Student Union’s (SU) Senate and Treasury leadership for this calendar year were elected in an internal election on Dec. 4. Student Life spoke to the Senate and Treasury’s eight new leaders to hear about their goals for the semester, with many members focusing on changing the budgeting, appeals, and correspondence procedure and addressing student concerns regarding academic resource accessibility, alcohol and substance abuse awareness, student health, and relationships with University leadership.

In Student Union (SU) Senate’s final meeting for the semester, senators presented reports regarding food accessibility for students and a resolution calling to extend the course-drop deadline, which passed unanimously, Nov 19. 

Student Union (SU) announced the results of this semester’s SU election, Nov. 14. In the election, 29.4% of WashU’s student body voted in 12 new senators and 12 new treasury representatives, as well as new members of the Arts & Science Council. Students also voted on five constitutional changes, all of which passed except for Amendment 5, which called for SU representatives to be compensated for their work in student government. 

In the midst of Student Union (SU) Treasury’s diminishing Budgets and Appeals account, some student organizations have expressed concern about putting on student programming, while others feel that they will be able to continue their regular programming in the spring.

For some groups, SU’s current financial situation does not impact their funding for the rest of the year. SU has three tiers of recognition for SU-funded student organizations: CAT I, II, and III. Student organizations known as CAT I organizations make up 59.3% of all SU-funded student organizations — these organizations are the only SU-funded clubs that can appeal for money during the year to fund events. 

Thousands of students will vote for their future Student Union (SU) treasury representatives and senators on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 9:00 p.m. CST. But what impact do these roles have on campus? Student Life breaks down the purpose and structure of SU, as well as its influence on campus life.  SU Exec SU’s Executive branch serves as a point of leadership for SU. There are five members of this branch: President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Programming, and Vice President of Engagement. The President of SU leads the organization and presides over the Executive Council. […]

Chancellor Andrew Martin has made free speech a significant aspect of his administration since becoming chancellor-elect of WashU in 2018. After last year’s protests and dialogue, some WashU community members supported Martin’s response while others have called for Martin to step down for perceivably suppressing free speech. Student Life looked at Martin’s record on free speech over the past six years to examine how he has enforced policies about speech on campus.