Student Organizations and Committees

Student Government

Student Association of Yale School of Public Health (SAYPH)

SAYPH is organized by YSPH students for YSPH students. SAYPH works to enhance the educational experience of each student at the School by sponsoring educational and social activities, providing a forum for students’ ideas and concerns, and acting as a liaison with the administration. Through SAYPH students get involved in many areas, including:

  • New student orientation
  • Lecture series, films, colloquia, and other programs of interest to the public health community
  • Recruitment of new students to YSPH
  • Community service
  • Social events
  • Commencement activities
  • Distribution of funds to YSPH-affiliated student organizations
  • Distribution of funds to M.P.H. students to support conference attendance, case competitions, and professional development opportunities

SAYPH is headed by an Executive Committee consisting of a president, vice president, treasurer, social committee chair, professional development committee chair, community engagement chair, communications chair, and alumni engagement chair. There are at least two departmental representatives acting as liaisons between students and the faculty and administration.

Graduate and Professional Student Senate

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is composed of student-elected representatives from each of the thirteen graduate and professional schools at Yale. Any student enrolled in these schools is eligible to run for a senate seat during fall elections. As a governing body, the GPSS advocates for student concerns and advancement within Yale, represents all graduate and professional students to the outside world, and facilitates interaction and collaboration among the schools through social gatherings, academic or professional events, and community service. GPSS meetings occur on alternating Thursdays and are open to the entire graduate and professional school community, as well as representatives from the Yale administration. GPSS also oversees the management of the Gryphon, a graduate and professional student center, located at 204 York Street. The center provides office and event space for GPSS and other student organization activities, funds student groups, and houses Gryphon’s Pub, open nightly. For more information, please visit https://gpsenate.yale.edu.

Special Interest Groups

Students in the School of Public Health participate in a diverse range of special interest groups, from Yale chapters of professional associations to student-run clinics and other public service organizations. For additional information, see Student Activities at https://ysph.yale.edu/myysph/students.