About Student Senate

The Student Senate is vested with the legislative power of the Student Body by the Student Body Constitution. The body of Senate is comprised of 72 students who proportionally represent each of the University’s schools and colleges, including undergraduates, graduates, and non-degree students. It is led by the Student Senate President who is elected from the student body at large, and other officers, including the Senate President Pro Tempore and the several committee chairs. The work of the Senate is largely accomplished by its numerous committees, which focus on specific areas of student concern. The primary committees are the standing committees:

• Academics
• Student Affairs
• Finance
• Government Relations and Oversight (GRO)
• Rules

Additionally, the active permanent committees are:

• Appointments
• Culture, Onboarding, and Leadership Development (COLD)
• Tuition and Fees
• Public Affairs

Responsibilities of the Student Senate

Senate is given a number of duties by the Student Body Constitution, which include the responsibility to enact all legislation necessary and proper to promote the general welfare of the Student Body, approve an annual Student Body Budget for the Student Body funds, allocate Student Body Funds to bodies of Student Government and to  Student Organizations registered with the Office of Student Involvement as it shall deem compatible with the general welfare of the Student Body, confirm or reject appointments of the Student Body President, and try all impeachments and suspend or remove from office any elected or appointed official for malfeasance in office. Most importantly, however, Senate represents the student voice to the University administration. Rather than passing traditional “laws”, as one would expect of the legislative branch from state and federal models, Senate acts as a body of influence and advocacy body, addressing the concerns of the student body, and bringing these concerns to the attention of the University through formal Resolutions. 

Interested in joining the Legislative Branch?

Apply for a vacant Senate seat at: go.ncsu.edu/join-sg

Apply to be a Legislative Advisor at: go.ncsu.edu/join-sg