People and Structure
USUAA Assembly
The USUAA Assembly is comprised of a president, vice president, 10 senators, 12 delegates, and 3 liaisons.
Students interested in joining USUAA must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours, have paid the Anchorage consolidated fee, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Students with no established GPA or a GPA that is between 2.5 and 2.0 can join USUAA under a probationary status. After one semester of membership, the student must meet the required 2.5 GPA or be dismissed from the assembly. If a student falls under a 2.0 GPA, he/she will not be eligible for probation and will be dismissed from the assembly.
President and Vice President
The USUAA president and vice president are elected by the student body in the spring general election. See USUAA Elections for more information.
Helena Ballard is a Senior majoring in Justice and minoring in Psychology. This is
her second
year serving on USUAA, and has previously held the role of Delegate of the College
of Health.
Additionally, Helena has held leadership positions on UAA’s Panhellenic Council and
is a
member of UAA’s Society of Law and Justice.
The President acts as the official spokesperson for USUAA Student Government and provides leadership, support, and direction for USUAA Student Government as an organization. In this role, the President appoints numerous student representatives to serve on boards and committees within the University to offer student voice and opinion. The President holds the authority to approve or veto Assembly legislation and will work in conjunction with the Associate Director for Student Leadership and Administrative Assistant to supervise all paid USUAA employees.
Hannah Huber is a Junior studying Psychology with an OEC in behavioral analysis. This is her second year serving on USUAA, and previously had the role of Speaker of the Assembly. She also works at the Writing Center.
The vice president oversees internal matters of the USUAA organization. The vice president is an ex-officio member of all sub-committees of the USUAA Assembly and they appoint the sergeant-at-arms. The vice president performs the duties of the president in the event of temporary absence. The vice president will automatically take over the position of president in the event of a presidential resignation, impeachment, recall, or other incapacity.
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Senators
There are 10 student senator positions on the USUAA Assembly. The senators represent all UAA students who have paid the student government fee. Senators look for ways to enhance the quality of education and campus life. They advocate on a variety of issues related to the budget, tuition, academic programs, the administration, and more. Senators are responsible for gathering opinions and testimony on issues important to the UAA student body. They are expected to research, draft, and vote on legislation.
Senators must also serve on two standing committees within USUAA. Committee options include: activities, rules, student and academic affairs, finance, and legislative affairs. Each of these committees coordinates programs, events, and activities to carry out USUAA's mission.
Senators are elected by the student body during the UAA general election (in spring) or collect signatures through the petition packet process to join the assembly.
Current senators:
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Seth Burch
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Macchelssy Dinganga
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Iqlas Dubed
- Steven Hobbs
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Chuol Mut
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Joe Pavia-Jones
- Jacob Pennell
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Mama Sallah
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Luis Sanchez-Ulloa
- Jason Ritter
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Delegates
There are two delegates from each college that serve on the USUAA Assembly.
Delegates are similar to senators and liaisons but are elected as representatives of their respective College to represent the specific needs of that student population. Delegates are responsible for researching, drafting, and voting on legislation dealing with student issues in order to enhance the quality of education and life for both current and future UAA students.
Delegates are elected by the student body during the UAA general election (in spring) or collect signatures through the petition packet process to join the assembly.
Current delegates:
- Jessica Chang
- Fortune Dinganga
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Liaisons
There are three student liaisons that serve on the USUAA Assembly: Club Council, Greek Council, and Residence Hall Association.
Liaisons are similar to senators but are appointed by their respective student organization to represent the specific needs of that student population. Liaisons are responsible for researching, drafting, and voting on legislation dealing with student issues in order to enhance the quality of education and life for both current and future UAA students.
Contact the student organization directly for information on how to become a liaison.
Current liaisons:
- Brian Cuevas Fuentes, Club Council
- Eisa Chang, RHA
Executive Positions
Executive positions are assigned to sitting senators and delegates at the beginning of every spring and fall semester.
Speaker of the Assembly is responsible for calling, setting the agenda, and chairing all meetings of the assembly, as well as serving as the advisory voice of the assembly to the president and vice president.
Speaker of the Assembly Pro Tempore is responsible for performing the duties of the speaker of the assembly in his/her absence as well as serving as the chair of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee.
Government Relations Officer is responsible for coordinating advocacy efforts internally and externally, serving as the chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee, preparing reports for the assembly and for other governance bodies on actions taken, as well as coordinating dialogue with elected and non-elected officials on the university, municipal, and state levels.
Chief Financial Officer is responsible for serving as the chair of the Finance Committee, tracking the status of budget line items and funds remaining, as well as advising the assembly on all matters relating to the organization's finances.
Sergeant-At-Arms / Rules Chair is responsible for serving as the chair of the Rules Committee, politely enforcing the speaker's directives relating to the order at all assembly meetings, monitoring ethical behavior, and tracking attendance and service award requirements.
Chief Activities Officer is responsible for serving as the chair of the Activities Committee and overseeing the coordination and execution of events to encourage campus involvement and enhance student life at the university.
Vacant, Ombuds, is the chief protector and defender of students' right and acts as students' confidante. Serves as a source of information to students concerning policies, rules and regulations of USUAA and the University of Alaska Anchorage. (Appointed position.)
