Getting Involved with Student Senate

Student Senate is an excellent way of getting involved at Winona State University and showcasing your leadership skills and abilities. Besides the three executive positions, there are 15 senator positions representing each college, class, and the general student population at large as well as Associate Senator positions.

Eligibility Requirements for All Student Senate Positions

• All members of and representatives to the Student Senate and its committees must be members of the WSUSA.
• All members of and representatives to the Student Senate and its committees must have a minimum 2.0 GPA at the time of election or appointment and maintain it while holding office.
• All members of and representatives to the Student Senate and its committees placed on disciplinary or academic probation while in office shall forfeit his/her position.

Student Senator Duties & Responsibilities

• Shall be the only members of Student Senate eligible to vote and make motions.
• Shall uphold the WSUSA Constitution, Student Senate By-Laws, and other written policies.
• Shall regularly attend the Student Senate meetings as prescribed in the Student Senate By-Laws.
• Shall serve as a member on at least one Student Senate standing committee.
• Shall serve as a member on at least one All-University committee if there are any vacancies.
• Shall, to the best of their abilities and in accordance with their ethics, represent the interests and opinions of their constituents.
• Shall address student concerns throughout their term to the proper place. For example, Senate Committee or Administrators.
• Shall contact a minimum of 3 student clubs/organizations per month. 
• Shall serve two office hours per week.
• Shall complete two documented volunteer hours each semester within the Winona Community.

Voting

All student senate elections are online. Elections will run from noon on April 2 and close at noon on April 5. You will get an email on April 2 with your personal link to vote. Students may vote in any Student Senate election but may only vote once. For any questions regarding elections, please contact Erin Odenthal, Student Senate Treasurer and Elections Committee Chair.

Election Campaign Rules

• Student life fee money, or supplies purchased with student life fee money, shall not be used for campaign purposes.
• Writing on any University walls, or on classroom chalkboards for campaign purposes shall not be permitted.
• There shall be no campaigning or campaign materials displayed within 25 feet of the Student Senate office.
• Current elected or appointed members of the WSU Student Senate shall not use the privileges of their position for campaigning purposes (ex. official email lists, campaigning at official senate functions, etc.)
• Posting regulations shall be determined by individual building policies. Violations in academic buildings shall be dealt with by that academic building.
• Candidates may not remove, destroy, or deface other candidates’ material, nor encourage or knowingly permit others to do so.
• Candidates must follow the Residence Hall Association and Housing Department guidelines for campaigning in the residence halls.
• Candidates shall not linger in the immediate vicinity of a Senate operated polling place during the duration of the election, candidates shall not campaign or attempt to persuade anyone in the process of voting.
• Upon submitting an application, if the candidate is submitting for multiple spots, that candidate must specify a numerical order of preference for instances in which the candidate wins multiple seats.
• Campaigns are capped at $250 USD.
• Any individual found to violate the campaign rules shall remain on the ballot.
• The election committee shall make a recommendation to the Student Conduct Committee regarding violations after the closing of the polls. Upon hearing the recommendation from the Student Conduct Committee, Senate shall make the final decision on the election grievance. Overturning the Student Conduct Committee’s ruling requires a 2/3 vote.

Associate Senators

Associate Senators serve as voting members on their choice of Student Senate committees: Academic Affairs, Community Affairs, Student Services, and the Student Activity Fee Committee (SAFC). While Associate Senators do not get a vote in Student Senate meetings, their votes do count when drafting committee recommendations for the Senate body as whole when they come up for a vote. All Associate Senators must meet the eligibility requirements outlined above.

To become an Associate Senator, please attend two consecutive meetings of your choice committee, then fill out an application and turn it into the Student Senate Office (109-110 Kryzsko Commons). The Senate body will vote on Associate Senator applications.