Virginia Commonwealth University

What is the SGA?

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.

The Student Government Association’s vision is to be the leading advocate for students on the Monroe Park Campus.

SGA’s mission, in accordance with the Preamble of the Student Body Constitution of the Monroe Park Campus, is:

1. to effectively represent Monroe Park Campus students to the University and the Community
2. to initiate and coordinate student activities that benefit all students
3. to provide opportunity for the development of individual leadership qualities and understanding of group action
4. to represent student interests, needs, and welfare
5. to encourage responsible student participation in the overall policy and decision-making processes of the University
6. to provide for the expression of student opinions and interests to the University and the Community on issues affecting student life
7. to facilitate cooperation among students, faculty members, administrators, and others members of the University and the Community
8. 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
9. 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 sixty 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.  There are ten (10) committees.  Please review their individual pages.

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