{"id":36,"date":"2025-06-06T16:19:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T16:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/?page_id=36"},"modified":"2026-03-24T17:51:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:51:33","slug":"become-a-part-of-the-sga","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/become-a-part-of-the-sga\/","title":{"rendered":"Become a part of the SGA"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-36\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-36-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-36-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>During election season this page will be kept up-to-date with relevant timelines and the most recent petitions for candidacy. So stay tuned!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-36-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-36-0-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Candidacy <strong>Requirements<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-36-0-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Any full-time, degree-seeking students enrolled in SMCM can run for a position in SGA.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">To declare candidacy for any SGA position, students must submit a petition with 50 signatures from full-time St. Mary\u2019s students to the Elections Committee.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Along with the petition, candidates are required to include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A signed statement confirming they have read and agree to the election code and campaign rules<\/li>\n<li>A 250-word platform statement outlining their goals and vision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0These requirements are outlined in the <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1sa3n8H-cfS0OYFVgkWa0OlHctHs06NzG\/view\">SGA Bylaws<\/a>: Article I, Section B.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-36-0-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/174\/2026\/03\/SENATE-and-CLASS-25-26-FALL-Elections-CANDIDATE-ELIGIBILITY-AGREEMENT-1.docx\">25-26 Fall Elections Candidate Eligibility Agreement<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-36-0-0-4\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-36-0-0-4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">What does each branch do?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-36-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-36-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What Does the Senate Do<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>The Senate is made up of senators representing each residence area on campus (as well as commuters), along with the four Class Presidents. As voting members of the Student Government, they discuss and make decisions on campus issues, legislation, appointments, and club constitutions.<\/p>\n<p>Senators are expected to attend all meetings, with up to two excused absences allowed per term.<\/p>\n<p>If a student wants to start a new club or request funding for a student life initiative, they can work with their senator to draft a piece of legislation. That proposal is then presented to the Senate for a vote. The requirements for passing legislation vary depending on the type of proposal.<\/p>\n<p>They are also in change of sending out weekly newsletters that contain the legislation that had been passed in the prior meeting.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to their Senate duties, Class Presidents also lead their Class Councils and organize fundraisers to support senior year events.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-36-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What does the SGA Exec Board Do?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>The Executive Board of the Student Government Association is composed of two distinct bodies: the Executive Council and the Representative Council.<\/p>\n<p>The Executive Council consists of the President, Vice President, Parliamentarian, Secretary, Senate Leader, Publicity Chair, Treasurer, and Club Coordinators. This council is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and administrative functions of the Student Government.<br \/>\nThe Representative Council includes the Student Trustee, SAAC Representatives, MHEC Representative, IDEs Representative, Alumni Representative, CSD Representative, and Residence Life Representative. This body is tasked with ensuring the equitable representation of various student constituencies and campus communities.<br \/>\nEach member of the Executive Board holds a specific role, with responsibilities and expectations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-36-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-36-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What Do Class Executive Boards Do?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Upon entering St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland, each first-year class is allocated a designated amount of starter funds by the Student Government Association (SGA). From that point forward, the Class Executive Board is responsible for growing these funds through a variety of fundraising efforts, such as t-shirt sales, carnation sales, and events like Grilled Cheese on the Greens. The ultimate objective of each Class Executive Board is to raise sufficient funds to support celebratory events during Senior Year.<\/p>\n<p>Members of the Executive Board\u2014including the Class Vice President, Historian, Secretary, and Treasurer\u2014contribute to this goal through their specific roles and responsibilities. While they are not required to attend weekly SGA Senate meetings, they must be present at all Class Executive Board meetings and class town halls.<\/p>\n<p>The Class President serves as the leader of the Executive Board and holds a distinct role. Unlike other board members, the Class President is required to attend weekly SGA Senate meetings held on Tuesday evenings. They carry voting power within the Senate, as they represent the interests of their entire class rather than a single residential area.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-36-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-36-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"8\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-36-3-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\"><strong>Election<\/strong> Season<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-36-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-36-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"9\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-user-large\"><\/i>Applying for the Executive Board<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>To apply, students must declare their candidacy near the end of the spring semester before the academic year they hope to serve.<\/p>\n<p>When election season begins, keep an eye out for flyers around campus and an email with all the details on how to run.<\/p>\n<p>If any positions are still open at the start of the school year, special elections may be held to fill them<\/p>\n<p><em>Any questions about candidacy eligibility or election season can be directed to sga@smcm.edu<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-36-4-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-4-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-user-large\"><\/i>Applying for the Senate<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Students can apply either at the end of the spring semester before the year they wish to serve, or at the start of the academic year.<\/p>\n<p>Senate elections for the upcoming school year take place one week after Executive Board elections in the spring.<\/p>\n<p>When election season begins, look out for campus flyers and check your email for details on how to run and get involved.<\/p>\n<p><em>Any questions about candidacy eligibility or election season can be directed to sga@smcm.edu<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-36-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-36-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-36-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-36-5-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">2025-2026 Election <strong>Timeline<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-36-5-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_siteorigin-panels-builder panel-last-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-36-5-0-1\" ><div id=\"pl-w68c0728a7464b\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-w68c0728a7464b-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-0-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h3 style=\"padding-left: 10px; font-size: 2.2rem; font-weight: 800\" class=\"section-title\">September 5th<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w68c0728a7464b-0-1-0\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Applications for all unfilled Senator and Class Executive Positions Open<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w68c0728a7464b-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-1-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"widget_text panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w68c0728a7464b-1-0-0\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h3 style=\"padding-left: 10px; font-size: 2.2rem; font-weight: 800\" class=\"section-title\">September 15th<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w68c0728a7464b-1-1-0\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Elections open for all unfilled positions at 8am<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w68c0728a7464b-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-2-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h3 style=\"padding-left: 10px; font-size: 2.2rem; font-weight: 800\" class=\"section-title\">September 23rd<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-2-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-2-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w68c0728a7464b-2-1-0\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Elections for President, Vice President and Treasurer open at <strong>8 A.M.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w68c0728a7464b-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-3-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div class=\"widget_text panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w68c0728a7464b-3-0-0\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h3 style=\"padding-left: 10px; font-size: 2.2rem; font-weight: 800\" class=\"section-title\">September 26th<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w68c0728a7464b-3-1-0\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Elections close for all unfilled positions at 8am<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w68c0728a7464b-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-4-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"8\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h3 style=\"padding-left: 10px; font-size: 2.2rem; font-weight: 800\" class=\"section-title\">September 29th<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-4-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-4-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"9\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-w68c0728a7464b-4-1-0\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Applicants must accept the position by 8am of this day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w68c0728a7464b-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-w68c0728a7464b-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-w68c0728a7464b-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>*Elections for Traditional Hall Senators will be held in the fall.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During election season this page will be kept up-to-date with relevant timelines and the most recent petitions for candidacy. So stay tuned! Any full-time, degree-seeking students enrolled in SMCM can run for a position in SGA. To declare candidacy for any SGA position, students must submit a petition with 50 signatures from full-time St. Mary\u2019s<a class=\"tribe-events-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/become-a-part-of-the-sga\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" > Find out more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-36","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":315,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/36\/revisions\/315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}