George Mason University’s Student Government is a permanent standing entity that is representative of the entire student body. We advocate for the interests of our fellow peers, meet with the Administration on a regular basis to address students’ issues and concerns, educate the student body with regard to the state of the institution, and represent the interests of each student. Our mission is to serve as a liaison to the administration, faculty, and community.
Student Government has undergone many changes throughout its history, but our mission and goal have remained focused on advocating for every student. We have three main branches that help accomplish that goal.
The Executive Branch
The Executive Branch is comprised of over 25 positions appointed by the Student Body President and Vice President. The appointed members serve in directed liaison roles throughout the Mason community in various projects, events, and initiatives. The Executive Branch also contains various boards. These are the Student Parking Board, responsible for hearing citation appeals; the Student Culinary Council, which acts as an advisory committee to dining managers; and the Student Housing Board, which also acts as an advisory committee to housing administrators.
Each one of our cabinet positions and board member positions is open to the student body to apply for. If you are interested in any open position or want to learn more, please contact Student Body President Paul J Wyche at pwyche@gmu.edu and Vice-President Nell Palumbo at npalumbo@gmu.edu.
The Student Senate
The Student Senate serves as direct representatives for the student body and is elected each fall and spring. Student Senators are required to sit on two committees:
- Administrative and Financial Affairs, which deals with Student Government’s budget, governing documents, and Senate appointments.
- Services, which focuses on initiatives related to dining, IT infrastructure, facilities, housing, parking & transportation sustainability, and more.
- Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, which focuses on initiatives related to multi-cultural RSOs, as well as University diversity and inclusion on campus.
- University Life, which focuses on initiatives related to student well-being, student involvements, and the atmosphere on campus.
- Government and Community Relations, which focuses on liaising with community members, local governmental organizations, as well as state and federal groups.
- Academics, which focuses on academic based initiatives such as Scholarship of the Week.
Spring elections are held in the months of March or April for Student Body President and Vice President as well as 30 Student Senators. Fall elections are only open for freshman and transfer students who campaign for 10 open Student Senator positions. If at any point our total number of Senators drops below 40 between Fall and spring election cycles, there is an appointment process for new Student Senators.
If you are interested in joining or learning more, please contact Speaker Colin McAulay at cmcaulay@gmu.edu and Speaker Pro-Tempore Aarush Jambunathan at ajambuna@gmu.edu.
The Elections and Disputes Commission
The Elections and Disputes Commission (EDC) are tasked with hosting the fall and spring election process, resolving disputes between branches or candidates, and upholding our governing documents. EDC commissioners are appointed to “lifetime” terms (until graduation). If you are interested in joining learning more, please contact the EDC at sgedc@gmu.edu.