2.1 Campus Student Associations

Responsible Position

Chief Financial Officer

RELATED ITEMS

Minnesota State Board Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

The Campus Student Association, known as Student Senate, at Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC), serves as the student government of the college and is the official voice of the students. Student Senate addresses student issues and concerns with college leadership, recommends the chartering of new student clubs to the ATCC Leadership Council, recommends students for college committees, recommends to the Leadership Council the allocation of student fees to student clubs, and assists in planning and organizing student activities. Student Senate is composed of representatives from divisional areas, student clubs, and the general student body. Student representatives can join at any time during the academic year. Student Senate is only active during the fall and spring semesters. 

Student Senate Officers
Officers for Student Senate consist of:  

  • President,  
  • Vice President,  
  • Secretary/Treasurer, and  
  • Communications Officer  
The President and Communications Officer are elected by the acting Student Senate during the spring semester of the academic year prior to their academic year of service. Student Senate officers serve for a term of one academic year.  

The Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer are elected during the first five weeks of the academic year.  

Student Senate Advisors

Student Senate is advised by the Director of Student Activities and a faculty member.

Duties

Student Senate has the sole authority to recommend the chartering of student clubs for approval to the ATCC Leadership Council. 

The official assessment of Student Activity Fees through the Business Office and the distribution of these funds is governed by the Student Life Committee, requiring approval by the ATCC Leadership Council. Student Senate faculty advisor compensation will be governed by the MSCF contract. 

Nationally Recognized Student Clubs at Alexandria Technical and Community College

Nationally recognized clubs approved by the ATCC Leadership Council for student participation include Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), SkillsUSA, American Advertising Federation (AAF), and Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). These clubs can request student activity fee funding through the annual Student Life Committee student activity fee allocation process. 

Program Clubs at Alexandria Technical and Community College

ATCC recognizes program clubs. Some programs have student clubs that provide activities and development opportunities specific to their field of study. Additional information on these clubs is available from the program areas, current student members, or the Student Life Office. These clubs can request student activity fee funding through the annual Student Life Committee student activity fee allocation process. 

General Interest Clubs at Alexandria Technical and Community College

ATCC recognizes general interest clubs. Students can form clubs around special interests or affinity groups that are not affiliated with an academic program. Information on these clubs is available from the current student members or the Student Life Office. These clubs can request student activity fee funding through the annual Student Life Committee student activity fee allocation process. 

Recognized Clubs at Alexandria Technical and Community College 

Recognized clubs are authorized to use facilities and resources of the college in accordance with college policies and procedures. 

Authorized Advisors and Advisor Compensation

All recognized student clubs must have an ATCC faculty or staff advisor. Advisor compensation occurs as per the relevant bargaining unit contract as part of load or as an additional assignment.  

Advisor service opportunities and compensation occur in accordance with the following guidelines: 

  1. Student clubs may be authorized additional compensated advisor(s) upon approval of the ATCC President and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. The additional advisor(s) opportunities shall first be offered to faculty and if none seek the position then will be open to non-instructional staff members. 
  2. For program clubs, advisors shall be selected from the ATCC faculty associated with the program. If there is no interest from the faculty, a staff member may be appointed to fulfill advising duties. Non-instructional staff are compensated at the same rate as faculty advisors, unless club involvement is included in their position description. 
  3. For general interest clubs, the advisor role is open to any ATCC faculty or staff members. 
If an ATCC faculty or staff member steps down from their role of advisor, that club shall be put in inactive status until an advisor is found. 

The ATCC Leadership Council approves student club advisors. ATCC club advisors are required to adhere to ATCC Procedure 2.1.2, Student Club Advisor Responsibilities. 

Appeal

To appeal a Student Senate recommendation or an ATCC Leadership Council decision related to the chartering, funding, or support of student clubs, particularly if the decision may conflict with law or ATCC/Minnesota State policies or procedures, students must follow ATCC Policy 3.8, Student Complaints and Grievances. Appeals are reviewed by the ATCC President. 

Related ATCC Documents:

Approved by: College President

Effective Date: 10/16/2025

Next Review Date: October 2028

Archive: 2.1.1 Student Senate