Q & A
ELECTIONS
1) How can I be eligible to run for SGA Representative?
To run for SGA representative, you have to meet several requirements:
- You must be in good academic standing
- You have to have a clean disciplinary record. This means you cannot have a minor, intermediate or major infraction on your record
- You cannot from ASMS for long periods of time (An example of this would be if students were to join the Foreign Exchange program)
Afterwards, you must fulfill campaign procedures:
- Submitting your election contract by the given deadline
- Getting a teacher recommendation and 20 student signatures by the given deadline
- Submitting a personal essay and speech to the SGA Advisors by the given deadline
You can only run for SGA representative for your class. This means Juniors can only run for Junior SGA representative, etc.
2) How can I be eligible to run for SGA Officer?
It depends on the position you want to run for. All officer positions require you to have at least one year of experience in the SGA, as well as participation in the Jo Bonner Leadership Academy. You also have to follow the requirements set for SGA representatives as well. However, some Officer positions have other set requirements.
Sergeant of Arms and Parliamentarian are appointed positions. You cannot campaign for these positions, and they are instead chosen by the SGA Advisors. Usually, the Sergeant of Arms and Parliamentarian are Juniors, but there is no strict rule on class.
Treasurer and Secretary are elected positions, meaning that you will have to go through the standard election process. Juniors and Seniors are eligible to run for these roles.
Vice President is also an elected position, and only seniors are able to run for this position.
For President, you must be an SGA member for two years. You have to have been an SGA representative your Sophomore year, and an SGA Officer during your Junior year.
Remember that being an SGA Officer is a huge time commitment. While you will be exempt from regular Work Service, you will be expected to perform your duties and tasks diligently.
3) What are the differences between the SGA and class officers?
The SGA coordinates many school-wide major events. Major events such as Winter Formal, Prom and Dragon Talks are planned and carried out by SGA members. The SGA also has direct communications with members of the Leadership Team. They also have the ability to carry out changes regarding the SGA constitution. Note that SGA members may not change the Community Standards Handbook.
In contrast, class officers plan events for members of their own class, and these events are usually recreational.
4) Can I be an SGA member and a class officer?
In the SGA Constitution, the SGA gives SGA representatives the ability to run for class officer. However, class sponsors may have differing views on this. You must communicate with your class sponsor on whether you can run for both positions.
SGA Officers are unable to run for class officer. If you serve as an SGA president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, sergeant at arms, or parliamentarian, you may not run for class officer.
FORMS
1) Where can I access forms for clubs?
Forms relating to clubs can be accessed through the SGA Forms page. This page contains all the necessary forms for clubs: SGA club sponsorship forms, Budget request forms, Event Activity Request forms, Room Reservation forms, PO forms, and Supply Request forms.
EVENT ACTIVITY FORM
1) When do I need to fill out the Event Activity Form?
The Event Activity Form form should be submitted any time SGA, Residential Life, clubs, student groups etc. are hosting an event or activity on campus -- even if you are not spending money. It should be submitted alongside any room reservation and/or purchase requisitions.
The form does NOT need to be submitted for informal student gatherings like playing pick up volleyball in the gym, pickle ball outside, frisbee on West Campus, watching Netflix in the TV room, etc.
When in doubt, ask Student Affairs if you need to submit the form!
*Reminder that all forms must be submitted 2 weeks out from your event.*
2) Who do I submit the Event Activity Form to?
Follow the order of the signatures on the form. Mr. Barry and Mrs. McMaken only need to sign off on the SGA events or club events, and then Student Affairs will also sign off on them. All other student events and activities (non-SGA/clubs) will have final approval through Student Affairs and do not need the approval of the SGA Advisors.
3) What counts toward the 2 event limit on each weekday or morning/afternoon/evening on Saturday and Sunday?
If your event or activity is open to the whole campus / all of the student body, it WILL count towards the 2.
If your event is just for your club members only or for your specific hall, etc. it will NOT count towards the 2.
Club meetings do NOT count towards the 2.
Also, hall events or recreation after in dorm do NOT count towards the 2.
Some academic programs may not count towards the two. It will depend.
If you are unsure, submit your paperwork and talk with the staff. Remember, each event will be reviewed individually, so don't panic!
4) What is the Run Request Form?
The Run Request form is a form which allows Residential Life to set up appointments for club member to go on runs. Runs are where club members go to shopping centers such as Walmart in order to buy items for their club events. It is required for all clubs to submit Run Request forms, and as with the other forms, must be submitted 2 weeks before the planned event.
CLUBS
1) Can my club start an event before the SGA sponsors my club?
If you would like hold a club event prior to becoming an official club, please work with your club sponsor. You should still submit the appropriate event and room reservation forms. Note: Clubs cannot spend SGA money until SGA awards the funds in September
2) Can I go ahead and put my club events for the term on the calendar now before SGA is organized?
Official club events will not be approved until the SGA is in place to make clubs official, but you are welcome to start planning ahead and have your forms ready to submit. The SGA Treasurer will inform clubs when they can begin submitting events.
3) When will clubs be approved and funded?
As soon as the SGA Officers are elected on September 7, reviewing / approving / and funding clubs will be their number 1 priority!
4) Who will be able to sponsor my club?
Only Faculty members can sponsor clubs. This means that member of the Leadership team and teachers are able to sponsor clubs. Hall staff are not able to sponsor clubs, and clubs with hall staff sponsors will not be approved by the SGA.
5) How many clubs are eligible for SGA sponsorship?
This year, 25 clubs will be eligible for SGA sponsorship. Academic clubs and Competitive clubs have top priority for selection. Clubs that continued from previous years will also have a better chance of receiving SGA sponsorship.
Policies and Procedures
1) Does SGA have the ability to modify the Community Standards Handbook?
The SGA does not have the ability to change the Community Standards Handbook, however the SGA does have the ability to change the SGA constitution, a document which lists the functions and processes of the SGA. This is decided upon by the SGA conducting a 2/3 majority vote for the addendums to the SGA constitution.
2) What are the roles of the SGA officers?
The SGA President presides and organizes SGA meetings. They also coordinate with the SGA Advisors and ASMS President to help make sure ASMS remains functional, efficient, and forward-thinking. They serve as the face of the SGA, and to an extent, the face of ASMS. The President is in charge of the Policy Committee (PC).
The SGA Vice President performs the duties of the SGA President in the event that the President is absent. They also plan SGA activities, ranging from small-scale events to large-scale events like Winter Formal or Prom. The Vice President is in charge of the Activities Committee (AC).
The SGA Treasurer is accountable for all SGA financial records. They also plan projects to improve the campus. The Treasurer is responsible for all maintenance regarding clubs and club budgets. The Treasurer is in charge of the Campus Life Committee (CLC).
The SGA Secretary takes the role of improving communications throughout the SGA. They plan out the agendas and write records for SGA meetings. The Secretary coordinates with the advisors in establishing transparency between the student body and the SGA. The Secretary is in charge of the Student Academic Support Committee (SAS).
The SGA Parliamentarian is tasked with leading ASMS assemblies. These assemblies occur every Tuesday at 12:45 pm. They are also tasked with making sure the SGA follow proper procedure and order.
The SGA Sergeant at Arms maintains the Pi Store and other related facilities. They are also in charge of keep track of late, disruptive or disorderly students during the SGA meeting.
3) If I have a question to ask the SGA, who should I contact?
To establish order and to be efficient, the SGA utilizes a chain of command. This is so that people in higher-up positions are not given tasks that other officials would be able to do.
Before you ask your question, ask yourself "Which committee will be the most relevant for answering my question?"
If your question revolves around programs such as Dragon Talks, talk to members of Policy Committee (PC).
If your question revolves around Winter Formal, Prom, or SGA events, talk to members of the Activities Committee (AC).
If your question revolves around finance, clubs, or campus life conditions, talk to members of the Campus Life Committee (CLC).
If your question revolves around the SGA website, test prep, or SGA communications, talk to member of the Student Academic Support Committee (SAS).
Make sure to follow this chain of command:
Ask SGA representatives
Ask SGA Officers
Ask the SGA President
Then, Ask the SGA Advisors