Missouri State University Libraries

Student Government Association

Collection Number: RG20
Volume: 6 cubic feet
Dates: 1919-2005

Provenance

The collection was acquired mainly in 2003. It was processed in 2005 by Shannon Western.

Copyright

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Access

The collection is unrestricted. Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be obtained from the Department of Special Collections and Archives. Citations should be as follows: Identification of the item, box and folder number, Student Government Association Collection [RG 20], Department of Special Collections and Archives, Missouri State University.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

The student government of Missouri State University (then Southwest Missouri State Teachers College) first officially formed in 1921 as a representative body; prior to this, "student government" or the “Student Organization” included every student attending the school. The new Student Council, as it was called, also continued to be referred to as the Student Organization in this time period, at least until 1936. Around 1950, it became the Student Senate, and in Spring 1962 became the Student Government Association, or SGA, the name by which it is known today. In Spring 1964, it was also referred to as the Student Government Organization, or SGO. The legislative branch of the student government is still often referred to as the Student Senate, or simply as the Senate.

By 1950, student government officials were meeting on average once per week during the school year, and they continue to do so today. The student government is organized into three branches: the Executive branch, the Legislative branch (which is often referred to as the Student Senate, or simply as the Senate), and the Judicial branch (or the Campus Judicial Board). Members consist of representatives from officially recognized campus organizations and of students who fulfill requirements as outlined in the constitution. The student government is also headed by executive commissions and a student body-elected president and vice president. Members are also involved in other committees and commissions within the student government (e.g., the Elections Commission, the Campus Mail Committee, etc.), which hold their own meetings in addition to those of the student government as a whole. Any legislation passed by the senate is given to the student government president for signature or veto.

The Wyrick Commission, founded in 1982, is in charge of the Wyrick Fund, which is supported by a student fee charged each semester to all Missouri State students. Proposals for ways to use this money must potentially benefit all students on campus. Anyone who recognizes a student need is allowed to bring a proposal before the commission. Wyrick Commission members then decide to accept or reject the proposal for student vote. Voting takes place in the spring on accepted proposals, along with SGA elections, and winning proposals are then, in most cases, awarded funding. The Wyrick Commission, while not an official part of student government, has a close relationship with SGA. Members of each organization regularly meet with the other group.

Scope and Content

The collection includes materials on SGA and the Wyrick Commission. The bulk of the records consists of SGA minutes and resolutions and of Wyrick proposals. It should be noted that these may not be the original records of the Wyrick Commission. Instead, they appear to be records of that body collected by the SGA representative to the Commission. The information spans 1919 to 2005. The collection is divided into nine series, as outlined below.

Series I: SGA Constitutions and Bylaws: Constitutions and Bylaws of the student government of Missouri State University, ranging from 1919 to 2005.

Series II: SGA Minutes: Minutes, and in some cases agendas, of the meetings of the student government of Missouri State University, ranging from 1950 to 2005. Resolutions that could not easily be separated from their respective minutes (e.g., they were printed on the back side of the same sheet of paper) were kept within this series.

Series III: SGA Resolutions: Signed resolutions (often originals) passed by the student government of Missouri State University. Resolutions that could not easily be separated from their respective minutes were kept within the SGA Minutes series.

Series IV: SGA General: Information relating to the student government of Missouri State University, such as budgets, committee information, and correspondence.

Series V: SGA Audio/Visual: ¾” video cassettes of an SGA conference, a VHS of a student election, and audio cassettes of the Governor’s Leadership Forum. Access to these materials may be restricted due to the poor condition of the tapes.

Series VI: Wyrick Minutes: Minutes of the meetings of the Wyrick Commission, ranging from 1987 to 2001.

Series VII: Wyrick Proposals: Passed, failed, and withdrawn proposals brought before the Wyrick Commission between 1983 and 2005. The dates given on these folders are for the Spring semester in which they were voted upon by the student body; there may also be information contained within the folders from earlier or later dates.

Series VIII: Wyrick Finances: Information relating to the money available for the Wyrick Fund as collected from student fees, and to the money spent by the Wyrick Commission on projects passed by the student body.

Series IX: Wyrick General: Information relating to the Wyrick Commission in general, such as Chairperson’s Reports, guidelines and bylaws, and members of the commission.

Container List

Series I: SGA Constitutions and Bylaws
Box 1	Constitution of the Student Organization of SMSTC	1919
	Constitution of the Student Organization of SMSTC	1929
	Constitution of the Student Organization of the SMSTC	1936
	Student Constitution, SMSC	1947
	Constitution of the Student Body of SMSC	c.1952
	The Constitution of the Student Government Organization, SMSC	1964
	S.G.A. By-Laws	1975
	The Constitution of the Student Government Association, SMSU	1978
	he Constitution of the Student Government Association, SMSU	1986-1987
	The Constitution of the Student Government Association, SMSU	c. 1991
	Omnibus Reform Act of 1991	1991
	The Constitution and the Bylaws of the Student Government Association of SMSU	1992
	Ratifying Signatures	2000
	The Bylaws of the Student Government Association, SMSU	2005
	The Constitution of the Student Government Association, SMSU	2005
	Constitutions and Bylaws	n.d.
Series II: SGA Minutes
	Minutes	October 1950 - May 1951
	Minutes	October 1951 - May 1952
	Minutes	September 1952 - May 1953, n.d.
	Minutes	October 1953 - February 1954, n.d.
	Minutes	October 1954 - May 1955
	Minutes	September 1955 - May 1956
	Minutes	December 10, 1957
	Minutes	October 1958 - May 1959
	Minutes	September 1959 - May 1960
	Minutes	September 1960 - May 1961
	Minutes	October 1961, Apri l- May 1962
	Minutes	October 1962 - January 1963
	Minutes	September 1963 - May 1964
	Minutes	September 1964 - February 1965
	Minutes	April - May 1967
	Minutes	September 1967 - May 1968
	Minutes	September 1968 - May 1969
	Minutes	September 1969 - May 1970
	Minutes	September 1970 - May 1971
	Minutes	September 1971 - May 1972
	Minutes	August 1972 - April 1973
	Minutes	October 1975 - April 1976
	Minutes	September 1976 - April 1977
	Minutes	February 28, 1978
	Minutes	August 1978 - April 1979
	Minutes	September 1979 - April 1980
	Minutes	September 1980 - March 1981
	Minutes	September 1981 - April 1982
	Minutes	August 1982 - May 1983
	Minutes	August 1983 - April 1984
	Minutes	September 1984 - April 1985
	Minutes	April - May 1985
	Minutes	September 1985 - April 1986
	Minutes	September 1986 - May 1987
	Minutes	September 1987 - May 1988
	Minutes	August 1988 - May 1989
	Minutes	August 1989 - May 1990
	Minutes	August 1990 - April 1991
	Minutes	September 1991 - May 1992
	Minutes	September 1992 - May 1993
Box 2	Minutes	August 1993 - May 1994
	Minutes	September 1994 - April 1995
	Minutes	September 1995 - May 1996
	Minutes	September 1996 - April 1997
	Minutes	September 1997 - April 1998
	Minutes	September 1998 - April 1999
	Minutes	September 1999 - April 2000
	Minutes	August 2000 - March 2001
	Minutes	August 2004 - March 2005
Series III: SGA Resolutions
	Resolutions	1964
	Resolutions	April - May 1970
	Resolutions	October 1970 - April 1971
	Resolutions	October 1971 - May 1972
	Resolutions	September 1972 - April 1973
	Resolutions	October - November 1973
	Resolutions	January, April 1976
	Resolutions	c. 1977
	Resolutions	February - April 1977
	Resolutions	September 1977 - April 1978
	Resolutions	August 1978 - May 1979
	Resolutions	August 1978 - May 1979
	Resolutions	November 18, 1980
	Resolutions	September 1981-March 1982
	Resolutions	September 1982 - March 1983
	Resolutions	September 1983 - April 1984
	Resolutions	September 1984 - March 1985
	Resolutions	September 1985 - April 1986
	Resolutions	September 1986 - April 1987
	Resolutions	1987 - 1988
	Resolutions	c. August 1992 - April 1993
	Resolutions	September - December 1994
	Resolutions	Fall 1999 - Spring 2000
	Resolutions	Fall 2000 - Spring 2001
Series IV: SGA General
	Academic Affairs Committee	1985, 1991-1992, 1996-1997, n.d.
	Administrative Affairs Committee	1996-1997
	Appointments Committee	n.d.
	Board of Regents Minutes and Resolution	July 21, 1995
	Budgets and Finances	1979, 1990-1994, 1996-1998, n.d.
	Cabinet Minutes	1998-1999
	Campus Affairs Committee	1990-1992
	Campus Judicial Board	1971, n.d.
	Campus Mail Committee	2000-2001, n.d.
	Constitution/Bylaws Committee	1991-1992, n.d.
	Correspondence	1951-2001
Box 3	Disabled Student Concerns Committee	1993, 1999-2001, n.d.
	Elections Commission	1982, 1991-1992, 2001-2002
	Executive Committee	1983-1984, 1997
	Faculty-Course Evaluation	1967, 1971, 2001
	Freshman Record, The	1978
	Greek Letter Governance Statement	1998
	Hammons Student Center	1967, 1972-1975, n.d.
	Information for Graduating Seniors	1991
	Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts	1998
	Legislative Awareness Committee	1983, n.d.
	Legislative Information for Name Change	1980-1985, 1987, n.d.
	Missouri State Colleges Student Government Association (MSCSGA)	n.d.
	New Security System	n.d.
	Newsletter	1963, 1988-1989, 2003
	Organizational Charts and Lists	1994, n.d.
	Parking Plan	1994
	Platform Statements	n.d.
	Public Affairs Grant	1998-2000
	Public Forum -- "Shoot Your Mouth Off"	n.d.
	Public Relations Committee	1991-1992
	Publications Committee Minutes	May 8, 1969
	Research Committee	n.d.
	Student Government Association	2003-2004
	SGA Inaugural Banquet	April 27, 1999
	SGA Presidents List	1920-2004
	SGO Report, The	1963-1964
	SMSU Neighborhood Task Force	April 3, 1991
	Student Activities Council (SAC)	1997, 2001-2002
	Student Affairs Committee	1991, n.d.
	Student Association of Missouri (SAM)	n.d.
	Student Bill of Rights	c. 1991
Box 4	Student Fees	n.d.
	Student Government Association Summary	1971-1972
	Student Organization Funding Allocation Council (SOFAC)	1999-2001
	Student Organizations	1998, 2001-2002
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Administrative	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Brochures	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Campus Union Planning Committee	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Correspondence	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Ideas	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Miscellaneous	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Reports	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- SP-1980	c. 1990
	Student Union Planning Notebook -- Surveys	c. 1990
	Student Union Renovations	1996-1999
	Theresa Streckfuss Notebook	1997-1998
Series V: SGA Audio/Visual
	SGA Conference, Tape I [3/4"" Video Cassette]	c. 1984
	SGA Conference, Tape II [3/4"" Video Cassette]	c. 1984
	SGA Conference, Tape III [3/4"" Video Cassette]	c. 1984
	SGA Conference, Tape IV [3/4"" Video Cassette]	c. 1984
	SGA Conference, Tape V [3/4"" Video Cassette]	c. 1984
	SGA Conference, Tape VI [3/4"" Video Cassette]	c. 1984
	CU Tues A.M. [VHS of a Student Election]	n.d.
	Governor's Leadership Forum, Governor John Ashcroft (Side 1), Gary Cunningham (Side 2) [Audio Cassette]	n.d.
	Governor's Leadership Forum, Peter Herschend (Side 1), Rick Horton (Side 2) [Audio Cassette]	n.d.
	Governor's Leadership Forum, John Collett (Side 1) [Audio Cassette]	n.d.
	Governor's Prayer Breakfast, Rosey Grier [Audio Cassette]" "January 1, 1989	January 1, 1989
Series VI: Wyrick Minutes
Box 6	Minutes	January - March 1987
	Minutes	September 1987 - March 1988
	Minutes	July 1988 - April 1989
	Minutes	August 1989 - April 1990
	Minutes	August 1990 - March 1991
	Minutes	August 1991 - April 1992
	Minutes	July 199 2- April 1993
	Minutes	August 1993 - March 1994
	Minutes	July 1994 - May 1995
	Minutes	May 9, 1996
	Minutes	October 2000 - March 2001
Series VII: Wyrick Proposals
	Failed -- All-Surface Outdoor Track	1983
	Failed -- Ancient Artifacts Purchase	1983
	Failed -- Campus Carrier-Current Radio Station	1983
	Failed -- Campus Organizations Bus	1983
	Failed -- Education Department Computer	1983
	Failed -- Higher Hand-Dryers 1983	1983
	Failed -- Intramural Field Lighting	1983
	Failed -- Movie Projection Overhaul	1983
	Failed -- Multipurpose Recreation Facilities	1983
	Failed -- Theatre and Media Performance/Production Space	1983
	Passed -- McDonald Arena Floor Ventilation Grilles	1983
	Passed -- Meyer Library Typewriters	1983
	Passed -- Softball Field	1983
	Passed -- Bears Den Handicap Access	1984
	Passed -- McDonald Arena Jogging Track	1984
	Passed -- Student Exhibition Center (Sorosis House) Folder 1 of 2	1984
	Passed -- Student Exhibition Center (Sorosis House) Folder 2 of 2	1984
	Failed -- Minority Scholarships	1985
	Passed -- Communications Department Media Equipment	1985
	Passed -- Typesetting Equipment for The Standard	1985
	Failed -- Briggs Stadium Artificial Turf	1986
	Failed -- Change Machines	1986
	Failed -- Child Care Center	1986
	Failed -- Photocopiers	1986
	Failed -- System of Interactive Guidance and Information (SIGI-Plus)	1986
	Failed -- Temple Hall Study Area	1986
	Passed -- Student Exhibition Center (Sorosis House) Continuation	1986
	Failed -- Computerized Degree Audits	1987
	Failed -- Shuttle Service	1987
	Passed -- Art Micro Lab	1987
	Student Exhibition Center (Sorosis House) Continuation	1987
	Campus Carrier-Current Radio Station	1988
	Graphic Design Equipment Upgrade	1988
	McDonald Arena Weight Room Equipment	1988
	Planetarium	1988
	Rodeo/Riding Arena	1988
	Briggs Stadium All-Weather Track	1988
	Harris Computer Upgrade	1988
	Meyer Library Photocopier	1988
	Student Exhibition Center (Sorosis House) Continuation	1988
	Proposal Reviews	1988-1994
	Failed -- Art and Design Equipment	1989
	Failed -- Communication Disorders Audiometric Suite	1989
	Failed -- Consumer and Family Studies Computer Aided Drafting Equipment	1989
	Failed -- Math Learning Lab Expansion	1989
	Failed -- McDonald Arena Weight Room Equipment	1989
	Failed -- Rodeo/Riding Arena	1989
	Failed -- Agriculture Research and Demonstration Center Seating	1990
	Failed -- Art and Design Equipment Upgrade	1990
	Failed -- Consumer and Family Studies Computer Aided Drafting Equipment	1990
	Failed -- McDonald Arena Weight Room Equipment	1990
	Failed -- Music Library and Listening Lab Upgrade and Expansion	1990
	Failed -- Temple Hall Computer Lab	1990
	Passed -- Nightways Campus Lighting Folder 1 of 2	1990
	Passed -- Nightways Campus Lighting Folder 2 of 2	1990
	Withdrawn -- Pummill Hall Computer Lab	1990
	Failed -- Pummill Hall Computer Lab	1991
	Failed -- Study Abroad Programs	1991
	Passed -- Art and Design Equipment	1991
	Passed -- Consumer and Family Studies Department/Siceluff Hall Computer Lab	1991
	Passed -- McDonald Arena Conditioning Equipment	1991
	Passed -- Music Library and Listening Lab Upgrade and Expansion	1991
	Failed -- Multipurpose Database Access System (Infotrac-on-line)	1992
	Failed -- Photography Equipment	1992
	Failed -- Social Work Development Skills Lab	1992
	Failed -- Southwest Standard Macintosh Network Equipment	1992
	Failed -- Student Service Computer Lab	1992
	Failed -- Technology Computing Lab	1992
	Failed -- Theatre and Dance Studio and Sound Equipment	1992
	Failed -- Theatre and Dance Studio and Sound Equipment	1992
	Passed -- Foreign Language Learning Center	1992
	Passed -- Hospitality and Restaurant Administration Computer Lab and Library	1992
	Withdrawn -- Disabled Students Exercise Equipment	1992
	Failed -- Hospitality and Restaurant Administration Restaurant/Fire Stairwell	1993
	Failed -- Open Student Multimedia Lab	1993
	Failed -- Photography Equipment	1993
	Failed -- Reading and Study Skills Computer Lab	1993
	Failed -- Student Organization Resource Center	1993
	Failed -- Theatre and Dance Studio and Sound Equipment	1993
	Passed -- Craig Hall Computer Lab	1993
	Passed -- Multipurpose Database System (Infotrac-on-line)	1993
	Withdrawn -- Professional Building Computer Lab	1993
	Failed -- Hospitality and Restaurant Administration Restaurant/Fire Stairwell	1994
	Failed -- New Southwest Standard	1994
	Failed -- Professional Building Computer Lab	1994
	Failed -- Technology Computing Lab	1994
	Passed -- Meyer Library Photocopiers	1994
Box 8	Passed -- Multicultural Resource Center (Cultural Alliance Project)	1994
	Passed -- Student Multimedia Production Facility	1994
	Failed -- Bicycle Racks	1995
	Failed -- New Southwest Standard	1995
	Failed -- Student Memorial Wall	1995
	Passed -- Telephone Registration (Ring, Ring, Registration)	1995
	Passed -- Bicycle Racks	1996
	Passed -- Meyer Library Furniture	1996
	Failed -- Low-Power Television Station	1997
	Failed -- Network Interface Card Replacement	1997
	Failed -- Radio Station	1997
	Miscellaneous Proposals	1997
	Passed -- Campus Signage	1997
	Passed -- Recreation Center Consultant	2005
	Passed -- Veteran's Memorial Monument	2005
	Passed -- Online Library Catalog Magazine Indexes	n.d.
Series VIII: Wyrick Finances	Financial Reports	1984-1985
	Financial Reports	1987
	Financial Reports	1988
	Financial Reports	1989
	Financial Reports	1990
	Financial Reports	1991
	Financial Reports	1992
	Financial Reports	1993
	Financial Reports	1994
	Financial Reports	1995
	Financial Reports	1996
	Funds and Assorted Finances	1987-1994
	Summaries of Expenditures	1987
	Summaries of Expenditures	1988
	Summaries of Expenditures	1989
	Summaries of Expenditures	1990
	Summaries of Expenditures	1991
	Summaries of Expenditures	1992
	Summaries of Expenditures	1993
Series IX: Wyrick General	Campus Judicial Board Rulings	1986, 1990
	Chairperson's Reports	1987-1990, 1992, 1993
	Correspondence	1986-1997
	Elections	1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, n.d.
	Executive Summaries	1990-1992
	Gopher Information Providers	1994
	Guidelines and Bylaws	1986-1987, 1990-1992, 1994, 1996, 1999, n.d.
	Members	1986-1992, 1995-1996, n.d.
	Mock Proposal	1994
	Newspaper Articles	1987, 1993, n.d.
	Sample Forms	1991-1992, n.d.
	Student Organization Registration Form	August 12, 1993
	Wyrick Commission Selection Committee	n.d.