2004-05 Undergraduate Catalog
Student Government: Student Government at the University of Florida is a cooperative organization that advances student interests and is based on mutual confidence among the student body, the faculty and the administration. Considerable authority has been granted the student body for the regulation and conduct of student affairs. Student Government accepts responsibility commensurate with the resources at its disposal to fulfill its mission, including the allocation of more than ten million dollars annually in student activity and service fees, substantial authority in the regulation of co-curricular activities and administration of the Student Honor Court. The university feels that training in and responsibility for the conduct of student affairs is a valuable part of educational growth and development.
Student Government is the governing organization and representative of the student body. Student Government functions under a constitution and by-laws that have been accepted by the university as expressing the will of the students, although ultimate authority for university affairs rests with university administration. Powers are distributed into the three branches: legislative, which is embodied in the Student Senate; judicial, which is embodied in the Student Honor Court; and executive, embodied in the president, vice-president and the treasurer of the student body. Members of all three branches are elected directly by the student body. In addition to elected offices, many appointed positions have been established, including Cabinet and sub-Cabinet, Student Honor Court and Traffic Court posts.
Student Government, recognizing its limitations as a true "government," attempts to exercise influence on governments at all levels through conferences, lobbying, research and the advancement of proposals for change.
Students may apply for various positions within the student government structure by contacting the Student Government offices on the third floor of the J. Wayne Reitz Union.
Religious Activities: The churches, centers and organizations associated with the university offer a variety of programs and ministries. There also are interdenominational and nondenominational activities fostered by the Department of Religion and the Campus Ministries Cooperative.
Social Fraternities: The Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Panhellenic Council, and Multicultural Greek Council are the governing bodies for all UF Greek organizations. The Interfraternity Council supervises the activities of the NIC fraternities and is composed of an executive board and the president of each fraternity.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the umbrella organization for the traditionally African-American fraternities and sororities at the university. The NPHC is composed of an executive board and the president of each group.
Primary jurisdiction in sorority matters is vested in the Panhellenic Council. The Panhellenic Council is composed of an executive board and the president and Panhellenic delegate of each of the university’s National Panhellenic Conference sororities. The Multicultural Greek Council serves as the governing body for sororities and fraternities who have an ethnic, multicultural as well as a non-traditional focus. For a full listing of the chapters currently recognized at the University of Florida, visit the Dean of Students Office Web site at www.dso.ufl.edu/greek/.
In addition to the social fraternities and sororities, there are approximately 220 honorary and professional organizations and approximately 200 other special interest groups.