Led by the President and VP.
Includes divisions such as Financial Affairs, Communications, Student Initiatives, Diversity & Inclusion, and Environmental Sustainability.
This branch proposes budgets and executes policy.
Made up of elected representatives from:
I. Each class year
II. Special interest cohorts (International Students, First-Gen, AHANA+, LGBTQ+, Student-Athletes, etc.)
Their most important powers:
They pass legislation that becomes official UGBC policy
They conduct oversight of Executive Branch activity
They approve or reject the UGBC budget proposed by the President at the start of their term
They determine how student activity fee funds are appropriated
They can override a presidential veto
This branch debates, amends, and votes on legislation and funding allocations.
A Student Assembly Representative sponsors legislation.
This could be:
• A Legislative Act (which compels action)
• A Resolution (which states official UGBC policy)
If it passes committee, it goes to the full Student Assembly floor for debate and vote.
A majority vote passes most legislation.
Every piece of legislation must begin in the appropriate committee (Academic Affairs, Student Life, Community Relations, etc.).
The committee debates and votes on whether it moves forward.
If passed, the legislation goes to the President for signature.
The President may:
• Sign it into effect
• Veto it (which the Assembly can override with a supermajority)
Once signed, it becomes official UGBC policy.
At the beginning of each term:
• The President proposes a full annual budget.
• The Student Assembly debates, amends, and votes on it.
• If approved, that becomes the official allocation of student activity fee funds and external UGBC funding.
That is how funding priorities are determined.
Budgets are not automatic; they are proposed by the President and voted on.
Structure shapes spending.
Before any idea reaches the Senate floor, it must first pass through a Standing Committee.
Each committee has jurisdiction over a specific area:
• Academic Affairs → academic policy
• Student Life → campus life & student experience
• Community Relations → administrative engagement, oversight, formal statements
• Intersectionality → issues affecting intersectional student experiences
Here’s why this matters:
Committees decide:
• When legislation is scheduled
• Whether it moves forward
• What amendments are made
• Whether it advances to a full vote
If a bill does not pass committee, it does not reach the full Student Assembly.
Committee leadership therefore plays a critical role in shaping the legislative agenda.
That means structure and leadership inside committees directly influence which student ideas advance.
Standing Committees are where most legislative decisions are shaped before the student body ever sees a final vote.
Structural reform must include how committees gather input and prioritize proposals.
Here's a visual flow:
Student Idea
↓
Representative Sponsors
↓
Committee Review (Gatekeeping Stage)
↓
Full Student Assembly Vote
↓
Presidential Signature
↓
Implementation
Divisions sit within the Executive Branch under the President.
Each Division has a Director appointed by the President (with Student Assembly confirmation), and they are responsible for executing specific areas of UGBC work.
Executive Divisions:
• Execute approved initiatives
• Carry out programming
• Implement budget allocations
• Advance executive priorities
Here’s what each Division does:
This division manages the responsible and transparent execution of the UGBC budget.
They:
• Track how allocated funds are spent
• Process funding approvals
• Ensure expenditures align with the approved annual budget
• Work with the Joint Committee on Finance when required
If the budget proposal sets priorities, Financial Affairs ensures the money follows through.
This division promotes and publicizes UGBC initiatives.
They:
• Manage official UGBC social media
• Share updates about legislation and programming
• Communicate executive initiatives to the student body
If transparency is a priority, this division is central to delivering it.
This division addresses student concerns related to diversity and inclusion on campus.
Its work is distributed among three councils:
• AHANA+ Leadership Council
• Queer Leadership Council
• Council for Students with Disabilities
These councils engage directly with students and elevate concerns to the Executive Branch.
This division executes issue-driven campaigns and programming.
They:
• Develop student-focused initiatives
• Organize events and awareness campaigns
• Demonstrate student interest in particular concerns
This is where many visible student-facing programs originate.
This division advances student interests related to climate and sustainability.
They:
• Lead sustainability-focused initiatives
• Advocate for environmental improvements
• Collaborate with campus partners on climate solutions
While the Standing Committees draft and pass legislation...
Executive Divisions:
• Execute approved initiatives
• Carry out programming
• Implement budget allocations
• Advance executive priorities
If legislation creates a mandate, divisions carry it out. Therefore, communication between the two branches is crucial.
If the President proposes an approved budget, divisions operate within that framework.
Structure determines action.