Student Government Association

Do you have questions about SGA or want to learn how you can become part of this impactful student organization? Feel free to contact one of our executive team members.

President: Ethan Gladue

Ethan Gladue is a junior majoring in Business Analytics. Along with being President, he is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Pi, Dakotathon, and President of the South Dakota Student Federation. His main goal as President is to advocate for students at a statewide level. This includes keeping the affordability of the quality higher education that USD offers and advocating for more mental health and sexual assault resources for students to be supported on campus.
Ethan.Gladue@coyotes.usd.edu

Vice President: Jill Schulte

Jillian Schulte, a junior majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Along with being the Vice President, she is the Vice President of External Affairs for Charlie’s Cupboard, Director of Corporate Sponsorship for Dakotathon, and a member of Alpha Phi. In her spare time, she volunteers around the Vermillion community. Her primary goals as VP are to enhance communication between SGA and the student body, improve awareness of USD’s student resources, and continue to advocate for student concerns.
Jill.Schulte@coyotes.usd.edu

Director of Operations: Keegan Baker

Keegan Baker is a sophomore majoring in Accounting with a minor in Political Science. Before being appointed Director of Operations, Keegan served as an at-large senator. Outside of SGA, she is tutoring in the middle school with L.O.L. Tutoring and is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Keegan also is the Logistics Lead for the TedxUSD team. Her goal for this term is to ensure that SGA runs smoothly and that students are represented to the best of the Senate's ability.
Keegan.Baker@coyotes.usd.edu

Director of Finance: Anton Pratsenko

Anton Pratsenko is a senior majoring in Business Analytics and currently serves as the Director of Finance for the Student Government Association. In addition to his role in SGA, he holds an executive position on the International Club’s Executive Board and is a Pi Kappa Alpha member. Anton works as a Consultant for Coyote Business Consulting as well as conducting data analysis for the University. His interests include quantitative and statistical analysis to create data-driven solutions. Anton’s primary focus this term is to improve the budgeting processes and innovate reimbursement procedures within SGA.
Anton.Pratsenko@coyotes.usd.edu

Director of Communications: Katie Gellerman

Katie Gellerman is a senior majoring in Marketing with minors in Social Media Marketing and Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship. While also serving as Director of Communications, she works as a technology fellow for the Creative Services Department at USD, is an active member of Alpha Phi, and enjoys volunteering at the Adopt-A-School Program for SERVE. She wants to ensure student voices are heard and resources are accessible campus-wide.

Your Senators 

• College of Arts & Sciences
  
  • Mohamed Mohamed
  • Piper Connelly
  • Samir Yusuf
  • Kunjan Dodani
  • Max Mickelson
  • Taylor Van Emmerik
  • Lily Goc
  • Leul Abate
  • Harshith Reddy Nalla
    
• Beacom School of Business
  
  • Julia Platt
  • Cloie Stevens
• School of Education
  • Sam Markley
  • Molly Fleek
• School of Health Sciences
  • Aashir Rasheed
• School of Law
  
  • Eric Gednalske
• School of Medicine
  • Nathan Popp
• At-Large Student Body Representatives
  
  • Karlye Maras
  • Jordan Christensen
  • Halle Johnson
  • Macy Steen
  • Griffin Petersen
  • Mady Fleckenstein
  • Aida Desaulniers

Standing Committees

Finance
Julia Platt, Julia.Platt@coyotes.usd.edu

The Finance Committee recommends action to the full senate on all SGA special appropriations - money appropriated after the spring budget process. The committee also recommends approving or disapproving the requested funds reallocations within student organization accounts.

Government Affairs
Sam Markley, Sam Markley@coyotes.usd.edu

The Government Affairs committee is responsible for building community and university relations, maintaining contact with alumni, communicating with the South Dakota Student Federation, and handling issues related to Board of Regents meetings.

Internal Review
Griffin Petersen, Griffin.Petersen@coyotes.usd.edu

The Internal Review Committee is responsible for identifying and communicating student concerns to the student judicial process, reviewing all amendments to the constitution and bylaws, and holding our members accountable.

Student Life and Wellbeing
Halle Johnson, Halle.Johnson@coyotes.usd.edu

The Student Life and Wellbeing Committee is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of student services and maintaining positive relationships between SGA and the Office of Student Life. It also advocates for the improvement, expansion, and maintenance of the University of South Dakota’s initiatives relating to student life and well-being.

Documents, Agendas & Minutes 

SGA's bills and resolutions, governing documents, meeting agendas and minutes can be accessed through the SGA's public Google Drive. If you have any issues accessing the drive, contact the SGA office at sga@coyotes.usd.edu or 605-658-3584.

View SGA's Google Drive

Reimbursement Process

1. Save and sign your receipt(s). If the receipt is for food then you must have a sign-in sheet to track who was at your event.
2. Print out reimbursement form
3. Fill out/follow directions on the form
4. If you are not on university payroll and/or have never received a reimbursement before, please fill out a W-9. If you are on payroll or have received a reimbursement before, you may skip this step.
5. Attach receipt to form(s) and W-9 (if necessary)
6. Bring documents to SGA Office - MUC 143. If someone is at the desk, ask them to get it to the business manager. If no one is there please place your documents on the front desk. If the door is locked, please slide your documents under the front door.
7. Expect the reimbursement process to take 1-2 weeks if you are already in the system. If you are filling out a W-9 for the first time, expect the reimbursement process to take 2-3 weeks.

Please reach out to our Director of Finance, Trevor Sinclair at Trevor.Sinclair@coyotes.usd.edu.

The University of South Dakota has more than 170 student organizations that are officially recognized by the Student Government Association. Student organizations are based on, centered around, led, governed and directed by students. These organizations make a difference in the lives of students by creating a connection to campus, the community and their peers. Student organizations on campus are based on an array of topics, interests and fields of study.

The large number of organizations allows students to connect with a group of peers with similar interests. When coupled with the dedication of its student members, the campus culture is greatly enriched. Student organizations have a real and profound effect on the university and the outside world through their vision, goals and accomplishments.

Explore Student Organizations

Starting a New Student Organization

To register an organization on campus:

1. Visit USD Involved to fill out a registration application.
   
   1. Click on Register an Organization, then Register a New Organization (at bottom of page) and follow the 7 steps in the registration process. You will need a constitution and the USD email address for 5 members and 1 faculty/staff advisor to complete this form. Once this is completed, the Student Services Staff will review your submission and you will receive notice of the organizations approval. 
   2. Please note, if you are interested in starting a social fraternity or sorority, please contact the Office of Sorority/Fraternity Life (greek@usd.edu). Do not submit social fraternity and sorority registrations via USD Involved.
2. Once these steps have been completed, SGA will then review the application information and determine if the organization is funding eligible. Once declared funding eligible, they may apply for funding with SGA during the regular budget period.

Organizations determined to be a club sport must be active for one year before applying for funding. Funding for these organizations is provided by campus recreation.

Organizational Review

Each organization will be reviewed every 3 years by the SGA Student and Internal Affairs Committee. The review is to assess if the organization is operating consistently with the way it was intended and to assist with any problems the organization may be having. If an organization chooses not to participate, their privileges may be revoked.

Budget Process

Only recognized, funding-eligible organizations are eligible to participate in the budget process. All organizations must send a representative to the Leadership Development Seminar each spring to remain eligible for SGA funding. Budget hearings for the organizations will be held in early April. 

SGA has been a consistent supporter of sustainability at USD. From 2017-2019, SGA allocated over $30,000 to install water bottle refill stations in North Complex and the Fine Arts building. Many prominent campus sustainability initiatives have their roots in SGA as well, including Charlie’s Cupboard, Charlie’s Closet, and the Bike Share program. From 2016-2024, SGA committed over $100,000 to campus sustainability initiatives. One of SGA’s greatest commitments has been its annual allocation of the Green Initiative Fund. 

Beyond financial support, SGA has been a persistent advocate for greater campus sustainability, from passing resolutions calling for greater native landscaping on campus to asking the University to establish a campus sustainability action plan.  

What is the Green Initiative Fund? 

The Green Initiative Fund addresses challenges facing our planet by granting students financial resources to make long-lasting environmental improvements on campus. The fund gives students the opportunity to learn project planning and implementation skills while generating ideas, pride, and momentum to inspire further action in our community.

The President’s Joint Committee on Sustainability reviews all project proposals and makes recommendations on how to award the funds. SGA senators serving on the Committee bring the recommendations to the full SGA Senate, and then Senate votes on the final decision. Multiple projects may receive funding each application cycle. Funds are to be used within a single fiscal year: July 1st through the last day of the spring semester final exam period.

How did the Green Initiative Fund start?

The Student Government Association (SGA) started the Green Initiative Fund (GIF) in April 2016, and the first funds were spent in fiscal year 2017 to start the campus bike share program.

How much is the Green Initiative Fund?

Each spring semester, SGA allocates funds to the GIF through the annual budget process, which requires the full SGA Senate to pass a bill approving the SGA budget for the fiscal year beginning in July. The Senate typically allocates $5,000 to the GIF, but the amount can vary. These funds come from the General Activity Fee (GAF) paid by students.

Who can apply?

• USD enrolled students. Full-time, part-time, undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Working in teams is encouraged, though one student should identify as the main contact for the GIF.
• USD registered student organizations. (To register a new student organization, please visit usdinvolved.usd.edu.)

What types of projects can be funded?

• We are looking for projects that:
  • Measurably reduce USD’s carbon footprint and/or waste into the future.
  • Involve a visible component.
• We encourage partnering with an established campus office or department.
• All else being equal, we prefer projects that benefit people and areas of campus that have benefited least from environmental improvements in the past.
• Ineligible Projects:
  • Speakers
  • Films
  • Awards, Gifts, Scholarships

Examples of past projects include:

• Campus bike share program
• Recycling & landfill bins for residence hall rooms
• Zero-waste laundry detergent sheets

Examples of future projects include:

• Educational exhibits or displays
• Zero Waste Atlas Campus Certification improvements
  
  • Mobile water bottle refilling stations for outdoor events
  • Reusable to-go container infrastructure improvements
  • Clothes hangers for every residence hall room
  • Self-serve bicycle repair and service kiosk
  • Reusable utensil sets for incoming students
• Cargo bikes to collect recyclables at tailgates
• Bicycle parking shelters
• Electric vehicle charging station
• Science lab sustainability
• Solar phone charging stations
• Other innovative ideas are welcome!

Propose a Project 

Students have the opportunity to apply for the Green Initiative Fund in both the Fall and the Spring semester. Start by submitting a pre-proposal. Selected pre-proposals will be given feedback and asked to submit a full project proposal for consideration. Please see the timeline for deadlines. 

Propose a Project Here

More Questions?

Email questions to SGA@coyotes.usd.edu.