Understanding Student Government

1
Understanding Student Government

• The nuts and bolts of the Marist College Student
  Government Association

2
What SGA is

• It is responsible for giving guidance to other
  student groups, clubs, and organizations.
• It is a conduit for information from the
  administration and faculty to students and
  student groups.
• It is also a conduit for information from
  students and student groups to the administration
  and faculty.

3
Purpose

• The Student Government Association is the group
  responsible for making student decisions which
  transcend the jurisdiction of the student body,
  and which have taken on extreme significance, or
  which involve serious issues with faculty, staff,
  or administration of the college

4
The Executive Branch

• Is responsible for advising the Student Body
  President (SBP) on issues relevant to the
  operation of SGA as well as passing executive
  legislation
• Is responsible for advising the SBP on topics
  that may affect campus issues
• Shall act as the cabinet to the SBP and report to
  him/ her on issues concerning their respective
  positions

5
Executive Officers

• Executive Vice President
• Chief Finance Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Public Relations
• Elections Commissioner
• Parliamentarian
• Vice President for Student Life
• Vice President for Student Programming
• Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Vice President for Club Affairs

6
Executive Branch Hierarchy
7
The Councils

• Student Programming Council
• Provides quality entertainment to the student
  members of the college community
• Student Life Council
• Acts as a facilitator in matters pertaining to
  the well being of and interests of all resident
  and commuter students
• Promotes activities for residential and commuter
  unity
• Student Academic Council
• Provides guidance to the SBP in the area of
  academics
• Establishes communication lines between academic
  divisions and SGA
• Explores and organizes avenues of curricular
  growth and development
• Club Affairs Council
• Organizes and manages all the clubs chartered by
  SGA

8
The Legislative Branch

• The legislative branch is referred to as the
  Student Senate.
• The Senate is responsible for making decisions
  which may affect campus issues and SGA
  operations.
• All decisions of the Senate will be in the best
  interests of the students and will be the
  representation of student opinion in important
  issues.

9
Legislative Branch Hierarchy
10
Senate Committees

• Senators may form committees to more effectively
  handle issues facing the student body through
  pooled resources and division of labor.
• The Senate may enact ad-hoc committees though a
  majority vote.
• Any member of the Senate or the Student Body
  President may draft proposals for the creation of
  legislative committees.

11
Prior Committees of the Senate

• Housing and Residential Life
• Dining Services
• Safety and Security
• Student Speaks
• Unity Day
• Constitution and Bylaws Revisions
• Student Space
• Alumni Affairs