The Upper School student government, Forum, is made up of the President and Vice-President of the School, the day and residential presidents of each class, and a Forum representative elected from each class. All students are encouraged to attend Forum meetings, but only the elected leaders may vote on issues. The Dean of Students and Head of the Upper School also attend Forum meetings, which are held regularly.

Student Leaders Job Descriptions

President and Vice-President of the School

• The President of the School is the chief representative of Upper School students and students in all divisions. The president heads Forum, the student government. The president is expected to cultivate a strong working relationship with administrators and faculty and to have a strong relationship with students, including both boarding and day students.
• As the head of Forum, the President of the School is expected to hold meetings at least once a month, or more often if necessary, and to make sure that Forum members are notified in advance to guarantee active participation from all representatives during the meeting.
• The President of the School also is responsible for managing the business of Forum, including:
  1. identifying issues of concern to students and developing agenda items for consideration by Forum;
  2. writing up proposals and or taking other appropriate action regarding ideas of interest to Forum;
  3. presenting proposals submitted by other groups and students to Forum;
  4. managing Forum decision making through collecting information, facilitating discussion, and determining consensus or calling for votes;
  5. presenting proposals supported by Forum to the administration and/or faculty and working as necessary to address administration and faculty questions and concerns;
  6. delegating responsibility as necessary and appropriate to Forum members;
  7. coordinating the process for appointing or selecting Forum members and students-at-large to membership in School committees, including the Academic Council;
  8. coordinating at least one Town Hall meeting per semester; identifying issues of concern to students and developing agenda items for consideration by Forum;
  9. reporting back to students about the business of Forum.
• The President of the School represents students to the administration. The President, along with the Vice President, serves on the School Life Committee of the Board of Trustees, which addresses academic and non-academic issues related to the in-school experience of students in all divisions. The committee meets four times a year.
• The President is expected to give speeches at several events throughout the year including Convocation, Parents’ Weekend and Commencement.
• The President, along with the Vice President and the Class Presidents, serves on the Honor Board, which meets to address conduct violations and which makes recommendations to the Head of School for sanctions.

The President of the School, if she is a day student, must reside on campus for at least the first semester. If the President is a day student who participates in the three-week residential Junior Leadership Program in late May/early June, she is required to reside on campus for the first quarter.

Day/Boarding Presidents of Each Class

• Work with the class advisors to establish an agenda for weekly class meetings and to lead those meetings.
• Plan events traditionally held by individual classes
• Represent their classmates to the rest of the student body at regular Forum meetings.
• Represent the needs of their peers to the administration and to respond to those needs as appropriate. A class president may need to address issues of student life, policies and procedures, and programming needs, communicating effectively with the administration to effect change in the Garrison Forest community.
• Serve on the Honor Board
• Set the tone for the class and the year ahead.

Secretary of Forum

• Is present at every Forum meeting
• Records those present
• Takes accurate minutes
• Post minutes in NEWS and on the Forum bulletin board

Forum Representatives

• Attend all Forum meetings
• Raise student concerns
• Report to their class on issues of interest to the class

Light Blue and Dark Blue Captains

• Initiate and implements spirit activities for Upper School Light Blue and Dark Blue spirit teams
  
• Encourage school spirit
• Keep records of merits earned by team members
• Work closely with faculty advisor

Athletic Association President

• Develops agenda for Athletic Association meetings
• Plans various activities throughout the year
• Works closely with the Chair of the Physical Education department

Activities Committee Heads

• Work closely with the Director of Activities
• Bring suggestions for activities to the Director of Activities
• Encourage student participation in the Activities program

Fall Fest Heads

• Elected at the end of Sophomore year, work closely with the Junior class advisors to begin planning for Fall Fest in October of the Junior year
• Coordinate with student committee chairs
• Act as liaison between students, faculty advisors and administrators
• Motivate and manage student committees

Residential Life Leaders

• Provide daily leadership within the boarding community
• Serve as a liaison between and among boarders, residential life faculty, day students, day faculty, the School's administration and staff
• Assume primary responsibility for creating a strong residential life community, including and involving day students
• Contribute to a sense of community spirit by organizing residence hall activities
• Assist with residence hall management
• Assist with educating students about rules and procedures
• Assist in enforcing rules and procedures