Every student has either attended a Student Association event or used services paid for though the SA.

Unfortunately, all too many students are unaware of what SA does or what resources it provides.

What is SA? In short, SA is the student government on campus that represents you, the student. SA is for the students and run by the students to ensure that all student rights are upheld. We work to bring issues that concern student life, services and interests to the attention of those who have the power to affect change.

SA disperses money to student groups and student-focused departments. This includes all student organizations and services like BOSS. SA also has seven departments and directors that work to improve students’ life and rights. These six departments, which make up the executive branch, are Academic Affairs, Legislative Affairs, Shared Governance, Multicultural Issues, Women’s Issues, LGBTQ Issues and External Finance.

President Russ Rueden and Vice President Robby Schuettpelz oversee all of the departments to assure that all issues are properly handled and all students are equally represented.

Our academic affairs director this year is Kelly Grulke. Any issue that falls under academics fits in Grulke’s job description. This includes library hours, differential tuition, professor evaluations and textbook prices. These issues are the most important ones on her agenda for this school year.

The legislative affairs director is in charge of lobbying our representatives to ensure that student friendly laws and policies are enacted. This director works closely with our elected officials on the local, state and national level.

The shared governance department is headed by Keith Bresnahan and his assistant Neal Michals. Both Bresnahan and Michals have been working with the SA for years to ensure that students’ rights are upheld. The shared governance department is charged with working with university officials to ensure that students have a place at the decision making table along with the administration.

The multicultural, women’s and LGBTQ issues directors are all dedicated to serving their particular constituencies and working to advance the cases of underrepresented students. Multicultural Issues Director Charita Ford will be working on a diversity forum scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in E240. All those interested in discussing diversity on campus are welcome to attend.

You may have heard of Women’s Issues Director Anna Kasper because she writes the “Ask Anna” column for the Post. She is also working on future events to empower women. The LGBTQ director will work in coalition with the LGBTQ Center and Rainbow Alliance to guarantee that their constituents feel welcome on campus.

Chris Larson, external finance director, is focusing his duties on various fund-raising projects, which will provide scholarship opportunities to students. He is also working with other groups on campus on a recycling campaign.

There are two other branches that make up the Student Association. The legislative branch — the Student Senate — is comprised of 50 senators who represent their particular college. They formulate the policy for the SA, allocate segregated fees, fund student organizations, appoint students to university committees and express the student voice in matters pertaining to life, service and interest.

The third branch is the judicial branch, which is made up of five student court justices. Its role is to mediate disputes between students, student organizations and serve as the interpreter of all SA governing documents and legislation.

We are looking for eager students to work as our legislative affairs director, LGBTQ director, outreach coordinator, and on the Communications Department staff. Some positions are paid.

The SA is also looking for motivated volunteers. For more information, visit the Student Association Web site: www.sa.uwm.edu, or stop by our office located on the third floor of the Union, room 363. If you are interested in a position on the executive branch, please e-mail resumes to Chief of Staff Samantha Prahl at srprahl@uwm.edu.

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