All students are encouraged to serve the university in a leadership role through student
government. There are opportunities for any student regardless of classification and
discipline. Explore the information below to find out how you can play an active role
on campus within Freshman Council, Government Relations, and the Student Senate.
Elections Commission
The Elections Commission is the independent body that is responsible for conducting
and overseeing the annual student body election and inauguration. This Commission
is headed by the elections commissioner who is appointed by the student body president.
The commission also consists of the deputy elections commissioner and seven to nine
assistant elections commissioners.
2021 Student Body Elections Timeline
Filing for Candidacy: February 8 & 9, 9 am - 5pm Mandatory Candidate’s Meeting/Start of Soft Campaigning*: February 11 at 7pm Executive Candidate Debate/Start of Hard Campaigning*: February 16 at 7 pm Regular Elections: February 23 & 24 Runoff Elections: March 2 & 4 Elected Candidate Training: March 10 Elected Candidate Training: March 17 Elected Candidate Training: March 24 Inauguration: March 25
*Soft and Hard Campaigning begin at the conclusion of the Candidate’s Meeting and
the Candidate Debate, respectively.
Freshman Council (FC) acts as an entry-level organization within Student Government
with an emphasis on leadership and community involvement. Members consist of a diverse
selection of students who undergo a fairly rigorous interview and application process
and are chosen to represent the freshman class in Student Government.
Throughout the year, the group meets weekly to discuss pressing issues at UofSC. FC
gets a chance to work with other members of Student Government as well as other organizations
and services at UofSC. Through the mentor-mentee system, each member on the council
is paired with an upperclassman member of student government to assist throughout
the course of the year.
The council is made up of several committees that work on various projects throughout
the year. Each committee has a specific role in contributing to the success of the
Freshman Council. Committees meet once a week and all are welcome to attend just like
the regular FC meetings.
Student Government advocates to the university administration and local, state, and
federal entities to express the needs for the student body.
The Congressional Advisory Board (CAB) is the oldest team within Government Relations.
Every year, members of this non-partisan student research team travel to our nation’s
capital to meet with members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation. You will
gain immense political research experience as you prepare for the completion of the
CAB report. The report includes 3-4 issues chosen by members and then surveyed amongst
the student body for a student opinion. The data is compiled in the report and presented
to persuade members to vote, support, or disprove within the congressional agenda.
This experience has also included visits to the Department of Education, White House,
and National Mall.
The Legislative Action Network (LAN) is a non-partisan advocacy entity, communicating
with the South Carolina General Assembly. This communication is on behalf of the constituency
of the University of South Carolina student body to share concerns with state officials.
LAN members can look forward to increasing the awareness and presence of LAN with
the members of the general assembly by attending legislative sessions and various
committee meetings. Third, LAN looks forward to organizing a reception where members
of student government have the opportunity to interact with state legislators. And
lastly, LAN will be the program helping the Government Relations secretary and deputy
secretaries directly aiding in the roll out of the first ever Higher Education Day.
Other initiatives also include presenting to members of the Richland County delegation
in February.
The City Advocacy Commission is a non-partisan advocacy group tasked with being the
liaisons between city council-members of Columbia and students. While only in its
second year, CAC has made leaps and bounds for advocacy on the municipal level. Leading
the charge on student input regarding Quiet Zones, CAC has helped to lay the foundation
and plead the case for Quiet Zones surrounding USC’s campus, Five Points, and the
Vista. Also they plan to pilot the Extend Conference this year, a conference built
to connect Richland One high schools with UofSC and the possibilities for political
engagement while on campus. During the year, members will have the opportunity to
present their research findings to council-members, local officials, and Mayor Benjamin.
Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.