Restructuring SGA Dr. Tammy L. McGuckin Assistant VP / Dean of Students
Current Senate Structure Senate President runs at large. Senate is made up of 3 Committees Academic Finance Student Relations 3 Committee Chairs run at large. Senators run for 1 of 8 seats on a chosen Committee.
Why Restructure? To create an organization more representative of the student body. To ensure all sectors of the student body are heard and informed more efficiently. To increase credibility from all students and to increase visibility. To increase accountability to students. To clarify areas of focus for senators.
Background Research was conducted investigating the structure of other schools in Florida and our peer institutions’ student governments. Focus was on the election process and the Senate committee structure. Our results are the product of combining many different options to best fit our needs as an organization and university.
The Plan President, Vice President, Senate President, and Treasurer to be elected at large by student body. Senators to be elected by college in proportion to the student enrollment (size) of college. Chairs of each committee elected within Senate. Senate Pro Tempore elected within Senate and is automatically on the Rules and Statutes Committee. Senators rank their choices for committee appointments. An open meetings with the Senate President, four Chairs, Senate Pro Tempore, and SGA Advisor place senators on committees.
Enrollment Statistics Based on stats obtained by SGA Officers: Total Headcount: 11,630 Undergraduate: 9,123 Graduate: 1,754 College of Arts & Sciences: 6,351 = 54.61% College of Business: 1,563 = 13.44% College of Professional Studies: 3,716 = 31.85%
Projecting Forward Current Ratio = 444 students per 1 Senator New Ratio = 350 students per 1 Senator Senators to be elected: 18 - College of Arts & Science 3 - College of Business 6 - College of Professional Studies 2 - Graduate Students elected at large Note: These numbers will be recalculated prior to elections each year to ensure proper representation. As UWF grows, so will the number of Senators.
New Committees / Endorsements 4 Committees: Budget and Allocations Rules and Statutes Student Outreach University Outreach Ballot Endorsements: President / VP = 250 signatures Senate President = 125 signatures Senators = 50 signatures