About the Presidency

Former GCSA Presidents
Former GCSA Vice Presidents

Responsibilities of the President

 

The President is the chief executive officer of GCSA and leads the Student Government Administration. The day-to-day work of the student government administration is conducted primarily by the President’s Cabinet members and their director staff. The President’s role is to empower his/her team to conduct their work well and efficiently. The President holds regular Cabinet meetings, supports and evaluates each Cabinet member’s area of responsibilities, and sets the general vision and policy for how those responsibilities are carried out. The President also relies on his or Cabinet for their support and advise on Presidential initiatives, projects, or GCSA response to emergencies

The GCSA Constitution vests with the President the authority to oversee the student government administration and the execution of legislation. This power is both significant and limited. The separation of powers vests the President mostly with Executive Power, and the Student Assembly with the legislative power. Therefore, the President’s executive authority must fall within the bounds of the Bylaws and other legislation of the Assembly.

The President has the responsibility to appoint the student government’s director staff, as well as the heads of each Executive Council Organization, which includes various student publications, agencies, and councils.

The President does possess one legislative prerogative, although it is used sparingly. The President must review all legislative acts of the Assembly. The President may veto a measure, thus keeping it from going into affect, and send his or her objections back to the Student Assembly. They can then choose to accept the President’s veto or they can override the veto by a two-thirds vote.

The current President is Thomas Franklin, who assumed office on May 15th, 2022.

Responsibilities of the Executive Vice President

The President is not alone to carry out leading GCSA. The Executive Vice President, also known as the Student Body Vice President, is the President’s principal advisor and working companion. He or she works with the President on special initiatives and meetings with the college president.

The Executive Vice President serves as the Chair of the Executive Council, providing oversight and support to essential organizations, which includes various student publications, councils, and agencies.