Committees and Participation

All graduate students in the department are automatically members of the Andrews Society, named after Yale historian Charles McLean Andrews (1863-1943). The Andrews Society brings speakers to Yale, organizes professional development and social events, and serves as a voice for students within the department on administrative matters and on the department Diversity Committee. Other activities have included: a first-year shopping period information panel; the Admitted Students’ Visit walking tour and reception; and panels on best practices in teaching history. The Andrews Society also co-administers a reading room in the library (the Andrews Study, room 214/215). Andrews Society co-presidents are selected in the spring semester for the following academic year. There are no dues or other membership obligations; funding comes from the department and from the proceeds of the annual book sale. Due to the move to McClellan Hall there will be no book sale for the 2018-20 academic years.

 

For the 2024-25 academic year, the Andrews Society co-presidents are Gabriel Mesa, Tianna Mobley, and Marlaina Yost.

The History Department’s Diversity Committee seeks to promote an inclusive and equitable history department, with a particular focus on the graduate student and faculty community. The Diversity Committee has a goal of fostering student and faculty learning about diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia as a means to educate our members and create a more welcoming department. The Committee promotes this learning through a variety of kinds of discussions and speakers. Past speakers, including Nell Painter, Vicki Ruiz, and Margot Canaday, were invited to reflect on their experiences in academia to contribute to our discussions. The Diversity Committee also convenes events that seek to provide support to different groups of students and faculty, including an LGBTQ happy hour, a meeting of low income and “First-Gen” graduate students, a parents and family meeting, and other groups.

 

The Departmental Diversity Committee presently consists of graduate student representatives and at least three faculty members (including the Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Director of Graduate Studies, and one additional faculty member). The Committee is chaired by the Associate Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Student representation consists of the co-presidents of the Andrews Society and between 3-5 additional students who self-nominate and are selected by the outgoing student committee members in the late spring semester. Additional first-year students are typically added during the fall semester.