Student Government

The Student Government Association (SGA) provides students the opportunity to be active in their campus and local communities. Members attend weekly meetings where they discuss various events, activities and issues, and participate in service projects, learn about the governance process and make new and lasting friendships. Involvement in SGA helps students become leaders as they gain confidence, practice collaboration and develop networking skills that will serve them for a lifetime. View our by-laws and constitution.

Important Dates:

• Tuesday, March 4, 2025 starting at 1 p.m. - Election packets available in the Student Activities Office
• Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - Election packets must be turned in before 5 p.m. to be on the ballot
• April 14-16, 2024 - Elections held

General information

Each position is held for 1 academic year.

Students running for a position must:

• Have no violations of the Student Code of Conduct
• Have a minimum cumulative point average (CPA) of 2.5

Positions:

SGA President

The SGA president is the face of the students. They oversee the operations of the executive branch of the student government as well as attend College functions requiring a student presence.

The president of the SGA shall be the official student representative of DCC students. They shall exercise all executive powers of a president of the SGA in conformity with The SGA Constitution, applicable bylaws and applicable state law. These powers include, but are in no way limited to:

A. Approve or disapprove in writing all legislative acts of the Student Senate.

B. Appoint, supervise, and terminate all executive committees and boards.

C. Coordinate the executive branch of the SGA.

D. Nominate candidates for the positions of directors.

E. Serve as the delegation leader and nominate members of a delegation to all SGA intercollegiate conferences and meetings.

F. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, clubs and commissions.

G. Attend all Student Senate meetings, so as to keep open a direct line of communication.

H. Have the sole power to declare special election.

The SGA president must also:

• Be available for 4 office hours per week
• Meet as part of the SGA Executive Board

SGA Vice President

The vice president oversees the operation of the Student Senate and runs the meetings. The vice president is a member of the SGA Executive Board.

The vice president shall be the official representative of the Student Senate, and in the absence of the president shall be the official representative of the SGA. They will execute all executive powers of the vice president of the SGA in conformity with the SGA Constitution, applicable bylaws and applicable state laws. The vice president shall:

A. Serve as president of the Student Senate.

B. Run all Student Senate meetings.

C. Maintain a liaison between the legislative and executive branches of the SGA.

D. Have the power to appoint and supervise committees of the Student Senate.

E. Have the power to vote in the Student Senate only in the event of a tie.

F. Assist the executive board in determining the agenda of business for the Student Senate meetings.

G. Maintain the attendance record of the coordinator of internal affairs.

The SGA vice president must also:

• Be available for 4 office hours per week
• Meet as part of the SGA Executive Board

Coordinator of Internal Affairs

The coordinator of internal affairs is second in charge in the Senate. They are responsible for insuring that all clubs and senate members are fulfilling their obligations to the SGA. The coordinator of internal affairs is a member of the SGA executive board.

The coordinator of internal affairs shall:

A. Assist the vice president of the SGA in the successful operations of the Senate.

B. Maintain the attendance of all members in Senate and committee meetings.

C. Rule on the legitimacy of all absences of the club representatives and senators.

D. Notify the Senate of any senator in violation of the attendance policy.

E. Monitor the submission of club minutes and attendance.

F. Freeze club budgets for policy violations and notify the Senate of clubs whose budgets are frozen.

G. Act as temporary president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president.

The coordinator of internal affairs must also:

• Be available for 4 office hours per week
• Meet as part of the SGA Executive Board

Treasurer of the SGA

The treasurer of the SGA oversees the Student Activities Fund. They are in charge of the budget committee, which reviews all budget and fundraising requests. The treasurer must also sign all payment requests. The treasurer is a member of the SGA Executive Board.

The treasurer shall be the chief fiscal officer of the SGA. Except as may otherwise be provided by the SGA Constitution, the treasurer shall:

A. Have charge of the administration of all SGA funds.

B. Review/sign all expenditures which must correspond with the “Master Student Activities Budget” which is approved by the Student Senate, SGA president, College president, and the Board of Trustees.

C. Present approved budget issues to the Senate.

D. Be chair of the budget committee.

 The treasurer of the SGA must also:

• Be available for 4 office hours per week
• Meet as part of the SGA Executive Board
• Serve as a board member of the Association of Dutchess Community College

Student Trustee

The student trustee is a member of the Board of Trustees of the College. The Board of Trustees sets policies and approves all actions of the College.

The student trustee is a voice for the students on this board. The student trustee shall:

     A. Serve on the DC Board of Trustees in accordance with all NY state laws.

     B. Represent the students on the DCC Board of Trustees. They shall bring forth any issues or concerns of the students to the DCC Board of Trustees and take these issue into account when voting.

     C. Act as liaison between the SGA and the DCC Board of Trustees.

          a. Keep the SGA informed of all non-confidential activities, discussions, developments and actions of the DCC Board of Trustees.

          b. Report to the DCC Board of Trustees all activities, discussions, developments and actions of the SGA.

     D. Attend at least one senate meeting per month. This meeting should be the one soonest after the DCC Board of Trustees meeting.

 The student trustee must also:

• Be available for 4 office hours per week
• Meet as part of the SGA Executive Board

Chief Justice

The chief justice oversees the student court. The court reviews parking fine appeals, oversees the SGA election process, and acts as arbiter for all disputes in the SGA and clubs.

The chief justice shall:

     A. Be the spokesperson for the court and the judicial branch of the SGA in accordance with this Constitution.

     B. Recommend four (4) students with a 2.0 CPA and who have no violations of the Student Code of Conduct to serve as associate justices to the president of the SGA.

     C. Report to the Senate and president at least twice a semester or more often as required.

     D. Render decisions with associate justices on all court cases.

     E. Appoint a substitute in the event that the chief justice is not present.

     F. Monitor all aspects of spring elections and be informed of the election outcomes by the Student Activities/Student Life staff, no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the elections have ended.

The chief justice must also:

• Be available for 4 office hours per week
• Meet as part of the SGA Executive Board

For further information stop by the Student Activities Office in Dutchess Hall room 201 or email studentactivitiesoffice@sunydutchess.edu.