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The University of Florida Student Government, established in 1909, exists to represent and act in the interests of the students. Student Government (SG) has created an academic and extra-curricular environment benefitting students through its programs and works to sustain and improve them each year. SG's power is balanced among three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
Mission Statement
Student Government at the University of Florida is committed to tirelessly advocating on behalf of the student body, enhancing the entire student experience and promoting the image of the university and its students by upholding ourselves to the highest standards, leading with integrity and selflessly serving the university and beyond.
Executive Branch
The Executive Branch is the largest and consists of the Student Body President, Vice President and Treasurer, as well as 9 Agencies and 22 Programming Cabinets and 13 Policy Cabinets. The Executive Branch is primarily in charge of handling various programs and issues on campus as well as being the liaison between the Student Body and the University of Florida administration. All Executive powers of the Student Body shall be vested in the President of the Student Body, assisted by the Vice President and the Treasurer. The Student Body President, Vice President and Treasurer are elected by a majority of the Student Body and shall serve for one year starting on May 1st of every academic year.
Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch of Student government is the Student Senate. The purpose of the Senate is to closely represent the views and ideas of the 48,000+ students here at the University of Florida. The Student Senate performs tasks ranging from confirming Executive and Judicial appointments to passing Student Body Laws, Authorizations, and Resolutions. The Senate is responsible for allocating the activity and service fees each year, which is currently well over 11 million dollars.
Most of these funds support the J. Wayne Reitz Union, Recreational Sports, Student Government, Student Legal Services, the Board of College Councils, and hundreds of Student run organizations.
The Senate is composed of 92 senators, each serving a one-year term 46 students are elected as senators in the Fall and 46 in the Spring. Elections are held twice each year, at the beginning each semester. Elections for the Senate President and President Pro Tempore are held both semesters.
Every student at the University of Florida is represented by multiple senators. The 43 senators elected in the Fall represent students by their geographic living areas on or off campus. The 43 senators elected in the Spring represent academic colleges.
Senate meetings are held every Tuesday evening in JWRU room 282 at 7:30 (7:00 during the Summer). All meetings are open to the public. Students are encouraged to attend and may sign up to speak during the public debate session. This time is specifically designed as an open forum for students to address the senators who represent them.
For questions about the Student Senate, or information on how to get involved, visit the Senate office, Room 305 of the Reitz Union.
