You’ve heard of SGA; Have you heard of SSGA?

By Yasmine (Yasi) Safinya-Davies, Summer 2010

Most students attending Alliant have heard of the Student Government Association (SGA). Some of the accomplishments of the local SGA include organizing social/professional/educational events, advocating for local policy changes, providing the community with valuable (and sometimes entertaining) information, and offering scholarship opportunities. In other words, most students knowingly and sometimes unknowingly benefit from the efforts of their local SGA. What many students don’t know is that, beyond local representation, there is an Alliant International University Systemwide Student Government Association (SSGA).

So, if the local SGA’s are doing all this work, why have an SSGA? The SSGA, formerly known as the University-wide Student Government Association, is the collective, systemwide organization representing the Student Association at all North American Alliant International University campuses. Prior to 2001, each California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) campus was separately accredited by the Western Association of Schools in Colleges (WASC). In 2001, the former CSPP administration decided to accredit all CSPP campuses under one WASC accreditation. And, in 2002 Alliant International University was created by the merger between the former United States International University and CSPP. After becoming one university, the newly formed Alliant administration believed that it was vital to develop the Systemwide Student Government Association in order to provide representation for all campuses and all students.

According to its current bylaws, the purpose of the SSGA is to promote and facilitate the educational, professional, and social quality of student life across all Alliant campuses and to promote cross-campus cohesion. This is achieved by advocating for undergraduate and graduate student perspectives and concerns through communicating and collaborating with local SGA’s and senior administrators. In circumstances where local SGA’s have disassembled, the SSGA has acted as an interim governing body.

Who makes up the SSGA, when does it meet, and how is it funded? The SSGA is comprised of elected officers (executive committee), campus representatives (North American SGA co-chairs or SGA members), and a Board of Trustees of student member liaisons. The executive committee consists of a chairperson, a chief executive officer, a treasurer, and two intercampus coordinators (one assigned to Northern and the other to Southern California campuses). During the academic year, the SSGA holds two in-person meetings as well as monthly conference calls. Funding for the association comes from using 8% of the student activity fees each student pays who attends a North American campus.

Here is a look at some of the SSGA projects undertaken this academic year:

• Modified/updated SSGA bylaws and member roles and responsibilities.
• Reestablished the funding limit and streamlined the funding process.
• Supported local SGA’s with structure, advocacy, and bylaw development and/or modification.
• Supported the efforts of the Student Satisfaction Survey.
• Provided feedback on university-wide decisions affecting all students.
• Participated in the Student Communications Committee.
• Participated in the Alliant Branding Committee.
• Selected a recipient of the SSGA Mexico Immersion Program Scholarship.
• Elected the Board of Trustees Student Member.
• Elected SSGA Executive Committee members.

The SSGA’s goals for 2010-2011 are to improve cross-campus communications, pilot a professor exchange program, and to identify more ways to financially support students. Elections for SSGA open executive committee positions will be held soon (check your Alliant email for details). If you are passionate about advocacy and want to be a part of improving the Alliant student experience, we welcome and encourage you to apply.