USG Senator Application - 2023-2024

The United Students Government of the State University College at Buffalo represents the interests, needs, and wants of the students at the college, while maintaining active participation in the community. To represent the students, USG has a body of student senators. Senators are voting members of the legislature who help connect with, commit to, and work for the students, as they experience their time here at Buffalo State.

To be a senator you need to be an undergraduate, activity fee paying student. You must have a cumulative average of 2.25 and be someone who is committed to being a student leader for all students. Students who are in their first semester at Buffalo State (and have no GPA yet) are eligible to apply and should specify this status in the "schedule" section below. The grades of any students appointed will be checked after the first semester and all who meet the 2.25 minimum GPA will retain their positions.

If you are appointed a USG Senator your term of office will run from the day you are appointed until the following May 31. Because the terms of all Senators and officers end on May 31 Senator applications are not considered late in the spring semester. Students who want to be Senators are always urged to apply to run in the annual election. Election applications open in February with polling in late March. Elected Senators serve during the following school year with a term of office running from June 1 to May 31.

Your Full Name (required)

Preferred personal pronoun (Examples: he, she, they)

Your Buffalo State Student Email (Required)

Telephone Number

Banner ID Number (Required)

Local Address (Required)

Home Address (Required)

Upcoming Year (Required)

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Are you a Commuter Student or a Campus Resident?

Commuter

Campus Resident

As a USG Senator you will serve on one of the standing committees which have been established and described in the USG Constitution in order to successfully deal with matters of concern to activity-fee-paying students at Buffalo State. All committees are required to meet once a week. These are the standing committees of USG:Budget – Chaired by the USG Treasurer, this committee oversees all income and expenditures of USG funded organizations, revises all written and unwritten financial policies, deals with all financial matters presented to the senate, and presents legislation pertaining to USG monies. Organization Relations - Acts as the primary liaison between USG and the member organizations through the individual Organization Representatives. Public Relations – Works with student media to foster good communication between USG and the student body. Chaired by the AVP for Public Relations. Rules and Regulations – Evaluates problems with or between USG organizations and the USG and assists in the drafting and establishment of constitutions by USG organizations. Recommends amendments and legislation to the USG Senate, and is responsible for maintaining the organization recognition procedures and records. Student Life/Campus Programing – Plans and executes student events and assists member organizations with their events

Please rank from 1 to 5 the committees you prefer to work on (no explanation required)

Budget

Organization Relations

Public Relations

Rules and Regulations

Campus Programming

Check below if you would also be interested in serving on Food Service Committee.

Yes

Please write out your current class schedule and other commitments (work, etc.) below. Remember: USG is a responsibility and a commitment. Please make sure you can balance your time. Note: The USG Senate meetings are every Monday at 6:00PM Make sure your schedule is open at that time.

Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability:

List any prior or present campus/community involvements.

What purpose do you think a Student Government serves on a college campus?

Briefly, why do you want to become involved in the USG?

References: Is there anyone on campus (a professor, advisor or campus professional) who you would like to list as a reference? If so, please list their name, position, and campus email.

After you submit your application you will receive an accepted/approved message in your email. This is only an acknowledgement that your application has been received, NOT confirmation that you are a Senator. You will be contacted by email by the USG Speaker Pro Tempore if USG wishes to interview you for a senate position. Candidates who are approved after the interview and a grade check are then presented to the Senate at a Senate meeting where they are allowed to speak and answer questions. This is followed by a vote to appoint by the senate body. You may receive a denied message if applications are not being accepted at the time you submit yours. This does not mean you cannot submit an application at a future time. If you have any questions about this application or procedure contact the Speaker Pro Tempore at: usgspeakerprotemp@mail.buffalostate.edu If you are applying during the summer break you should address questions to the Executive Vice President at:usgvicepresident@mail.buffalostate.edu