represents the interests of the graduate community in matters of diversity, representation, and accessibility. They support the graduate student body from diverse backgrounds and aim to make sure that all students in King's are treated with respect and have equal opportunities regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status.
Primarily, the Equality Officer strives to represent King's grads in discussions about access and widening participation for disadvantaged and marginalized students. At a college level, they work to support and advocate intersectionally for all students, especially those of colour and with disabilities, striving to guarentee that King's keeps accessibility, diversity, and anti-racism as priotities.
The Environmental Officer is in charge of everything green. They advocate for environmentalism at a college level and strive to make sustainability a priority of the College. They also organise green campaigns and provide informatoin about KCGS's green initiatives.
So you have any questions concerning recycling, sustainability in college, the veggie/vegan options in hall, the biodiversity of the King’s Garden the officer is always there to help and try to make your voice heard be it in the Sustainability, Catering or Garden Committee.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and have fun!
The role of Sports and Societies Officer is to ensure you can get involved in sports or other activities at King’s with as little effort and expense as possible. The officer is your point of contact if you have any questions about the sports and societies opportunities and facilities at the college, the university, or the wider city.
The officer also represents the graduate community on the Societies Funding Committee which allocates money to college sports and societies at the start of each year. Please get in touch if you want to organise any related events or to recommend new initiatives.
The responsibilities of the Computing Officer are maintaining and administering KCGS systems (site, store, and email lists), and finding more efficient ways to run KCGS processes. If you experience problems with systems that are run by college and not under the control of the committee they can point you to the right person.
The computing officer also sits on the computing committee and helps advocate for grad students in relation to tech related issues. They are also happy to help with any computing-related queries when possible.
Please consider joining our committee when elections come around! All the positions on the Committee are up for election at the end of each Michaelmas with time in office beginning 1st January and ending either on 31st Dec or when the Candidate's course finishes, whichever is sooner. Masters students are welcome and no prior experience is neccessary!
Do you know someone who you think would be good addition the KCGS Committee? You can anonymously "recommend" grads for positions, simply by emailing their name to the exec email along with the position you recommend them for. That person will then be informed that they have been recommended for a position, but they will not be informed of the identity of their recommender. They will also not be forced to run upon nomination. Sometimes, this little bit of encouragement can really inspire people to make positive change!
After nominations, an event called Hustings takes place, where canditates come together, usually in the grad suite, and explain why you should vote for them! They explain their manifestos, provide their planned initiatives, and answer any questions you might have.
