Student Government Association

Are You Ready To Make A Difference?

There are several ways to take part in student government at Virginia State University. These include participation in the Student Government Association (SGA), its Student Senate or serving as a representative for your class. Learn more details below.

Student Government Association

Virginia State University's SGA consists of the student governing body. The SGA is responsible for being the liaison between students and administration regarding policies or issues directly affecting the student body. It also helps to promote and implement new legislation and initiatives that affect the student body’s way of life.

The SGA is comprised of the following elected and appointed members:

  • President (elected)
  • Vice President for Student Affairs (elected)
  • Vice President for Administration and Finance (elected)
  • Vice President for Academic Affairs (elected)
  • Chief of Staff (appointed)
  • Executive Secretary (appointed)
  • Director of Marketing and Campus Relations (appointed)
  • Director of Community and Alumni Relations (appointed)
  • Trojan Pride Coordinator (appointed)
  • Webmaster (appointed)

Student Senate

The Student Senate is the legislative body of the SGA. Its membership includes representatives from each of the four classes, representatives from each undergraduate school, a representative from the graduate school, and one representative from the Social Organizations Council, Pan-Hellenic Council, and off-campus students. The duties and responsibilities of the council are outlined in the constitution and by-laws of the SGA.

The Student Senate consists of 28 senators. Senators are delegated from colleges, units/departments, or organizations in the following manner:

Appointed Senators. Eighteen of the senators are be appointed to each of the following colleges or units/departments (two senators each) by a panel of SGA members and election officials as follows:

  • School of Engineering, Science, and Technology
  • Reginald F. Lewis College of Business
  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • College of Agriculture
  • Residence Life
  • Honors Program
  • Athletics
  • Army ROTC
  • Commuter Students (to include University of Ettrick Apartments)

Elected Senators. The remaining 10 senators are determined through an election process from the body of individuals the senator(s) will represent as follows:

  • Non-Greek campus organizations – 2 (Leadership Council meeting election)
  • National Pan-Hellenic Council – VSU Chapter – 2 (Chapter meeting election)
  • Classes (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) – 1 each  (Campus elections)
  • Graduate students – 1 (Graduate Student Association election)
  • Senator-at-Large (representing the entire student population) – 1 (Campus elections)

Senators must be full-time students, submit their applications by the deadline, maintain a minimum 2.500 grade point average during their office, and must be in good standing with the University academically and socially.

Class Officers

Class officers are an extension of the SGA. They work to promote initiatives and support the needs and interests of their class. Class officers include the following positions: president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian, sergeant-at-arms, senator, king and queen.

Class officers must be full-time students, submit their applications by the deadline, maintain a minimum 2.500 grade point average during their office, and must be in good standing with the University academically and socially.