Student Government

Pitzer's governance system offers opportunities for student involvement in all aspects of college business and decision making. The large number of committees and the wide range of policy areas they address are evidence of this.

Students serve on all standing committees of the College. These committees report to College Council, the voting members of which are faculty members, staff council representatives, and members of the Student Senate.

All College Council and committee meetings are open to the Pitzer community with a few exceptions (i.e. Academic Standards, Faculty Executive). Minutes of standing committees are posted in Scott Hall for public viewing and are sent out via e-mail to all those subscribed to minutes@pitzer.edu. Students are encouraged to read the minutes, attend meetings and exercise their voice in Pitzer policy making.

College Council

College Council is the main policy-making body at Pitzer. Generally, all policy recommendations that are made by the various committees are forwarded to College Council for discussion and eventual vote. If passed, these recommendations go to the President and as appropriate to the Board of Trustees for final approval. The College Council has the power to recommend requirements for academic degrees and honors, as well as make recommendations to the President regarding the establishment of new academic divisions and the creation of standing and ad hoc committees.

The President or the Dean of Faculty presides as chair at Council meetings. Council meetings occur several times each semester and may be convened at the call of the president, dean of faculty, chair of the Faculty Executive Committee or the Student Senate chair. All faculty, staff and student voting members are expected to attend such meetings. The agenda, normally prepared by the Dean of Faculty in consultation with the chair of the Faculty Executive Committee, the Student Senate chair and the president, is usually published at least 48 hours in advance. Agenda items that entail a major policy change are discussed one meeting prior to a vote.

Student Senate

The Student Senate was created to provide a more streamlined and effective governance system by consolidating student power, increasing student participation and facilitating better communication.

Student Senate is composed of a minimum of 24 members. Members of Student Senate serve as the student voting representatives to College Council and make up no less than one-third of the total voting membership.

All members of Student Senate are either elected by the student body at large or are appointed by the Senate Appointments Committee, with the exception of the two Faculty Executive Committee representatives, who are appointed directly by the president.

Student Senate is the official student representative body. As such, Senate reviews any issue pertinent to students and either takes direct action or makes policy recommendations. Senate also allocates over $130,000 in activities fees for organizations and events throughout the year. Senate reviews and discusses College Council agenda items and decides which issues to bring to College Council on behalf of the students.

Two standing subcommittees help the senate implement policy: the Budgetary Subcommittee and the Communications Committee.