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The American Student Government Association is conducting research on the nature of Student Government on your campus on behalf of one of our members.

Please answer the following questions and return to or by fax to 352-373-8120.

At the conclusion of this study, ASGA will provide the results to all of those who complete the survey.

Thank you!

1. What types of Student Government associations do you have on your campus? (please circle one or more)

· Undergraduate

· Graduate

· Evening/Part-time

2. What written statements exist that define the relationship between the Student Government and the University’ s Administration, the Board of Trustees? (Please provide examples of these documents).

The annual report by Independent Auditors, UHY LLP Certified Public Accountants, states that the FIT Student Association, (the “association”) …is a subdivision of FIT and is not a separate legal entity…”___________________________________
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3. Who bestows the authority for the Student Government to exist? What language is used to do this? Where is this language contained?


_The Fashion Institute of Technology Board of Trustees. The College Catalogue, page 85 states: The Student Council is the governing body of the Student Association, whose membership includes all full and part time students who have paid the student activity fee. Page 67 states the student activities fee is $60.00 per semester, as approved by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Student Council regulations._________________________________________________________________
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4. Is the Student Government autonomous or are they responsible to another University entity? If so, what is that entity (Board, specific office, etc.)?


_The Student Government is autonomous._________________________________________________________________
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5. How is the Student Government structured â?" leadership, representation, advisor?


_All students taking 12 credits or more pay a student activity fee and automatically become members of the FIT Student Association. The governing body, or Student Council, is made up of one representative from each of the recognized student clubs and organizations (presently 77), the 22 elected members of the Executive and Programming Boards, and the students who are elected annually to college committees. Any other student who attends more than two consecutive meetings of the Council also receives voting privileges. The Executive Board is made up of the President, Vice President, Secretary, two treasurers, and a series of Vice Presidents for: Student Affairs, Commuter Affairs, Athletics, Health, Alumni Affairs, Communications, Programming and Residential Life. This board is administrative in nature, and deals with issues that affect the student body of the college, determines policies and procedures, drafts the annual budget and allocates the student activities fees. The Programming Board is made up of the VP for Programming, Secretary/Treasurer and Managers: Game Room, Hall of Art, Films, Center, Special Programs, Social Programs, Cultural Programs. The Director of Student Life serves as the advisor to the Student Council and Executive board, and all of the associated FITSA committees. The Program Coordinator serves as the advisor to the Programming Board. In addition, the Student Life Counselor who advises the Hall of Art, Game Room and Center managers serves as a resource.________________________________________________________________
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6. How is the Student Activity fee set? By whom?

_The Executive Board of FITSA discusses and makes a recommendation to the Student Council for any increase in the student activity fee. A student council meeting is then advertised and open to the entire school for purposes of discussing the proposal to increase the fee. At the next upcoming Student Council meeting, also advertised to the entire school, the proposal to increase the fee is presented and voted upon. The recommendation is then sent to the college’s Board of Trustees for final approval and eventual implementation._________________________________________________________________
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7. How is the Student Activity fee allocated? To whom? What oversight exists and by whom?


_Each February all clubs and organizations receive a cover letter and a copy of the detailed budget guidelines, as determined by the Executive Board, as well as an budget appropriation form. Submissions must be received by March 15th, for the upcoming academic year. All clubs receive an automatic $2000.00 if they comply. Some groups will be allocated a yearly budget if they require funding for major projects or contracted publications, etc. Any time during the year clubs and organizations can request additional funds for specific projects, events, trips, conferences, etc. These requests are dealt with individually, and appropriate and specific documentation must be submitted, as per the budget guidelines, for each request. The Executive Board meets weekly to allocate these additional funds. The Director of Student Life/advisor works closely with the students and trains them re: financial planning, fiscal management, and budget determination. Any funds withdrawn from FITSA must have the required four signatures: The club treasurer/president, the club faculty/staff advisor, the FITSA treasurer and the Director of Student Life. Any contracts over $5,000 must be approved by the Dean for Student Development; over $10,000 must be approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs for the college.________________________________________________________________
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8. What is the University’s responsibility for oversight of the allocation? How is this defined?
_see above________________________________________________________________
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9. Are there differences in procedures for undergraduate and graduate student government organizations if there is more than one SG? Graduate students vs. undergraduates, part-time vs. full-time.


_not applicable________________________________________________________________
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