SGA: Beyond Campaign Week

When you think about SGA, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Hey Day? Freshman Forum? Campaign Week? These things shape your perspective of Auburn’s SGA and automatically create a picture of what you believe SGA achieves. I struggled with understanding SGA’s purpose at Auburn, so I’m here to shine some light on their role.

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SGA’s Role

Auburn’s Student Government is the official governing organization and representation of the student body. As a whole, they work to enhance the student body’s experience while at Auburn. They also collaborate with government entities such as the Auburn City Council and Alabama State Legislature.

 SGA’s Structure

There are three branches within SGA: the executive, legislative, and judicial branch. Together, they work to serve the student body in the areas of student life, campus safety, collaboration, and so much more. Each branch is managed by incredible leaders and is currently under the direction of the first black female SGA President, Ada Ruth Huntley.

The Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches collaborate to create a rewarding experience for every individual at Auburn University. Specifically, the Executive branch consists of Cabinet, which includes different teams that coordinate outreach, initiatives, the treasury department, and communications and marketing. All of these teams have different tasks that help make SGA and Auburn University run efficiently.

The Legislative branch consists of the Vice President, currently Hays Kassen, as well as the Student Senate and School’s Council. The Student Senate’s role is to represent the student body on a smaller level, and it is made up of five committees. The committees include Academic Affairs, Budget and Finance, Code of Laws and Rules, Student Affairs, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Together, they work to advocate for students’ academic needs, allocate student activity fees, maintain the Code of Laws, ensure that every student is represented within SGA, and address issues with dining, transportation, resident life, and so much more.

Finally, there is the Judicial branch. This branch possesses jurisdiction of the Code of Laws and provides a system of checks and balances within SGA. 

An Inside View

All this to say, SGA does so much more behind the scenes than the average student at Auburn realizes. Gracie Groat, a current COSAM Senator speaks of her time in her position at Auburn fondly…

“We as senators are doing all that we can to improve our individual colleges. For COSAM, this may look like applauding those doing research towards COVID-19 or having open office hours for COSAM students to ask questions or bring concerns. I would not trade my experience on Auburn’s campus or in SGA for anything! War Eagle!”

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Understanding the inner workings of SGA and all of the different branches is challenging. However, I hope this gives you more insight into how hard SGA works to make your experience at Auburn more meaningful. Next time you experience an event produced by SGA, be sure to thank a member for the work they put in. It will mean the world.

 Be well, Auburn.

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Photography: Auburn University SGA