A Guide to SGA

There are three different branches and a cabinet within SGA: the executive, legislative, and judicial. Here is a breakdown of how each branch and the cabinet functions, how they get put into that position, and what they do for the student body. 
Cabinet 
The cabinet consists of the president, Vice President, and the President’s Cabinet. 

SGA’s Cabinet is chosen by the President and Vice President and confirmed by the Senate.

President

Main source of communication between the student body and upper administration, like the University President and the Board of Trustees 
Make all big decisions regarding SGA initiatives and must approve legislation from the senate
Elected by the student body for a 1-year term

Vice President

Head of the legislative branch
They are the head of all Senate meetings, oversee the writing of legislation, and aid Senators in initiatives
The main liaison between the executive and legislative branch
The second source between the student body and upper administration
Elected with the President by student body for a 1-year term

Chief of Staff 

The President’s right hand
Complete any task the President needs and meet with other cabinet members to see how they are doing with their independent work
Chair of the First-Year Council
Oversee all operations of the SGA Hub

Chief Justice

Head of the judicial branch
Oversee the Court of Review and impeachment
Handle interpretation and modification of the SGA constitution and by-laws and consequences for when the by-laws are broken or discrepancies arise
Oversees Iggy’s Cupboard and advocates for social justice issues

Director of Finance

Handles all the monetary aspects of SGA
Creates SGA’s budget with the President which decides where all the money is going for the semester
Approves allocation requests from registered student organizations to provide them money they need to operate

Director of Communications 

Runs SGA’s communications committee
Take photos at SGA events, make flyers, and manage SGA’s social media
Aid in SGA image and branding with events such as the Merch Drop
Manages all aspects of all SGA social media platforms
Oversees the operation and updating of the SGA website
Creates the SGA newsletter

Director of Programming 

Oversees the University Programming Board
Coordinate traditional programming events on campus such as Third Fridays, Wolf Pack Wednesdays, Sneaux, Stuff a Wolf, and more
Discuss the execution and organization of these events with their E-Board where each member oversees a specific type of event

Director of Equity and Inclusion

Identifies under-represented groups on campus and finds ways to better support those groups through programming and advocacy work
Coordinate the Multicultural Leadership Council to better understand these issues and how they can help solve them
Work with the Equity and Inclusion Committee
Serve on the University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Communicates with upper administration regarding multicultural student needs

Homecoming Chair 

Seasonal position, start working at the end of September and end working following the execution of Homecoming Week
Work with the Homecoming Committee to plan Homecoming in its entirety

Executive
The executive branch organizes internal SGA affairs with the goal to “better benefit the students as well as to provide benefits for students in different areas of focus,” according to SGA.

The branch consists of the Executive Committees and First Year Council. 

Cabinet members choose committee positions from applications on HowlConnect.

Equity and Inclusion Committee 

Work in events to promote equality and diversity
Elect recipients of the Grace of Ignatius Award which is awarded each semester to multiple students
Host focus groups, educational seminars, and community service events

University Programming Board

In charge of putting on events for the student body
Has the most direct contact with the student body so they can create events to increase school spirit and student engagement

Finance Committee 

Review and vote on allocation requests for events
Approve allocations for graduate testing and graduate test prep software and books
Plan and host financial wellness events twice a semester

Communications Committee 

Create a solid connection with student body through social media
Report all SGA initiatives, events, and update through social media
Responsible for almost all SGA merchandise
Positions in this committee include: social media managers, publicists, photographers, and members-at-large

Homecoming Committee

In charge of organizing and fulfilling the event requirements of Homecoming Week
Work to serve the student body with a week of festivities to promote inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility to all students
Positions included in the Homecoming Committee are royalty chair, marketing chair, events chair, and War of the Wolves chair. The Homecoming Committee helps aid in ideas and execution of events

First Year Council

Focus exclusively on first-year students 
Plan an event for the entire campus and make an official address to the Senate about issues they have experienced during their time on campus
Members of this council get the opportunity to join a committee in the spring semester

Legislative
The Legislative Branch serves to “advocate and connect with the student body on a base level,” according to SGA. 

This branch finds the issues students face and solve them either through legislation or through conversations with the Cabinet or upper administration. They serve as the direct liaisons between the student body and the rest of SGA. 

Speaker of the Senate

A senator-at-large elected by the Senate
The right hand of the Vice President
Sign all legislation
In the line of succession for the Vice-Presidency

Senators-At-Large

4 senators-at-large in the Senate
They chair the Senate Committees 
Aid in the writing of legislation
Occasionally interact with upper administration
Meet with the Vice President weekly
Complete tasks assigned by the Vice President
Elected by the student body and serve a 1 year term

Senators

Elected according to college
There are different numbers of seats for every college based on population
Interact with the student body directly to identify and solve issues that directly affect students
Solve problems they find through writing legislation
Vote on legislation at Senate sessions
Elected by the student body and serve a 1 year term

Committees

There are 6 standing committees in Senate: Student Involvement, Assembly for Sexual Assault Prevention, Advocacy and Outreach, Sustainability, Facilities, and Disability
Committees are chaired by a senator-at-large and have a membership of SGA Senators
Committees focus on and specialize in resolving different types of issues on campus

Judicial

Analyze and interpret the governing documents of SGA
Make sure that everyone in SGA follows their constitutional duties and responsibilities
Decide punishments if duties aren’t fulfilled or broken
Focus on social justice initiatives and national government-based holidays

Clerk of the Court

Serves as the right hand of the Chief Justice
Meets weekly with the Chief Justice
Aids the Chief Justice in whatever tasks are assigned to them

Court of Review

Plan and execute events that are related to social justice and Iggy’s Cupboard
Work to assist the other branch in interpreting the constitution and proposing amendments
Responsible for reviewing applications for the Social Justice Grant and hosting community service events

Elections Commissioner

Handles the execution of elections which includes upholding campaign rules, promoting elections, hosting electoral debates, and conducting voting
Aided in this by their Elections Committee, who help execute all the events
Selected by the Chief Justice and Court of Review