GUSA

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GUSA is the student government of Georgetown University in Washington, DC (United States). Modeled on the United States government, it consists of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. The Executive branch is currently led by President Nicholas "Twister" Murchison and Vice-President Salik Ishtiaq. The President and Vice President, elected by the entire undergraduate population each year, oversee an Executive Staff that deals with the day-to-day operations of the Student Association. Additionally, the President and Vice President appoint, with confirmation by the Legislature, secretaries for twelve Cabinet Departments, ranging from Academic Affairs to Student Health. These departments are staffed by students, who do not have to be elected to participate. In addition, the Executives appoint student representatives to various External Boards, including the Board of Governors and the Speech and Expression Committee.

The Legislative Branch consists of the Senate, a body of thirty-five Senators, and is led by Speaker Christina Goodlander and Vice-Speaker Reginald Greer. The Senate was established this year by a campus-wide referendum, and replaces the Assembly as the Legislative body. Consisting of seven committees, the Senate advocates on behalf of students in all aspects of student life. The Finance Committee oversees the allocation of the Student Activities Fee, which funds student groups. The Ways and Means Committee is in charge of overseeing internal protocol and vetting Executive appointments to external boards, such as the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Ways and Means Committee is charged with holding these student appointments accountable to the student body at large. The Academic Affairs Committee coordinates with the Academic Councils of each of Georgetown's four undergraduate schools, and fosters dialogue and exchange between students and faculty. The Housing and Facilities Committee advocates for students on these issues, and works on things such as expanded meal plans and improved campus housing. The Student Health and Safety Committee implements programs to benefit student well-being, and is currently working on a comprehensive sexual-assault awareness program and on making STD testing free on campus. The Outreach committee plans events to make the Student Association relevant. The Student Life committee works on all other aspects of student life, and is currently lobbying in opposition to a proposed ban on kegs. Finally, the Ad-Hoc Committee on Economic Sustainability is working to make Georgetown more environmentally-friendly, and recently succeeded in saving thousands of dollars in energy by staging a "Cold Turkey" campaign to remind students to turn off all electronics over Thanksgiving vacation.

The Judicial branch consists of the Constitutional Council, which oversees all internal Student Association disputes and is charged with stewardship of the Constitution.

Notable alumni include Richard McCooey, founder of popular local restaurants 1789 and The Tombs; former Senator Philip A. Hart; and famed magazine publisher Condé Nast. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton ran for student body president during his time at Georgetown and though president of the freshman class, he failed to win election.