26/12/2013
Student Government President Bill ClintonFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Student Government President (generically known as Student Body President, Student Council President, or School President) is the highest-ranking officer of a student government group or a student union association at the high school, college, or university level. Respected as one of the highest honored roles to achieve during academic studies, serving as President can enable a student to gain strong interpersonal, leadership, social, economic, and management skills. Employers may look highly upon an applicant who has served in this capacity.[dubious – discuss]
A student government president is different from a class president. Class presidents only represent a specific grade level of students, while the student body president is the highest ranking student government leader in the school. Class presidents are common in middle and high schools and some colleges and universities in the U.S. A close equivalent would be a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior class representative (or senator).
The authority and responsibility of Presidents vary according to their respective institutions. Students performing in this role typically serve a ceremonial and managerial purpose, as a spokesperson of the entire student body. The president may oversee his or her association's efforts on student activity events and planning, school policy support from students, budget allocation, fiscal planning, recognition of developing issues pertaining to students, and communication between faculty/staff and the student body.
Duties
Duties usually include working with students to resolve problems, informing school administration of ideas emanating from the student body, and managing the student government in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer.
In this role, they may make student appointments, campus-wide committees and boards, and may represent the institution to other associations or bodies. For example, the student government presidents within the University System of Georgia also serve on the state-wide Student Advisory Council of Georgia.
Though supported by other officer positions (e.g. Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.), a President is expected to gain knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and in most cases, Robert's Rules of Order.
In the United States, more than 70% of student government presidents are compensated [1]
Powers
Some schools vary in the powers for the president of their student governments, but many grant veto power to the individual over any act passed by the student senate/house of representatives at the collegiate level. Some student council constitutions and bylaws assign any powers not explicitly stated to the President.
