UT Student Government Revamps Constitution to Strengthen University Election Oversight

The Office of the Dean of Students and UT Student Government revamped the SG Constitution over the summer. This update aims to clarify the Dean’s authority in student elections and boost overall efficiency, as announced by SG President Hudson Thomas on September 2.

Now, the constitution explicitly states that both the Office of the Dean of Students and the Election Supervisory Board will oversee campus elections together. Previously, only the Election Supervisory Board held that responsibility. The changes also give the Dean the final say in any election disputes.

Judge Baskin, a Supreme Court justice for SG, remarked that while the Dean’s office has always collaborated closely with student government, there should be some flexibility in oversight. He pointed out that many disagreements tend to surface during election season, which can complicate matters.

“It feels like there’s a lot of influence from the Dean of Students,” said Baskin, who is a junior studying Plan II and journalism. “This is a student government, and it’s somewhat disheartening to realize that decisions made within SG may not hold as much weight as we hoped.”

The revisions also streamlined the executive branch by removing certain agencies from its governing structure. The previous ranked-choice voting system was replaced with a simple majority rule.

Thomas collaborated with SG Vice President Thierry Chu and a student team to dissect the constitution. They found plenty of repetitive language. “We noticed it wasn’t efficient. Students were debating nuances that could be simplified,” Thomas explained.

Working with Michael Goodman, a professor who specializes in student government constitutions, the team was able to reduce the SG Constitution from a bulky 90 pages to a manageable 22. Goodman recommended these changes after the Dean’s office reached out for guidance.

“All student government entities should review their governing documents,” Goodman emphasized. “It’s a trend across most universities right now.”

Finance junior Anthony Nguyen, the speaker of the assembly, expressed that despite the changes, SG should maintain a student-centered focus. While he wasn’t directly involved in the updates, he knew discussions were taking place over the summer.

“I thought they were simplifying the language and looking for redundancies,” Nguyen shared. He also encouraged students to remain active in SG, especially if they have concerns.

“It’s vital for students to engage with events and share their thoughts,” he said. “If you’re not happy with something, let your voice be heard.”

These updates reflect a growing trend in universities to simplify and clarify governing documents, which can enhance student participation and transparency. For more on this shift, check out the National Student Government Association for insights on modernizing student governance.

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