How to Get Involved With Student Government in College

Involvement in student government will help you improve the lives of your fellow students and gain valuable leadership experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Access

1. Visit your school's Web site and look for links to information about the student government.
2. Find out about internship opportunities with the student government. Elected student officials often appoint special aides and other staff members to help conduct the daily business of the government.
3. Attend meetings of the student senate and other governing bodies to learn more about the inner workings of the student government.
4. Investigate your school's political parties, if it has them. Learn how they're organized and what they stand for. If a particular party interests you, talk to party officials about joining.
5. Find out when your school's elections will be held.
6. Decide which office interests you, then contact current student officials to find out how to run for office.
7. Sign up to run in the election.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be discouraged if you find it difficult to get involved at first. Many student governments are run by well-established cliques that can be hard to penetrate. Your persistence will let others know that you're serious about serving the campus community.
• If you find campus government daunting, get involved with your residence hall's student council. This experience will make you more comfortable with student governing in general and will make you more attractive to campus government officials and voters.