It depends. Some DUGs work well enough with one, while others have decided to assign different roles and positions to theirs. More isn't necessarily better. As long as the roles are clear, a group of leaders can work well.

We require all DUG leaders to complete the DUG leader training each year because things do change. We periodically review our processes and work to improve them within the University’s rules and restrictions. The training provides guidelines for preparing the funding proposal, along with tips and tricks for engaging the student community; we recommend that DUG leaders complete the training before starting the funding proposal. Funding proposals will not be approved until all of a DUG’s leaders complete the DUG Leader Training.

Today@Brown distinguishes between announcements and events. For generic announcements (e.g., for a contest, an initiative, DUG news, soliciting email list signups, etc.), all you need to do is submit your information to Today@Brown, but to announce an event, your event must first be listed on Events@Brown (the University’s events calendar); your Today@Brown submission for an event may be rejected if the corresponding event cannot be found on Events@Brown.

You can submit your event to Events@Brown in three ways.

1. Submit your event information to your departmental staff and ask them to post it on your behalf. This is probably the easiest option; however, keep in mind that departmental staff are often busy, so ask them to do this as far in advance as possible, and avoid last-minute requests. Include the following information:
   • event title (unlike Today@Brown, there is no character limit)
   • event description (be sure to clearly state that the event is organized by the DUG; e.g., “Please join the French and Francophone Studies Departmental Undergraduate Group...”)
   • contact information (names and email addresses)
   • date and time (include the start and end times in the Eastern Time Zone)
   • physical location and/or Zoom link
   • optional: select up to five tags to help categorize the event (these are the “interest categories” that you see in the Today@Brown submission form)
2. Use the Student Activities Office’s event calendar submission process. This has changed over the years (BearSync, then BearLink, and most recently a Google Form submission process), so check with SAO if you have any questions or issues.
3. Submit it directly to Events@Brown using the general event submission form. Note that this may take longer than the other two options, as this is not the preferred process.

Reaching out to alumni is an excellent way to network and build community; it connects academic programs to career paths and other post-graduation opportunities. See the Center for Career Exploration staff or your faculty sponsor for a good place to start looking.

Of course! While each DUG’s activity and engagement vary, in most cases, being a DUG leader is a significant commitment that serves both one’s academic unit and the University more broadly.

Feel free to include these points as descriptions:

• Plan and organize informational and community-building events for concentrators/certificate members and non-concentrators/certificate members
• Serve as a peer advisor to concentrators/certificate members, prospective concentrators/certificate members, and other undergraduate students