Georgetown University Student Association

The Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA), often referred to as the Student Association, is the student government of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Modeled after the United States federal government, it consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial.cite web |url= http://studentorgs.georgetown.edu/gusa/?Action=About |title= Georgetown University Student Association: About |publisher= Georgetown University |date= 2007 |accessdate= 2008-03-10]

The current Constitution of the Student Association was adopted in March 1990, replacing the original GUSA Constitution of 1984 which was deemed inadequate for the needs of the student body. [cite news |url= http://www.georgetownvoice.com/2006-03-23/feature/fixing-what-s-broken |title= Fixing what’s broken |first= Mike |last= Stewart |work= The Georgetown Voice |date= March 23, 2006 |accessdate= 2008-03-10] It remained unamended until September 2006 (a previous "amendment" was erroneously certified in the mid-1990s; it was later thrown out by the Constitutional Council as violating the Constitution's voter threshold for amendments), when the legislative body, previously known as the "Assembly" and elected at large, was replaced by the Senate with campus-based representative districts. [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/14395 |title= Fall Brings Winds of Change for GUSA |first= Twister |last= Murchison |date= November 14, 2006 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-03-10]

GUSA has been involved in numerous controversial elections and topical policy initiatives. In 1997, the group supported the addition of crucifixes in university class rooms, and in 2003 supported the use of only fair trade coffee in campus shops. [cite news |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-56789009.html |title= Georgetown debate angers D.C. cardinal: Hickey chides university on crucifixes |work= The Washington Times |date= November 21, 1997 |last= Hansen |first= Ronald J. |accessdate= 2008-03-24] [cite news |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22797173_ITM |title= University approves measure supporting Fair Trade coffee |work= Tea & Coffee Trade Journal |date= March 20, 2003 |accessdate= 2008-03-24] Recently, GUSA succeeded in extablishing a College Readership Program that provides students with free copies of The Washington Post, The New York Times, and USA Today. GUSA also played a significant role in the creation of the GOCard, or "GeorgetownOne Card," which consolidated the functions of five other cards into one technologically advanced device. [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/7396 |title= STUDENT LIFE GU One Card Planned To Start Next Semester |first= Caroline |last= Keller |date= September 28, 2001 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] In 2006 it also expanded weekend service of the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS), a popular and student-supported mode of transportation used to bring students from campus to the nearest Metro stop, increasing weekend service five-fold. [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/6390 |title= Students Secure Funds for Expanded GUTS |date= March 28, 2006 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] GUSA also proposed and eventually helped create the popular Grab-n-Go dining option, creating a carry-out option for the main student dining hall. [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/5281 |title= Takeout Lunches Introduced |first= Kerry |last= McIntosh |date= September 10, 2004 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] GUSA also funded "Georgetown Forever," a controversial spirit movie made to commemorate many Georgetown traditions. [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/4321 |title= GUSA Plans Pride-Boosting Movie |first= Stephen |last= Santulli |date= November 08, 2005 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] Recently, GUSA made use of financial oversight powers granted to it by the 2006 constitutional amendment, auditing the Student Activities Commission, Media Board, and other advisory groups, and controversially turning up more than $800,000 in unspent funds. [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/15733 |title= $800,000 in Club Funds Unspent |first= Julia |last= Cai |date= April 03, 2008 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] Since then many of these groups have come under pressure from GUSA and the student body to spend these funds, and some of the advisory boards have announced plans to expand existing programs or invest in new capital projects to benefit the student body as a whole. [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/15857 |title= Club Budgets Tackle Excess Reserves |first= Julia |last= Cai |date= April 11, 2008 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/15881 |title= GUSA Approves Activities Budget |first= Julia |last= Cai |date= April 15, 2008 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/15799 |title= SAC’s Folly Continues to Confound |first= Rachel |last= Cohen |date= April 08, 2008 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22] [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/15791 |title= Dollars Should Bring Change |first= Editorial Board |date= April 08, 2008 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-04-22]

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch consists of the Senate, a body of thirty-six Senators, and is led by Speaker Eden Schiffmann and Vice-Speaker Reginald Greer.cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/5393 |title= GUSA Senate Struggles For Identity |first= Meghan |last= Keneally |date= February 16, 2007 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-03-10] The Senate was established in September 2006 by a campus-wide referendum that garnered a turnout of over 50% of the student body, which may be the highest turnout in Georgetown student government history.fact|date=March 2008 Consisting of six standing committees, the Senate advocates on behalf of students in all aspects of student life.cite web |url= http://www18.georgetown.edu/explore/organizations/gusa/?Action=ViewPage&ID=22883 |title= Georgetown University Student Association: Senate |publisher= Georgetown University |date= 2007-08 |accessdate= 2008-03-10] The Senate also has the ability to create student commissions, composed of Senators and non-Senators, to advocate for specific issues, such as alcohol policy reform, Code of Conduct reviews, and diversity recommendations.

Committees

The Finance Committee oversees the allocation of the Student Activities Fee, which funds student groups.fact|date=March 2008 The Ways and Means Committee is in charge of overseeing internal protocol and vetting Executive appointments to external boards, such as the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Ways and Means Committee is charged with holding these student appointments accountable to the student body at large.fact|date=March 2008 The Academic Affairs Committee coordinates with the Academic Councils of each of Georgetown's four undergraduate schools, and fosters dialog and exchange between students and faculty.fact|date=March 2008

The Housing and Facilities Committee advocates for students on these issues, and works on things such as expanded meal plans and improved campus housing. For the 2006 school year, GUSA was involve in a joint effort with the Residents of Color Council and Leaders in Education About Diversity in creating a floor specifically focused on diversity. [cite news |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12053014_ITM |title= A band-aid on a diversity head wound |first= Ryan P. |last= Haygood |work= University Wire |date= December 14, 2005 |accessdate= 2008-03-24]

The Outreach Committee plans events to make the Student Association relevant. The Student Life Committee works on all other aspects of student life. Following outrage at the university policy change, it is part of current lobbying in opposition to a proposed campus-wide ban on kegs. [cite news |url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/07/AR2007090702816_pf.html |title= Georgetown Students Bristle At New Restrictions on Parties |first= Susan |last= Kinzie |work= The Washington Post |date= September 8, 2007 |accessdate= 2008-03-24] [cite news |url= http://www.thehoya.com/node/7283 |title= GUSA Senate Plans To Form Alcohol Review Committee |first= Kathleen |last= Nahill |date= October 16, 2007 |work= The Hoya |accessdate= 2008-03-10] The administration ultimately decided not to ban kegs, which is seen as the result of successful student lobbying efforts.

The Ways & Means Committee is tasked with the internal affairs of the Student Association. By-law proposals, constitutional reforms, and the appointment of officers.fact|date=March 2008 This Student Life Committee deals with issues related to student life, social justice, religious affairs, programming, athletics and other facets of student life not covered by the other Committees.fact|date=March 2008

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is currently led by President Pat Dowd (SFS '09) and Vice-President James Kelly (COL '09). The President and Vice President, elected by the entire undergraduate population each year, oversee an Executive Staff that deals with the day-to-day operations of the Student Association. Additionally, the President and Vice President appoint, with confirmation by the Senate, secretaries for twelve Cabinet Departments, ranging from Academic Affairs to Student Health.fact|date=March 2008 These departments are staffed by students who do not have to be elected to participate.cite web |url= http://www18.georgetown.edu/explore/organizations/gusa/?Action=ViewPage&ID=26257 |title= Georgetown University Student Association: External Boards |publisher= Georgetown University |date= 2008 |accessdate= 2008-03-10] In addition, the Executives appoint student representatives to various External Boards, including the Board of Directors, the Alumni Board of Governors and the Speech and Expression Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate.cite web |url= http://www18.georgetown.edu/explore/organizations/gusa/?Action=ViewPage&ID=27325 |title= Georgetown University Student Association: Constitution |publisher= Georgetown University |date= 2007 |accessdate= 2008-03-10]

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch consists of the Constitutional Council, which oversees all internal Student Association disputes and is charged with stewardship of the Constitution.fact|date=March 2008 It consists of three members.fact|date=March 2008 Until the March 1990 Constitution, no body existed that discharged a judicial function.fact|date=March 2008 The Constitutional Council was not active until the late 1990s and first part of the 21st century, where students increasingly used it within the scope of its functions.fact|date=March 2008

Notable alumni

Former GUSA members include Richard McCooey, founder of popular local restaurants 1789 and The Tombs; former Senator Philip A. Hart; and famed magazine publisher Condé Nast.fact|date=March 2008 Former U.S. President Bill Clinton ran for student body president during his junior year at Georgetown and although he had been president of the Freshman and Sophomore classes, he failed to win election. [cite book |last= O'Neill |first= Paul R. |coauthors= Paul K. Williams |title= Georgetown University |publisher = Arcadia |year= 2003 |pages= 110 |isbn= 0-7385-1509-4] Current U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) was Chair of the former Assembly (the predecessor body to the GUSA Senate) from 1992-93.fact|date=March 2008 Various other GUSA alumni are now elective officials in federal and state office, as well as throughout federal departments and agencies.fact|date=March 2008

References

External links

* [http://www14.georgetown.edu/explore/organizations/gusa GUSA Homepage]
* [http://www.box.net/shared/h2r71s98ok GUSA Public Documents Vault]