The Student Senate is vested with the supreme
legislative power for the Student Body by the Student Body Constitution. The body of
Senate is comprised of 64 students who proportionally represent each of
the University's schools and colleges, including undergraduates,
graduates, and non-degree students. It is led by the Student Senate
President who is elected from the student body at large, and other officers, including the Senate President Pro
Tempore and the several standing committee chairs. The work of the
Senate is largely accomplished by its numerous committees, which focus on specific areas of
student concern. The primary committees are the seven standing
committees, one which every Senator serves on exactly one. These
committees are: Academics, Campus Community, Finance, Government
Operations, Public Affairs, Tuition and Fees, and University Affairs. There are three
further ongoing committees, the permanent committees. These committees focus on more specialize subject matters, and may meet irregularly. They include Appropriations and Budget. Additional select committees are regularly organized to deal with matters requiring special attention.
The Responsibilities of the Student Senate
Senate is given a number of duties by the Student Body Constitution, which include the responsibility to enact all legislation necessary and proper to promote the general welfare of the Student Body, approve an Annual Student Body Budget for the Student Body funds, allocate student body funds to agencies of Student Government and to such co curricular activities registered with the Office of Student Development as it shall deem compatible with the general welfare of the Student Body, confirm or reject appointments of the Student Body President, and try all impeachments and suspend or remove from office...any elected or appointed official for malfeasance in office. In addition, the Senate, in conjunction with the Department of Athletics, determines student ticket distribution policies for football and mens basketball games. Most importantly, however, Senate represents the student voice to the University administration. Rather than passing laws, as one would expect of the legislative branch from state and federal models, Senate acts as a advocacy body, addressing the concerns of the student body, and bringing these concerns to the attention of the University.
