The president and vice-president of the Student Government Association are elected annually by all students. In conjunction with their appointed cabinet, these officers work with the Joint Board of Hall Senators, elected by the various residence halls, to facilitate civic responsibility within, and extracurricular activities for, the student body. The primary aim of the SGA is to include every student in the process of responsible self-governance.

The SGA has important functions in the legislative and judicial processes regulating nonacademic student life and in promoting extracurricular activities. The SGA recommends the apportionment of the student activities fees (approximately $184,000 per year) for support of the social and cultural activities in and out of the residence halls (including weekly concerts and films), the numerous student groups (such as the Multiethnic Coalition, Concerned Black Students, and Student Organization for Latinas/Latinos) organized to promote particular activities and interests, and its own administration.

The student organization with duties in the academic area is the Student Curriculum Council. The council, elected from the Student Educational Policy Committees of each department, meets to discuss curricular matters and also elects the student members of the college Curriculum Committee.

In addition, students are members of most of the advisory and legislative committees of the College.