Student Government

Each region has a student government association that is responsible for the approval and student fee funding of campus organizations. All student organizations operate under the policies and guidelines set for the College by the State Board of Trustees. Approval by the student government and the administration is required of all student organizations seeking to make use of College facilities. All approved organizations must be open for membership to all eligible candidates and must make available to the student government records of officers, membership, and financial transactions.

The student government is the representative governing body of the students. Student government representatives are elected or selected according to the by-laws of each regional student government constitution and serve as stated in those bylaws. The student body membership may consist of representatives of each program area and an advisor as established in the by-laws.

The student government was established by students to encourage participation in student government and to promote College spirit and recognition. The student government exercises the authority, unless otherwise delegated, to legislate on student matters, subject to the approval of appropriate College administrative offices. The constitutions of all student organizations must be approved by a quorum of the student government, consisting of a simple majority of the total membership and one staff advisor or as otherwise stated in the by-laws.

The functions of student government include:

1. Communication of bona fide concerns of the student body to appropriate College officials with suggestions for improvement.

2. Approval of student organizations beneficial to student life and worthy of being part of the College.

3. Assurance that copies of the constitution, by-laws and statement of purpose and objectives of each recognized student organization are on file in the Office of Student Affairs.

4. Referral of student grievances concerning disciplinary matters or student status to the Committee on Student Status and referral of other types of student grievances to appropriate College officials.

5. Planning and conducting appropriate extracurricular student activities.

6. Submission of student activity budgets for review and approval by the regional officials.

Recently, the Student Government Association responded to President Lamkin's challenge to share their vision of Ivy Tech in the year 2013. Click here (PDF document- 148 KB) for a full copy of the report.

The student government sponsors many activities as well. Examples of student government activities are a "Welcome to College" held in the fall, graduation dances, food drives during the holidays, and movies with popcorn and soft drinks for the entire family.

Phi Theta Kappa

The largest student organization at Ivy Tech is Phi Theta Kappa, a national two-year honor society. Ivy Tech regions became involved with Phi Theta Kappa in the early 1990s. Its purpose is to recognize and promote academic excellence. This is done by providing leadership development opportunities for service in chapter activities on campus and regional Phi Theta Kappa activities. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation only and is based on a minimum grade point average as well as completion of a specified number of semester hours. Ivy Tech students have been actively involved at the state and national levels of Phi Theta Kappa.

Other Student Organizations

Many campuses have professional clubs based on the academic interests of students. Some of the professional clubs include the Accounting Club, Collegiate Secretaries International (the collegiate organization of The International Association of Office Professionals), Association of Nursing Students (National Student Nursing Association), and the Society for Manufacturing Engineers. A couple of campuses are active with the Skills USA - VICA. Some campuses have special interest groups like the Fishing Club at the Indianapolis campus. All regions have a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honorary society for two-year colleges. Students wishing to organize hobby, social or special interest clubs should submit proposals to the student government, which will determine whether sufficient interest exists. The student government is authorized to charter the club upon approval by the administration. Each club must have officers and a staff advisor.

Ivy Tech does not have a formalized athletic program; however, some campuses have intramural teams that participate in community leagues. Leagues can be formed when student interest justifies their organization. All sports activities of the College must be approved and sponsored by the student government and the administration.