UIW STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

HOW IT WORKS

The Student Government Association is composed of three bodies: The Executive Council, The Senate, and The House of Representatives.

1. The Executive Council is composed of elected executive officers and appointed executive officers.
2. The Senate is composed of one representative designated b the Dean from each academic division, and one elected representative from each class (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, and Graduate).
3. The House of Representatives is composed of the elected and appointed representatives from each registered student orgranization.

SGA has four primary functions:

1. Provide input to University Administration
2. Appoint students to University committees
3. Allocate funds to organizations
4. Conduct General Assembly meetings.

Input to University Administration

The SGA, as a general rule, provides input to the University Administration in the following ways.

1. When a SGA representative encounters a problem or policy which is causing some difficulty, confusion, or misunderstanding, and after attempts to elicit change informally have failed, the organization's representative can seek the support of the SGA to communicate more widespread concern for the issue to the administration. A resolution may be passed and sent through the Office of the Dean of Campus Life to the appropriate administrative offices. Issues may also be brought to the SGA by other individuals.
2. When the University is contemplating changing a policy or needs student opinion on a particular issue, this information is passed along to the SGA. The members discusss it and provide ideas and suggestions concerning the issue.

Trips, Conferences and Retreats

Trips (excursions, meetings, conferences) sponsored by any student organization must be approved by filing a Request for Excursion Approval Form (FORM I) one week prior to the scheduled event. In addition to the form, the organization must furnish in writing the following information:

o Purpose of trip and destination
o Address and phone number of hotel or other lodging accommodations
o Expected times of actual travel to and from the site.
o Means of transportation
o The names of the persons participating and an emergency contact person and phone number for each (FORM I).
o Name of the faculty/staff advisor(s) who will be in attendance.

Each organization may make their own travel arrangements. It is recommended that travel and accommodations be made through the University's authorized travel agency, Herff Travel at 226-4331.

When student organization travel is by students' personal vehicles, vehicle owners are not covered by University insurance. Vehicle owners' personal accident and liability insurance is the only insurance in force during the period of travel. Organizers must insure that the driver is at least 21 years old and is licensed to drive the vehicle being used for travel. They must also insure that the driver show proof of liability insurance.

Student organizations which sponsor trips assume a burden of liability for the care of members and others who participate. The student organization must take all reasonable precautions for the safety and well-being of participants.

Prior to departure, all participants must sign a waiver form (Form K). The form identifies the nature of the trip and any risks associated with travel and serves to carry out the organization's legal obligation to inform participants of potential risk. Signed waiver forms should be obtained from all participants prior to departure. Upon request, the Director of the Student Center & Leadership Activities will assist you in creating a waiver specifically for your event.

It is strongly recommended that at least one faculty/staff member accompany a group taking a trip. If this is not possible, the advisor should designate a responsible member of the group to be his/her representative. This person would be responsible for being the contact with the University should the need arise.

Parties, Dances and Other Social Events

Registered student organizations may hold parties, dances, and other social events on campus. All events, whether on or off-campus, must be scheduled and approved by the Director of the Student Center & Leadership Activities and the Dean of Student Life, as appropriate. The sponsoring organization is responsible for complying with all relevant laws, limiting noise so as to avoid disturbing others, and restricting crowd size to limits defined by posted fire department signs and the Director of the Student Center & Leadership Activities.