© Cowell College, 2008
Maintained by Sebastian Wolff ().

Introducing the Cowell Student Senate

What Is The Senate?
Who Are The Members?
When and Where Does Senate Meet?
How Can I Get Involved?
How Do I Request Funds?
What Are Some Events The Senate Has Sponsored In Previous Years?
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Being A Senator?
How Can I Learn More About The Cowell Senate?

What Is The Senate?

The Senate is the student governing board of Cowell College. Each spring, the Senate designs an itemized budget for the roughly $42,000 in student fees it will be receiving the following Fall. These monies are used for funding Cowell and campus-wide student events and projects. The Senate meets weekly to discuss Cowell issues and hear funding requests. For detailed information, you can view the Cowell Senate Constitution Updated 11/04/09.

Who Are The Members?

The Cowell Senate is comprised of Cowell students just like you (and a staff advisor from the Programs Office). Our membership varies from year to year, but every Cowell student is eligible to become a Selectperson, or full, voting member of the Senate. A full list of Senate Positions is also available.

When and Where Does Senate Meet?

Senate meets every Thursday starting at 7:30pm in the evening in the Cowell Conference Room. If you are unsure where this is, please have a look at the map at maps.ucsc.edu.

How Can I Get Involved?

To become a Selectperson, you must attend four consecutive Senate meetings. At your fourth meeting, you will present to the Senate an original eight-line, rhyming poem of your creation. For a list of additional leadership positions available to Senators email Senate at .

How Do I Request Funds?

To petition for Cowell Senate funds, follow these steps:

1. Write to and request to be added to the weekly meeting's agenda. In your request, include your responses (in Q&A form) to the following questions:
1. Please describe the nature and goals of your event.
2. What is the location of your event?
3. How many Cowell students are in the planning phase of the event/project?
4. What is your expected attendance or expected benefit of your proposal?
5. How many other organizations have you previously contacted for funding? How much have you received from each?
6. Is this the first time you have done this event/publication/etc.? Please describe previous experience with this project.
7. For publications (newspapers, magazines/journals etc.): How many copies will you print? Where will you distribute them?
8. Are you willing or prepared to recognize the Cowell Senate as a sponsor of your event? How?
9. How will you publicize your event/publication/etc?
10. Do you plan to come back to Cowell Senate for funding in the future? Roughly how many times do you plan to come back (this quarter, this year)?
2. After you have been confirmed on the agenda, be sure to bring a completed funding request form. Copies of which can be found on the bulletin boards near the Cowell/Stevenso Dining Hall or Cowell College Office or download a PDF version here to print.

What Are Some Events The Senate Has Sponsored In Previous Years?

In the past, the Senate has planned and/or helped fund game nights, dances, music shows, informational meetings and workshops, open mic nights, poetry slams, student publications, guest speakers, cultural nights, and much more!

What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Being A Senator?

By attending regular Senate meetings, you will hear about the very latest events being planned and the current issues being discussed on campus. In addition, you will be making your voice heard. You will be able to cast your vote and share your unique views and new, creative ideas with an extremely attentive audience.

How Can I Learn More About The Cowell Senate?

• Regularly attend Senate meetings
• Check the Senate Board (located in the hallway near the dining hall) for meeting minutes and upcoming events
• Email and ask for more info
• Talk to a current Senator
• Inquire at the Programs Office, Room 135, phone 459-4655