The Saint

Image courtesy of AQ Student Senate

Story by News Editor Grace Wilson

It’s that time of year again! You may have seen emails, posters and signs around campus asking students to vote for their class Senators. If you’re not quite sure what the Student Senate is or what they do, then keep reading below to find out.

The Student Senate “represents the voice of the students, who act as a liaison between students and upper administration”. The students who work there make up one-third of the school’s governing body, helping to make decisions on RSOs, academics, and more. The Senate is composed of an Executive Board whose roles include the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Budget Director and Academic Affairs Director which are voted on in the spring. There are also twelve individual Senate seats with each class having three representatives. Elections for class representatives are held every September at the beginning of the school year.

The link to vote on the elections closed on Sunday, Sept. 10 at midnight to vote on class representatives, so keep an ear out for the announcement of your new Senators! If you would still like to get involved, the Senate invites all students to come to their biweekly meetings. They are held in Donnelly on Thursdays from 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. starting on Sept. 28 and are open to the public. Participating in the Student Senate and attending their meetings is a great way to get involved on campus and learn more about what goes on at Aquinas!

“We’re their mouthpiece to reach administration, faculty and staff,” says Vice-Chairperson Jean Tissot. He stressed the importance of “[reaching] out with concerns” that any student might have. Student Representative Mark Musgrave III also had a statement. “Most students are unaware of all the Student does for the college. Meetings used to be packed with sometimes even the same attendance as home athletic games. It is our goal to initiate change to make the college credible for the students now and in the future.”
There are many changes occurring on campus, such as the new 4-Credit Schedule and Block Model, and the Senate wants to hear your feedback. If you or someone you know would like to contact the Student Senate, you can contact them through their social media, such as Instagram (@AQStudentSenate), Facebook (@AQStudentSenate) and Twitter (@AQSenate), or at MyAQ at this link: Aquinas College Student Senate. You can also fill out their Questions and Concerns form at their LinkTree here: linktr.ee/AQStudentSenate.