WHY STUDENT GOVERNMENT?
Life after leaving high school can be a little daunting. Coming back to school after having kids, working in the "real world", or taking some time off can be downright scary. And believe us, you're going to be busy! A student's schedule is no picnic, and you'll need help.

ENTER SAITSA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Your Students' Association will take care of both those small issues and big issues- any issues that affect you as a student at SAIT.

WITHOUT YOU, WE'RE NOTHING
Sometimes it's easy to lose focus and see the student population at SAIT as a faceless group, not as individuals. At SAITSA, we believe that you are the most important person on campus, and we'll treat you that way, whether it's when we're addressing the SAIT Board of Governors or the premier of Alberta. Students are our focus, because after all, we're students just like you!

U RIDING THE C TRAIN?
While no one gets a free ride, SAITSA Student Executive thinks you should get a comparable one to students at other schools in Calgary. That's why we're working hard at the municipal level to make sure that your needs within your city are met. Right now, your Student Executive Council is trying to get the same price for your UPass as other schools with a petition campaign. Wanna sign up? See the SAITSA Main Office.

HOW CAN I BECOME A STUDENT COUNCILLOR?
Elections processes are the backbone of a solid student government- or any democracy for that matter. SAITSA prides itself on our solid election procedures that produce the best Student Council members and executives.

Elections are heldtwice annually; the first of which is near the end of the spring term (April) to elect the SEC and Student Councillors for the following academic year (May-April). The fall bi-election is held to elect additional Student Councillors to their corresponding programs.

Any student -full or part time- is eligible to be nominated for a position on the SEC, whereas Student Councillors must run for a seat within the program in which they are enrolled. Students can obtain a list of SAITSA Elections policies and procedures by visiting the SAITSA Main Office or the SAITSA Student Services Centre in MC107.

WHY WE'RE HERE
SAITSA exists:
To act as the representative body for all SAIT students;
To administer student affairs and funds;
To develop and maintain unity among SAIT students;
To provide initiative in the development of cultural and social programs for SAIT students;
To exercise a measure of discipline with the student body;
To provide, on behalf of SAIT students, an effective liaison with the administration of SAIT, other post-secondary institutions, the community, and government officials; and
To advance the cause of higher education in Alberta and Canada.
Simply put- SAITSA exists to make sure that there is Student Voice, Student Direction and Student Initiative within SAIT.

STUDENT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
One of the toughest questions to answer at any Students’ Association is “What does the Student Government do?” The answer is “Everything”. Unlike other organizations on campus, the students are truly in charge of the Students’ Association at SAITSA.
The Executive oversee all the operations that we provide, from the menu at Gateway Restaurant and Bar to the free phone at the Student Services Centre. While they may have specific duties, including Campus Clubs, academic concerns, and the health and dental plan, your representatives at SAITSA also look at the big picture, by being involved with provincial lobbying groups like ACTISEC, watching tuition levels, and making sure that the student voice is heard in every decision at SAIT. Your student fees are a small price to pay to ensure that you have some say around here.

On any given day, you can find you Student Executive around campus- helping students move into residence, picking up the guest speakers we bring on campus for you, having lunch in the Gate, listening to student concerns and helping provide answers. When away from campus, your SEC is representing SAIT at various conferences across Canada, making sure that people recognize the value of our students, our programs, and most of all, the value of our Students’ Association in the strength and contributions of its members.

SAITSA is a truly unique organization and being a Student Executive offers a truly amazing experience. If you have ever thought about running for SEC, please stop by the SAITSA Main Office to talk about becoming one of the most important members of our team.

STUDENT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: LEADING, LEARNING AND LIVING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
The Student Executive Council (SEC) is elected in the winter semester and take office in the month of May. Any student- full or part time- who pays Students’ Association fees is eligible to be nominated for one of the four possible positions on the SEC.

The Council is comprised of President, VP Academic and Student Affairs, VP Student Life and Development and the VP Internal Administration. These Executive represent the students at SAIT in all facets of their post-secondary experience.

The SEC is governed by Student Council, whose membership is elected by their respective peers in their programs in the winter general election and again in the fall bi-election.

STUDENTS' LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Students' Legislative Council exists to hear the individual concerns students have in relation to their program at SAIT. They meet with SAITSA Executive bi-monthly to discuss student concerns and new business. Feel free to contact your representative with any ideas, issues or concerns. Or better yet- if there is a vacant seat in your department’s council, contact SAITSA President to find out more about becoming a councillor.