The document proposes reforms to the student council structure at Notre Dame de Namur University. It describes the current Associated Students (AS) structure with an executive council and senate, and identifies key defects including senate domination by clubs and conflicts of interest in funding allocation. The proposed new structure is called the Student Assembly (SA) which would have proportional representation in the senate based on academic divisions. It would also separate club oversight from the senate and establish leadership requirements for the Student Assembly Leadership Team to address the identified issues.

1. Student Council Reform
Associated Students
Notre Dame de Namur University
Spring 2015
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2. Associated Students (AS) Structure I
• Functions as student council
• Organization that represents all students
• Led by Executive Council
• Led by Senate
– Different types and numbers of Senators
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3. Associated Students (AS) Structure II
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Associated Students
Student Body
Executive Branch
Four Officers
Legislative Branch
Variable # Senators

4. AS Executive Council
• President, VP, Treasurer, and Secretary
• Popularly elected by entire student body
• Oversees Senate and Associated Students
business
• Compensated
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5. AS Senate I
• Includes Senators representing clubs, schools,
and special populations
• Distributes AS funding to member student
groups
• Variable number of Senators
• Most Senators are not popularly elected
• Not compensated
• (Pardon the acronym)
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6. AS Senate II
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Senate
Academics
Up to 12
Senators
Residence
Hall Assoc.
One Senator
Commuter
Students
Two Senators
Clubs
Unlimited #

7. AS Key Structural Defects
• Senate dominated by clubs
– Unlimited number of clubs to participate
– Cumbersome size presents logistical challenges
• Senate conflicts of interest
– Club Senators allocate funding for one another
• Inconsistent representation of student sectors
– One student may be represented
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8. Addressing AS Key Defects
• Outsource clubs to external group
– Addresses clubs’ domination of Senate
• Clubs do not have final oversight of club funding
– Addresses funding conflicts of interest by transferring
oversight of club funding to Senate
• Senate participation limited to proportionally
representative # of academic Senators
– Addresses inconsistent representation: each student is
represented by proportional number of school
Senators
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9. Student Assembly (SA) Structure I
• New structure, new name!
• Still represents all students
• Oversees funding for student groups
• Led by Student Assembly Leadership Team
(SALT)
– Senate
– Executive Officers
– Compensation: leadership scholarship
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10. Student Assembly (SA) Structure II
Associated Students
Student Body
Executive Branch
President and VP
Legislative Branch
Eight Senators
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11. SA Executive Officers
• Check and balance Senate rather than oversee
• Elected annually by entire Student Assembly
• President
– Acts as head of the Student Council
– May veto legislation (but may be overturned)
– Engage with university bodies and other institutions
• Vice President
– Chairs the Senate or assigns chair
– Serves as treasurer and secretary or assigns roles
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12. SA Senate I
• Check and balance Executive Officers
• Elected annually by students of Senators’
constituent school
– College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business &
Management, and School of Education &
Leadership
• Represent student interests, do collateral
special commission work, and
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13. SA Senate II
Senate
Six Senators below
Arts &
Sciences
3 Senators
Business &
Management
2 Senators
Education &
Leadership
1 Senator
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14. Requirements of SALT
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above
• Good disciplinary standing
• A member of the Student Assembly while
running for office and throughout a term of
office (one academic year)
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15. Thank you!
Data regarding actual student representation
was taken from the 2014-15 academic year.
Questions or comments?
Email kbeel@student.ndnu.edu
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