Mission

The School of Theology and Religious Studies Students' Association (STRSSA) is the official student organization of The School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. Membership in STRSSA is automatic with a student's enrollment in the School. STRSSA activities are directed by an annually elected board, composed of officers and representatives from each academic program area.

The prime function of STRSSA is student representation. Representatives from each academic area, the Graduate Students Association and the Washington Theological Consortium address the concerns and ideas of their fellow peers at STRSSA board meetings. Various committee chairs dedicate their time and talents to STRSSA, while select STRSSA board members attend School faculty meetings, acting as non-voting liaisons between students and faculty, giving student reports, advice, suggestions and perspectives.

STRSSA also provides opportunities for common prayer, an annual speaker series, socials, and centralized information of interest to theology students. STRSSA is committed to the quality of the academic programs in the School of Theology and Religious Studies, to the search for truth within the graduate theological disciplines, and to nurturing the spiritual, social, and intellectual lives of its members. In all of its endeavors, STRSSA strives to manifest the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity, and collegiality as it serves The School of Theology and Religious Studies and the University as a whole.

Organization

I. Executive Board (Elected Positions; Voting Members)

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Committee Liaison

II. Area Representatives (Elected Positions; Voting Members)

  • Biblical Studies
  • Catechetics
  • Church History
  • Historical/Systematics
  • Liturgical/Sacramental
  • Moral Theology/Ethics
  • Patsoral Studies & Seminarians (2)
  • Religion and Culture
  • Spirituality

III. Washington Theological Consortium Representative (Appointed Position; Non-Voting Member)

IV. Graduate Student Association Senators (ex officio / Appointed Positions; Non-Voting Members of STRSSA; Voting Members of GSA)

  • TRS-GSA Senator A - STRSSA Vice President (ex officio)
  • TRS-GSA Senator B - STRSSA Treasurer (ex officio)
  • TRS-GSA Senator C
  • TRS-GSA Senator D

V. Representative to STRS Faculty (STRSSA President ex officio)

VI. Committees (ex officio / Appointed Positions)

  • STRSSA Speakers Series Committee
    • Chair - STRSSA Vice President (ex officio)
    • Member - STRSSA President (ex officio)
    • Members*
      • When Academic Year begins in odd year (e.g. 2015-2016): Biblical Studies Rep, Church History Rep, Moral Theology / Ethics Rep, and Religion & Culture Rep
      • When Academic Year begins in even year (e.g. 2016-2017): Historical & Systematics Rep, Liturgical/Sacramental Rep, Pastoral Studies & Seminarians Rep(s), Catechetics Rep
  • STRS Prayer Event Committee
    • Chair - STRSSA Seminarian Representative (ex officio)
    • Member - STRSSA President (ex officio)
    • Member
  • Elections Committee
    • Chair
    • Member - STRSSA President (ex officio)
    • Member
  • Student & Faculty Awards Committee
    • Chair
    • Member - STRSSA President (ex officio)
    • Member