Undergraduate Student Government Association at Drexel

Allow me first to say what an exciting and contended race it was for USGA this year. We had a record amount of undergraduate votes, a number of successful write-in candidates, and above all, a tie for the presidency! Using parliamentary procedure, the members of USGA were asked to vote for one of the candidates and by that course, I was elected president.

Now you may be asking yourself “Just what is USGA?” The Undergraduate Student Government Association, plain and simple. We are fellow students, working with administration to assure a safe, satisfying, and sustainable atmosphere for the Drexel population. In recent years, the USGA has been instrumental in gathering student opinion and representing the Drexel community for projects such as the Taco Bell in the Hagerty Library, the Dining Terrace, and the new Rec Center. Think of us as a group of students who take ideas and suggestions and figure out how to turn them into a reality.

The most important part of USGA is YOU: The Undergraduates. We are a pretty pointless group without your input. I have already received several suggestions and requests regarding policies and events that students would like to see changed. Some are realistic, some are not, unfortunately. I don’t have the power to eliminate tuition or change course curricula, but I can promise you that I will be a dedicated servant to all ideas that are brought to me. A president should be a representative for his people, and I have confidence in this student body that we can create the university setting that will make the most students comfortable and content. I just ask that you please have the same confidence in me.

Any idea is feasible if given the proper support. With that in mind, please let me know if you have a suggestion for improvement or a concern. I can always be reached at lh92@drexel.edu.

Presidentially,

Lucas Hippel

President

Undergraduate Student Government Association

Mission Statement

The Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) will fairly represent the students of the University and foster relations between the students and the University community.

Organization Structure

The USGA consists of two executives, the President and Vice President, and officers which represent undergraduate students in all schools and colleges at Drexel in terms of academics and student life. Officers serve on one of three assemblies (Student Life, Academic Affairs or Government Operations) and work on initatives and efforts within the scope of their respective assembly.

The President

The President serves as the official representative of the USGA to the University and the community at-large, presides over and prepare agendas for Joint Sessions, meetings of all officers, of the USGA and votes during Joint Sessions to resolve ties. The president is elected from the student body and has to have served previously on USGA for one full year.

The Vice President

The Vice Presidents monitors the internal workings of the organization and facilitate smooth operation of the assemblies serves as the official representative of USGA to other Drexel student government and coordinates the legislative operations for the USGA and must review SOP changes to ensure that no document conflicts arise. In the absence of the President, the Vice President assumes all of the President's responsibilities. The Vice President is appointed by the outgoing government and has served previously on USGA for one full year.

Student Life Assembly

The Student Life Assembly (SLA) takes into consideration all issues related to student life brought to the USGA. SLA also accounts for university administration issues as they relate to students and student life. SLA regularly corresponds with Drexel Student Life personnel and students to address issues. This assembly comprises of students representing Athletics, Commuters, Greek Life, International Student, Multi-Cultural Students, Student Organizations, Residential Living, and Transfer Students.

Academic Affairs Assembly

The Academic Affairs Assembly (AAA) works with the individual colleges & schools and the Office of the Provost to help improve the overall academic experience for undergraduates. This includes but not limited to academic policies and procedures, academic programming, and the technological infrastructure.

Engagement and Operations Assembly

The Engagement and Operations Assmebly (EOA) is present to guide the procedural and structural evolution of the USGA. EOA is responsible for preparing legislation relating to internal policies - including amendments to the constitution and Standard Operating Procedures. In addition to facilitating an efficient operation of all USGA Assemblies, it is EOA's responsibility to oversee elections.