The Student Government Association resembles a wheel. The Board of Governance sits at the middle of the wheel and acts as a communications hub and distributes money to the other four divisions of SGA — the Diversity Board, the Student Activities Board, the Student Academic Council and the Residence Hall Association.

The student body president and vice president at Saint Mary's chair the Board of Governance.

The Board of Governance provides a forum for discussion of issues and policies that concern and effect students as well as the entire College community and contains 23 executive staff positions.

"Having a specific board or person to represent every possible interest allows us to make well-rounded decisions with as much representation of the student body as possible," said student body president Michelle Nagle.

The Board's most important function is allocating funds to various campus organizations through its budget and separate grants and co-sponsorships for clubs and individuals involved in interesting activities.

The voting members of BOG include the student body vice president, student activities board coordinator, residence hall association president, executive secretary, executive treasurer, student trustee, class presidents and the various commissioners appointed according to the Student Government Association Constitution.

The Diversity Board was created in 2000 to increase awareness of multicultural students and activities at Saint Mary's. The primary purpose of the board is to create programs highlighting diversity at Saint Mary's.

The Student Activities Board organizes campus events such as Pride Week, campus movies, Twilight Tailgate and other special activities.

The Residence Hall Association is made up of elected representatives from each residence hall and chairwomen who apply for positions to handle planning of events or programs. The RHA deals with issues related to dorm life as well as planning activities such as the All-Campus Formal and Little Sibs Weekend.

Each major elects a representative to the Student Academic Council to discuss issues related to academic life at Saint Mary's. The SAC organizes the major of the week program and deals with issues such as academic honesty and general education requirements.

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