Student Government Association

The Mount Holyoke College Student Government Association (SGA) was founded in 1898. Comprised of the Executive Board, Senate, and Committees, SGA strives to work toward the common goal of a positive, empowering, and transformative experience for each Mount Holyoke student by bringing student voices to administrators, faculty, and staff to create cohesion and address all issues pertaining to student life on campus.

All members of the student body who are eligible to vote can do so for the Student Government Association regardless of Class Year.

  • The President shall:

    • Act as Chief Executive Officer of SGA and serve as a representative of the student body to the administrative community.
    • Gather the collective input of the entire Executive Board, set the weekly Executive Board meeting agenda and ensure that the goals and strategies for the agenda topics are articulated and fulfilled
    • Work with the Executive Board to define and distribute its activities and maintain general responsibility for the efficient operation of those activities.
    • Serve as ex-officio member of the Student Conference Committee.
    • Serve as ex-officio member of the Five College Coordinating Board and maintain a relationship with the student governments of the other four colleges.
    • Attend all faculty meetings and report back to the Executive Board and Senate.
    • Meet at their discretion with the President of the College, the Dean of the College, and the Dean of Students.
    • Should occur at least once a semester
    • Perform all other duties and exercise other powers conferred by SGA Constitution and these Bylaws.
    • Serve as a representative to the College Planning Board, and, on the strategic planning year, the Strategic Planning Board
  • The Vice President shall:

    • Act as President in the case of the inability of the President to serve,
    • Ensure that a member of the Executive Board is in communication with the Seven Sisters Colleges for both the annual conference planning and any other events
    • Maintain a close relationship with the Weissman Center for Leadership
    • Communicate with the Mount Holyoke community about leadership opportunities on campus.
    • Be responsible for coordinating leadership development opportunities for the Executive Board.
    • Coordinate SGA campus events (examples include but are not limited to: all campus meetings, the Orientation 101 skit and Get the Scoop).
    • Coordinate SGA involvement in the Fall and Spring Org Fairs.
    • Organize a student leadership retreat in coordination with Student Programs.
    • Maintain a connection to the CDC and the Career Development Advisory Committee.
    • Act as an ex officio member of the Presidential Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.
  • The Treasurer shall:

    • Build a budget for Student Activities Fee to be voted in the first Senate
    • Ensure a complete and accurate record of the year's financial activities.
    • Inform the Executive Board of SGA budget and advise on the purchasing and expenditures of SGA on a monthly basis.
    • Perform audit after each semester and maintain a record of all organizations' audit status.
    • Hold office hours at least once a month to respond to questions and concerns regarding funding decisions. This session shall occur before funding decisions are presented to Senate.
    • Become a member of the Planning & Budget Student Advisory Committee.
    • Meet periodically with the Business Office Coordinator.
    • If on campus and not previously a member of the Ways and Means Committee, attend a meeting the spring of election.
    • Reevaluate SGA activities fee every year that the tuition rises.
    • Meet with the MHC comptroller at least once a semester.

    Serve on the Ways and Means Committee with the following responsibilities:

    • Participate in discussions when Ways and Means Committee reviews and decides all funding decisions.
    • Maintain an accurate and organized record of all decisions made by the Ways and Means Committee on funding applications to each organization on campus, and be held ultimately responsible for those records.
    • Moderate discussion during meetings of the Ways and Means Committee.
    • Supervise the training of Ways and Means Committee members.
    • Participate in the recruitment process for Ways and Means Committee members.
    • Review Ways and Means guidelines at the end of an academic year.
  • The Archivist shall:

    • Keep accurate records and minutes of all meetings of the Senate and all general meetings of SGA.
    • Be responsible for distributing accurate records and minutes of the Senate meetings, to all Senators, as well as to members of the Executive Board immediately following each meeting,
    • In cooperation with the entire Executive Board, maintain and update the records and files in SGA Office through online and print documentation
    • Submit to the College Archives by the last day of finals in the spring semester, all of the year's minutes of the Senate,
    • Maintain and preserve SGA ledger and ensure a complete and accurate record of office supplies
  • The Public Relations Officer shall:

    • Act as the liaison for external communications between SGA and the Mount Holyoke College community.
    • Make public announcements concerning all general meetings of SGA and other pertinent to SGA.
    • Create and distribute posters, flyers, and other promotional materials
    • Produce the Newsflush on a bi-weekly basis.
    • Update and maintain the SGA website and social media pages on a weekly basis, including announcements, events and senate minutes, and the bulletin board on a monthly basis.
    • Serve on the Communications Advisory Board.
    • Maintain SGA's social media presence.
    • Submit copies of SGA bulletin and all flyers to the College Archives by the last day of finals in the spring semester.
    • Host the Love Your Lyons event in the spring semester.
    • Must Attend All Senate Meetings
  • The Chair of Committees shall:

    • Maintain general responsibility for the efficient operation of all SGA committees.
    • Become an ex-officio member and chair of the Appointing Board; in conjunction with the Appointing Board, appoint through an application and interview process all SGA committee members and train all new committee members.
    • Must attend all Senate meetings and relay student concerns raised to relevant committees
  • The DEI Officer shall:

    • Take primary executive responsibility for SGA activities that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
    • Be a confidant for the student body, as a member of the student body, including holding accessible office hours every week.
    • Responsible for guiding the Executive Board towards wider goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    • Be the representative to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office, including meeting at minimum twice a month with the Chief Diversity Officer of the College.
    • Be the representative to the Division of Student Life in regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion resources, support, and programming for and by students. This includes meeting at minimum twice a month with the Dean or Associate Dean and or student staff connected to the Cultural Centers.
    • Serve as the executive board contact person for the Students of Color Committee, Lavender Committee, and International Student Organizing Committee. Work with the Chair of Committees and the Appointing Board to ensure that affinity committees are trained and supported.
    • Must attend all Senate meetings and work with SGA President to relay student concerns about on campus bias and movement building on campus to relevant offices and departments.
    • Every semester briefly present in Senate on the various talks, panels, and discussion groups that were convened in regards to DEI including topic, number of participants, and ideas on how to build on this work in the years to come