The Missouri Students Association (MSA) serves as the primary student governance body at the University of Missouri, tasked with representing and advocating for the interests of the student body to the university's administration.
Structure and Branches edit
Executive Branch edit
The Executive Branch, headed by the President and Vice-President, it directly elected by all members of the undergraduate population. Requirements for presidential candidates include a minimum of two semesters of association membership and an intention to complete their term of office. The Executive Branch also encompasses an executive cabinet with roles like a Public Relations Coordinator, Treasurer, and a Policy and Advocacy Coordinator. [1]
Presidential Elections edit
 | ||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 3,034 12.8% of Eligible Voters  | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes counted | 100% | |||||||||||||||
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Legislative Branch edit
Senate of the Missouri Students Association | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Leadership | |
Speaker | Maggie Funston |
| Structure | |
 | |
| Senate committees | Internal Affairs, External Affairs, Academic Affairs, Campus Affairs, Social Justice Affairs |
At-Large Seats | 20 |
Academic Seats | 50 |
Organizational Seats | 10 |
| Elections | |
Senate voting system | Plurality block voting for Academic Seats Single member plurality for At-Large Seats |
Last Senate election | March, 2024 |
Next Senate election | November, 2024 |
The Legislative Branch, represented by the Senate, holds exclusive legislative powers within the MSA. Comprising academic college senators, at-large senators, and organizational senators, the Senate is tasked with enacting laws, allocating the association's funds, passing resolutions, and establishing its procedural rules.[3]
Classification of Seats and Election Procedure edit
At-Large Senators are elected by sitting Academic Senators at the beginning of each semester. Each Academic Senator can vote for one applicant to an at-large seat. The 20 applicants who receive the most votes are seated in the Senate. At-Large Senators terms last one semester and my be renewed.
Academic Senators are elected by their peers in each of their respective colleges (ex: Political Science Majors are elected from the College of Arts & Sciences) and serve a one-year term and may be renewed.
Organizational seats constitute several different campus organizations who allotted a seat in the Senate. They are either elected or appointed by their respective organizations.
| Legislative Cabinet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Office | Name | Term |
| Internal Affairs Operation Chair | Lucas Hawkins | 1 Year Renewable |
| Internal Affairs Fiscal Chair | Alex Duckwitz | 1 Year Renewable |
| External Affairs Chair | Trey Trapani | 1 Year Renewable |
| Academic Affairs Chair | Sophie Ayers | 1 Year Renewable |
| Campus Affairs Chair | Platinum Liang | 1 Year Renewable |
| Social Justice Affairs Chair | Aidyn Gleason | 1 Year Renewable |
| Legislative Chief of Staff | Ally Sharp | 1 Year Renewable |
| Legislative Clerk | Logan Kuykendall | 1 Year Renewable |
Judicial Branch edit
The Judicial Branch of MSA consists of the Student Court, possessing jurisdiction over legal and equity matters arising from the constitution or bylaws. With nine justices serving during good behavior, the Chief Justice presides over the court, administering its functions. The swearing-in of elected officials, including the President, Vice-President, Speaker of the Senate, Judicial Court, and Senators, is conducted by a justice of the court at a Full Senate meeting. This formal ceremony is scheduled within thirty days of their respective elections or selections.[4] There is debate over weather swearing-in ceremonies officially mark the start of a term or merely serve as a ceremonial gesture.
Board of Election Commissioners edit
The Board of Election Commissioners (BEC) as an independent entity under the Judicial Branch responsible for certifying election and referendum results. The BEC, led by a chair appointed jointly by the President, Speaker of the Senate, and Chief Justice.
Auxiliaries edit
Tiger Pantry edit
Tiger Pantry traces its roots to the efforts of Nick Droege, a member of the Executive Cabinet, faculty, and students who envisioned a dedicated food pantry for the Mizzou community. Inspired by the Full Circle Pantry model, Tiger Pantry officially commenced its operations on November 14, 2012. While it mainly focuses on the distribution of food to both graduate and undergraduate students it also conducts educational programming on food insecurity.
Truman's Closet edit
Truman’s Closet, a service provided by Tiger Pantry at the University of Missouri, is dedicated to supporting students, staff, and faculty by offering access to professional and business attire suitable for career fairs, interviews, and workplace settings.
The services provided by Truman’s Closet include rentals of business and professional attire, ranging from suits and dresses to dress shirts, blouses, and accessories like ties. It also facilitates cap and gown rentals for graduation ceremonies. Truman’s Closet operates on a donation-based model and encourages contributions of business attire, winter coats, and caps and gowns.[5][6]
History edit
Formation and Early Years (1911-1959) edit
Established in 1911, the student governance system underwent several changes, evolving from the original Student Government (SG) to the Student Government Association (SGA) in 1923. World War II briefly saw a name change, becoming the Student War Board, and eventually returning to the name SGA in 1946. In 1959 the association adopted a new constitution, leading to transition into the modern Missouri Students Association (MSA). [7]
2015 Campus Unrest edit
The Missouri Students Association (MSA) played a significant role during the campus unrest of 2015 at the University of Missouri. The protests, triggered by a series of racial incidents and concerns about the university's handling of such incidents, gained national attention. MSA, as the undergraduate student government, became actively involved in advocating for change and addressing the grievances of the student body.[8][9]
In November 2015 the association collaborated with student activists, faculty, and other stakeholders to push for institutional changes. The catalyst for the protests was a series of racially charged incidents, including instances of racial slurs and the perception of inadequate responses from university administrators.[10]
MSA leaders engaged in dialogues with university officials, seeking concrete actions to address systemic issues related to race and inclusivity. The association sought to articulate the concerns of the student body to university administration.
The protests ultimately led to the resignation of the university's president, Timothy Wolfe, who was criticized for his handling of the racial incidents.[11]
In an op-ed published in the Columbia Missourian then-President Nathan Willett acknowledged the impact of the 2015 protests on enrollment but emphasized the need to consider broader factors such as demographic changes, increased competition from SEC recruitment in traditionally Mizzou-dominated out-of-state markets, and significant budget cuts to higher education by the Missouri General Assembly. He points out that the protests did not result in students leaving; instead, the enrollment drop primarily affected new students.[12]
- ^ "Missouri Students Association". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Eric; Dawson, Maya (March 8, 2024). "All In 4 Mizzou wins election for MSA President and Vice-President". The Maneater. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Missouri Students Association". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Missouri Students Association". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Truman's Closet". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Simmerman, Alexis; Boeher, Sydney. "MU's Tiger Pantry, Truman's Closet and STRIPES consolidate into Hitt Street location". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Missouri Students Association: History". Missouri Students Association. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Serven, Ruth (2015-09-14). "MSA president speaks out about racist incident". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ Pearce, Matt. "Hunger striker gives credit to fellow activists fighting racism at University of Missouri". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Hartocollis, Anemona. "Long After Protests, Students Shun the University of Missouri". New York Times. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Svrluga, Susan (2021-10-27). "U. Missouri president, chancellor resign over handling of racial incidents". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ Willett, Nathan. "GUEST COMMENTARY: National article mischaracterizes state of MU after 2015 protests". Columbia Missourian. Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 15 December 2023.