Frequently Asked Questions
What is Student Government?
Student Government is a representative body of all students on campus at EMU. We were established to secure a powerful and focused voice to the administration regarding student concerns.
Student Government is one unified body of dedicated students who work together through meetings and committee's to better serve the University. Part of SG is the Executive Boards, consisting of the Student Body President and Vice President, and the Directors who act as chairpersons of their respective committees and oversee Student Government initiatives. The bulk of the make-up of SG is the EMU Student Senate. The Senate consists of 30 individuals who work through committees and resolutions to make the students voice heard in the larger community.
There are many ways you can get involved with EMU Student Government. The most basic is to attend any committee meeting. These meetings are held bi-weekly and are open to all students. Also, you can run for a position, such as that of a Senator. Click here to learn more about getting involved with Student Government.
Absolutely not! Student Government never encourages committing more time than you would like to devote to working with SG. If anything, being a part of Student Government will enhance your education here at EMU. Student Government provides a network where you can make many beneficial relationships and learn a lot about the University and the processes that run it.
Student Government's adviser is Glenna Frank Miller, the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.
Student Governments receives its budget from a portion from the General Fund fee (Approved by the Board of Regents) that students pay. SG funds many things on campus including but not limited to: An assortment of student organization events or programming, homecoming, the Student Organization Center and staff (SOC), The Women’s Center, REACT (Off-Campus Housing services and advice), Free STD Testing at Snow Health Center, the Academic Survival Guide, Undergraduate Symposium, the Student Government Leadership Scholarship, Closeup Theatre Troop, and other inner Student Government affairs.
SG generally works through resolutions that are passed through the Senate and presented to the appropriate authority (Such as the Board of Regents) as a means of taking a student stance on an issue. Also, investigative and constructive work is done through the committee structure within Student Government. For example, in the '05-'06 Senate year, the Political Action Committee worked on creating a grass-roots campaign to pressure the Michigan legislature to approve appropriations for renovations to the Pray-Harrold building. Some examples of some of the concrete things that Student Government have played a major role in bringing to EMU's campus include Halle Library, the New Student Center, the College of Education, www.prayharrold.com, and "GO GREEN" bracelets. We also fund Student Organizations, work on Homecoming, fund Free HIV/STI testing, the McKenny Laptop Rental Program, free legal advice, and Green Books.
