What to Expect - Typical Committees
So, great – you’ve decided to get involved! If you become a senator, you’re expected to represent your club at weekly senate meetings, vote on all important issues, and give direction and voice to the student body. If you’re representing your academic division, you may not have voting privileges but will still have a vital voice.
What should you expect to know and do? What does the student senate typically get involved with? They work on legislation and the passing of resolutions, budget decisions regarding campus organizations and programming, policies regarding behavior, and much, much more.
For one, you’ll need to be familiar with rules. For instance, if you miss consecutive meetings, you may be voted out, and put your club’s standing at risk in the process – such as seeing their budget frozen. The student government will spell all this out in the handbook.
No one will ever tell you that student government – just like “real” government – is simple and straightforward. Rules and procedures exist for everything from running meetings according to Roberts Rules of Order to filing paperwork, opening topics for discussion, voting,
You’ll also have on opportunity to serve on one or more committees and/or assemblies. These may be standing committees concerned with operations or advisory committees formed as needed. Typical committees and assembly types and their responsibilities include:
- Academic Affairs – Review and recommend policies connected with faculty and administration decision-making.
- Budget and Finance – Determine funding for clubs and organizations and other needs.
- Dining Services – Quality and value, service and accessibility of food services are primary issues this committee will discuss.
- Judicial Affairs – Weigh in on student ethics, conduct, and consequences of academic and non-academic misconduct.
- Nominations and Elections – Review names for nomination to executive positions and see that election processes are followed correctly.
- Public Safety – Focus on protecting the safety and welfare of the campus community and maintaining its vital relationship with university police.
- Residential Life – Deal with the quality of living on campus, including comfort, and security, communicating with RDs and RAs, and ensuring fair policies.
- Social Events and Programming – Advise on performances, events, and new and ongoing programs.
- Student Activities – Focus on concerns of student organizations and their projects, trips, and planned events, and recognition and approval of new organizations and clubs.
- Student Affairs – Advise on the policies and programs administered by the college.
- Transportation – Advise on parking regulations, on-campus and public transportation, college vehicles, and other travel issues.
- Technology– Address the ever-changing needs of campus technology services, such as wireless and network accessibility, security, and support.
- Observers to the Board of Trustees – Serve as a connection with the school’s board or trustees.
- Faculty Relations – Advise and inform faculty to improve relationships with teaching staff.
- Environment and sustainability – Focus on green issues, conservation of resources and energy, and ecologically-sound practices.
Keep in mind that this is just an overview. Student governments will often form committees and assemblies on a temporary basis. Your school may have a different name for these groups and their functions.