AUSA Senate

The Andrews University Student Association Senate is an excellent way for students to get involved in their student government and work to make changes in their school via legislation and personal contribution.

The AUSA Senate is a body which has the potential to initiate incredible change.  Some of its influence and authority is derived from the vision and undertaking of the elected Senators while others powers are designated by the AUSA Bylaws.

Powers and Responsibilities of Senate as outlined in the AUSA Bylaws:

• The legislative authority of the AUSA is invested in the Senate. The Senate may delegate authority and powers as it sees fit.

• The specific duties of the Senate are to:

• Appropriate all expenditures of the AUSA
• Require reports on committee activities and expense
• Adopt Bylaws and all proposed changes to the Bylaws
• Approve new projects recommended by the committees
• Refer problems to the proper committees
• Create standing and ad hoc committees         
• Recommend constitutional changes
• Override vetoes of the AUSA President by a 2/3 vote
• Refer items to the Andrews University Senate
• Appoint one Senator to serve on the BRANCH Network Budget and Finance  Committee
• Elect a President pro-tempore who shall assume all duties of the Vice President in his absence or incapacity.

On the individual level, it is important that each senator is self-motivated and has a desire to improve student life.  Senators are elected for one full year and have the following responsibilities as outlined in the AUSA Bylaws:

• Senators shall be held responsible for informing constituents on proposed major legislation.
• Senators shall be responsive and sensitive to their constituents' requests and needs.
• Senators shall be responsible to attend all Senate meetings and all meetings of any Senate committee in which the senator is a member.
• Senators shall be responsible to know and abide by the standing Constitution, Bylaws, Working Policies, and any rules of order adopted by the Senate for that year.