Student Councils

The University of Kansas Student Senate has three Student Councils that serve as the lower bodies of the Legislative Branch. The councils exist to divide the work of Student Senate so that legislation can receive informed review and recommendations by more specialized bodies before consideration by the Students’ Assembly. A legislative cycle consists of two weeks, in which a bill or resolution must pass through all councils to which it was assigned the first week before moving to a final vote in the Students' Assembly the second week. The three Student Councils are Finance, Community Affairs, and Student Rights & Affairs. Their charges and officers are listed below.

Attendance at Student Council meetings is required for all Student Senators. Non-Senator students may speak in both Councils and Assembly, but can only be granted voting rights in Councils by attending two consecutive meetings (§ 02-06-10.)

Finance Council

Oversees all legislation authorizing expenditures from the Student Senate Activity fund (§ 02-06-06). Responsibilities include: 

  • Reviewing legislation related to the Budget Code and updating funding regulations
  • Reviewing allocations of the Required Student Fees, as well as Block Funding, Line-Item Funding, and Wednesday-Night Funding
  • Ensuring responsible stewardship of Student Senate funds  

Leadership:

Community Affairs Council

Focuses on advocacy and representation (§ 02-06-07). Responsibilities include: 

  • Reviewing all resolutions 
  • Addressing discrimination and prejudice affecting students 
  • Advocating for policies that support student success and representation 
  • Investigating inequities in Student Senate 
  • Organizing community service initiatives 

Leadership:

 

Student Rights & Affairs Council

Focuses on student rights, University policy, and constitutional matters (§ 02-06-08). Responsibilities include: 

  • Reviewing constitutional amendments  
  • Reviewing the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities 
  • Developing legislation relating to student rights and protections 
  • Reviewing housing and dining rates  
  • Monitoring University policies that affect student rights developed by entities like Housing and Residence Life 

Leadership:

 

Contact the Internal Affairs Director at senateinternal@ku.edu for questions. 

Student Executive Council

The Student Executive Council (StudEx) is comprised of the officers of each branch. Its responsibilities include reconciling conflicting amendments passed through Student Councils, reviewing and approving Students’ Assembly agendas, initiating disciplinary proceedings against members accused of misconduct, and enacting time-sensitive interim legislation during periods when the full legislative body is not in session.  

StudEx may refuse to refer legislation to the Students’ Assembly if it is found unconstitutional. Legislation can also be generated in StudEx, provided the legislation is time-sensitive, or if legislation was generated in a single council, StudEx may serve as the second council for review before it proceeds to the Students’ Assembly. 

The voting members of the council are as follows:  

  • The Speaker of the Students’ Assembly, as Chair (Non-voting except to break or to cause ties) 
  • The Student Body President 
  • The Student Body Vice President 
  • The Graduate Student Body President 
  • The Internal Affairs Director, as Secretary 
  • The Chair of the Finance Council 
  • The Chair of the Community Affairs Council 
  • The Chair of the Student Rights & Affairs Council 
  • The Vice Chair of the Finance Council 
  • The Vice Chair of the Community Affairs Council 
  • All students elected by the Students’ Assembly to serve on the executive committee of the University Senate 
  • The Coordinator of Staff 
  • The Treasurer 
  • The Fund Development Director 
  • The Chair of the Elections Commission