The Legislative Branch
Meetings
During every General Assembly meeting, the Student Senate examines legislation concerning the allocation of student organization funding, registration of new student organizations, and provides valuable recommendations to administrators on various student needs, encompassing everything from academic affairs to student affairs.
| Concern | Contact |
|---|---|
| Specific to your major, department, and/or college? | Contact your College-specific Senator(s). |
| About Academic Affairs? | Contact the Academic Affairs Committee Chair. |
| About Student Affairs? | Contact the Student Affairs Committee Chair |
| About student organization funding? | Contact the Chair of the Organizations Ways and Means Committee. |
| Just about a problem in general? | Contact an At-Large Senator. |
Antoinette Gabrielle RiversUpperclassmen At-Large SenatorStudent Government Association
Emilia SanchezUpperclassmen At-Large SenatorStudent Government Association
Jonathan SielskyChair of Finance Committee and Upperclassmen At-Large SenatorStudent Government Association
Joselyn Smith-PettyUpperclassmen At-Large SenatorStudent Government Association
Nazari SullivanUpperclassmen At-Large SenatorStudent Government Association
Mandy WilliamsUpperclassmen At-Large SenatorStudent Government Association
Interested in Becoming a Senator?
Run for Office
Students run for seats in the Senate in elections. Underclassmen and Upperclassmen At-Large Senator position elections are held in Fall Semester. Elections for all Senators representing specific Colleges are held in Spring Semester. To run in each election, students must complete a Candidate Nomination Form and attend a candidate orientation meeting. Visit our Elections page to learn more about the timelines and process.
Fill a Vacancy
A student can fill a Senator seat anytime that either fails to be filled during elections or becomes vacant during the academic year. To fill a vacancy, students should first complete an online vacancy application [currently not open for Fall 2023]. This online form can be found on the Niner Engage page for the Student Government Association. Afterward, the Committee of Internal Affairs will contact the candidate in order to set up an interview time with the committee. Should the Committee favorably recommend the candidate following the interview, the candidate will be required to attend the following full Senate Meeting. There, the entire Senate will vote to confirm or dismiss the candidate. Confirmation of a candidate for the vacant Senate seat is contingent upon a three-fourth vote in the candidate's favor.
Further questions? Feel free to contact the Chair of Internal Affairs.
A Senate Bill is used to amend the By-Laws of the Senate or other bodies of law within the Senate's authority. Each bill is designated as “SB” and requires a simple majority vote to pass.
Senate Measures (SM) are used for main motions, confirmations, and actions under the Senate’s authority. Senate Measures may adopt special rules, confirm appointments, or modify procedures outlined in the By-Laws or Robert’s Rules. Unless otherwise stated, Measures require a majority vote of Senators present and one reading for approval.
Senate Resolutions (SR) is legislation expressing the Senate’s position or opinion on issues beyond its constitutional jurisdiction or involving its privileges. Identified by the prefix “SR,” these resolutions represent the collective voice of the Senate.
Finance Bills (FB) are the direct use of funds previously budgeted or managed by the Senate. Finance Bills are used to allocate funding to student organizations and do not require a second reading. Each bill is designated by the prefix “FB” and requires a simple majority vote for approval.
Organization Bills (OB) approve the recognition of new student organizations at UNC Charlotte. Once a group completes the necessary steps with Student Organizations, the Organizational Ways & Means Committee presents the bill to the Senate. Each bill is designated by the prefix “OB” and does not require a second reading.
All legislation creating or affecting a change in the Student Government Statutes or other body of law within the legislative powers of the Senate, or providing for the budgeting and appropriation of the Student Activity Fees entrusted to the Senate, shall be presented in the form of a Bill. The various forms of Bills shall be as follows:
- Budget Bill: A Budget Bill either sets or modifies the budget of the Legislative Branch of the Student Government Association. Budget Bills shall be indicated as such on legislation by a "BB". Budget Bills shall be passed by a simple majority vote.
- Finance Bill: A Finance Bill authorizes or instructs the expenditure of funds previously budgeted by the Senate or entrusted to the Senate. The various student organizations shall be funded by means of a Finance Bill, which shall not require a second reading. Finance Bills shall be indicated as such on legislation by a "FB". Finance Bills shall be passed by a simple majority vote.
- Organization Bill: An Organization Bill allows for the approval of new student organizations on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The Organizational Ways & Means Committee shall bring this bill forward to the Senate floor upon the new student organization completing the necessary steps with Student Organizations. An Organization Bill shall be indicated as such on legislation by a ?OB?, and shall not require a second reading.
- Senate Bill: A Senate Bill amends the By-Laws of the Senate or other bodies of law under the discretionary authority of the Senate. Senate Bills shall be indicated as such on legislation by a "SB". Senate Bills shall be passed by a simple majority vote.
All legislation voicing the opinion of the Senate on any topic not within the constitutional jurisdiction of the Senate or exercising one or more privileges of the Senate shall be presented in the form of a Resolution. Resolutions shall be indicated as such on legislation by a "SR".
A Senate Measure is a type of legislation that either is a written main motion, inclusive of those main motions adopting, by authority of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, Special Rules or by adopting, whatever other authority, other derogations from the Bylaws of the Student Senate or Robert's Rules.
A Senate Measure is also used to confirm appointments to various offices and other positions filled by a Student Body Officer with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Measures, unless otherwise provided for by appropriate parliamentary authority, shall be agreed to by the Senate by a vote of a majority of the Senators present and voting.
Measures shall require one reading unless committed or recommitted to a Committee by a majority of the Senators present and voting.
All legislation pertaining to the disciplinary removal of a Senator or other legislative matters that do not conform to the definition of a Bill or Resolution shall be presented in the form of a Petition, and shall not require a second reading. Petitions shall be indicated as such on legislation by an "SP".