Get Involved

Be Heard, Be on Student Government! 

This a great opportunity to enhance everyone's DU experience by creating positive change. It also looks great on your resume. Get details below on running for Executive Board, becoming a Student Representative for your campus, how to attend our online sessions and more. 

Join Student Government through Org Sync [1]

Student Representatives 
WIMBA Meetings
Executive Board Duties & Responsibilities 

Click here [2] to submit your letter of intent to run for an Executive Board or Governor position. 

In addition to the Executive Board, each campus will have a Governor who leads the student representatives from their respective campus. 

Student Representatives

Because our Student Government is still new, you are welcome to join us and see what it's like! To be a Representative for your campus, please complete this Student Rep Interest Form [3].

Currently, not all campuses are represented, so we are welcoming all students to sign up. Once we start filling in the gaps, our formal body will consist of:

• At least one representative from each Davenport Campus and online, determined by campus enrollment
• One representative from each registered student organization (RSO) 
• One representative from each academic college

A student who is representing one seat may not represent another seat.

WIMBA Conference Call Meetings 

All Student Government meetings are held online, similar to your online class collaboration. Click here [4] to access a WIMBA classroom tutorial. To attend meetings:

1. Use the wizard link [5] to set up your computer,
2. Use the launcher link [6] to join the  meeting.
3. Call (201) 549-7592 and enter participant PIN 94006793.  

In addition, special sessions may be called by the President if necessary. The executive board will meet bi-weekly and the Governor's board meets as needed. Governors may submit proposals for consideration to be reviewed by the Executive board. 

Executive Board Duties & Responsibilities

Elections for the Executive Board take place each year in April and vacancies will be filled as they occur. We hope you'll take a leadership role within Student Government. To run for our 2012-2013 Executive Board, check out the position information below and keep an eye out for election information during Winter semester. 

President
Executive Vice President of Internal Affairs 
Vice President of Finance
Vice President of Public Relations
Secretary
Governors Board 
Qualifications and Selection Process

Entire Executive Board

1. Act as a liaison between the student body and the administration of the university.
2. Respond to and help solve issues and concerns of the student body.
3. Assist in the establishment and maintenance of policies and procedures conducive to high academic achievement and enriched extracurricular environment.
4. Eligibility: Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, be currently enrolled as a DU student in good judicial standing.  

President of Student Government

1. The President shall create an agenda and preside over meetings
2. The President shall only vote in case of a tie.
3. The President shall represent the student body at by attending University Leadership Meetings. 
4. The President shall represent the student body at meetings with any individual, group of individuals, or businesses wherein agreements are discussed. The President shall have the authority to make or dissolve agreements with individuals, groups of individuals, or businesses after a majority of voting Representatives present at a General Session concurs that all available facts have been presented.  
5. The President has the authority to create committees deemed necessary to carry out the functions, programs, and activities of Student Government.
6. The President has the authority to call special meetings of the Executive Board and/or House provided that (24) hours notice be given. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.
7. The President shall receive members and officials of foreign organizations involved with Davenport University.
8. The President shall present to the Executive Board, House, and Senate any information available on the state of Student Government whenever possible and may make recommendations on matters judged to be important and urgent.
9. The President has the authority to appoint temporary leadership within Student Government, not to exceed 30 days, or fill any vacant position with approval of a majority of House members, Governors, and the Executive Board.
10. The President shall meet at least once per week with the Advisor for Student Government and once per month with the Vice President of Student Services to voice student concerns and issues. 
11. The President shall hold an open forum twice per semester to inform students of current campus related issues and to receive student input and questions. 
12. The President has the authority to request a report from any member of Student Government. The request must be made at least one week in advance. The report is to be sent electronically. 
13. The President shall present a “State of Student Body" annually to the student body. 
14. The President shall be responsible for communicating regularly with the leadership of all student organizations on matters related to Student Government policies and procedures affecting recognition, operations, and activities.

Executive Vice President of Internal Affairs

1. The EVP of Internal Affairs shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence. 
2. The EVP of Internal Affairs shall preside over the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
3. The EVP of Internal Affairs shall grant excused absences to any Representative(s) unable to attend regularly scheduled General Sessions.
4. The EVP of Internal Affairs shall coordinate at least one major community service project per academic year and will seek the support and participation of all student organizations. 

Vice President of Public Relations

1. The Vice President of Public Relations shall coordinate the promotion of Student Government meetings, events, and initiatives (marketing). 
2. The VP of Public Relations shall oversee the public forums of Student Government Group including, but not limited to: the Davenport Community website, the Davenportal, the Student Life website, Facebook, and Twitter. 
3. The VP of Public Relations shall oversee the Panther Press. 
4. The VP of Public Relations shall share General Session meeting minutes with the Executive Board and House of Representatives within one week after the General Session.

Vice President of Finance

1. The VP of Finance is responsible for the oversight of all the allocations and funding related to Student Government. 
2. The VP of Finance will be “co-signer”, with the Advisor, on all Student Government disbursements.
3. The VP of Finance will keep accurate records of expenditures, receipts, and fundraising efforts.
4. The VP of Finance will report on Student Government’s financial position to the Executive Board, House, and Senate on a monthly basis. 
5. The VP of Finance will assume responsibility for acting as liaison to represent Student Government in all audits and provide copies of audit reports and reconciliations to the Executive Board, House of Representatives, Senate, and Administration. 

Secretary

1. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining, managing and keeping secure all official records and files of the Student Government, such as attendance and voting rights.
2. The Secretary will record and distribute Executive Board meeting and general session minutes. The minutes will be distributed to the Vice President of Public Relations, to be shared with the public, to the Executive Board, and the House of Representatives within 3 days after the meeting or general session. 
3. The Secretary will assist all Executive Board members in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. 
4. The Secretary will be responsible for providing requested materials to Student Life in order to maintain active RSO status.

Governors Board

 1. Purpose of the Governors Board - to oversee the three regions that make up Student Government. The regions  include: 

 a. East Region consists of the following campuses: Flint, Lansing, Livonia, Warren
 b. West Region consists of the following campuses:  Battle Creek, Grand Rapids - Downtown and Lettinga,      Holland, Kalamazoo
c. North Region consists of the following campuses: Alma, Caro, Gaylord, Midland, Saginaw, Traverse City

2. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities of the Governors

a. To coordinate all representatives in each region.
b. Serve as the liaison between the representatives in each region and the Executive Board. 
c. To receive and review funding requests and program proposals for each region.

Senate (Registered Student Organizations)

1. Purpose of the Senate - to create a checks and balances system as a part of Davenport University’s Student Government.

2. Duties and Powers of Representatives

a. To meet on a regular basis.
b. To actively participate in the Senate and its committees.
c. To vote with the best interests of the student organizations represented.
d. Enact all policies and procedures necessary and proper to promote the general welfare of the student body of Davenport University.
e. Approve the allocation of funding quorum. 
f. Confirm or reject appointments of the President, by quorum. 
g. All members of the Senate shall have the authority to propose policies and procedures. 
h. Each committee shall elect from within its members a chair who shall preside over each committee and its meetings, except for committees that already have a designated chair.
i. Each Representative shall be granted one vote.

RSO Representatives

1. Purpose - RSO Representatives serve as the link between student organizations and the administration, sharing information with Student Government and Student Government providing information to student organizations represented. 

2. All Representatives will commit to the duties and responsibilities outlined below.

a. Representatives will relay questions, concerns, and ideas of the student body to Student Government.
b. Representatives shall ensure that the student body remains informed of and involved in any Student Government related projects and events.
c. Representatives shall be involved in all Student Government meetings and activities, unless excused by the EVP of Internal Affairs.  
d. Representatives are allowed to serve no more than 2 committees. Each Representative can choose which committee(s) to serve on.
e. All Representatives should strive to improve the quality of student life at all Davenport campuses. 

House of Representatives (Campuses and Colleges)

1. Purpose - to create a checks and balances system as a part of Davenport University’s Student Government.

2. Duties and Powers of Representatives

a. To meet on a regular basis.
b. To actively participate in the House of Representatives and its committees.
c. To vote with the best interests of the students represented. 
d. Enact all policies and procedures necessary and proper to promote the general welfare of the student body of Davenport University. 
e. Approve the allocation of funding by quorum. 
f. Confirm or reject appointments of the President, by quorum.
g. All members of the House of Representatives shall have the authority to propose policies and procedures.
h. Each committee shall elect from within its members a chair who shall preside over all standing committee meetings, except for committees that already have a designated chair.
i. Each Representative shall be granted one vote.

Campus Representatives and College Representatives

1. Purpose - Campus and College Representatives serve as a link between the campus, the Colleges of Business, Health, Technology, and Arts and Sciences, and the Governors, sharing information with Student Government and Student Government providing information to students at that campus. 

2. All Representatives will commit to the duties and responsibilities outlined below.

a. Representatives will relay questions, concerns, and ideas of the student body to Student Government.
b.  Representatives shall ensure that the student body remains informed of and involved in any Student Government related projects and events.  
c.  Representatives shall be involved in all Student Government meetings and activities, unless excused by the EVP of Internal Affairs.  
d.  Representatives are allowed to serve no more than 2 committees. Each Representative can choose which committee(s) to serve on.
e.  All Representatives should strive to improve the quality of student life at all Davenport campuses. 

Qualifications for Holding Office

1. Officers in good academic and judicial standing are eligible to campaign for and hold office within Student Government.
2. Officers must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 to hold elected office.
3.  Officers should participate, to the best of their ability, in all Student Government sponsored programs and activities.  

Selection of Officers

1. Elections for President, Executive Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Finance, and Secretary will be held every April. New terms of office will begin June 1st.  

a. Candidates interested in running for President, Executive Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Finance, and Secretary must submit an online letter of intent to run for an open position by the posted deadline to the Student Government Advisor. 
b. Candidates can only run for one position within Student Government. 

2. Elections for Governors and selection of Representatives will occur each September. Representatives will be allowed to serve for the regular academic year (Fall and Winter semesters). Representatives shall begin their positions at the first regularly scheduled meeting following election or appointment.

a. Campus Representatives

i. Each Davenport University campus will select a student to represent their respective campus in Student Government. 
ii. Students interested need to complete the online interest form and appointment will follow as necessary. 

b. Registered Student Organization Representatives

i. Student organizations registered with the Student Life Office shall appoint a member to represent the student organization in Student Government.
ii. RSO Representatives shall complete the online interest form and appointment will follow as necessary. 

c. College Representatives

i. Any student currently enrolled at Davenport University in any of the four colleges (Business, Health, Technology, Arts & Sciences) is eligible to be a College Representative. 
ii. Interested students should complete the online interest form and appointment will follow as necessary. 
iii. College Representative seats will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If seats are full, interested candidates will be placed on a wait list until spaces become available.