Rule 50203: Participation in Student Government

1.  Title

Participation in Student Government 

2.  Rule and Regulation

Sec. 1  Student Associations.   Students' associations currently authorized at the institutions of The University of Texas System are hereby approved. They shall have such jurisdictions and shall exercise such powers as the Board of Regents may now or hereafter delegate to them.

1.1  Associations in Force.   The constitutions and bylaws of the several associations in force at the date of adoption of these Rules and Regulations are hereby approved.

1.2  Approval of Changes.   An amendment to the constitution or bylaws of a students' association may be adopted by an association, in accordance with its constitution and bylaws, but the change shall not become effective until transmitted to and approved by the chief student affairs officer and the president.

1.3  Amendment or Repeal of Provisions.   The chief student affairs officer shall have the power, when in his or her judgment the interests of the institution require it, to amend or repeal any provision in the constitution or bylaws of the particular association, but such action shall not be effective until approved by the president.

1.4  Approval of Employees.   All persons officially employed on salary by or under the direct supervision of a students' association shall be subject to approval by the chief student affairs officer and the president.

1.5  Required Financial Reports.   Every officially recognized students' association shall make annually a complete financial report to the institutional chief business officer and shall make such special reports as may be called for by such business officer. A duplicate copy of each report shall be filed with the chief student affairs officer. Committees and administrative units of a students' association shall make such interim reports of financial condition as may be required by the chief student affairs officer.

Sec. 2  Student Opinion.   The students' association on each campus shall be a recognized forum of student opinion.

2.1  Recommendations to the Board of Regents.   When a students' association takes a position with reference to issues directly related to an institution and its operations, its recommendations to the Board of Regents shall go through the chief student affairs officer, the president, the appropriate Executive Vice Chancellor, and the Chancellor.

2.2  Position on Non-University Issues.   When a students' association takes a position on non-University issues, it shall make clear the fact that it does not speak for the institution.

2.3  Conditions for Getting Feedback.   A students' association may conduct polls, initiate petitions, and/or establish forums for debate or discussion under conditions approved by the chief student affairs officer.

2.4  Personal Views of Officers.   Officers of a students' association may so identify themselves when they express their personal views, but they shall then make it clear that they are not speaking for the institution, or for the student body, and they shall make it clear they are not speaking for the students' association unless the legislative body of that association has authorized the statement in advance.

3.  Definitions

Chief Student Affairs Officer – The administrative officer or officers directly responsible for student affairs at each institution.

4.  Relevant Federal and State Statutes 

None 

5.  Relevant System Policies, Procedures, and Forms 

None 

6.  Who Should Know 

Administrators 
Dean of Students 
Chief Student Affairs Officer 
Students 

7.  System Administration Office(s) Responsible for Rule 

Office of Academic Affairs 
Office of Health Affairs 

8.  Dates Approved or Amended 

Regents’ Rules Revision History 

9.  Contact Information 

Questions or comments regarding this Rule should be directed to: 
•  bor@utsystem.edu