The Senate is the legislative branch of the SGA, and is composed of approximately fifty senators. The Senate is responsible for passing resolutions and enactments, determining a budget, and expressing the will of the undergraduate student body on campus.
According to the SGA Constitution, Article V, the Senate shall have the power to:
"A. Review and make recommendations regarding the Student Activities Fee. A recommended increase in the Student Activities Fee of over 7.5% shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting, and an affirmative vote of the SGA membership through an Action Referendum.
B. Determine and provide for its rules and procedures, elect its officers, and fix the time and place of its meetings, provided that there be a regular meeting with fixed time and place at least once every week of the University academic calendar.
C. Require the attendance of its members by rule.
D. Expel a member of the Senate. The act of Expulsion shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
E. Enact, amend or repeal the General By-laws of the SGA, unless otherwise provided for by the General By-laws of the SGA. Such an act shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting, and the approval of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
F. Ratify SGA Elections within thirty (30) calendar days of the election. Such an act shall require a majority vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
G. Initiate a referendum as defined by Article VIII of this Constitution. Such an act shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
H. Decide tie General or Special Elections at its first meeting following the election. Such an act shall require a majority vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
I. Recommend the Student Activities Trust Fund Budget Request. Such an Act shall require a majority vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting, and shall be reviewed by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Campus Budget Officers, the Chancellor, and the University President, before submission to the Board of Trustees for approval.
J. Recommend the Student Activities Trust Fund Operating Budget by enactment of the Annual SGA S-1 Budget Act. Such an Act shall require a majority vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting, and shall be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for approval. Disbursements there from shall be in accordance with duly established University financial and operational policies and campus procedures.
K. Override a presidential veto. Such an act shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
L. Approve Executive Cabinet and Student Judiciary appointments. Such an act shall require a majority vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
M. Require reports from the President and Executive Cabinet on any matter relevant to the functioning of the SGA.
N. Impeach an elected officer of the SGA. Such an act shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
O. Provide for the succession to those elected offices of the SGA not otherwise provided for by this Constitution.
P. Provide for the transition of the SGA to this Constitution.
Q. Promote the general welfare and interests of the undergraduate student body by making recommendations on policies and procedures consistent with Trustee Document T73-098, as amended, provided that, when an action is intended as a formal recommendation from the SGA, as a governance body, it shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures prescribed in said document."
Senators are also required to be a member of a Faculty Senate or other Administrative Committee such as SAJIC or the Police Advisory Board.
