Student Senate

 The Legislative Branch of government is granted its authority by means of the Student Government Constitution.

The Student Body Vice President presides over meetings of the Student Senate and is often referred to as the President of the Senate. The Vice President assigns committee chairmanships with approval from the full Senate. The committees are as follows: Academics, Athletics, Environmental Affairs, Finance, Judiciary, Minority Affairs, Powers and Responsibilities, Rules, Safety & Transportation, and Student Services. 

The Senate has the opportunity to pass legislation in all non-academic fields. Legislation addresses issues ranging from the dispersal of funding to university administrative policy. The legislation must first be filed with the Senate Clerk who presents the document to the Rules Committee (made up of the committee chairs) which then votes on the question of whether the legislation should be sent to the floor of the full Senate. Almost always, this is done. If the Senate votes to pass the legislation (presuming it is a bill, not a resolution), it is sent to the desks of the Student Body President and the University President. The Student Body President’s signature may be overturned by a two-thirds vote of the Senate, but the University President’s veto is binding.

The Senate is comprised of 50 Senators and 10 committees. Student Senators take office upon inauguration in March. The first Senate meeting occurs within one or two weeks. Vacancies left by retiring senators are filled through the processes regulated by the Powers & Responsibilities Committee of the Student Senate. Students interested in applying for vacant seats should fill out an application.

Meet the Senators

Following the Student Government inauguration, the Senate meets until the week before final exams. This allows for approximately five meetings in the First Spring Session. The Fall Session lasts from the end of August/beginning of September until Christmas Break. The Second Spring Session begins in January and continues until the Student Government Inauguration.

Committee meetings are scheduled by the committee chairs.

As with all student organizations, Student Government observes university holidays and the Senate is not in session during these breaks from school. The Student Senate meets at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays its Chambers on the Third Floor of the Russell House.