George Washington University Student Association

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The George Washington University Student Government Association (SGA) is GWU’s student government in Washington, DC. It represents about 26,000–27,000 students and oversees a budget of roughly $1.78 million. The SGA has three branches: the Executive Cabinet, the Senate, and the Student Court.

History in brief:
- Student government at GWU started in 1909.
- The current system was created in 1976 after a campus referendum; GWU’s government had been dissolved in 1970 and reestablished in 1975–76.
- Over the years, the SGA has worked on issues like printing costs, campus smoking bans, and student access to newspapers. It also helped restore free student newspapers and pushed for condom dispensers in residence halls.

How it works today:
- Executive Branch: Led by the President and Vice President (elected separately). The President appoints Executive Secretaries for areas like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Academic Affairs, with most appointments needing two‑thirds Senate approval. The Executive Cabinet includes the President, Chief of Staff, Treasurer, Legislator General, and Communications Director.
- Senate: Made up of 43 Senators who represent GWU’s schools, with the Vice President as the presiding officer. The Senate approves bills and helps set the SGA budget of about $1.7–$1.8 million, which funds student activities and the SGA’s operations. There are several standing committees, such as Governance, Financial Services and Allocations, and Student Life.
- Judicial Branch: The Student Court has seven members (a mix of undergraduate, graduate, and one law student) who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Court handles disputes within the SGA and between student organizations and the SGA.
- Leadership: As of 2025–2026, Liz Stoddard serves as the Senate Presiding Officer (and she previously served as Chairperson Pro Tempore in 2023–2024).

Notable outcomes:
- The SGA has campaigned to reduce or reform student printing fees.
- It has advocated for campus health and safety issues, including smoking bans and student wellness programs.
- It has pursued improvements in campus life, such as restoring free newspapers and increasing student services.

Leadership and contact:
- The President and Vice President are elected by GWU students. The SGA’s work is carried out by the Executive Cabinet, the Senate, and the Student Court, working together to influence policies and allocate funds for student activities and services.