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The Missouri Students Association (MSA) serves as the primary student governance body at the University of Missouri, tasked with representing and advocating for the interests of the student body to the university's administration.
Structure and Branches[edit]
Executive Branch[edit]
The Executive Branch, headed by the President and Vice-President, derives its authority from association members' election. Requirements for presidential candidates include a minimum of two semesters of association membership and an intention to complete their term of office. The Executive Branch is further organized with key roles, such as the Public Relations Coordinator and Treasurer, each contributing to the effective operation of the association. [1]
Presidential Elections[edit]
 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 2,071 9% of Eligible Voters  | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes counted | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Legislative Branch[edit]
Senate of the Missouri Students Association | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Leadership | |
Speaker | Danny Daugherty |
| Structure | |
 | |
| Senate committees | Internal Affairs, External Affairs, Academic Affairs, Campus Affairs, Social Justice Affairs |
At-Large Seats | 20 |
Academic Seats | 50 |
Organizational Seats | 10 |
| Elections | |
Senate voting system | Plurality block voting for Academic Seats Single member plurality for At-Large Seats |
Last Senate election | November 2, 2023 |
Next Senate election | April, 2024 |
The Legislative Branch, represented by the Senate, holds exclusive legislative powers within the MSA. Comprising academic college senators, at-large senators, and organizational senators, the Senate is tasked with enacting laws, allocating the association's funds, passing resolutions, and establishing its procedural rules. Quorum requirements and voting thresholds ensure a balanced decision-making process within the Senate, with necessary checks and balances for effective governance.[3]
Classification of Seats and Election Procedure[edit]
At-Large Senators are elected by sitting Academic Senators at the beginning of each semester. Each Academic Senator can vote for one applicant to an at-large seat. The 20 applicants who receive the most votes are seated in the Senate. At-Large Senators terms last one semester.
Academic Senators are elected by their peers in each of their respective colleges (ex: Political Science Majors are elected from the College of Arts & Sciences) and serve a one-year term.
Organizational seats constitute several different campus organizations who allotted a seat in the Senate. They are either elected or appointed by their respective organizations.
| Legislative Cabinet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Office | Name | Term |
| Internal Affairs Operation Chair | Lucas Hawkins | 1 Year Renewable |
| Internal Affairs Fiscal Chair | Vacant | 1 Year Renewable |
| External Affairs Chair | Trey Trapani | 1 Year Renewable |
| Academic Affairs Chair | Maddy Jensen | 1 Year Renewable |
| Campus Affairs Chair | Ben Baumgaurt | 1 Year Renewable |
| Social Justice Affairs Chair | Kaylan Walker | 1 Year Renewable |
| Legislative Chief of Staff | Kate Karpinski | 1 Year Renewable |
| Legislative Clerk | Logan Kuykendall | 1 Year Renewable |
Judicial Branch[edit]
The Judicial Branch of MSA consists of the Student Court, possessing jurisdiction over legal and equity matters arising from the constitution or bylaws. With nine justices serving during good behavior, the Chief Justice presides over the court, administering its functions. The Student Court,ensures legal adherence and upholds the constitutional principles of the association. The swearing-in of elected officials, including the President, Vice-President, Speaker of the Senate, Judicial Court, and Senators, is conducted by a justice of the court at a Full Senate meeting. This formal ceremony is scheduled within thirty days of their respective elections or selections.[4]
Board of Election Commissioners[edit]
The Board of Election Commissioners (BEC) as an independent entity under the Judicial Branch responsible for certifying election and referendum results. The BEC, led by a chair appointed jointly by the President, Speaker of the Senate, and Chief Justice.
Auxiliaries[edit]
Tiger Pantry[edit]
Tiger Pantry traces its roots to the efforts of Nick Droege, a member of the Executive Cabinet, faculty, and students who envisioned a dedicated food pantry for the Mizzou community. Inspired by the Full Circle Pantry model, Tiger Pantry officially commenced its operations on November 14, 2012. It not only distributes food to those in need but also actively engages in educational initiatives, raising awareness about food insecurity and its intersectionality with broader campus issues.
Truman's Closet[edit]
Truman’s Closet, a service provided by Tiger Pantry at the University of Missouri, is dedicated to supporting students, staff, and faculty by offering access to professional and business attire suitable for career fairs, interviews, and workplace settings.
The services provided by Truman’s Closet include rentals of business and professional attire, ranging from suits and dresses to dress shirts, blouses, and accessories like ties. It also facilitates cap and gown rentals for graduation ceremonies. Truman’s Closet operates on a donation-based model and encourages contributions of business attire, winter coats, and caps and gowns.[5][6]
History[edit]
Formation and Early Years (1911-1959)[edit]
Established in 1911, the student governance system underwent transformative changes, evolving from the original Student Government (SG) to the Student Government Association (SGA) in 1923. World War II briefly saw the Student War Board taking over, reinstating the SGA in 1946. In 1959 the association adopted a new constitution, leading to transition into the modern Missouri Students Association (MSA). [7]
2015 Campus Unrest[edit]
The Missouri Students Association (MSA) played a significant role during the campus unrest of 2015 at the University of Missouri. The protests, triggered by a series of racial incidents and concerns about the university's handling of such incidents, gained national attention. MSA, as the undergraduate student government, became actively involved in advocating for change and addressing the grievances of the student body.[8]
In November 2015, a timeline of events unfolded, with MSA at the forefront of efforts to address racial tensions and promote inclusivity on campus. The association collaborated with student activists, faculty, and other stakeholders to push for institutional changes. The catalyst for the protests was a series of racially charged incidents, including instances of racial slurs and the perception of inadequate responses from university administrators.[9]
MSA leaders engaged in dialogues with university officials, demanding concrete actions to address systemic issues related to race and inclusivity. The association played a pivotal role in articulating the concerns of the student body and advocating for a campus environment that prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The protests ultimately led to the resignation of the university's president, Timothy Wolfe, who was criticized for his handling of the racial incidents. This moment marked a turning point in the university's history and brought attention to the need for structural changes in addressing racial inequalities within academic institutions.
In an op-ed published in the Columbia Missourian then-President Nathan Willett acknowledged the impact of the 2015 protests on enrollment but emphasized the need to consider broader factors such as demographic changes, increased competition from SEC recruitment in traditionally Mizzou-dominated out-of-state markets, and significant budget cuts to higher education by the Missouri General Assembly. He points out that the protests did not result in students leaving; instead, the enrollment drop primarily affected new students.[10]
- ^ "Missouri Students Association". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Smith, Genevieve. "Mizzou4U wins election for MSA President and Vice-President". The Maneater. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Missouri Students Association". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Missouri Students Association". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Truman's Closet". University of Missouri. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Simmerman, Alexis; Boeher, Sydney. "MU's Tiger Pantry, Truman's Closet and STRIPES consolidate into Hitt Street location". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Missouri Students Association: History". Missouri Students Association. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Pearce, Matt. "Hunger striker gives credit to fellow activists fighting racism at University of Missouri". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Hartocollis, Anemona. "Long After Protests, Students Shun the University of Missouri". New York Times. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Willett, Nathan. "GUEST COMMENTARY: National article mischaracterizes state of MU after 2015 protests". Columbia Missourian. Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 15 December 2023.