The Legislative Branch

The Senate

The Senate is composed of 21 elected voting representatives, with three Class-Wide Senators per class and nine At-Large Senators from any class. The Senate is presided over by the Speaker of the Senate, supported by the Parliamentarian and Legislative Secretary. The four committees of the SGA Senate: Student Outreach, Public Affairs, Recognized Student Organizations and Senate Budget Committees.

The Senate represents and advocates for student interests. They may form ad-hoc committees to formally evaluate and discuss issues of student interest, propose non-binding referenda, draft and execute Position Statements and Official Endorsements, review and amend the Constitution of the SGA, passing and repealing bylaws, rules, and legislation, confirming or rejecting nominees to specific offices of the SGA, hearing deferred cases of the Judicial Council, granting or rescinding recognition of student organizations affiliated with the SGA, and reviewing and approving the SGA budget. Senators are responsible for serving the best interest of their constituencies by introducing legislation, voting, and serving on committees.

The Senate also has the Clerkship Program which provides an alternative to running for a seat in the Senate. The Clerkship Program helps prepare clerks for expanded roles within the Senate and the Student Government as a whole.