About Student Government
What is PSG?
Purdue Student Government (PSG) is a student-run and operated organization that serves the student body by advocating student concerns to students, faculty, community members, administration and alumni. In other words, PSG is the voice of the student body.
How is PSG organized?
PSG is composed of an executive staff, that oversees PSG’s three main
branches. The first is the Senate, composed of students representing the various
academic schools on campus, that is responsible for the enacting of legislation
pertaining to the issues pertinent to the student body.
The Board of Directors is the outreach branch of PSG. The Directors, each representing a specific position, are responsible for advertising, planning, and sponsoring PSG events, such as concerts, speakers, memorials, and campus wide informational events. The directors are also responsible for securing corporate sponsorships for PSG, contacting other organizations, and generally serving the Greater Lafayette community.
The Student Court is the judicial arm of PSG. It has total jurisdiction over all PSG matters. This includes hearing any internal PSG grievances or trials, as well as hearing all traffic ticket appeals for Purdue students. The court rules on the constitutionality of all PSG actions, in accordance with the PSG constitution and by-laws. Also, the court maintains a department of legal aid to provide Purdue students with information regarding typical legal problems such as landlord-tenant disputes and local ordinance violations.
I would like to join PSG, what are the benefits?
PSG provides an opportunity for experience in leadership roles and civic responsibility. Purdue Student Government also acts as a social network for its members, providing them with an active community of hard-working fellow leaders who are all working for a greater cause.
History of Purdue Student Government
In 1933, a group of seniors drew up Purdue University’s first constitution for a Purdue Student Federation. This student federation was the first student government structure to include a representative student senate and executive branch. Also included in the Student Federation were the Student Union and the Activities Council composed of representatives from each activity on campus.
The Student Union and Activity Council had become completely separate from the Student Senate in 1942. As a governing body representatives of student opinion, the Student Senate was responsible for such things as campus elections, the student handbook, a faculty rating program, and a lost and found service, as well as making recommendations to the Executive Council of the University.
The 1946 Student Senate acquired a structure of three parts which was formalized in 1947 when the organization restructured itself into a Student Council. This consisted of the Executive Board, Student Assembly, and the Student Court.
In 1961 our Student Government was modeled after our present United States Government and called the Purdue Student Government. The positions of the Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, and a Senate by housing organizations were created. Student representation on university committees, student representation on the Board of Trustees, and a Student Bill of Rights were major accomplishments for the year.
Then during the late 1960’s the student government lost sight of it’s former purpose. The Student Senate became an interest group forum, or like special interest groups, it became more interested in national and political issues, such as R.O.T.C., university investments abroad, and freedom of the press instead of focusing on representing the student body and meeting the needs of Purdue students.
In the early 1970’s the issues of the 1960’s died down. Many Students felt that after the Student Bill of Rights had been passed that there was no need for a student government. Therefore, in 1971, Purdue Student Government was changed to Purdue Student Association.
The philosophy behind the 1971 change was that the Student Government’s purpose was not to represent, but to have services for the students. It was felt that the Student Government had no power over policy, thus it was not really a government. The only other change other than the name was the creation of the Student Association Board of Operations (S.A.B.O) which was in charge of revenue.
In 1988, the Student Government reverted back to the 1961 name which reflected the purpose of the organization: Purdue Student Government. The reasoning behind the reversion was that the Purdue Student Association, it’s responsibilities were not overt, and for the sake of clarification the name change was necessary.
In 2007 Purdue Student Government continues to play an active role in the Student Body’s experience here at Purdue. By providing quality programming, such as speakers and conferences, and exceptional service, listening to and executing student needs. Purdue Student Government helps to make students career at Purdue more educational and enjoyable. Purdue Student Government is and will continue to be the link that connects all faculty, administrators, and student body.