User:Brianreading/Sandbox

The Student Government Association or SGA at the University of Houston is an elected student government. Forming in the early 1930's, the organization has had influence in the direction, and is one of the few student fee-funded organizations of the university.

History
The foundation of the SGA can be traced back to the 1930's when the school was known as Houston Junior College. The Student Council, UH's earliest form of student government, was sponsored by the dean of the college, Naasson K. Dupre. The organization consisted of the presidents of major UH student groups, and functioned as a facilitator of communication between faculty, administration, and the student body. This organization was not very powerful, and simply focused on projects like the organizing of school dances. Although a weak body, the Student Council was the predecessor to eventual legislative functions of the government.

Later, the Student Association formed at the University of Houston, and the two governmental bodies moved towards a more executive and legislative complimentary relationship. The original make-up of the Association was from several Student Council members and the rest from representatives of the student body classes.

In March of 1940, the Student Assembly was created by the Student Council. The purpose of the Assembly was to make a bicameral legislative body for the student government. The Assembly was composed of two representatives from each class and recognized club, and was presided over by the vice-president of the Student Association. In relation to each other, the Student Council and Student Assembly were the upper house and lower house respectively.

Notable office holders

 * Johnny Goyen - Secretary of Student Association (1942), Longtime Houston City Councilman
 * Richard Haynes - President of Student Association (1954), Criminal defense attorney
 * Jack Valenti - President of Student Association (1942), Advisor to Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the MPAA