Student Government Association: Elections

Group of SGA Reps with President Reiser and Regent Longoria

Representing Your School

Our Student Government Association is comprised of student representatives from all five of UTMB's schools. They work for and on behalf of the entire student body. From creating new initiatives on campus to awarding funds to student organizations, our senators help make UTMB a better place to learn, work, and have fun.

Our senate term runs May - April, with special elections in the summer, fall, and winter to ensure incoming students have a chance to represent their cohorts and classmates.

About SGA Meet Our Senators

Running for Senator Positions

To run for a Senate Seat in the Student Government Association, you will need to do the following:

  • Complete and submit a Self-Nomination Form
  • Be sure to include a headshot and candidate bio that includes relevant experience
  • Campaign during the approved campaigning period

If you would like to see more information about our current members, you can find them here. If you have any questions or concerns about the nomination and election process, please don't hesitate to reach out to Katie F. Pfeuffer, Student Life Program Specialist and SGA Advisor
katie.pfeuffer@utmb.edu

Nomination Form Election Guidelines

Elections: General Elections 2025


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  • Elections Committee

    The Elections Committee is responsible for overseeing and administering Student Government elections. It also serves as the adjudicating body for election-related complaints, ensuring fairness and compliance with election policies. Additionally, it acts as a resource for all candidates, whether first-time or incumbent, providing guidance throughout the election process. 

    • Membership: Chaired by the SGA President and includes one senator from each school.
    • Candidate Review: Evaluates candidates' qualifications for executive positions.
    • Candidate Removal: Has the authority to remove candidates deemed unqualified.

    For questions about the election process, contact SGA at sga@utmb.edu.

  • Elections Process
    To be elected to an executive or senatorial position in SGA, you must:
    1. Meet the qualifications for the office you seek.
    2. Submit the required forms to run for office.
    3. Receive the necessary votes.
    4. Attend the required officer/senator orientation.
  • SGA Election Timelines

    Spring Elections
    Executive Committee elections occur first.
    General elections for senators follow.

    General Elections: Nomination Period March 24 – April 4

    • Candidates must self-nominate by visiting Student Life (2nd Floor, Jamail Student Center) or submitting a completed nomination form.
    • Upon nomination, candidates will receive an election packet (in-person or digitally).
    • Deadline: 5:00 PM on April 4, 2025. 

     Campaign Period: March 24, 2025 through Election Day 

    • Campaigning begins once the nomination form is submitted.
    • Candidates can promote their platforms to their constituents.
    • Election: April 11, 2025.

    Voting: is conducted online.

    • Students will receive voting instructions via email from Student Life on April 11, 2025. 
    • Polls open from 8:00 AM to 11:59 PM. 
    • Students needing computer access can vote in the Computer Lab (Ground Floor, Ashbel Smith Building). 
    • Election results will be emailed to candidates the following day.

    Fall Elections
    Limited elections allow first-year students to run for Senate.
    Vacancies from spring elections may be filled.

  • General Election Positions Available

    Positions Available for this Election: Senator Positions (Full and Alternate seats)

    • 4 School of Health Professions
    • 2 School of Public and Population Health
    • 3 Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
    • 3 JS School of Medicine, Class of 2026
    • 3 JS School of Medicine, Class of 2027
    • 3 JS School of Medicine, Class of 2028
    • 1 JS School of Medicine at Large

    • NOTE: School of Nursing & Physician Assistant program (elections run on a different timeline due to their academic timeline)

  • Positions, Requirements & Terms of Office
    SENATE POSITIONS
    • General Requirements: Candidates must be UTMB students in good standing.
    • Specific Requirements: Vary by school and position as outlined in the SGA bylaws and constitution.


    EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE POSITIONS

    President & Vice President
    Required: Must have served as an SGA senator for at least one academic semester.
    Preferred but Not Required:
    • Leadership experience in a senior role within a UTMB-recognized student organization.
    • Extensive leadership experience outside the UTMB community (e.g., National/State/Local Government, other institutions).
    • Other qualifications deemed appropriate by a majority vote of the Elections Committee.
    Treasurer
    Required: Must have relevant experience, such as:
    • Serving as an SGA senator for at least one term.
    • Serving on the SGA Budget Committee for at least one term.
    • Managing budgets for other organizations.
    Secretary
    Required: Must have relevant experience, such as:
    • Serving as an SGA senator for at least one term.
    • Experience in responsibilities relevant to the Secretary role.

    Terms of Office

    • Each office in Student Government will have a term of one year.
    • The Senators of Student Government must remain in Good Academic Standing, as determined by the University, to remain in office.
  • Duties of Office

    DUTIES OF OFFICE
    Student Government Association Senate

    SGA Senators (elected by their school)

    • serve as representative of their class or school.
    • attend all SGA Senate meetings (first and third Wednesday of the month)
    • relay information to their fellow students
    • meet with Deans, Faculty, and other administrators on campus as needed.

    SGA Senate Chair

    • has previously been elected as an SGA Senator.
    • is elected by the members of the Senate to chair Senate meetings.
    • sets the agenda and attends all SGA Senate meetings (however only votes if ties occur).
    • attends Executive Committee meetings.
    • attends budget meetings as a voting member.
    • appoints students to SGA committees.
    • Alternate Senator for Senate Chair immediately becomes a Senator and a special election is run for his/her replacement.

    SGA Alternate Senators

    • serve as Senator when he/she is unable to fulfill duties.
    • are held to the same standards and requirements as a full Senator.

    OFFICER AND SENATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Officer Orientation: All elected officers must attend a mandatory "SGA Officer Orientation". Date to be advised.
    • Attend Senate Meetings: Senators must be available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM for Senate and committee meetings.
  • Candidate Qualifications

    To run for an SGA position, candidates must meet the following requirements:

    • Good Standing: Candidates must not be on scholastic or disciplinary probation.
    • UTMB Enrollment: Candidates must have completed at least one semester at UTMB.
  • Candidate Responsibilities
    • Nomination Forms & Ballots: Candidates must complete and submit the required forms to be included on the ballot. 
    • Complete and submit a Self-Nomination Form. Be sure to include a headshot and candidate bio that includes relevant experience.
    • Campaigning: Must adhere to campaign guidelines, including spending limits and fairness in statements and actions.
    • Polling Officials: Candidates cannot serve as polling officials.
  • Voting Process
    • All enrolled students will receive an email with an individual voting link.
    • Students may vote for their school’s senators and at-large senators.
    • Preliminary Results: Announced to candidates after the Elections Committee meets.
    • Final Certification: Results are confirmed after the Elections Committee certifies the election.
  • Election Violations & Contesting Elections
    Election Regulation Violations
    • Warnings: Candidates receive one warning for guideline violations.
    • Disqualification: Further violations result in removal from the election.

    Contesting Elections
    • Valid Grounds: Elections cannot be contested based on voting time or location unless the issue was raised before the election.
    • Election Committee Accountability: Elections can be contested if the Elections Committee fails to follow the posted schedule
  • Additional Election Policies
    • Reserved Positions: Some positions are reserved for first-year students. If no first-year students run, these positions open to any student in that school.
    • Dual Enrollment: Students enrolled in multiple schools must choose to represent only one.
    • Vote Confirmation: The Elections Committee verifies vote counts, with final approval from the Internal Relations (IR) Committee.

Office of Student Life

Office of Student Life Phone Directory
(409) 772-1996
Fax Number: (409) 747-2527
Email: student.life@utmb.edu

Physical Address:
Lee Hage Jamail Student Center, 2nd Floor
920 Strand Street | Galveston, TX 77555
Building #14 on campus map: Link to campus map

Mailing Address:
Office of Student Life
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
301 University Boulevard | Galveston, TX 77555-1316