With Student Senate elections just around the corner, you may be asking yourself: “What does Student Senate do? How can I better my campus community?” or maybe even “Can Louie the Laker run for President?” If any of these questions are laying anchor in your mind, read on to learn some fast facts on what Student Senate does and how you can get involved.

1. Student Senate Makes Change Happen

Being a student senator grants resources to you such as organizational support, administrative support, and other tools that make getting your ideas from thought to action much easier. Student Senate has a valued presence on multiple administrative committees on campus and always makes sure that the voices of students are heard and respected. Currently, Student Senate is making a difference by working on a grant to make textbooks cheaper at GVSU.

2. Be a Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself

As a student senator, you get the opportunity to work with colleagues of all kinds; this is not exclusive to political science majors! The community within Student Senate is rich and supportive and makes bettering your campus community fun. Many senators consider the teams they work with to be their friends outside of the organization. Senators are tight-knit and form their own #LakerFam. That being said, their fam is always growing!

3. I Want to Share My Ideas About How to Improve GV, but I'm Not a Senator. What Now?

Run for elections! The application process to be entered in the online ballot is due Monday, March 19 at 5 p.m. Check out the Student Senate website for more information on election requirements and timeline. If you’re feeling nervous or maybe a little shy, come visit during office hours. Student senators are in the office Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer your questions and hear your concerns! Student Senate seeks to incorporate students of diverse backgrounds and interests.

4. Student Senate Provides Professional Direction

Being a part of Student Senate allows students to grow and develop their professional skill sets. If your internal compass of development is spinning and can’t settle on north, then Senate just might be the place to recalibrate. Lay the framework for the goals you’re striving to achieve with the help of other senators! Through cultural training, the senate furthers their knowledge and understanding of empathy and the backgrounds of others. Mindfulness is added into the equation, and the senators’ paths of where they want to go are opened up.