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Research Profile: Associated Student Body

blntmaker

on June 29, 2007

In the United States, the Associated Student Body (ASB or in most cases, Student Government) serves as an elected representative body on the campuses of elementary and secondary level schools, and prominently, in colleges and universities.

In many schools, student body elections are held once a semester/quarter (or sometimes, once a year). Any student can qualify for a nomination to the student body. At times, an election may be divided across class or clique lines. Election policies vary school-to-school to avoid the possibility of "block voting" by way of popularity, all while attempting to teach the process of democracy. Elections and the student body are overseen by a advisor, or team of advisors, typically, a teacher.

The student body is fashioned in the same way as any executive branch (President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary are the standard offices). In secondary-level schools, executive offices also have historians and parliamentarians as well. There are also separate sets of executive offices for each grade level.

In middle and high school, student governments have a greater level of power in regard to the interests of the student body. Decisions are usually made on issues of fund-raising, academic consciousness, social and community projects. In addition to student body issues, a student government also has the capacity and collective influence to challenge faculty and administrative policies. All of this depends on the persistence or weakness of an elected student body.

Student activism by and large helps to foster an understaning of civics, responsibility and develop leaders among peers.