How Influential Is Your SG, Really?
Your SG may have significant authority. But how much influence does it actually have?
There's No Standard Student Government.
Student Government influence varies enormously from campus to campus. Some SGs have authority over millions of dollars in student fees, appoint students to institutional committees, have voting authority in governance, or make decisions about student organizations. Others have far less formal authority.
But authority and influence aren't the same thing. An SG can have substantial authority and still have little actual influence if students don't participate, elections have low turnout, or the institution doesn't view the SG as representative.
Find out where your SG stands.
There Is No Guarantee of Student Power
A state may establish requirements or grant specific authority to Student Governments at certain types of public institutions. But a law applying to one type of institution in one state does not automatically apply to SGs everywhere.
Your SG's authority may come from:
- State Law
- Institutional Policy
- SG Constitution
- Delegated Authority
- Deferred Authority
- Appointed Authority
The question isn't what other SGs can do.
It's what your SG is authorized to do.
What Authority Do You Have?
A seat doesn't necessarily mean a vote on a committee or board.
A vote doesn't necessarily mean decision-making authority.
Being consulted doesn't mean having the power to decide.
A student may have a vote on some matters but not others.
A student trustee or regent may have voting rights that are limited by law or institutional policy.
What can your SG actually do?
Understand SG Authority →
Where Does It Come From?
How Do You Use It?
Having authority doesn't automatically make an SG influential.
Influence Action Plan
Turn your results into specific goals.
Action Plan →