Welcome to the Undergraduate Senate

The Undergraduate Senate consists of 30 popularly elected senators that represent, legislate, and delineate policies regarding the concerns of the American University undergraduate student body on academics, programming, and university policy. These 30 senators represent every college and undergraduate class—as well as the Campus “At-Large”—within the university. Senators draft and vote on Bills and Resolutions, determine the student government budget, and work with campus organizations on advocacy and policy projects. The Undergraduate Senate also serves as an important check on the Judicial and Executive Branches.

The legislative term begins the 15th of October following the fall elections, Senate meetings can be attended by members of the public in person or online who wish to voice their concerns or questions to their representatives.

Join us every Saturday at 2PM in Kogod 234.


Meet the Leadership

Julia Comino

Presiding Officer of the Undergraduate Senate

Contact: julia.comino@ausg.org

Pronouns: She/They

As Presiding Officer, Arusa maintains an impartial order of Senate meetings and drafts the agenda alongside the Clerk. The presiding officer also oversees a Senate cabinet overseen between her and the Speaker pro tempore. Arusa also is empowered with a tie-breaking vote during Senate sessions.

Bio: Julia is a senior political science and journalism major. She previously served as the Secretary during the 2023-2024 academic year and was a senator and Chair of the Special Committee on Combatting Sexual Violence and Harassment in the Spring of 2024. She was elected as the Vice President in Spring 2024.

 

Hanna Hajdu

Speaker pro tempore of the Undergraduate Senate

Contact: hanna.hajdu@ausg.org

Pronouns: She/Her

Elected by the Senators, the speaker pro tempore oversees committee assignments, appoints the Faculty Senate Representatives, and launches and dissolves Commissions for specific projects.

Bio: Hanna Hajdu is a Senator At-Large. She started senate her freshman year in Fall of 2023.

Max Morse-deBrier

Parliamentarian & Clerk (Acting)

Contact: max.morsedebrier@ausg.org

Pronouns: He/ Him/ His

The  Parliamentarian acts as the advisory officer for Parliamentary Procedure and assist the presiding officer of the Senate. The Clerk is responsible for the creation and maintaining of Senate agendas, meeting minutes, and record keeping (including Senate meeting attendance).

Bio: Max Morse-deBrier is a junior political science major. He took office as Parliamentarian in October 2022, as Elections Administrator in February 2023, and as Acting Clerk in April 2023.


Committees & Commissions

Within the Undergraduate Senate are six standing and special committees, headed by elected chairs and vice chairs, that cater to distinct needs of the legislature. Ad-hoc committees are committees that may be established and dissolved by the Speaker pro tempore with a specific purpose or focus.

Committee meetings are open to the public.

 

THE COMMITTEE ON CAMPUS AND STUDENT LIFE

This is a standing committee focused on advocacy regarding the everyday life of the students of American University including, but not limited to, student spaces, on-campus housing, dining policy, the Residence Hall Association, campus safety, fraternity and sorority matters, accessibility issues on and around campus, student organizations, and transportation policies.

Asher Heisten, Chair

THE COMMITTEE ON STUDENT RIGHTS AND SERVICES

This is a standing committee focused on advocacy regarding the services and rights the American University administration provides the students of American University including, but not limited to, American University policies and regulations, all academic affairs, policies, and offices

Quinn Fitzpatrick , Chair

THE COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY

This committee will be a tool to assist the Senate in pursuing its commitment to upholding the highest standards of accessibility, transparency, and accountability throughout Student Government.

Lily Swahnberg, Chair

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

This is a special committee charged with creating the budget and stipends of Student Government and overseeing the administration of the budget. Furthermore, the Committee has jurisdiction over any initiatives pertaining to University finances, with the authority to review any and all finance accounts of the Student Government.

Martina Poletti, Chair

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INCLUSIVITY, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY

This is a special committee with jurisdiction over any initiative related to advocacy on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This committee is separate from the Commission on Ensuring Racial Equity and Anti-Racist policies on Campus.

Carly Castaldy, Chair

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COMBATTING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT

This is a special committee with jurisdiction over any initiative relating to Title IX, the Office of Equity and Title IX, sexual violence and sexual harassment on campus and shall have the power to investigate, research, and propose solutions to any student issues regarding sexual violence.

Laina Pond, Chair


Members of the Senate

Senators At-Large

Kasey Bernat

Hanna Hajdu

Kaden Ouiment

Javier Benzan

Kaleigh Olsen

Asher Heisten

Martina Poletti

Aasiyah Beamon

Collin Corkill

Tomer Ben-Ezer

Anousha Khan

Laina Pond

Sumaiyah Alyadumi

Carly Castaldy

Luke Sharon

Lila Barron

Quinn Fitzpatrick

Lily Swahnberg

Que Riggins

Benjamin Winokur-Applebaum

School Senators

CAS: Ahmad Al-Hendi

SIS: Cat Volk

KSB: Teddy Gillman

SOE: Paige Abbott

Class Senators

Class of 2025: Sophia Joseph

SPA: Kanha Jain

Class of 2026: Volodymyr Larin

Class of 2027: Meredith Baker

Class of 2028: Lailah Green