Master of Ceremonies

Victor Arul (at right) is a music PhD student and the Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Council (GSC) vice president. He talks about his passion for events, managing his time as a student and executive on the GSC, and the personal satisfaction he’s gotten from his work with the council during his time at Harvard.

Making Sure the Community Is Heard

I began serving on the GSC last year as the chair of events. I had been involved in organizing the student leadership banquet and had a lot of fun. I was interested in leading a team and coordinating other events.

Once I transitioned from volunteer to chair of events, I found that I had a penchant for administrative duties and started looking for ways that I could contribute beyond the scope of my role. The vice presidency appealed to me because it involves a lot of organizing and coordinating and making sure things run smoothly on a greater scale. 

While the presidency is more concerned with the external stakes of the GSC, the vice presidency is mostly about the internal stakes—running the executive team and managing logistics as well as supporting the president. I organize and schedule meetings, including the GSC open meetings. Those are a critical part of the GSC’s work because they’re an opportunity for all the department representatives to get together in one room and talk about issues that matter to the graduate student community. 

On the executive side of my role, we have meetings with Harvard Griffin GSAS Dean Emma Dench to discuss what comes up in open meetings, bring these issues to her attention, and make sure the community is heard.

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Victor Arul stands on stage at Sanders Theatre during Harvard Griffin GSAS Welcomes Week.

A Way to Recharge

I am a PhD student studying composition in what I would call experimental classical and chamber music. Philosophy is a very strong undercurrent to my work because I am always thinking about the process of composition and what it means to compose. I try to push myself and the boundaries of my music, working with ensembles to produce my compositions.

As I have become more involved in the GSC during my time at Harvard, I have started to enjoy the way that I can bounce between my academics and my work on the council. With all the time I spend on my research, the chance to shift focus to the GSC is refreshing; it’s a moment to recharge. 

Everyone on the council has been supportive. We are all students who have to balance academics and research with our roles on the council. There has also been so much support from faculty and staff. Even the music department has been supportive of me doing things that aren’t necessarily aligned with my PhD. 

Choose Your Own (GSC) Adventure

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Victor Arul

While my work is mainly administrative and logistical, there are many other important roles on the GSC as well. Department representatives go to open meetings and vote on important issues. Executive team members do more legwork. Other chairs focus on advocacy. Committee members discuss, plan, and organize—including those on my old favorite, the events committee. Everyone’s contribution to the GSC matters, and people can choose their level of involvement. 

I have found this work so fulfilling. Last year, as chair of events, I helped organize the Everett I. Mendelsohn Excellence in Mentoring Awards. The night was spent honoring faculty nominated for their outstanding mentorship and advising. It was amazing to see students talk about their mentors and how they helped them through challenging times, pushing them to reach their academic goals. Afterward, some of the faculty came up to me and others on the GSC and told us how thankful they were to us for running the event. That was deeply gratifying.