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Stephens College offers numerous opportunities to become involved in campus activities and organizations. |
Student Government Association
All enrolled students are members of the Student Government Association (SGA) and full-time students are eligible to seek and hold offices in the organization (providing GPA and class standing requirements are satisfied). The SGA office is in Stamper Commons, ext. 4339. Complete information about SGA is contained in the Constitution and Bylaws.
The SGA is organized as such:
1. Executive Board
2. Senate
3. Commissions
- Academic Affairs
- Projects
- Senior Activities
- Public Relations
- Student Issues
4. Standing Committees of the Senate
- Finance
- Elections
- Student Programming
- Presidential Council
5. Residence Hall Councils (Presidents of hall councils serve on the SGA Senate)
6. Class Officers
One of the most important purposes of the Student Government Association is the communication system it offers. The Executive Board and each of the commissions have access to members of the administration and faculty. You are encouraged to air any concerns to your hall council, the commissions and/or the Executive Board. The SGA cannot guarantee action on the part of the administration or faculty, but they will investigate and pursue all legitimate concerns by utilizing the easily accessible communications network.
2007-2008 SGA Executive Board
President: Lindsey Weber
Vice President: Kristin Parran
Secretary: Katherine Thomas
Treasurer: Alissa Pei
Programming Chair: Christa Talmage
Volunteer Chair: Ana Hagedorn
Academic Affairs Chair: Rosario Chico
Public Relations Chair: Christina Sidiropoulos
Student Advocate: Courtney Jones
Residential Life Representative: Crystal "Bug"
Dominguez
Staff Advisers: Rebecca Stith and Amanda
Roberts
Student Advocate
The Student Government Association has established the position of student ombudsperson. This student can assist you with following the "red tape" of College procedures and resolving any concerns you may have. All discussions with the student advocate will be held in strictest confidence.
Faculty Governance Committees With Student Representatives
All full-time students are eligible to serve on the faculty governance committees listed below. Student positions on most of these committees are filled through application to SGA. Interested students should contact the SGA Vice President for more information.
Curriculum Committee
This committee reviews and approves courses and programs, takes the initiative in formulating curriculum and suggests new courses and programs for faculty consideration.
Advising Committee
This committee develops and revises as necessary a faculty handbook for advising, conducts a program to train faculty advisors, sponsors workshops and information sessions on advising issues and selects the recipient of the Excellence in Advising Award.
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These organizations are based upon common hobbies, interests or concerns of a group of members and are open to all enrolled Stephens students. Often membership can be obtained simply by expressing an interest in the group, although some groups may have more specific membership requirements. For more information about a particular group, contact the Leadership and Programming Office (LPO), ext. 4339, in Stamper Commons.
Campus Crusade for Christ—An interdenominational, Christian student organization seeking to foster knowledge of Jesus Christ and Biblical Christianity among the students of Stephens College.
Catholic Student Association (CSA)—This group’s focus is the enrichment of Catholic students’ lives through teaching, prayer, fellowship, service activities and the Eucharist. The Stephens CSA also networks with the Newman Center at the University of Missouri on a regular basis.
Christian Outreach Fellowship—This group plans programs, worship, activities and fellowship for Protestant students who are interested in religious, educational, social and ethical issues. They provide enrichment, encouragement and support to students as well as serve as a communication link between Protestant students, faculty and staff and the Columbia Protestant community.
Class Officers—Each class elects class officers and sponsor various events throughout the year. Special dinners, T-shirt sales, community involvement and collection of the senior gift were organized last year by these student leaders.
College Democrats—Club members are dedicated to furthering the goals and principles of the Democratic Party.
Dance Collaborations—The purpose is to promote the art and love of dance throughout the organization and the community.
Innovative Fashion Association—Fashion and non-fashion majors are invited to learn about the many aspects of the fashion industry through projects and guest speakers.
International Interior Design Association—Professional networking and educational association that is committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design and advancing interior design through knowledge.
Judicial Board (J-Board)—This group serves as a peer review group and conducts judicial hearings for students who have violated policies in the residence halls. Students serving on the board are carefully selected in order to get a fair representation of the majority of students on campus.
Martin Luther King Student Union—This group focuses on celebration and education of the diverse cultures of Stephens College. Through programming all-campus events, workshops and community involvement, they provide support for women of color at Stephens and within our diverse community. In addition, they raise money to provide annual scholarships for outstanding women of color at Stephens.
National Broadcasting Society—Club members explore careers in broadcasting, which includes radio and television.
Prince of Wales Club—This Stephens honorary is a group that promotes excellence in horsemanship.
Psychology Club— Students interested in the field of psychology participate in club activities and events focused on psychology and related fields.
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)—This is a professionally based organization for students interested in public relations careers. PRSSA offers the opportunity to acquire field experience and establish professional contacts.
Residence Hall Councils—Residence Hall Councils are elected each year by the members of the hall to coordinate activities and programs, and to represent their interests to SGA.
SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise)—This business organization empowers women through free enterprise.
Seven Star Film Club—This organization’s purpose is to get Stephens College students active with film, through support and enrichment of the mass media/film program and works as a support system for Stephens female filmmakers.
Student Government Association (SGA)—One of the most important purposes of the SGA is the communication system it offers. SGA offers a voice for the students. The Executive Board and each of the commissions have access to members of the administration and faculty. You are encouraged to air any concerns to your hall council, the commissions and/or the Executive Board.
Students Learning about Teacher Education (SLATE)—Education majors who want the opportunity to meet with one another to share ideas, socialize and talk about common concerns are invited to attend.
Stephens College Ambassadors—This group serves as the diplomatic representatives of the student body. Members are committed to providing support for functions which relate to prospective student events.
Stephens College Pet Owners Association—The purpose is to aid the pet owners of Stephens College students and staff in the training and well being of their pets and also provide resources and companionship with pet owners and pet lovers alike.
Warehouse Theatre—Organized and governed by students, this theatre company provides unique opportunities for students to participate in all aspects of theatre production and management.
Alpha Epsilon Rho—Stephens is the founding national chapter of this broadcasting honorary for students in the communication field.
Alpha Lambda Delta—National honorary for first-year students of high academic achievement.
Beta Beta Beta—National biological honor society dedicated to undergraduate research.
Mortar Board—National honor society for seniors who have demonstrated outstanding service and leadership while maintaining a high grade point average.
Pi Phi Rho—Stephens honorary sorority for fashion design and business majors.
Psi Chi—Stephens honorary for psychology majors.
Sigma Tau Delta—Stephens honorary for majors in English and Creative Writing.
KWWC-FM—KWWC is a Stephens-owned 1250-watt radio station, broadcasting from noon to midnight seven days a week on 90.5 FM. Students work on the air and produce programs about the campus and the Columbia community.
Harbinger—Harbinger is the student creative arts magazine, is edited and designed by students who are in the magazine production course. They publish short stories, essays, poetry, photographs and art work of students currently enrolled.
Stephens Life—The staff of Stephens Life, the student newspaper, is drawn from the news gathering and reporting class, and newspaper production courses, although some stories are the work of students in other courses. Subscriptions are $25.
Stephens has two national sororities on campus: Sigma Sigma Sigma and Kappa Delta. Joining a sorority offers you the chance to develop a sisterhood with other students. Sorority members enjoy many social events, in addition to providing service to the College and community through special philanthropic projects. Sorority members also can obtain leadership experience by holding office within the sorority, or in Panhellenic Council.
Panhellenic Council—The Executive Board of the Panhellenic Council is formed of nine officers elected by the sorority members. The rest of the Panhellenic Council is composed of sorority Presidents and a representative from each sorority. "Panhel" is responsible for conducting Formal Rush, Greek Week, service projects each semester and formals each year.
In addition to national sororities, students also are involved in some social sororities at the University of Missouri.
Registered Groups and Recognized Organizations
Registered groups are made up of Stephens College students and non-students and can be registered with the Student Activities Office. Registered groups are not entitled to SGA funds nor to use the Stephens College name. These groups have members who are affiliated with the College but are not comprised solely of Stephens students. These groups often hold meetings on campus and occasionally sponsor other events at Stephens.
Contact the University of Missouri for a list of many student groups that accept Stephens students as members.
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Registering Groups at Stephens
Groups with Stephens student members can be registered with the Student Activities Office by following this procedure:
1. Submit a statement of the group's goals to the Office of Student Leadership and Campus Programming, ext. 4339, in Stamper Commons.
- a. Organizations which want to be registered cannot discriminate against potential members on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap or national origin.
b. Group goals or purposes must be compatible with and supportive of the mission and goals of the College and comply with state and federal law.
2. Designate a representative from the membership who is a Stephens student.
- a. The representative is responsible for the organization's events on the Stephens campus.
b. The representative must sign a statement which indicates her/his awareness of these responsibilities.
c. The representative's mailing address and phone number should also be submitted.
3. Designate a Stephens faculty or staff member as a group advisor. Student groups MUST have College faculty/staff advisors.
- a. The advisor should work closely with the student representative.
b. The advisor must sign a statement which acknowledges her/his willingness to serve in this capacity.
Registered Groups' Rights and Responsibilities
Once a group has been registered, the group can reserve space on campus on a first-come, first-served basis for group meetings and functions by calling the Office of Student Leadership and Campus Programming, ext. 4339, in Stamper Commons. Groups pay for special services (special set up, overtime, etc.).
Registered groups may not apply for a College account nor can they obtain funds from the Student Government Association. Registered groups may not use the College name in advertising. Registered groups may not hold fund-raising events on campus except with the special permission of Student Government Association.
Registered groups must adhere to policies and procedures established by the Student Government Association and the College. Failure to comply with established policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action and/or loss of registration.
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Recognizing Organizations at Stephens
Recognized organizations must be made up of only Stephens College students and must adhere to all SGA and College policies.
Procedures for Recognizing Stephens College Student Organizations
1. Develop a constitution/bylaws and submit them to SGA Executive Board and to the Office of Student Leadership and Campus Programming, ext. 4339, in Stamper Commons.
- a. Constitutions should include the official name of the organization, any membership regulations, dues to be paid, offices or leadership structure (term of office, title, election, termination) a nondiscrimination statement and any other information pertinent to the ongoing operation of the organization.
b. A faculty or staff member must serve as the group's advisor.
c. Constitution must comply with College policy and state and federal law.
2. Operation must be in accordance with group's constitution/bylaws.
3. Submit a roster of current officers to Office of Student Leadership and Campus Programming. Include students' names, titles, addresses and phone numbers.
4. The Student Government Association Executive Board will ask the group's representatives to meet with them before they vote on recognizing the organization.
5. If the group is affiliated with a national organization, the national organization's constitution and bylaws must also be submitted to the SGA Executive Board and to the Office of Student Leadership and Campus Programming.
Recognized Groups' Rights and Responsibilities
Once a student group has been recognized, the group has access to campus facilities on a first-come, first-served basis (with fees for special services, i.e., laundry, overtime, bus rental, etc.). Groups may:
- apply to the Accounting office for use of a College account
- request (but are not guaranteed) funds or considerations from SGA for programs or services
Recognized student groups must adhere to procedures and policies established by SGA and the College which are applicable to students and groups.
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