User:Ncoline/Purdue Student Government

What is PSG?
Purdue Student Government (PSG) is a student-run and operated organization that serves the student body by advocating student concerns to students, faculty, community members, administration and alumni. In other words, PSG is the voice of the student body.

How is PSG organized?
PSG is composed of an executive staff, that oversees PSG's three main branches. The first is the Senate, composed of students representing the various academic schools on campus, that is responsible for the enacting of legislation pertaining to the issues pertinent to the student body.

The Board of Directors is the outreach branch of PSG. The Directors, each representing a specific position, are responsible for advertising, planning, and sponsoring PSG events, such as concerts, speakers, memorials, and campus wide informational events. The directors are also responsible for securing corporate sponsorships for PSG, contacting other organizations, and generally serving the Greater Lafayette community.

The Student Court is the judicial arm of PSG. It has total jurisdiction over all PSG matters. This includes hearing any internal PSG grievances or trials, as well as hearing all traffic ticket appeals for Purdue students. The court rules on the constitutionality of all PSG actions, in accordance with the PSG constitution and by-laws. Also, the court maintains a department of legal aid to provide Purdue students with information regarding typical legal problems such as landlord-tenant disputes and local ordinance violations.

I would like to join PSG, what are the benefits?
PSG provides an opportunity for experience in leadership roles and civic responsibility. Purdue Student Government also acts as a social network for its members, providing them with an active community of hard-working fellow leaders who are all working for a greater cause.

History of Purdue Student Government
In 1933, a group of seniors drew up Purdue University's first constitution for a Purdue Student Federation. This student federation was the first student government structure to include a representative student senate and executive branch. Also included in the Student Federation were the Student Union and Activities Council composed of representatives from each activity on campus.

The Student Union and Activity Council had become completely separate from the Student Senate in 1942. As a governing body representatives of student opinion, the Student Senate was responsible for such things as campus elections, the student handbook, a faculty rating program, and a lost and found service, as well as making recommendations to the Executive Council of the University.

In 1946 Student Senate acquired a structure of three parts which was formalized in 1947 when the organization restructured itself into a Student Council. This consisted of the Executive Board, Student Assembly, and the Student Court.

In 1961 our Student Government was modeled after our present United States Government and called the Purdue Student Government. The positions of the Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, and a Senate by housing organizations were created. Student representation on university committees, student representation on the Board of Trustees, and a Student Bill of Rights were major accomplishments for the year.

Then during the late 1960's the student government lost sight of it's former purpose. The Student Senate became an interest group forum, or like special interest groups, it became more interested in national and political issues, such as R.O.T.C., university investments abroad, and freedom of the press instead of focusing on presenting the student body and meeting the needs of the Purdue students.

In the early 1970's the issues of the 1960's died down. Many students felt that after the Student Bill of Rights had been passed that there was no need for a student government. Therefore, in 1971, Purdue Student Government was changed to Purdue Student Association

The philosophy behind the 1971 change was that the Student Government's purpose was not to represent, but to have services for the students. It was felt that the Student Government had no power over policy, thus it was not really a government. The only other change other than the name was the creation of the Student Association Board of Operations (S.A.B.O.) which was in charge of revenue.

In 1988, the Student Government reverted back to the 1961 name which reflected the purpose of the organization: Purdue Student Government. The reasoning behind the reversion was that the Purdue Student Association, it's responsibilities were not overt, and for the sake of clarification the name change was necessary.

In 2007 Purdue Student Government continues to play an active role in the Student Body's experience here at Purdue. By providing quality programming, such as speakers and conferences, and exceptional service, listening to and executing student needs. Purdue Student Government helps to make students career at Purdue more educational and enjoyable. Purdue Student Government is and will continue to be the link that connects all faculty, administrators, and student body.

Current Officers
President - Brad Krites Vice President - Jamie Steiner Chief of Staff - Rohan Johnson Treasurer - James Norris Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Assessment - Alex Robinson Executive Director of Programming - Laura Capps Executive Director of Student Organizational Outreach - Chloe Morrical Executive Director of Governmental Relations - Brett Highley Executive Director of Communications - Audrie Koester Secretary - Lara Budmats President Pro Tempore of The Purdue Student Senate - Nick DeBoer Chief Justice of The Student Court - Ian Champ

Current Senators
College of Agriculture - Emily Dieckmann and Laura Donaldson College of Health and Human Sciences - Dani Byers adn Stephen Babcock College of Education - David Andrews and Samantha DeKemper College of Engineering - Katherine Horton and Melissa Perram College of Liberal Arts - Melissa Dunn and Nick DeBoer School of Management - Matt Swiontek and Zachary Briggs College of Science - Allison Mankus and Samantha Carney College of Technology - Seth S. Kester and Zach Morgan College of Pharmarcy - Ziang Chen and Ashley Comparet Council of Org. for Respect and Equality - Jason Jointer and Jessica Rombach Undergraduate Studies Program - James Parish and Elliot Stewart Graduate School - Andrew Robinson

Board of Directors
Governmental Relations - Logan Springstun and Dan Furguson Student Organizational Outreach - Jen Barth, Brad Barnett, adn Megan McKechnie Programming - Keith Brashaber, Amanda Evans, and Travis Langdon Strategic Planning and Assessment - CW Peak, Brianna Castle, and Nick Robinson Communications - Sara Yelich, Emma Ferrel, Susan Bonantati, and Chelsea White.

Student Court
Ian Champ Francisca Hoffman Monica Harvey Karim Boustany Joseph Kim Susan Parmar Tiffany Jiang