George Washington University Student Association

The George Washington University Student Association (known as the GW Student Association or SA) is the student government of the George Washington University in Washington, DC. The SA is responsible for advocacy on behalf of the GW student body at and is modeled after the U.S. Federal Government and consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial.[2]

George Washington University Student Association
InstitutionGeorge Washington University
LocationWashington, D.C.
EstablishedOrigin
1909
Constitution
1976
PresidentArielle Geismar
Vice presidentDemetrius Apostolis
Members27,159 (2016)[1]
Websitesa.gwu.edu

The origins of GW's Student Association trace back to 1909, but the current structure dates to 24 May 1976, when the current constitution was adopted by a university-wide referendum, which established the Executive Cabinet, the Senate, and the Student Court. Numerous alumni of GW's student government have gone on to pursue prominent careers in politics, such as Edward David Burt (youngest ever Premier of Bermuda), in diplomacy, such as Ambassador Edward Gnehm (Presidential Distinguished Award winner), and in the private sector, such as Neil Portnow (former president of The Recording Academy).

History

In 1909, a student representational system governed by various class presidents or officers was founded.

In 1930, the previous system was abolished in favor of the creation of the GW Student Council. All schools in 1930 were to receive one representative for every 500 students. In 1938 the constitution was changed. The new Council was composed of 9 members elected of the student body at large and 5 members from various student groups. It was given the following powers: 1) to make rules governing elections, 2) to classify activities as "major" or "minor," 3) to require major activities to file prospect covering their programs for each year, 4) to prescribe systems of accounts and records for any activity, and, 5) to make rules providing appropriate penalties for violation of any rule, regulation, or order of the Council.

The Council system, with modifications (it later became known as the Student Assembly), continued until February 27, 1970, when 69% of the student body voted in a referendum to dissolve the student government.

Student Assembly president Neil Portnow ran for reelection with the abolition of the Assembly as the major plank of his platform. He won, and on February 17 read a statement to The GW Hatchet and other press announcing the abolition of GW's student government.[3]

It wasn't until 1974 that a referendum to bring back some form of student government was initiated, and in January 1975 students voted to create a new governing system by a five to one margin. The George Washington University Student Association came into being in April 1976 when students ratified a new constitution by a vote of 1,343 to 241. On May 24 of that year the Board of Trustees ratified the Student Association charter. Membership included all full-time, part-time, graduate, professional and undergraduate students who were registered for academic credit. Today, the Student Association is made up of the executive, senate and judicial branches.[3]

Starting in 2010 the SA focused on reducing printing fees after charges were leveled that the University was profiting off of students. After having little success the issue was again taken up in 2011 with the formation of a joint committee of students and faculty after stonewalling from the university administration.[4] Second semester of the 2011-2012 academic year there was again another vow to renew the fight against student fees.[5] Eventually, the fee was reduced.

Other advocacy efforts have included the restoration of free news papers to student after they were cut by the University.[6] There was also a push to ban smoking on campus by the Senate that led to a campus wide referendum that passed overwhelmingly, but needs to be enacted by the administration. The Student Association has also successfully lobbied for the installation of condom dispensers in residence halls.[7]

Organization

Executive Cabinet

The Executive Cabinet is the executive branch of the SA. The President and Vice President (VP), elected on separate tickets by the 26,000 graduate and undergraduate students, oversee the Executive Branch, which consists of the Executive Cabinet and several subordinate entities. The President appoints Executive Secretaries who lead their own "departments," such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Academic Affairs. These Secretaries must receive confirmation from two-thirds of the Senate. Assistant Secretaries are also appointed by the President, and also must receive Senate confirmation, but can be created or eliminated at will.

The Cabinet is typically led by the President and their Chief of Staff. The "Executive Cabinet" is made up of the President, Chief of Staff, Treasurer (chief financial officer), Legislator General (chief legislative officer), and Communications Director.

List of SA Executive Cabinet Members
YearPresident Vice PresidentChief of StaffTreasurerLegislator GeneralCommunications Director
2023-2024 Arielle Geismar Demetrius Apostolis Isabella Calamari Sandy Huang Jacob Solomon Ishani Patel
2022-2023Christian Zidouemba Yan XuKeanu Rowe/Cordelia ScalesArya ThakurAndrew HardingAiza Saeed
2021-2022Brandon Hill Kate CarpenterZachary Nosanchuk/Catherine MorrisCharles AborisadeHolden FitzgeraldCat Oriel

Senate

The Senate is the SA holds the power to approve bills that are sent to the President, as well as control the Student Association's $1,778,704 budget.[8] The Senate consists of 43 Senators representing their respective schools within the university, the Vice President who is the presiding officer, a Senate Chairperson Pro Tempore, and Senate Staff appointed by the Vice President and confirmed by 2/3rds of the Senate. The 2023-2024 Presiding Officer of the Senate is Vice President Demetrius Apostolis. The Senate consists of seven standing committees that include the Governance and Nominations Committee, Financial Services and Allocations Committee, Physical Facilities and Urban Affairs Committee, Joint Student Life Committee, Joint Education Policy Committee, Sustainability Committee, and the Community, Advocacy, and Inclusion Committee. The Senate has the mandate of making recommendations on issues that affect student life, give general direction to Student Association policies, collect a student fee from tuition and subsequent disbursement, and passing of bills as it sees fit among other powers.[9] The 2023-2024 Chairperson Pro Tempore of the SA Senate is Amy Cowley.

List of SA Senate Leadership
Year Vice President and Presiding Officer of the Senate Senate Chairperson Pro Tempore Chief of Staff Legislative Budget Office Director Chief Counselor to the Senate Communications Director
2023-2024 Demetrius Apostolis Amy Cowley Ishana Bandyopadhyay Nathan Nguyen Eli Bak Katelyn Moon
2022-2023 Yan Xu Demetrius Apostolis Ishana Bandyopadhyay Nathan Nguyen Juan Carlos Mora Ishani Patel
2021-2021 Kate Carpenter Cordelia Scales Chris Johnson N/A N/A
Governance and Nominations Committee

The Governance and Nominations Committee shall focus on issues and legislation concerning amendments to the Constitution and these Bylaws, with such amendments pertaining to financial matters jointly shared with the Financial Services and Allocations Committee, screening candidates for all Senate vacancies, working with the Presiding Officer in the operation of the Senate, impeachment, removal, recall, and censure, the allocations appeal process, during which the Chairperson Pro-Tempore shall serve as Chairperson of the Allocation Appeals Committee, general oversight of internal Student Association operations across all three branches of government, and general oversight of all Senate Committees.[10]

Financial Services and Allocations Committee

The Finance Committee is in charge of the funds that the Senate collects from student tuition to fund the Student Association budget, collecting just over $1.7 million. These funds are primarily doled out to the over 500 student organizations on campus at The George Washington University in addition to funding the operational budget of the Student Association. The Committee is responsible for setting criteria for disbursements and working with the Vice President for Financial Affairs, a member of the President's cabinet. In 2012 the Finance Committee put a Student Fee Increase to a student body referendum. The proposal sought to increase the amount the SA collects from students to $3.00 per credit hour from $1.50 per credit hour, boosting the SA budget to an estimated $1.75 million over nine years.[11] The referendum was ratified by the student body with 66% voting in favor.[12]

Student Life Committee

The Student Life Committee is responsible for advocating on issues that affect students. Primarily, the Committee raises these issues at Senate meetings and proposes bills to be used as the basis for advocacy efforts. As of the 2021-2022 academic year, the committee was divided into an undergraduate and graduate assembly.[13]

Education Policy Committee

The Education Policy Committee (formerly Academic Affairs Committee) primarily focuses on issues that relate to students' academics. The Committee works closely with the Faculty Senate and university administration to address relevant issues. As of the 2021-2022 academic year, the committee was renamed the "Education Policy Committee" and divided into an undergraduate and graduate assembly.[14]

Physical Facilities and Urban Affairs Committee

The Committee on Physical Facilities and Urban Affairs shall focus on issues and legislation concerning the Safety and Facilities, such as GWPD, Housing, Campus Buildings, and Events and Venues, Business Services such as GWorld, Dining, Facility Services, FixIt, Safe Ride, Mail Services, and Parking, Student Wellbeing, such as Disability Support Services, Campus Advisories, Lerner Health and Wellness, GW Health Center/Counseling, and The Store; and the general operation of the University. [15]

Sub-committee on Sustainability

The Permanent Sub-Committee on Sustainability is a sub-committee under the Committee on Physical Facilities and Urban Affairs. The Permanent Subcommittee shall focus on issues and legislation relating to sustainability measures on campus. Legislation can be referred directly to the Subcommittee, which has the power to submit approved legislation to the Full Senate for consideration.[16]

Diversity and Inclusion Assembly

The Diversity and Inclusion Assembly work closely with the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement to advocate on behalf of multicultural student groups on campus. The assembly also creates strategic plans to ensure representation and foster multicultural community outreach.[17]

Student Court

The Judicial Branch consists of the Student Court, composed of five members, two of whom must be undergraduate and two graduate students. Members of the Court serve for their entire academic career after being appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The court has jurisdiction over any cases the involve suits brought between parties within the Student Association and between other student organizations suing the Student Association.

Presidential candidate Kyle Boyer won the popular vote, but was charged with a violation of election rules for failing to report the market value of a car used during campaigning. Julie Bindleglass lost the popular vote, but became President of the SA when the Joint Election Committee, active during elections, threw Boyer off the ballot.[18] Boyer then sued the Joint Elections Committee in the Student Court.[19] The Court used a 1992 precedent in which Presidential candidate Christopher Ferguson alleged he was thrown off the ballot in an "arbitrary and capricious manner", criteria for bringing a case to the court, as precedent for hearing the case. The Student Court upheld the disqualification from the ballot and effectively decided the outcome of the election.

List of SA Presidents and Vice Presidents
TermPresidentVice PresidentNotes
2023-2024 Arielle Geismar[20] Demetrius Apostolis At the time of election, Geismar was the President of GW Residence Hall Association and Apostolis was the Senate Chairperson Pro Tempore.
2022-2023 Christian Zidouemba[21] Yan Xu Christian Zidouemba wins after his third campaign for student body President.
2021-2022 Brandon Hill[22] Kate Carpenter[22] At the time of election, Hill was an incumbent and Carpenter was a Senator-at-large.
2021 Brandon Hill [23] Catherine Morris [24] Upon assuming Presidency following his predecessor's resignation, Hill appointed Morris as EVP.[23]
2020-2021 Howard Brookins III[25] Brandon Hill[25] Brookins resigns in January 2021, with EVP Hill assuming the Presidency.[23]
2019-2020 SJ Matthews Amy Martin SJ Matthews won the run-off election, after an inconclusive general election in which Justin Diamond won a plurality of votes following a write-in campaign.[26]
2018-2019 Ashley Le[27] Ojani Walthrust[28]
2017-2018 Peak Sen Chua[29] Sydney Nelson[30] After the Presidential election was delayed and later cancelled, Chua, then EVP-elect assumed the presidency and nominated Nelson to be his Executive Vice President.
2016-2017Erika FeinmanThomas FalcignoFeinman and Falcigno previously served as SA senators.
2015-2016Andie DowdCasey Syron/Thomas FalcignoFalcigno substituted Syron after mid-term resignation.
2014-2015Nick GumasAvra BossovGumas elected as first openly gay President.
2013-2014Julia SusuniKostas Skordalos
2012-2013Ashwin NarlaAbby Bergren
2011-2012John RichardsonTed Costigan
2010-2011Jason LiftonRob MaximLifton previously served as EVP.
2009-2010Julie BindelglassJason LiftonBindelglass elected as 3rd female President.
2008-2009Vishal AswaniKyle Boyer
2007-2008Nicole CappBrand KroegerCapp elected as 2nd female President.
2006-2007Lamar ThorpeJosh Lasky
2005-2006Audai ShakourMorgan Corr
2004-2005 Omar Woodard Anyah Dembling
2003-2004 Kristopher Hart Eric Daleo
2002-2003 Phil Robinson Eric Daleo
2001-2002 Roger Kapoor Joshua Singer
2000-2001Edward David BurtBurt later became the youngest ever Premier of Bermuda.
1999-2000 Caity Leu Kim McGraw Upon assuming Presidency following predecessor's impeachment and removal, Leu appointed McGraw as EVP.
1999 Phil MeisnerCaity LeuMeisner impeached and removed from office in November 1999, with EVP Leu assuming the Presidency.[31][32]
1998-1999 Carrie Potter Jesse Strauss Potter elected as 1st female President.[33]
1997-1998 Kuyomars “Q” Golparvar Tony Sayegh
1996-1997 Damian McKenna Dianne Gayoski Gayoski was the first female to be elected EVP and McKenna was the first Engineering student to be elected SA President.
1995-1996 Mark Reynolds
1994-1995 Alfred Park Scott Slifka
1993-1994 Scott Adams
1992-1993 Jonathan Tarnow Jim Arnsenault Upon assuming Presidency following predecessor's resignation, Tarnow appointed Arsenault as EVP.[34]
1992 Michael Musante Jonathan Tarnow Musante resigned in October 1992, with EVP Tarnow assuming the Presidency.[34][35]
1991-1992 Kyle Farmbry David Parker
1990-1991 Frank Petramale David Parker
1989-1990 John David Morris
1988-1989 Raffi Terzian
1987-1988 Adam Freedman Freedman 1st President to serve two terms.
1986-1987 Adam Freedman
1985-1986 Ira Gubernick

References
  1. "The George Washington University Enrollment Dashboard". The George Washington University Office of Institutional Research & Planning. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  2. "About the SA by The GW Student Association". gwstudentassociation.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  3. "Student Organizations: Student Government". gwu.edu. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  4. "Fees on the table for SA task force". gwhatchet.com. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  5. "Student Association leaders renew fight against fees". Newsroom. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  6. "SA returns free New York Times to campus". gwhatchet.com. 23 January 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  7. "Senators call for free condoms in residence halls". Newsroom. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  8. "Student Association Senate - GW Student Association". gwu.edu. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  9. "Constitution of The George Washington University Student Association" (PDF). March 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-02.
  10. "Gov Noms".
  11. "Fee hike would boost SA budget to $1.75 million, cost about $90 per student within decade". Newsroom. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  12. "Student referendum approves fee increase". Newsroom. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  13. "Student Life".
  14. "Ed Policy".
  15. "PFUA".
  16. "Sustainability".
  17. "DIA".
  18. "Boyer appeals disqualification to Student Court". Newsroom. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  19. http://blogs.gwhatchet.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/boyercourtcomplaint.pdf
  20. "Arielle Geismar elected SA president as student voter turnout continues descent". The GW Hatchet. 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  21. "Zidouemba elected SA president". The GW Hatchet. 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  22. "Hill elected as SA president". The GW Hatchet. 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  23. "Brookins steps down as SA president". The GW Hatchet. 2021-01-31. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  24. "SA Senate approves Morris as EVP". The GW Hatchet. 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  25. "Elected SA leaders to transition into roles, begin initiatives online". The GW Hatchet. 2020-04-13. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  26. "SA presidential race moves to runoff, Martin takes EVP". GW Hatchet (Student News Paper). March 28, 2019.
  27. "SA President-elect Ashley Le". George Washington University Student Association. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  28. "SA Executive Vice President-elect Ojani Walthrust". George Washington University Student Association. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  29. "SA President Peak Sen Chua". George Washington University Student Association. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  30. "SA Executive Vice President Sydney Nelson". George Washington University Student Association. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  31. "SA Senate impeaches Meisner on eight counts". The GW Hatchet. 1999-11-01. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  32. Argetsinger, Amy (2001-03-03). "Election Scandal Spreads Beyond GWU Lecture Halls". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  33. David Holt (May 17, 1999). "Pieces of the Past". The GW Hatchet. Archived from the original on 2017-02-04. Retrieved August 11, 2020. March: Carrie Potter becomes the first female SA president when she wins in a runoff election.
  34. Cherry Tree. 1993.
  35. Masters, Brooke A. (1992-10-30). "STUDENT LEADER AT GWU QUITS AFTER SLUR". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
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