Student Senate

Student Senate is an annually elected (and non-elected) assembly of 14 members who represent the entire student body. The Senate serves two very important roles:

1. It advocates for the interests of MxCC students in its dealings with college faculty staff and administration.  It has the power to regulate the student activity fund and member organizations, and make decisions that affect all students.  Members of Senate also serve on the College Council committees, search committees for new staff members, and other ad-hoc committees.  Many are student leaders for our New Student Orientation program.

2. The Student Senate governs the expenditure of collected student activity fees that provide financial support for campus clubs and organizations, as well as for on and off-campus programs. With these fees, the Senate continuously plans, coordinates and conducts a wide variety of programs and special activities that enrich college life.  Often in coordination with enthusiastic faculty, we have arranged for nationally renowned authors, speakers, performers and artists to appear on campus. All students are urged to share their ideas, personal skills, leadership and group management skills to assist with development and coordination of activities deemed worthy by the Student Senate.

Located in Founders Hall, Rm. 122, the Senate meets on a weekly basis. 

How to Become a Student Senator:

• Student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 at the time of election and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• All officers and senators at large must be enrolled at the time of election and stay enrolled during his/her term of office.
• Senators must submit a properly completed Senator Petition form to the SAO in order to participate in April elections or be approved for office by Senate when vacancies exist.
• No candidate may run for or hold more than one office either in Senate or any club/organization on campus.
• Student Senate members must adhere to all policies set forth by MxCC and the Student Senate Constitution.

Why Become Senator?

Student Senators are the “official voice” on campus.  You work closely with an elite group of other senators – along with faculty, staff and administration – so you’re always in the loop of what’s going on around campus.  Senators learn how the college operates “behind the scenes”.  

As a senator, you develop life skills that are attractive to future employers.  These skills include:

• Leadership
• Decision-making
• Working with others
• Meeting management
• Event planning
• Budgeting
• Problem solving , and
• Public speaking.

The Senate is a great way of making friends and helping other students.  Everything you accomplish individually and as a group will be recognized.

Meeting Dates and times:

Student Senate currently meets every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in the Pegasus Gallery (first floor, Chapman Hall).  It is subject to change each semester due to member class and work schedules. Meetings usually last between 1 and 1½ hours.

Members:

President - Acts as an official representative of the student body, and leads all Senate and executive board meetings.  Prepares the official weekly meeting agenda in coordination with the VP and secretary (the “Executive Board”).  Ensures that all members of Senate fulfill their duties as outlined in the Constitution.  Works closely with the Director of Student Activities.
Vice President – Act as an official representative of the Student Body and oversees the Senate social planning committee which plans and executes activities and events for students. Assumes the president role in his or her absence. 
Secretary – Records, maintains and distributes all regular Senate and executive board meeting minutes.  Assume the duties of the Student Senate president in his or her absence, removal, or resignation, should the Vice President is unable to do so.
Treasurer- Assists in developing the annual budget; signs off on approved expenditures and reports on all budget matters.
Senators-at-Large – Represents the student body and has a vote in all Student Senate matters.  Attends all Student Senate weekly meetings and serves on various Senate and campus-wide committees. 
Club Representatives: Each official student club (as approved by Student Senate each year) holds voting membership on Senate and is deemed a “Senator.”  Club reps work in coordination with Student Senate through the sharing of communication and resources.
Director of Student Activities – The official advisor to the Student Senate.

Senate Committees:

• Executive – Consists of the officers of the Student Senate.  It prepares the agenda for regular Senate meetings.
• Social Planning – Plans social, cultural, recreational and other events for the Student Body.
• Budget – Prepares the yearly Student Senate budget, in close coordination with the Director of Student Activities.   all budget requests and makes recommendations to the Student Senate.  The Senate Treasurer will serve as chair of the budget committee.
• Constitution – Conducts annual review and modification of the Student Senate Constitution.  Reviews and approves the Constitution of each recognized club or organization on campus.
• Website – Maintains the Student Senate website.
• Game Room – Communicates with the students using the game room to identify, propose and make changes to the space.
• Campus Renovations – Identifies and proposes recommendations to enhance the common space areas for greater student comfort and usage.