Senate Committees

The Senate currently stands as a complex body representing the undergraduate students of the University through the assistance of six standing committees. These committees represent the student voice of the undergraduate students through decisions regarding campus policies, programming, and money spent by the student government on a number of services administered by the undergraduate students of the University of Nevada

Committee on Academics:

The Committee on Academics shall be responsible for policies regarding academic reform, University academic policy, evaluation of professorships and courses, calendar issues, and library operations. The Committee on Academics shall affect liaison with the Faculty Senate committee with similar jurisdiction, the office of the Provost, and the Office of Admissions and Records.

Committee on Budget and Finance:

The Committee on Budget and Finance shall ensure responsible expenditure of Association funds. The committee shall review finance bills, review spending practices, regularly review the current balances sheets, inspect budgets and expenses of agencies and departments, and generally have within its charge the finances and Budget of the Association. This responsibility shall extend to asking the Manager of the Bookstore of the Associated Students to report on the composition of the revenues and profits of the Bookstore, as well as the business plan of the Bookstore for the upcoming year. The committee shall report to the Senate no later than the third meeting of September on the budget of the Bookstore of the Associated Students. The composition of the committee shall be no less than seven and no more than nine.

Committee on Government Operations:

The Committee on Government Operations shall be responsible for reviewing bills regarding the operations of the government of the Association, resolutions proposing amendments to the Constitution of the Associated Students, formulating election procedures, considering amendments to the Rules of the Senate, and reviewing matters of controversy in Senate procedure.

Committee on Public Affairs:

The Committee on Public Affairs shall be responsible for formulating policies regarding bodies of governance at the local, state, and federal level, including the Reno City Council, the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, and the Nevada State Legislature. This committee shall voice student concerns regarding the Tuition and Fees of the University. The committee shall review all matters of student concern external to the University, except where another committee has direct jurisdiction. This committee shall liaison with the President’s Assistant on Public and Campus Relations.

Committee on University Affairs:

The Committee on University Affairs shall be responsible for policies concerning the University Police, buildings and grounds, parking and transportation, campus planning, construction, the Student Health Services, the Student Legal Services, the Counseling Center, Campus Dining, environmental issues, Safe Ride, and Campus Escort. The Committee shall also be responsible for promotion of Senate among the Student Body, creation and distribution of materials concerning Senate, communication between Senate and the university community; addressing issues of diversity concern with the assistance of the Unity Commission; policies concerning University Housing, the Greek Councils, the Residence Hall Association, the Student Union Activities Board, Recognized Student Organizations, campus traditions and events and Athletics, including Ticket Distribution Policies. The Committee on University Affairs shall provide a Senate liaison to the Greek Councils and the Residence Hall Association.

Committee on Oversight:

The Committee on Oversight shall be responsible for evaluating the nature of Senate absences, reviewing personnel matters, and conducting investigations regarding the impeachment of Governmental Officials, in accordance with the Senate punitive powers. The Committee shall be composed of the chairpersons of the Standing Committees and chaired by the Speaker of the Senate. The Speaker of the Senate shall not have voting power except when his or her vote would be decisive. The Committee also has jurisdiction over all nominations to Association office which require the consent of the Senate, the jurisdiction of the other committees to the contrary notwithstanding. The committee shall also meet to discuss updates and business of the standing committees.