Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Established in 1946, the Student Government Association proudly serves as the official representative of student opinion at the University of Houston. It acts as a bridge between the student body and university administration, working to improve campus life, advocate for student needs, and manage student representation on university committees.

The effectiveness of the Student Government Association depends on collaborative advocacy, administrative partnerships, and structured representation within shared governance. While constrained by institutional policies, SGA directly influences campus life by channeling student feedback into tangible improvements for campus resources, facilities, and student services.

The University of Houston's Student Government Association is divided into three distinct branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Each branch has unique roles and duties to serve the student body effectively.

• The Executive Branch is led by the elected student body president and vice president, who are primarily tasked with working directly with university administration. They lead the administration of executive functions, and help enact campus projects.
• The Legislative Branch consists of elected student senators representing each undergraduate academic college. It is overseen by the student body vice president, who serves as the speaker of the senate, and focuses on passing policies and resolutions.
• The Judicial Branch is composed of the court of appeals and the department of justice, led by the appointed Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and Attorney General. This branch resolves disputes between government branches, checks the constitutionality of legislation, and oversees general grievances.

You can get involved in Student Government in several ways.

• Run for Office: Students can run in the spring Campus-wide Election for positions.
• Work on an initiative: Beyond elected roles, any student may share their ideas with an elected representative, submit a senate bill to be reviewed, or give feedback on current legislation through the Initiative Tracker.
• Apply for an appointed position: SGA appoints students to the Executive Branch of the elected Student Body President and Vice President which is your opportunity to work directly within the Executive Cabinet. These applications are published immediately after the student body president and vice president is elected.
• University Standing Committees: SGA appoints students to broader university decision-making boards, creating more avenues to contribute to campus decisions.

The Student Government Association office is located on the second floor of Student Center North, Suite N220, at 4465 University Dr, Houston, TX 77004.