The University Student Senate (USS) is the official student governance and lobbying organization representing the interests of the students of the City University of New York (CUNY). The USS was founded in 1972 to preserve the accessibility, affordability, and excellence of higher education within CUNY. The organization protects the rights of the student body, promotes public higher education, and advocates for the general welfare of its student constituents and the University. The USS delegates are responsible for the representative governance of the 500,000 students across 25 CUNY campuses. The duties of a USS delegate include representing the interests of their designated group at USS meetings, reporting relevant activities, chairing the University Student Senate Advisory Committee, and representing interests at Board of Trustees Meetings.
What You'll Learn
Roles and responsibilities
The University Student Senate (USS) delegates are responsible for the representative governance of the students of their respective universities. The role of a student senator is to act as a liaison between the students and the university's administration, staff, and/or faculty senate. They are responsible for bringing forward the perspectives and issues faced by the student body and communicating the decisions made by the university back to the students.
Student senators are expected to attend all senate meetings and stay informed about the topics on the agenda. If they are unable to attend a meeting, it is their responsibility to notify the chair and, if possible, arrange for another student to attend in their place. They should also advertise senate meetings to their school community and gather input from their peers to bring forward.
Student senators are also responsible for assisting student trustees or faculty senators in understanding student issues and gathering student opinions. They are expected to communicate regularly with their school community and activities council to keep them informed about the discussions and decisions made during senate meetings. Meeting with school principals and attending school council meetings are also part of their role to ensure that the student voice is heard and represented.
In addition to their role as liaisons, student senators are expected to be positive ambassadors and leaders within their school community. They should embody the ideals of the university and strive for academic excellence while also focusing on the welfare and quality of public higher education.
It is important to note that the specific roles and responsibilities of a student senator or alternate may vary depending on the university and its governing structure.
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Benefits
Being a university student senate delegate or alternate has several benefits. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to represent the interests of your fellow students and ensure their voices are heard by the administration. This includes advocating for affordable tuition, protecting student rights, and promoting academic excellence. As a delegate, you will have a platform to mediate on behalf of students on important issues such as tuition fees, student rights, and the quality of education. This can lead to tangible changes, such as supporting petitions against tuition increases and backing bills that benefit students' financial obligations.
Another benefit is the opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and gain valuable experience in governance and lobbying. You will learn how to communicate effectively, negotiate, and make decisions that impact a large student body. These skills are transferable and can benefit your personal and professional development.
University student senate delegates also have access to a network of like-minded individuals who are passionate about student welfare. This includes other delegates, alternates, and student government members. These connections can provide a sense of community and support, as well as potential collaborations to address shared concerns.
Additionally, being a delegate allows you to stay informed about university policies and decisions that may impact students. You will have access to information and meetings that are not always available to the general student body. This knowledge can empower you to make informed decisions and advocate for your constituents effectively.
Lastly, there may be financial benefits associated with being a university student senate delegate. In some cases, delegates receive stipends for their contributions, which can help support their educational expenses. This financial recognition demonstrates the value that the university places on student representation and governance.
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Eligibility criteria
University of Maryland
At the University of Maryland, the University Senate is one of the most prominent governing bodies on campus. Senators are elected representatives of the campus community, encompassing faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students. Senators are responsible for reviewing materials, attending monthly meetings, and voting on proposals and reports. They also elect members of the Executive Committee and other committees, interacting with the administration and campus leaders.
Any member of the campus community can run for the Senate, but they must be categorized as faculty, staff, or student. For instance, a staff member taking classes part-time can run as staff but not as a student. Additionally, staff must be part of the campus community for a year before becoming eligible.
Kent State University
Kent State University has a Graduate Student Senate (GSS) that operates under specific guidelines. GSS members are graduate students elected by their peers within their departments. Each academic department, school, or college determines the number of representatives based on enrollment and bylaws guidelines. Representatives and alternates are elected annually and may be reelected. If a representative is absent, the alternate takes their place, and if a representative has two consecutive unexcused absences, they can be removed. Alternates can only vote in the absence of the designated representative.
City University of New York (CUNY)
The University Student Senate (USS) of CUNY is responsible for governing 500,000 students across 25 campuses. The USS delegates promote affordable and accessible higher education and protect student rights. While specific eligibility criteria for becoming a USS delegate are not outlined, the organization is committed to ensuring that student voices are heard and that the welfare and quality of public higher education are enhanced.
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Election process
The election process for student senate delegates and alternates varies depending on the university.
At Kent State University, the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) operates under certain rules and bylaws. Each academic department, school, or college within the university is responsible for electing their voting representatives and alternates. These representatives and alternates are elected annually by a majority of students from within their academic unit. They serve for a twelve-month term and can be re-elected. If a representative is absent from two consecutive GSS meetings, they can be removed and replaced by their alternate. If a representative resigns, their alternate takes their place, and a new alternate is elected.
At the University of Kansas, the KU Student Body elects individuals from every campus consistency to represent them in the Student Senate. Each representative serves a one-year term. The election process includes several stages: candidacy declaration, presidential and VP debates, coalition submission, ballot release, voting, and results. The Elections Commission, a non-partisan body, oversees the entire process and ensures fairness. They set deadlines, polling dates, develop voting methods, coordinate debates, and handle any campaign violations.
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Meeting procedures
University Student Senate (USS) at the City University of New York (CUNY)
The USS at CUNY is the official student governance and lobbying organization that represents the interests of CUNY students. The USS has a steering committee consisting of a chairperson and nine vice-chairs, each responsible for different areas such as Legislative Affairs, Fiscal Affairs, and International Student Affairs. The duties of a USS Delegate include:
- Representing the interests of their constituent body at USS meetings.
- Reporting relevant activities of the USS to their constituent body.
- Chairing or participating in advisory committees.
- Communicating student positions to various stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, and government agencies.
Graduate Student Senate (GSS) at Kent State University
The GSS at Kent State University is a student-led organization that operates in compliance with university regulations and policies. Each academic department, school, or college elects representatives and alternates to serve a twelve-month term. The GSS holds general meetings and executive committee meetings to conduct business and make decisions. Here are some key meeting procedures:
- A quorum must be present to conduct business, consisting of at least ten elected representatives or their alternates.
- A quorum majority is required for approval of any GSS action, meaning more than half of the representatives present must vote in favour.
- All GSS members, except the executive chair, have voting privileges. The executive chair can only vote in the case of a tie.
- To propose an amendment to the GSS charter, a representative or alternate must present a written copy at a general meeting. The proposal is then discussed at the next general meeting if a two-thirds majority vote is achieved.
- Amendments to the charter require a two-thirds quorum majority to be adopted and must be ratified by the university president and board of trustees.
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Frequently asked questions
A university student senate delegate is a representative of the students. They are responsible for acting in defense of students' interests, protecting the quality of education, and supporting and encouraging student leadership.
The duties of a university student senate delegate include representing the interests of the students, reporting relevant activities and updates, chairing advisory committees, and mediating on behalf of students for tuition, student rights, and quality of education.
University student senate delegates are typically chosen from each individual campus' student government or appointed by a committee. Candidates can be any student, not necessarily a member of the student government.
A university student senate delegate serves a term of up to two years, which can be renewed annually. They receive a stipend of up to $4,950 per year, except for the chairperson, who receives $9,752 annually.