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Sacred Heart University, CT
Type: private
Enrollment: 2,700 undergrad (Pesce); 2,300 (Sutphin)
Name of SG: Student Government
Web Address: http://studentgov.sacredheart.edu/
Phone: 203-365-4705
E-mail: t-pesce@sacredheart.edu
Advisor: Denise Tiberio
Advisor’s phone: 203-371-7736
Advisor’s e-mail: tiberiod@sacredheart.edu
SGA annual budget: $600,000 (Pesce); $405,000, $27,000 for executive board (Sutphin)
Compensation:
     Pesce: “It’s a stipend which is automatically deducted off of your tuition each semester.”
     SG President-- $8,500 stipend towards tuition
     SG VP for Finance Board-- $7,000 towards tuition
     Vice President for Senate-- $3,000 stipend towards tuition
     Sutphin: “Tuition with room and board is $18,000 annually — we send some programming board members to NACA, but they don't get parking passes or other freebies.”
     president — $2,000 per semester (applied toward tuition)
     executive vice president — $500
     vice president for finance board — $1,200
     vice president for student events — $675
Other Perks:
     Pesce: “Ha—a lot of that stuff would be nice. I could use a new suit! There are really no perks except for our SG office which is VERY small and has computers in it. That is more of a necessity in order for us to function, more than a perk, though. We also usually send four to five delegates on a conference each year, but that comes out of our operating budget.
Sources: Thomas A. Pesce, SG president, responded by web on 9/17/02; Denise Sutphin, director of student life, responded by e-mail on 6/4/97 and by phone on 9/23/97
     Pesce: “Yes, I believe that some should be. I believe that the older college student leaders become, the more they begin looking for internships, jobs, and other ventures that will promote their career interests. Because of this, many talented student leaders leave SG and/or can not give as much time to their SG position. If they are getting paid, they will be held more accountable than someone who was just volunteering. I believe that the work we do in SG at Sacred Heart is just as much and just as important as the work done by paid officials and deans at the university. It is a very fun and exciting job, but also a very demanding job, and there should be some compensation. No one should be in SG if they do not love what they do. However, just like any job you love working at, you also should be compensated for what you do.
     “I think a tuition waiver is best. Cash makes it seem as if you are literally just working for the money. If it’s off of your tuition, I think it’s best because you are doing a service for the school, so you should get a break from your tuition. If athletes get scholarships for what they do for a school, certainly SG members should.”
     Sutphin: "Certain SG officers should be paid for their roles on campus, BUT not cash salaries. I chair a stipend committee that consists of students from SG, our newspaper, Prologue, and radio station. These students select what leadership roles are eligible for a stipend. Once the stipends become approved, I contact the financial aid office, and the stipends are placed on their tuition (they do not receive cash). We also developed a prorate system for leaders who quit or are fired.
     "There are many reasons why I feel that SG officers should be paid, but I would have to say that my top reason is the accountability factor. I have worked with SG under both systems (paid and not-paid), and I feel that the students are more motivated and they take it more seriously. Also, many students on our campus could not afford to volunteer the amount of hours needed to run these organizations. So then we are competing with outside work!
     "The only clubs/organizations that we give stipends to are Spectrum Newspaper, WHRT radio station, and Prologue yearbook. When the committee was selecting who should received stipends we looked at the following factors: the amount of hours needed to fulfill your role and the impact the role had on the student body. SHU is realistic enough to know that we can't provide every club president with a stipend so we have remained with the same four groups."

St. John's University, MN
Type: private
Enrollment: 1,700
Name of SG: St. John's Senate
SG's annual budget: $400,000
Compensation:
Iannazzo: "Student senate members earn $400 per term, and often get complimentary tickets or dinners."
Ayers: “A $400 stipend from the office of student development that is applied toward tuition. Each member has the choice of declining the stipend or donating it elsewhere. The senate gets complimentary tickets for Pinestock, the big concert of the year because we sponsor it and help set up.”
Source: Tony Iannazzo, student body president, responded by e-mail on 9/30/97 and by web on 10/9/97; Andrew Ayers, SJS public relations representative, responded by web on 4/20/98
Iannazzo: "Officers should be get paid on the basis that their work is a quid pro quo time sacrifice for the sake of institutional betterment. Student leaders encounter expenses in travel, office supplies, phone calls, etc., that simply can't be itemized with precision. This creates a dilemma in that student leaders often would have to choose between on campus jobs and government, between personal expenditures and those made for the benefit of the student body."
Ayers: “Yes. At St. John’s, the senate is charged with the responsibility of not only funding all student activities, but also with fostering the growht of our 1,800 men.
     “No. With all the meetings and other strains the senate puts upon our academic lives, the pay is a small compensation for all the time we give of ourselves.”

St. Joseph College, CT
Type: private
Enrollment: 1,500
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $13,200
Compensation:
     "Officers get $300 per semester applied to their tuition."
Source: Survey completed by web on 5/27/99 by Tamra Bates, director of student activities
     "I do not believe they should get cash. If they get anything, I believe it should come in the form of a tuition waiver.
     "I think that sometimes you get a more invested officer if they are doing it because they love it, not because they are getting paid for it."

St. Lawrence University, NY
Type: private
Enrollment: 2,000
Name of SG: Thelmathesian Society
SG's annual budget: $350,000 annually
Compensation:
"At our school, the officers receive checks every two week. The semester total of the checks amounts to the following:
President-- $900 per semester
Vice President Senate Affairs-- $600 per semester
Vice President University Affairs-- $600 per semester
Secretary-- $850 per semester"
Source: Survey completed by web on 6/30/99 by Christopher Yoshida, Thelmathesian Society president
     "Yes, the many officers they devote as much time to their respective positions as they would to a part-time job. While the compensation should not be excessive, it is important that the school and the student body acknowledge just how big of a commitment it really is.
     "No, it is not wrong to pay them. We need to accept the fact that these people are working hard for the students and that university.

St. Louis College of Pharmacy, MO
Type: private
Enrollment: 850
Name of SG: Student Council
SG's annual budget: $200,000
Compensation: none
Source: Susan Holbrook, Leadership Director, returned survey via e-mail on 9/3/97
     "No, we don't offer compensation. I, personally, wish we did and I'm sure our leaders feel the same. It's a lot of work and many headaches for them especially when it comes to distributing money to each of our student organizations."

St. Louis University, MO
Type: private
Enrollment: 11,000
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $132,000 (as block allocation from university, which we then dole out to about 50 student groups) internal SGA budget is $20,000, plus $30,000 that goes to speaker series
Compensation:
president — receives a tuition waiver ($7,500 per semester, $15,000 for the year)
four vice presidents (executive, financial, administrative, and academic)
48 senators-- get nothing
     "Occasionally, we get little stuff — get to go to a speaker that's not available to all students. But it's nothing regular and nothing very impressive."
Source: Joe Hodes, executive vice president, responded by web on 10/1/97 and by phone on 10/1/97
     "The newspaper editor, radio station general manager, yearbook editor, get full tuition remission — applied directly toward tuiti
     "SLU does offer a lot of scholarship money. Very few people are paying $15,000 in tuition. Most of the student leader types are academically solid and already have big scholarships. I'm am extremely poor student, work all summer long, tighten the belt all school year. I get a lot of family help.
     "No one has ever said, `I'm a student leader, damn it, I deserve some money.'
     "I've never heard anyone say I can't be involved in SG because I'm holding down four jobs. We always seem to find good people who just suck it up."

St. Mary’s College, MD
Type: public
Enrollment: 1,500
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $200,000 annually
Compensation:
"Nothing—no parking, no tuition, no payment. The SGA at St. Mary’s really receives no compensation. We do have an office, shared by the five members of the executive board and five directors of campus programming. We get no benefits like academic credit, parking privileges, we don’t get to register early. We don’t got to conference or any trips. As for getting people to volunteer, it’s kinda hard. We usually have freshman before they realize how much other work they have to do. The few seniors who do hold offices usually do not work, and are just people who enjoy the SGA."
Source: Survey completed by web on 9/22/99 and by e-mail on 9/29/99 by Joe DiPietro, SGA treasurer
     "Yes, the amount of time put in by members of the SGA should be rewarded.
     "No."

St. Paul Technical College, MN
Type: community college
Enrollment: ?
Name of SG: Student Senate
SG annual budget: “?”
Compensation:
     “I have no clue. I believe all the executive board members receive a stipend—president, vice president, secretary, parliamentarian, treasurer, and historian—no clue on the amount.”
Source: Mercy Achiso, president, responded by web on 4/18/01 and by e-mail on 5/16/01
     “Yes. I think time is money and is we are looking at least minimum wage, it is reasonable since some dedicate their time working for others who just sit their ass to have issues that concern them dealt with by others, they reap the good when we all benefit from such causes, but I think the student time is valuable, and rewarding them is no big deal, as administration in such institutions get paid. Why not the student officials?”

St. Petersburg Junior College, Clearwater Campus
Type: community college
Enrollment: 7,000 on Clearwater campus, 70,000 SPJC total
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG’s annual budget: $7,000, Student Activities $33,000
Compensation:
Pistey: “Student Government members receive scholarships. How much you receive depends on how much you volunteer.”
Severs-Choate: They receive semester scholarship—executive board receives varing amounts from $150 to $400 per session. Each SGA member receives a minimum of $75 per session if they attend 70 percent of the meetings and 70 percent of the activities. All of their expenses are paid to attend District and State Convention.”
Source: Danielle Pistey, SGA freshman representative, responded by mail on 2/25/98; Vee Servers-Choate, SG advisor, responded by mail on 4/15/98
Pistey: “No. Student Government officers should be volunteering their time. We should be giving service to our school and community. Isn’t that what SG is all about?
Severs-Choate: “No. I think they should receive some type of compensation, but not if they haven’t earned it.”

St. Petersburg Junior College, Gibbs campus, FL
Type: community college
Enrollment: 10,000
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $6,500—Dykes; $4,500--Mudd
Compensation:
Dykes
     “We receive a scholarship which is based on performance which is done by the SGA advisor and the SGA president with the advisor having the say on how much the scholarship should be. Each SGA member can erceive an amount which is judged on performance through the semester. This way, if an officer slacks off, then a member who works hard can get a higher scholarship than the officer. It is considered a scholarship and is offered by the semester. There is a separate budget for the scholarship money. Our travel is paid for and SGA has a private office with two computers.
Mudd
president — $400 ("scholarship" check at end of the semester — none in summer semester)
vice president — $350
recording secretary — $250
corresponding secretary — $250
treasurer — $250
two legislative representatives — $250
Source: Graham Dykes, president, responded by web on 12/1/2000; John Monroe Mudd, former SGA president, responded at APCA convention on 8/17/97, and by phone on 9/26/97
Dykes
     “The officers should receive salaries that are performance based. It is an incentive and also an equalizing tool where some lower officers who work hard can get paid in recognition for their work, not just their title.
     “The idea of performance-based scholarship can work best on a community college campus, but at a university it should be a paid salary.”
Mudd
     "Yes. This not only ensures that officers complete their duties, but also compensates for the 40-plus hour work weeks most of them put in. It would also allow some officers to have the option of not working in anything except Student Government. This would allow SG to be much more involved in campus life and more adequately represent students.
     "No. Our officers earn the compensation they receive for their work, and in my opinion, some of them deserve more for their diligent efforts."

St. Petersburg Junior College, Health Education Center, FL
Type: community college
Enrollment: 1,200 on Health Education Center campus, 70,000 SPJC total
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG’s annual budget: $13,250
Compensation:
     “Our SGA officers earn monetary scholarships starting from a set level and goes down based on their involvement and participation in meetings and activities. SGA president is eligible for up to $400 per semester, the vice president is eligible for up to $300 per semester, the secretary up to $200. Also, any other member who participates in 80 percent of the activities for the semester is eligible for $100 per semester, 50 percent of the activities, $50 per semester. I keep a log of the activities and meetings and when the times comes to award scholarships, I just look at the log and I don’t have to guess or try to remember who participated in what activities or who was present at what meetings. I determine involvement by the student being at the event and working as well as coming to SGA meetings, campus leadership retreats, state student government conference, and student leader meetings with the college president.”
Source: Nora Coles, student activities director, responded by mail on mail on 2/3/98; by e-mail on 4/13/98”
     “No. If they are involved because they want to serve the student body, then money should not enter the picture. That’s the beginning of corruption.
     “I don’t think there should be a salary attached to the position. That in my opinion would lead to student involvement because of the money. I think the way we do it is great, however I do think they should be given preference to student assistant jobs because of the time they devote to SGA. This way, they have more flexibility in their schedule than on a regular job (i.e. they need to go to a conference or leave early to study).”

Salisbury State University, MD
Type: public university
Enrollment: 4,500 undergrads
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG’s annual budget: Approximately $17,000 (Our “program board” has a separate budget and is a separate organization. We also have a separate Appropriations Board to handle the registered organizations’ finances).
Compensation:
     “We receive a paycheck with no extra perks.”
President— $700
Vice President of Public Relations— $600
Vice President of University Affairs— $600
Vice President of External Affairs— $600
Secretary/Treasurer— $600
Graphic Artist— $525
Source: Kasey Schneider, SGA vice president of public relations, responded by web on 4/10/98
     “A small stipend is warranted. These positions require a large amount of time and consequently student leaders are not able to work as much. Also, with rising tuition, a small stipend is justified.
     “No. These positions require so much time. Many leaders do not have much time to do anything else, such as work. The leaders should not be motivated by the extra pay. It should be seen as a benefit.”

Samuel Merritt College, CA
Type: private college
Enrollment: 650
Name of SG: Samuel Merritt College Student Body Association
SG’s annual budget: $26,125
Compensation:
     “Officers (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) can earn a minimum of $500 per semester. Officers are evaluated at the end of each semester by class representatives on a 1 to 5 scale. The scores are averaged for each officer and they are paid as a percentage of the evaluation.”
     "Averages for all the officers this past semester were at 5.00, which meant that we each received $500 for the spring semester. Averages for the previous semester were in the range of 4.70 to 4.88 ($470 to $488) per officer."
Source: Diane Fujito, outgoing Student Body Association treasurer, responded by mail on 5/4/98 and email on 5/27/98
     “Yes. Payment ensures that officers are held accountable for the responsibilities they are elected to complete.
     “I do not think it is wrong to pay the officers, as payment makes the officers accountablefor the goals they set out to complete for the semester or year.”

San Bernardino Valley College, CA
Type: community college
Enrollment: 12,000
Name of SG: Associated Students, SBVC
SG’s annual budget: $47,500 (1998-99 projected)
Compensation:
     "They earn nothing. There is a scholarship which is based on involvement and GPA, but with a senate of over 30 active members, it is very competitive."
Source: Michael Lee Breyette, Associated Students president, responded by web on 7/8/98
     "Yes, at SBVC, the E-Board members put in more than 40 hours per week on average and even more during special circumstances. Being a community college, most students are already under financial hardships. The amount of time spent more than justifies any stipend or payment given. It also encourages more qualified persons to become involved.
     "No, it is not wrong. Most of the time already volunteered and energy too. A stipend or payment would only partially compensate the most active members."

San Diego State University, CA
Type: public
Enrollment: 29,000
Name of SG: Associated Students
SG's annual budget: $9.2 million
Compensation:
     Cornthwaite
     “Each of our four elected student body executive officers (soon to be five beginning in 2002-03) is paid on an hourly bais, not a stipend. We converted their pay to an hourly basis four years ago as a way of improving how the money they earn is treated insofar as any eligibility they may have to qualify for student financial aid over and above their earnings.
     “The four officers average 37 hours of time on the job per week during the year they are in office and each earn a total for the year of $14,889, with the balance of any funds remaining at the end of their year, paid to them as a bonus.
     Razo
     "SDSU AS executives get an $11,000 stipend, which can be used to pay for registration fees.
     "A monthly check for $800 is given to them. They do not get reserved parking, but are given faculty/staff parking. But they pay for the permit at students price and trade them in. We house a 12,000-seat arena, 5,000-seat amphitheater, and they get tickets for events in those venues. Also, priority registration, and a corporate credit card for traveling expenses."
Source: Dan R. Cornthwaite, executive director, responded by e-mail on 5/3/02; Carlos Razo, AS president, responded by e-mail on 8/6/97
     Razo
     "It depends on the size and budget. For example, our AS president oversees a $9.2 million dollar budget, 61 full-time staff on a campus of 29,000 students. Meetings and office combined to make this office almost a 40-hour a week job. He/she can't have a second job — there is no time in their schedule. Without the stipend, they could not survive financially as financial aid is diminished due to the stipend. Club/organizations officers do not have such high responsibility, so we can't say they should receive compensation."
     "Yes, but it should not be termed as such. SDSU and the other CSU campuses term compensation as scholarships or stipends. Our AS president receives a stipend here at SDSU."

San Diego State University, Imperial Valley Campus, CA
Type: public
Enrollment: 960
Name of SG: Associated Students
SG's annual budget: $54,000
SG’s web address: not provided
SG’s phone: (760) 768-5518
SG’s e-mail: yulil_alonso_garza@hotmail.com
SG’s advisor: not provided
SG advisor’s phone: not provided
SG advisor’s e-mail: not provided
Compensation:
     “As a small external campus, the SGA is only paid a $700 per semester and it doesn’t matter what position you hold. All officers receive the same amount. Our ‘pay’ is considered a stipend.
Other perks:
     “Limited travel opportunities.”
Source: Yulil Alonso-Garza, president, responded by web on 5/1/02
     “If the student is required to meet certain hours per semester, then the student should definitely receive a salary. As student leaders we know that not every hour that we work will be compensated but any amount will help, especially a salary.

San Jose State University, CA
Type: public university
Enrollment: 27,000
Name of SG: Associated Students, Inc.
SG's annual budget: "$5.3 million"
Compensation:
     "Our board of directors receives a $20 a month stipend Our vice president and controller receives $750 a month and our president receives $1,000 a month. We are required to keep a minimum of 15 hours a week. And we are obligated to attend a student organization meeting once a week. We are not evaluated by an administrator. Instead our vice president evaluates us once a month on our progress and our duties. My ASI did cover me to attend this conference. We have budgeted for conferences at $30,000. That is for our overall travel budget period. Our SG members earn paychecks. It is not taxed. We receive our check on the first of each month. We also receive free parking, free tickets to sports games, etc."
Source: Survey completed at the NW Student Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon on 11/11/00 and by e-mail on 11/13/00 by Anthony Drummond, AS director of faculty affairs.
     "I think that our student government officers should get paid because it is a job and for mot students who are involved this is a way for them to get involved and earn a small income doing it."

San Juan College, NM
Type: community college
Enrollment: 6,000
Name of SG: The Associated Students
SG’s annual budget: "$30,000 rough estimate."
Compensation:
     "Tuition waiver."
Source: Chad Priddy, AS programmer, responded by web on 11/7/00
     "No, because it would defeat the purpose of getting people who want to do it and the people who just want money.
     "It depends on the size of the school."

Sarah Lawrence College, NY
Type: private
Enrollment: 1,200
Name of SG: Student Senate
SG's annual budget: $147,000 annually
Compensation:
"No one at my school gets paid unless they are the secretary. The secretary gets paid $6.40 per hour, which counts as work study."
Source: Survey completed by web on 10/13/99 by Lamar Talbert, first year president/senator
     "Yes, we give a lot of our time and what we do is not even appreciated.
     "No, it is not wrong. It is a lot of work and there should be payment for appreciation."

Seattle Pacific University, WA
Type: private
Enrollment: 2,500
Name of SG: Associated Students of Seattle Pacific
SG’s annual budget: $500,000. "Under the $500,000 comes STUB (Student Union Board) Activities, which I am responsible for, minor campus ministry events, senate allocations, and club budgets (also my responsibility)
Compensation:
     "Every two weeks, we get a paycheck. The total sum of our checks is the equivalency to 60 percent of total tuition costs. Our tuition this year is $15,000 before room and board.
     President: 60%
     Executive Vice President: 55%
     VP of Activities: 55%
     VP of Ministries: 55%
     VP of Finance: 55%
     Director of Student Resources: 45%
     "We get into all campus activities free because we put them on! Often, we get perks off campus as well. The community around us supports the commitment we had made outside of 20 hours a week of classes."
Source: Kat Ramsburg, Vice President of Campus Activities, responded by web on 8/30/98 and by e-mail on 10/19/98
     "Definitely! Realistically, my job is about a 50 hour a week time commitment! I can't work outside of that. Plus, I am serving the students. Isn't that what part of their tuition dollars go to?
     "No, see question #1. Besides that, I know I put a large amount of my paycheck into my staff. Taking them out to pizza, or recognizing their efforts in some way."

Seminole Community College, FL
Type: community college
Enrollment: ??
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SGA annual budget: $16,000 per term
Compensation:
     "It was $2000 only for the SGA President, but in conferring with my student advisor, we felt that all the positions should be compensated. The amounts break down like this:
SGA President — $300
Vice President — $150
Secretary — $100
Committee chairs — $75
     They are received only in the Spring and Fall semester."
Source: Erin Potter, SGA member, responded by web on 12/5/97, and by e-mail on 1/20/97; Lee LeBlanc, SGA president, responded by e-mail on 2/1/98
     "Yes. I think SG offices should get paid. The officers at my school, especially the president, put so much effort and time into their calling, they don't really have time for a job. The salary would help even if it isn't a whole lot. Every little bit helps. Being paid would probably double the number of active SG members. More students would understand what is going on at their school and know the president the vice presidents of the school better. I think it would be a great idea and so many positive things will come from it.
     "I don't think it's wrong to pay officers, but I do think it's wrong for the office to have no time left over after all of their responsibilities are done for their families and other important activities."

Shawnee State University, OH
Type: public
Enrollment: 3,500
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $27,000
SG’s web address: www.shawnee.edu
SG’s phone: (740) 351-3320
SG’s e-mail: musserr@shawnee.edu
SG’s advisor: Randy Warman
SG advisor’s phone: (740) 351-3320
SG advisor’s e-mail: rwarman@shawnee.edu
Compensation:
     “Officers receive a stipend and currently working out an agreement for Poly Sci credits for Student Government as a whole.
     President—65% of tuition per quarter ($670.80)
     Vice President—50% per quarter ($516.00)
     Secretary—35% per quarter ($361.20)
     Treasurer—35% per quarter ($361.20)
     Inter Club Council—35% per quarter ($361.20)
     Public Relations Coordinator—35% per quarter ($361.20)
     Resident Life Council President—15% per quarter ($154.80)
     Greek Council President—15% per quarter ($154.80)
     Student Programming Board President—15% per quarter ($154.80)
     Total per quarter—$3,096.00
     “If you work somewhere else as an employee on campus, yes it’s taxed. If you do not work on campus, then no. It’s a check, paid quarterly.”
Other perks: not provided
Source: Ray Musser, SGA president, responded by web on 1/29/02
     “I believe it should go directly toward your tuition. Like a tuition waiver perhaps.

Sheridan College, WY
Type: private
Enrollment: 1,500
Name of SG: Sheridan College Student Senate
SG’s annual budget: $40,000 (Racette-- approximately $45,000)
Compensation:
Racette:
president (two semesters full-time in-state tuition of $504.00 per semester as many as 18 credits per semester)
vice president-- same
secretary-- same
treasurer-- same
     "Student senate pays for this out of their budget. Then Student Senate applies the fee money to the students' account. If the student is an out-of-state of student, they pay the difference."
Source: Lynn Tippets, Student Senate representative, responded at the 20th annual National Leadership Conference on Student Government, 10/30-11/1/98; Ginny Racette, Director of Housing & Student Life, responded by phone on 11/23/98 and by web on 11/23/98
Tippets:
     "I don't believe SG officers should be paid as they are supposed to be improving campus life, of which they are a part and do benefit from. If they are paid, then senate reps will want to be, club leaders, and club members who volunteer for SG activities will want to be paid."
Racette:
     Yes. Funding is provided for other extra-curricular activities for other students, and student government officers put in a lot of time completing job responsibilities. A little pay will increase their incentive to spend more time on the job. Besides, at a small school getting enough people to be involved in student government is sometimes tough. A little incentive doesn't hurt."

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, PA
Type: public
Enrollment: 6,702
Name of SG: Student Association
SG's annual budget: $1.6 million
Compensation:
"No compensation paid — nothing."
Source: Linda Boeckman, assistant director of student activities, responded by phone on 6/24/97 and on 10/1/97
     "They're happy they're not paid. Yeah, it would be nice to have the extra money. But they're not really bound. You get people in it who's hearts are in it. People do it because they truly want to do it. In all honesty, the presidents are held in very high esteem. The administration includes them in anything. It's not like only the nerds do it. People are impressed that you're president. They respect what the president."

Shorter College, GA
Type: private
Enrollment: 985
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG annual budget: “$50,000”
Compensation:
     “None. The only thing we have gotten is free entrance to concerts that we (SGA) have paid for and staffed.  We have a storage office but it does not have space or office hours. It has no phone that works, therefore is worthless. We do not get a computer, parking spaces, registration, housing, meals, or anything else. Anything would be nice. I would prefer a cash salary or stipend, but I know it is less likely to happen at my school than getting a tuition waiver or scholarship.”
Source: Cooper Kandler, president, responded by web on 2/19/01
     “Yes, because the amount of work required to do the positions well is extensive and it is only right for them to be paid. We do many things for the students, while not for money, but the money would help us put more into it because we would not have to do other jobs, therefore clearing time in our schedules to devote to SGA issues.” 

Simmons College in Boston, MA
Type: private
Enrollment: 3,049;  3,079 Kirchner
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: around $188,000
Compensation:
Anonymous
     “A paycheck at the end of each semester.
President-- $1,200 per year
Vice President-- $800 per year
Secretary-- $800 per year
Treasurer-- $800 per year
Academic Affairs offices-- $800 per year
SAM-- $800 per year
SARB-- $800 per year
     “It’s a stipend. It’s a check each semester. It comes out of student fees which are the SG’s operating budget. The treasurer of SGA along with each of the class treasurers and the director of student activities form the Student Finance Board which allocates all funds.”
Kirchner
     “none”
Source: anonymous responded by web on 4/19/01; Kristie Kirchner, assistant student activities director, responded by phone
Anonymous
     “Yes, at our school student leaders are required to be in for office hours, attend numerous events, serve on committees and are there for the students 24/7. They treat their position as a job and should be paid for their time, effort, and professionalism.
     “I think that a cash salary is best. The positions are like full-time jobs and the officer should be able to choose what to use the money for.”

Simpson College, IA
Type: private
Enrollment: 1,300
Name of SG: Student Senate
SG’s annual budget: $100,000 ($120,000 according to Thorius)
Compensation:
Simbro:
     "At our school, the SG officers get paid $80 a month in the form of a check (president and vice president)
Thorius:
     There are give paid positions:
President-- $750
Vice president-- $750
President, College Activities Board-- $750
Religious Life Council-- $750
Student Body manger (secretary)-- $550 per year
     "It shows us in the work study budget.
Source: Resa Simbro, freshman class president of the Freshman Council, responded at the 20th annual National Leadership Conference on Student Government, 10/30-11/1/98; Jim Thorius, vice president for student development, responded by phone on 11/18/98
Simbro:
     "No, I don't think it's wrong to pay SG officers. They put a lot of hours into what they do and deserve to be compensated."

South Dakota State University, SD
Type: public
Enrollment: 8,550
Name of SG: Student Association
SG's annual budget: $37,000 ($1.5 million)
Compensation:
president — $1,200 scholarship per semester (for two semesters
vice president — $1,000 scholarship
     "We get little random odds and ends, but nothing that you get specifically every year."
Source: Ashley Thomson, SA finance chair, responded by phone on 6/10/97; Allyson Stroschein, SA president, responded by phone on 10/27/97
     "Nobody really considers it an issue anymore, it's been done for so long."

Southeaset Missouri State University
Type: public university
Enrollment: 9,500
Name of SG: Student Government
SG’s annual budget: $215,000
Compensation:
     "A $500 stipend is given in two parts—one per semester and reserved parking is provided outside the Student Center. The top three positions: president, vice president, and treasurer—receive the stipend. There are not taxes withheld from the check and the funds for the stipend come from the Student Executive Account (a portion of the SG budget)."
Source: Chad Kight, SG treasurer, responded by web on 2/2/00 and by e-mail on 2/3/00
     "SG officers should be paid for the effort and time spent working for the good of their school. Very often, time that could be spent at a job or other income provider is given up for the good of Student Government.
     "It is not wrong. The $500 I get divided into the 10 to 20 hours a week I put in the job multiplied by the 30-plus weeks of school is as close to volunteering as it gets."

Southeast Community College, NE
Type: community college
Enrollment: 5,819
Name of SG: Student Senate
SG's annual budget: $180,000 Activities Budget ($50,000 for Student Senate)
Compensation:
tuition remission — annually about $1,300 annually based on 12-credit per quarters, but could take more
five officers (president, vice president, secretary, activities chair, and wellness chair)
     "When they become members of senate, we hold elections within the senate
Source: Rachel Mason, student activities director, responded by phone on 6/5/97 and on 10/1/97

Southeastern Oklahoma State University, OK
Type: public
Enrollment: 4,000 (McCullough); 3,800 (Flowers)
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $25,000 (McCullough); $10,000 (Flowers)
McCullough:
     “Our SG does offer other organizations the opportunity to receive partial funding out of the SG budget for any travel that they make take such as conferences.”
SG’s web address: www.sosu.edu/sga
SG’s e-mail address: annmariemc@yahoo.com
SG’s phone: 580-745-2366
SG’s fax number: not answered
SG’s advisor: Sharon Berish
SG advisor’s e-mail: sberish@sosu.edu
SG advisor’s phone: 580-745-2360
Compensation:
McCullough:
     “The officers (president, vice president, and secretary) each receive a $500 stipend per semester and a $500 tuition waiver, if they apply or an out-of-state tuition waiver. It is a check received at the end of every semester.
Flowers:
     "We get $450.00 per semester. I get a check, but some of the officers get a tuition waiver. As president, I get tickets to banquets and luncheons, but I don't get reserved parking. But boy, would that be nice!
Other Perks:
McCullough:
     Our SG officers do not really receive any other ‘perks.’ Any conferences that SG feels is necessary and beneficial for the officers or other members to attend is at least partially paid for out of SG’s budget.”
Source: Ann M. McCullough, SGA president, responded by web on 10/23/01; Christy Flowers, SGA president, responded by web on 10/7/97
McCullough:
     “SG officers put in a significant amount of time and work throughout their term, performing their duties and much more. It is extremely hard to keep a full-time or part-time job and still fulfill the duties of their office to their full potential. By compensating SG officers, you allow them to concentrate as much as possible on their tasks and you allow them to do a much better job simply because they have more time to devote to their duties.
     “I think it is best to compensate through a stipend and/or a tuition waiver.”
Flowers:
     "Yes, officers should get paid. I devote all of my time to seeing that we accomplish our goals. As a result, I don't have time for a job. My officer's salary is what gets gas for my car and laundry."
     "No, it's not wrong. We are volunteering our time. Why else would we be so devoted to our institutions? Why else would we be reading this magazine? This is fun for us."

Southern Oregon University, OR
Type: public
Enrollment: 4,900 (Fox—5,400)
Name of SG: ASSOU Student Government
SG's annual budget: $60,000 (Fox--$50,000)
Compensation:
Milford
     "Our officers receive a paycheck. The president receives $460 per month, the rest of the cabinet receives $260 per month, and each senator gets $50 per month. Our cabinet contains the president, vice president, director of administration and finance (treasurer), director of governmental affairs (government liaison), director of communications, and student advocate, senate president pro-tem, executive secretary (no voice). Excluding the secretary, this is also the order of succession) The paycheck that our officers receive is fully taxed income. It is paid by the regular academic year, which for us is last week in September to the second week of June. The student advocate and president receive a summer income that is half of their academic yearly income. During the summer, if either person leaves the campus area for a length of time, they forfeit their income. The president and cabinet is required to be available during the summer to attend SG issues."
Fox
     "The only compensation that the student body president receives is $450 per month and a reserved parking space. However, with the reserved parking place, a student is required to still purchase a $60 parking permit. The cabinet members only receive $270 per month, and senators receive a monthly stipend of $50."
Source: Survey completed by web on 7/16/99 and by e-mail on 7/27/99 by Steve Milford, off-campus senator; Survey completed by web on 11/5/99 by Elizabeth Fox, student body president
Milford
     "Yes, to provide an additional incentive to complete the job, when often times the time takes away from having a job.
"No, it is not wrong, because leaders need some compensation so they won’t use their skills elsewhere."
Fox
     "Yes. If a student government representative is doing their job to the best of their ability, they will be putting I countless hours in trying to do so. In order for most college students to ‘stay alive’ and to continue their college education, a second job is usually required in order to be able to afford the extreme costs of receiving that education. I know in my circumstance, where I put in on average 30 hours a week, it would be impossible to meet my academic requirements if I had to get another paying job."

Southern Polytechnic State University, GA
Type: public
Enrollment: 4,000
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $280,000 (which funds 50 campus organizations) (SGA general operations — $9,700)
Compensation: "Officers get a stipend at end of each quarter"
president — $300 per quarter
vice president — $250
secretary — $200
judicial — $200
6 Council members
chair — $25 for being chair, plus $50 per quarter and $10 per meeting (meet every other week during each quarter)
member — $50 per quarter, plus $10 a meeting
"President, vp, secretary, and judiciary officer get faculty/staff parking permit"
Source: Jackie Gilpen, assistant director of student activities, responded by phone on 6/25/97 and 10/1/97; Amy Roberts, SGA president, responded by web on 10/2/97
     "It's kind of a reward, here's a token to reward you for a job well done."

South Puget Sound Community College, WA
Type: community college
Enrollment: 5,144
Name of SG: Student Senate
SG's annual budget: total S&A fee budget is $397,000, the student senate budget is $44,912, which includes senate salaries
Compensation:
The president receives $7.08 per hour for 15 hours per week.
Two vice presidents receive $6.50 per hour for 15 hours per week.
Four senators receive $6.00 per hour for 10 hours per week.
     "They occasionally receive comp. tickets for events they sponsor (at the same rate as corporate sponsors). No parking privileges."
     "All of the officers are appointed. We don't have elections anymore."
Source: Chris Yates, associate dean of students, responded by e-mail on 8/11/97 and by phone on 9/23/97; cynthia Uhrich, program coordinator for activities, responded by phone on 10/28/97
     "I believe our officers should be paid for the work that they do on behalf of students and the college. The primary reason is to compensate students for real work that they may otherwise not be able to do due to financial and time constraints. This may be more true at a community college, than say, a private four-year college. While student government is an opportunity for development, our officers are also expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and to be productive and effective.

Stanford University, CA
Type: private
Enrollment: 13,893
Name of SG: Associated Students of Stanford University
SG's annual budget: ???
Compensation:
president — $4,500 annually (May to April)
vice president — $2,500
Source: Student Leader, Spring 1997 issue

State University of New York-Albany, NY
Type: public
Enrollment: not provided
Name of SG: Student Association
SG's annual budget: $1.71 million
SG’s web address: www.albany.edu/~sa
SG’s phone: (518) 442-5640
SG’s e-mail: sa@albany.edu
SG’s advisor: “none—autonomy!”
SG advisor’s phone: not applicable
SG advisor’s e-mail: not applicable
Compensation:
     “A stipend for 10 ‘in-session’ months. It’s a monthly check.
     Tier 1: (Chief elected officers)-- $3,600 per year
     Tier 2: (Appointed directors)-- $3,150 per year
     Tier 3: (Subordinates)-- $1,980 per year
Other perks:
     “Office space with computer, tickets to events we put on, special permit parking pass.”
Source: Nick LoVuolo, chairman, responded by web on 3/30/02
     “Yes, to cover minimum living expenses.
     “If the university would cover student leaders’ living expenses (ie room and board) they should not accept ‘pay’ generated from the general student body. It would also be beneficial if student leaders were given on-campus housing accommodations, to better intermingle with the general student body.”

State University of New York-Fredonia, NY
Type: public
Enrollment: 5,000
Name of SG: Student Association
SG's annual budget: $724,000 net
SG’s web address: www.fredonia.edu/sa
SG’s phone: (716) 673-3381
SG’s e-mail: jtfishner@yahoo.com
SG’s advisor: Laura Stonefoot
SG advisor’s phone: (716) 673-3271
SG advisor’s e-mail: stonefoot@fredonia.edu
Compensation:
     “Yes, our four officers receive $80 a week while classes are in session. It’s a stipend that is paid in a check that is paid bi-weekly. The pay does come out of the Student Activity Fees are allowed by SUNY guidelines.
     President, vice president, comptroller, and speaker of the assembly-- $80 per week while classes are in session
Other perks:
     “Offices and use of computers, travel to state student assembly conferences, and lobbying days.”
Source: Jason Fishner, comptroller, responded by web on 4/6/02
     “Yes, they are organizing the inter-working of the government as well as overseeing the well-being of the groups that are underneath it.”

State University of New York-Geneseo, NY
Type: public university
Enrollment: 5,000
Name of SG: Student Association/Central Council
SG's annual budget: $1,000,000
SG’s web address: www.geneseo.edu/~sa
SG’s e-mail address: centcoun@geneseo.edu
SG’s phone number: 716-245-5878
SG’s fax number: 716-245-5284
SG’s advisor: Kathy Trainor, director, College Union & Activities
SG advisor’s e-mail: trainor@geneseo.edu
SG advisor’s phone #: 716-245-5851
Compensation:
     “Our school leaders get stipends. Included are SGA leaders, newspaper editors, television producers, inter-residence council and programming board. Stipends are administered on the tier system with the SA president at the top earning the most at $1,300 per year. Stipends are given bi-weekly.”
Other perks:
     The SA president gets an all-campus parking pass and tickets to everything as this positions review and signs all organization contracts.”
Source: Nicole Duxbury, SA president/Central Council chair, responded in person on 10/15/01 at the National Leadership Conference on Student Governments in St. Louis
     “Absolutely not. Being involved with any SGA involves an incredible amount of responsibility and time commitment, which hinders people from getting jobs and this could make it difficult to get the best people in the positions. Many times, the position is so time-consuming that people are basically making pennies and it is almost volunteering.”

State University of New York-Stony Brook, NY
Type: public university
Enrollment: ?
Name of SG: Student Polity Association, Inc.
SG annual budget: $2.2 million
Compensation:
     “Officers in the executive agencies, including the elected President and executive council, and administrative agencies receive stipends ranging from $35 to $60 a week.
President-- $60 a week
Vice President-- $50 a week
     “All other executive officers (6 in total) and executive chairs receive $35 a week. It’s a stipend. It’s a weekly check. All executive officers receive a private office, computer, travel expenses to and from conferences, access to administrative secretaries, access to retained lawyer. All student-activity-fee money is appropriated by the student government.
Source: Jonathan Gelling, senator, responded by web on 2/15/01
     “Student government officers should be paid salaries, provided they are properly reviewed and subject to certain standards of performance, as a means of increasing the quality of officers and allowing disadvantaged students a fair opportunity to take part in leadership positions without suffering economic hardship.
     “It probably is best to offer students a stipend, since it should not be considered a salary yet should be as accessible as wages to pay for real expenses incurred as a result of serving as a student leader: namely difficulty in holding a job and managing studies along with the responsibilities of student leadership.”

Stetson University, FL
Type: private
Enrollment: 2,500—Thomas; 2,100--Hamrick
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG’s annual budget: ?
Compensation:
Thomas
President: $2,000 per year
Vice President: $1,000 per year
Secretary: $25 per week
     “No other officers get paid, except for those mentioned previously. It’s a scholarship. Also get a private office, computer use, internet use, separate phone line, secretary, reimbursed for anything related, such as a business dinner.”
Hamrick
     "Our SGA officers (president, vice president, and executive secretary) *are* compensated. Our president receives a $2000/year scholarship, the vice president receives a similar $1000/year scholarship, and the executive secretary receives a small weekly stipend (something like $25/week). [True, true...I am compensated as well--the editors-in-chief of the university's three student publications each receive a $2000/year scholarship.]"
Source: Leander Carol Thomas, community relations chair, responded by web on 3/14/01; Jeff Hamrick, editor in chief, The Reporter, responded by e-mail on 9/24/00
Thomas
     “Yes. The position requires a lot out of you, in addition to the things you’re already doing, such as class work, work, and a social life. It’s almost a full-time job, sometimes with no set hours.”
Hamrick
     "However, our elected SGA senators (who will benefit from the parking space mentioned in the staff editorial) have never received any form of compensation whatsoever. The editorial board is really not concerned, I believe, with President Mistler's search for new ways to motivate his senators (who need some motivation, quite frankly). Stetson University has been engaging in a tiresome debate over parking-related issues for the past few years. About three years ago, it was decided that *all* perk parking spaces at the university--except for those enjoyed by President Lee and his executive staff--would be eliminated. This freed up dozens of spaces (no students at the time benefited from these spaces--they were all for professional staff members and faculty members). It was generally agreed that this was a good idea. Stetson has also just implemented new, restrictive parking policies and has adopted an official policy of being "pro-pedestrian, anti-car." In other words, Stetson has said that it officially discourages students from driving from one campus location to another; cars, Stetson says, are for driving to off-campus locations only.
     So, the editorial board finds SGA's ability to obtain an elite parking space for its volunteer senators to be somewhat troublesome. I don't believe the board has any issues with compensation of SGA officers."

Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ
Type: private college
Enrollment: 1,200 undergraduates
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $120,000 per academic semester
Compensation:
     "Nothing. No perks, just administration headaches. No benefits, salary, scholarship, stipend, free parking, or free tickets. No one from our SG attend any conventions/conferences on behalf of our SG. Yes, in the event that a member of our SG did represent, which hasn’t happened in a few years, he/she would be compensated for travel and lodging expenses."
Source: Survey completed by web on 10/20/99 by James T. O’Connor, SGA vice president
     "I believe SG officers should not get cash salaries, because the organization could be viewed more as employment than anything else. However, I do believe in some sort of partial tuition waiver or scholarship for active members. No, compensation is fair for active membership. However, I believe in tuition waivers or scholarships for members over ‘salaries.’"

Suffolk County Community College, NY
Type: community college
Enrollment: 5,000
Name of SG: Western Student Senate
SG’s annual budget: $4,000
Compensation:
     Mingo: "There are no benefits for SG leaders at my school. If the student chooses to submit scholarship applications (open to the entire school community), this is taken into consideration. Also, senators (SG) are invited to attend faulty assemblies.
     "I have attended the last two conferences: National Conference on Student Services, and yes, I do know that our student fees pay for this conference. That is the only event that is attended by my school, except for NACA. I always found that sort of boring to attend. Too much school to miss just to pick out entertainment. I miss enough school (excused absences of course), besides all the awards I have won this semester."
     Unnamed senator: "SG officers at my school don’t receive any pay or perks. The only thing that it may do is help them earn a scholarship because of their contribution to the campus, but in no way is it a guarantee."
Source: Linda Mingo, president, responded by mail on 4/7/00 and by e-mail on 4/22/00; unnamed Senator, president of Ophthalmic Dispensing Club, responded by fax on 4/4/00
     Mingo: "I think the first semester should be on a voluntary basis. After that, the student will have an idea of how much work is involved and each semester thereafter should offer a stipend. This should be evaluated at the end of the second semester with the director, depending on the amount of work/accomplishments the student has achieved. The stipend should be paid at the end of the semester, and the amount to vary accordingly (with a cap, of course, to the maximum allotted).
     "Basically, recognition is given and sometimes, your title holds preference over other students."
     Unnamed Senator: "I feel student government should be run by students who want to volunteer their time. I feel school organizations should only exist if there are students who are willing to devote their time on their own. I feel if you pay them, that they may only do it for the money not because they have a real desire."

SUNY College at Brockport, NY
Type: public
Enrollment: 8,500
Name of SG: Brockport Student Government
SG’s annual budget: $1.4 million
Compensation:
     "$10,000 stipends for the top three, in bi-weekly payments. Some of my other staff receive small stipends as well. About five people ranging from $800 to $2,000 for the year. The three that receive the $10K are required to be here year-round, however.
     "Tickets to many events, all SG events. The tickets include a ticket to all BSG events, which range from free to $15 for students. We also receive some tickets to some of the fine arts performances which generally are between $7 and $10 for students. If you have a good relationship with athletics, they will get you passes for some of the tournaments that are not free to students and these tickets usually run about $5 each. This is only a few times a year, however.
     "Nice offices. Our offices are comparable to a faculty office with very nice mahogany furniture, each with a good PC, carpeting, and the like. All are very well equipped and comparable to a nice office anywhere. Both the president and the vice president have separate offices. The treasurer has a desk in the business offices, so he is not quite as ‘spoiled,’ but his office is more comparable to other school’s SA offices. Still very decent, however."
Source: Rob Blair, president, responded by web on 2/14/00 and by e-mail on 2/24/00
     "Yes. It is real work and takes a lot of time. To do it correctly, you need to devote time and energy that you may not have if you need to work another full-time job.
     "No, because usually they are so underpaid for what they do. A CEO of a company would make much more."

SUNY College at Potsdam, NY
Type: public
Enrollment: 4,100
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG’s annual budget: $300,000
Compensation:
President-- $2,500 per year
Vice president-- $2,500 per year
Treasurer-- $2,500 per year
Comptroller-- $1,000 per year
     "Our salaries are considered as a stipend for the year. I'm not sure, but am almost certain that is comes out of SGA's budget. Our accounts clerk keeps track of our time sheets. We get a check every two weeks."
Source: Marsha Vernon, SGA comptroller, responded at the 20th annual National Leadership Conference on Student Government, 10/30-11/1/98 and by e-mail on 12/1/98
     "No, I feel that it is good and sometimes necessary. Because most SG officers don't realize they're getting paid until they're in office. But it helps a lot because it will make them put in more hours of work and not have to worry about getting a job, which would take more time away from their position."

Sweet Briar College, VA
Type: private
Enrollment: 600
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG's annual budget: $70,000 ($3,000 for SGA operating expenses)
Compensation:
"The president, chair and vice chair of judicial committee (a student hearing board, who are required to have a single room since they're dealing with confidential information) and get the top 3 numbers in the dorm room lottery"
Source: Susan Iverson, acting dean of co-curricular life, responded by fax on 8/12/97, by phone on 9/29/97
     "Nine times out of 10, the president selects a special room — we have one two-level apartment, a suite of four singles. The SGA president has the number one pick and usually she's going to pull three friends into this apartment."

Syracuse University, NY
Type: public
Enrollment: 10,500
Name of SG: Student Government Association
SG’s annual budget: $1.3 million (includes all funds, some of which are allocated to student groups)
Compensation:
     "Both president and comptroller are paid $4,000 in a paycheck for serving the entire calendar year. They also receive complimentary tickets to events during the year and are invited to receptions hosted by top university officials. No other officers than president and comptroller receive compensation. Checks come in $1,000 payments-- once in the Fall semester, once in the Spring, and twice during the summer during summer sessions. We are not considered employees of the university. Funds come from the SGA budget.
Source: Dana J. Sacchetti, SGA president, responded by web on 11/3/98 and by e-mail on 12/1/98
     "Yes. Hard work and long hours go into making SGAs across the country effective and viable. Paid positions also make the officer positions competitive with other paid leadership positions on our campus, including Resident Advisors."

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