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

    • 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

    • 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

    • Class of 2024: Andrew Stahovec

    • Class of 2025: Sophia Joseph

    • Class of 2026: Audrey Ernst

    • Class of 2027: Jackson St. Cyr

    • CAS: Lily Swahnberg

    • SIS: Michael Bruk

    • KSB: Joe Garbowski

    • SOE: Talia Kahan

    • SPA: Aidan Palmer

    • SOC: Shaazma Akbar