The Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA) is the student government of Georgetown University in Washington, DC (United States). Modeled after the United States federal government, it consists of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.^[1]

The current Constitution of the Student Association was adopted in March 1990, replacing the original GUSA Constitution of 1984 which was deemed inadequate for the needs of the student body.^[2] It remained unamended until September 2006 (a previous "amendment" was erroneously certified in the mid-1990s; it was later thrown out by the Constitutional Council as violating the Constitution's voter threshold for amendments), when the legislative body, previously known as the "Assembly" and elected at large, was replaced by the Senate with campus-based representative districts.^[3]

GUSA has been involved in numerous controversial elections and topical policy initiatives. In 1997, the group supported the addition of crucifixes in university class rooms, and in 2003 supported the use of only fair trade coffee in campus shops.^[4][5]

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is currently led by President Benjamin James Shaw (COL '08) and Vice-President Matthew William Appenfeller (COL '08), the first candidates in "at least five years" to be elected with more than 50% of the vote.^[6] The President and Vice President, elected by the entire undergraduate population each year, oversee an Executive Staff that deals with the day-to-day operations of the Student Association.^[1] Additionally, the President and Vice President appoint, with confirmation by the Senate, secretaries for twelve Cabinet Departments, ranging from Academic Affairs to Student Health.^{[citation needed]} These departments are staffed by students, who do not have to be elected to participate.^[7] In addition, the Executives appoint student representatives to various External Boards, including the Board of Directors, the Alumni Board of Governors and the Speech and Expression Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate.^[8]

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch consists of the Senate, a body of thirty-six Senators, and is led by Speaker Eden Schiffmann and Vice-Speaker Reginald Greer.^[9] The Senate was established in September of 2006 by a campus-wide referendum that garnered a turnout of over 50% of the student body, which may be the highest turnout in Georgetown student government history.^{[citation needed]} Consisting of six standing committees, the Senate advocates on behalf of students in all aspects of student life.^[10] The Senate also has the ability to create student commissions, comprised of Senators and non-Senators, to advocate for specific issues, such as alcohol policy reform, Code of Conduct reviews, and diversity recommendations.^[8]

Committees

The Finance Committee oversees the allocation of the Student Activities Fee, which funds student groups.^{[citation needed]} The Ways and Means Committee is in charge of overseeing internal protocol and vetting Executive appointments to external boards, such as the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Ways and Means Committee is charged with holding these student appointments accountable to the student body at large.^{[citation needed]} The Academic Affairs Committee coordinates with the Academic Councils of each of Georgetown's four undergraduate schools, and fosters dialog and exchange between students and faculty.^{[citation needed]}

The Housing and Facilities Committee advocates for students on these issues, and works on things such as expanded meal plans and improved campus housing. For the 2006 school year, GUSA was involve in a joint effort with the the Residents of Color Council and Leaders in Education About Diversity in creating a floor specifically focused on diversity.^[11]

The Outreach Committee plans events to make the Student Association relevant. The Student Life Committee works on all other aspects of student life. Following outrage at the univeristy policy change, it is part of current lobbying in opposition to a proposed campus-wide ban on kegs.^[12][13] The administration ultimately decided not to ban kegs, which is seen as the result of successful student lobbying efforts.^[1]

The Ways & Means Committee is tasked with the internal affairs of the Student Association. By-law proposals, constitutional reforms, and the appointment of officers.^{[citation needed]} This Student Life Committee deals with issues related to student life, social justice, religious affairs, programming, athletics and other facets of student life not covered by the other Committees.^{[citation needed]}

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch consists of the Constitutional Council, which oversees all internal Student Association disputes and is charged with stewardship of the Constitution.^{[citation needed]} It consists of three members.^{[citation needed]} Until the March 1990 Constitution, no body existed that discharged a judicial function.^{[citation needed]} The Constitutional Council was not active until the late 1990's and first part of the 21st century, where students increasingly used it within the scope of its functions.^{[citation needed]}

Notable Alumni

Former GUSA members include Richard McCooey, founder of popular local restaurants 1789 and The Tombs; former Senator Philip A. Hart; and famed magazine publisher Condé Nast.^{[citation needed]} Former U.S. President Bill Clinton ran for student body president during his junior year at Georgetown and although he had been president of the Freshman and Sophomore classes, he failed to win election.^[14] Current U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) was Chair of the former Assembly (the predessor body to the GUSA Senate) from 1992-93.^{[citation needed]} Various other GUSA alumni are now elective officials in federal and state office, as well as throughout federal departments and agencies.^{[citation needed]}

References

External links

• GUSA Homepage
• GUSA Public Documents Vault