This student-led organization controls money for student groups and runs programs, among other tasks.
The Student Association at the University of Tulsa is a student-led organization devoted to promoting cultural and social events and advocating for student interests. Every student at TU is a member of SA, as a portion of university tuition goes towards SA dues for things like campus-wide speakers and concerts.
The Student Association is responsible for things like Homecoming, creating new clubs and representing the student body to the administration. It is organized similarly to the U.S. government in that it has an executive, legislative and judicial branch. It has a fourth division, the Cabinet, which coordinates student events and planning.
Senate
Senators are elected by students at TU to represent different sections of the student body, like residence halls or apartments. The Senate writes legislation to improve student life, charters and assists clubs and implements rules governing the whole of the Student Association. The Financial Allocations Committee provides funds to eligible clubs on campus to cover things like travel and food expenses up to a $3,000 limit. If a student has a grievance or idea, like replacing the felt on the pool table at the Hut, they would take it to their senator.
Executive
The Executive wing of the Student Association is comprised of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and chief of staff. The president can veto bills written in the student Senate, which can be overruled by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
According to SA Senator and chair of the Government Operations Committee Cheyenne Green, the SA president meets with members of the administration at a monthly luncheon to discuss student affairs with people like President Clancy and the Provost. The SA president sits on the Board of Trustees for the university, where they represent student interests.
The vice president presides over Senate meetings. The chief of staff heads committee and department meetings and works on assisting other executive members.
Cabinet
The Cabinet is made up of three sections: Operations, Programming and Traditions. Operations is in charge of keeping the Student Association running smoothly, like with tech services and public relations. Programming coordinates cultural and social events, like the Mr. and Mrs. International Competition in the spring. Traditions oversees events like the Grad Party, Homecoming and Springfest.
Judicial Council
The Judicial branch of the Student Association is responsible for SA election integrity and enforcing the SA Constitution. It is composed of seven justices and up to seven clerks. If a member of the Senate wrote a bill that went against SA rules, for example, they would be called before the Judicial Council and asked to remove their bill from consideration. If a member of SA violates an order from the Judicial Council, that individual would be banned from holding SA office.
All Cabinet meetings are held Tuesdays at five in the Union unless otherwise noted. The Senate meets on Tuesdays at nine p.m. in Helmerich Hall room 105. Meetings from both branches are available online at the Student Association webpage.
