The University Council has approved a new constitution for the Monroe Park Campus Student Government Association. The SGA Constitution and General Byalws which go into effect after the last spring 2010 SGA Senate meeting, can be downloaded from the links below:
The Student Government Association (SGA) represents VCU students by working with the university to communicate concerns and issues they may have. The SGA provides the organized expression of student opinion. The SGA makes student involvement a priority, not only within the university itself but within governing organizations in the city and state. The SGA also appropriates money from the Student Activity Fee to various student organizations.
Vision
The Student Government Association’s vision is to be the leading advocate for students on the Monroe Park Campus.
Mission
SGA’s mission, in accordance with the Preamble of the Student Body Constitution of the Monroe Park Campus, is:
to effectively represent Monroe Park Campus students to the University and the Community
to initiate and coordinate student activities that benefit all students
to provide opportunity for the development of individual leadership qualities and understanding of group action
to represent student interests, needs, and welfare
to encourage responsible student participation in the overall policy and decision-making processes of the University
to provide for the expression of student opinions and interests to the University and the Community on issues affecting student life
to facilitate cooperation among students, faculty members, administrators, and others members of the University and the Community
to provide a physical and social environment in which to achieve the above objectives in accordance with the educational and cultural standards of the University
to appropriate the student activities fee and to advise the University on the student activities fee
Guiding Principles
The Guiding Principles of Student Representative on Monroe Park Campus shall be:
Advocacy is the foundation of our existence
Knowledge precedes our actions
Truthfulness is the mark of our speech
Moderation is the compass of our journey
Patience is the hallmark of our planning
Commitment binds our differences together
Inside the SGA
The SGA is composed of three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The three branches are modeled after the three branches of the federal government; this separation of powers helps to preserve a strong, fair, and adaptable SGA.
The Executive Branch
The Executive Branch is composed of the Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, Executive Director for University Relations, and the Executive Cabinet.
Members of the executive branch are responsible for:
Carrying out legislation passed by the Student Senate
Appointing Students to governing positions, oversight boards, and committees
Directly articulating concerns of student to the University Administration
Organizing and administering the Presidential Roundtable, the collective voice of all student groups and organizations on the Monroe Park Campus.
The Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch is comprised of fifty Student Senators.
The Student Senate is responsible for:
Creating and passing legislation
Working in committees to seek out student concerns
Appropriating a portion of the Student Activities Fee to student organizations
The Student Senate is divided up into specialized Committees so the Senate can be working on many things at once:
Academic Affairs
Appointments
Legislative Issues & Civic Action
Student Life
Appropriations
Communications & Technology
The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch is composed of the Justices, Judicial Aids, and the Chief Justice.
Members of the Judicial Branch are responsible for:
Interpreting the Monroe Park Campus SGA Constitution
Adjudicating between two parties in disagreement
Hearing out grievances related to SGA Elections
Joint Committees
The SGA has many joint committees. These committees don’t belong in any specific branch, but are made up of members of all the branches. These committees all report to the Joint Leadership Committee.
Joint Leadership Committee
Chair: Gabriel Walker
Email: sgapresident@vcu.edu
Meeting Time: Fridays at 1:00 PM
Meeting Place: Canal Room
The Joint Committee shall consist of the leaders of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches and shall meet at least on a monthly basis. The President, Vice President, Executive Director of University Relations, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate, and the Chief Justice and one other justice, appointed by the Chief Justice, shall be present at this mandatory meeting.
The Joint Committee has the ability to form ad-hoc joint committees as is necessary.
Quorum must be present at every meeting in order to conduct any business. Quorum shall consist of at least one member from each branch and a simple majority of all members.
(Article V of the Student Body Constitution)
Joint Elections Committee
Chair: Josie Mace
Email: macejr@vcu.edu
Meeting Time: TBA
Meeting Place: Canal Room
This committee is responsible for conducting and overseeing annual elections of the SGA. They also oversee the inauguration of the newly elected Student Senate, the Student Body President, and the Student Body Vice President. The Director of Elections serves as the Chairperson of this committee.
Compensation & Evaluation Committee
All members of the SGA shall abide by the procedures of salary compensation, as set forth in the Compensation and Evaluation Committee Guidelines. The committee is established by the SGA Joint Committee. No law varying the compensation for services of the eligible members shall take effect until their election shall have intervened. SGA members eligible for compensation include the Student Body President, the Student Body Vice President, the Executive Director of University Relations, the Executive Cabinet, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Clerk, Secretary of the Student Senate, the chairpersons of the Student Senate Committees, and the members of the Judicial Branch. All members receiving compensation must be evaluated by procedures set forth by the Compensation and Evaluation Committee.
(Student Body Constitution Article I, section 2, subsection C)
How to Get Involved
The Student Government Association is a great way to get involved on campus. There are numerous opportunities throughout the academic year for students to become active. If you want to be a part of SGA, visit our GET INVOLVED page!
The Monroe Park Campus SGA works hard to address student concerns. Some of the top issues include:
Parking
Dining
Residence Halls
Tuition Costs
Library Hours
Academic Issues
And More! Check out our ISSUES page to find a list of things we’re trying to improve!
We are very interested in hearing from students directly about their experiences at VCU, and we are always willing to find solutions for these and other student concerns.
