Student Senate at Aquinas College
Discover Student Senate
Mission Statement
Our mission as the Aquinas College Student Senate is to fairly represent the diverse views, needs, and expectations of our student body in a Catholic Christian environment.
Policy of the Student Senate:
It is the policy of the Student Senate that no person shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which the Student Senate is responsible based on age, race, creed, color, religion, ethnic origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.
About Student Senate:
The Aquinas College Student Senate was implemented to fairly represent the diverse views, needs, and expectations of our student body in a Catholic Christian environment. The Senate represents the voice of the students, who act as a liaison between students and upper administration. Senators actively seek out opportunities to engage with their constituents and attend campus events, to better understand concerns and ideas present among the student body.
The Senate is seated with active members of the Aquinas College student body. It is structured by the Executive Board: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Budget Director, and Academic Affairs Director. Alongside the Executive Board, are Senators, who hold twelve seats which are represented by three students from each class.
Elections for the General Student Senate occur in the Fall of the Academic year. Senators are elected to serve and are a part of impactful change on campus. After elections, meetings are held once a week bi-weekly annually throughout the year. Special requests for meetings can also be made by the Executive board.
Throughout the academic calendar year, the Student Senate serves to improve the betterment of the Aquinas College community. Student Senate also helps host, and fund Resident Student Organization (RSO) events throughout the calendar year.
Senators can be liaisons for many different departments on campus including, Campus Dining, Residence Life, Campus Ministry, and more. Students are also given the chance to vote on important campus decisions during meetings and provide valuable information to Faculty, Students, and Staff.
Eligibility Rules
- Full-Time Student: A student registered for twelve (12) or more semester hours of instruction per semester through this college or college-approved program as defined by the Registrar’s Office. College-approved programs include the University of Detroit-Mercy nursing program and Western Michigan University Engineering Program.
- Members must maintain good academic standing at Aquinas College, having achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher during their term. This is confirmed through the Dean of Students’ Office.
- Members must be available during all regularly scheduled Senate meetings and attend all scheduled Senate meetings, including Senate Committee meetings. If a conflicting event is moved or rescheduled during special meeting hours, members are excused upon request.
- Members must be dressed in business, or business casual, attire at full Student Senate meetings. The dress code at other Senate functions is to be determined by the Executive Board.
Do you want to be apart of change on campus? Do you want to be a voice for the AQ Community? If you have any questions, or concerns, please email senate@aquinas.edu.
Above: Student Senate eboard: (Left to right) Jessica Baker: Secretary, Gabe Hay: Vice-Chair, Fiona Walsh: Chair, Lucas Baker: Budget Director, Grant Bricking: Academic Affairs Director