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!
Meetings Sunday at 2:00 PM Kogod Room 233
*Senate meeting times and locations are subject to change.
Meet the Leadership
Arusa Islam
Presiding Officer of the Undergraduate Senate
Contact: arusa.islam@ausg.org
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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: Arusa is a junior political science major and previously served as a senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. She was elected as student body vice president in Spring 2023.
Salvatore Cottone
Speaker pro tempore of the Undergraduate Senate
Contact: sal.cottone@ausg.org
Pronouns: He/ Him/ His
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: Salvatore Cottone is a junior political science and sustainability undergraduate. He first took office January 2023 as Senator for the Campus At-Large and became Speaker pro tempore last fall. Starting February 2024 until late 2025, Sal has the honor to serve as the Student Representative on the American University Sustainability Advisory Board.
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 sophomore 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.
Achyuth Sarath, Chair
Kris Estrada, Vice 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
Roderick Purdy, Chair
Kacey Bernat, Vice 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.
Hanna Hadju, Chair
Andrew Stahovec, Vice 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.
Ava Falkenrath, Chair
Michael Bruk, Vice 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.
Jeffrie Chambers, Chair
Joe Garbowski, Vice 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.
Liana Pond, Chair
Lila Barron, Vice Chair
Members of the Senate
Senators At-Large
Salvatore Cottone
Kasey Bernat
Hanna Hajdu
Kaden Ouiment
Achyuth Sarath
Ava Falkenrath
Jeffrie Chambers IV
Asher Heisten
Martina Poletti
Connor Thompson
Manas Atluri
Sam Noll
Laina Pond
Sydney Witek
Lila Barron
Quinn Fitzpatrick
Owen Oppenheimer
Roderick Purdy
School Senators
CAS: Lily Swahnberg
SIS: Michael Bruk
SOC: Shaazma Akbar
KSB: Joe Garbowski
SOE: Talia Kahan
Class Senators
Class of 2024: Anna Steinmeyer
Class of 2025: Sophia Joseph
Class of 2026: Audrey Ernst
Class of 2027: Jackson St. Cyr
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Presiding Officer: Arusa Islam
arusa.islam@ausg.org
Speaker pro tempore: Salvatore Cottone
sal.cottone@ausg.org
Parliamentarian: Max Morse-deBrier
max.morsedebrier@ausg.org
Clerk (Acting): Max Morse-deBrier
max.morsedebrier@ausg.org
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Salvatore Cottone
Ava Falkenrath
Manas Atluri
Lila Barron
Kasey Bernat
Jeffrie Chambers IV
Kris Estrada
Quinn Fitzpatrick
Hanna Hajdu
Asher Heisten
Sam Noll
Owen Oppenheimer
Kaden Ouiment
Martina Poletti
Laina Pond
Roderick Purdy
Achyuth Sarath
Connor Thompson
Sydney Witek
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Class of 2024: Andrew Stahovec
Class of 2025: Sophia Joseph
Class of 2026: Audrey Ernst
Class of 2027: Jackson St. Cyr
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CAS: Lily Swahnberg
SIS: Michael Bruk
KSB: Joe Garbowski
SOE: Talia Kahan
SPA: Aidan Palmer
SOC: Shaazma Akbar