University Student Counseling

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Preamble
We, the members of the Alfaisal University Student Council, in recognition of the importance of student representation and the vital role of student governance in fostering a supportive and thriving university environment, hereby establish this Council. Acknowledging our responsibility to advocate for the interests of the student body, we are dedicated to upholding the principles of democracy, inclusivity, and integrity.

Our commitment is to create a cohesive and collaborative community that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility. We pledge to work tirelessly to ensure that every student at Alfaisal University has a voice in the decision-making processes that affect their educational experience and well-being. By fostering an environment of mutual respect, innovation, and continuous improvement, we aim to leave a lasting positive impact on our university and prepare our fellow students to become influential leaders in their future endeavors.

Vision
The vision of the Alfaisal University Student Council is to foster an inclusive, dynamic, and engaging academic community that empowers students to excel academically, personally, and professionally. We envision a university where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to become proactive leaders and global citizens, contributing positively to society and the world at large.

Mission
The mission of the Alfaisal University Student Council is to represent and advocate for the diverse interests of the student body, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. We are committed to:

  1. Provide Constructive Feedback: Regularly gather and synthesize student feedback on academic programs, campus facilities, student services, and overall university policies. Present this feedback in a constructive manner to college and university leaders to inform and influence policy changes, improvements, and strategic planning.
  2. Promoting Student Welfare: Prioritizing student well-being through initiatives that enhance their academic, social, and mental health.
  3. Encouraging Student Engagement: Fostering a vibrant campus life by supporting extracurricular activities, clubs, and events that reflect the interests and passions of the student body.
  4. Enhancing Communication: Serving as a transparent and effective conduit between the students, faculty, and administration to facilitate open dialogue and collaboration.
  5. Cultivating Leadership: Developing leadership skills among students by providing opportunities for involvement in governance, decision-making processes, and community service.
  6. Advocating for Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have equal access to opportunities and resources within the university community.

1. Introduction
The establishment of a University Student Council (USC) at Alfaisal University aims to enhance student representation, foster leadership skills, and promote a collaborative environment between students, faculty, and administration. This council will serve as a vital platform for students to voice their concerns, participate in decision-making processes, and contribute to the overall improvement of university life.

2. Objectives
The primary objectives of the University Student Council are as follows:

  1. Representation: To provide a formal structure through which students can express their views and influence university policies.
  2. Leadership Development: To cultivate leadership skills and provide opportunities for personal growth among students.
  3. Communication: To enhance communication between the student body, faculty, and administration.
  4. Advocacy: To advocate for the interests and welfare of the student community.
  5. Community Engagement: To foster a sense of community and encourage student participation in university events and activities.

3. Structure and Composition
The USC will comprise elected representatives from each college and year level, ensuring diverse representation across the university. The USC will be structured the following:

  1. Executive Committee: Comprising the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
  2. College Representatives: One representative from each college.
  3. Year Representatives: One representative from each year level (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior).
  4. Sub-committees: Formed as needed, focusing on specific areas such as academic affairs, student welfare, extracurricular activities, and community service.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Executive Committee:
    • President: Leads the USC, represents the student body in meetings with the administration, and oversees all council activities.
    • Vice President: Assists the President, oversees sub-committees, and steps in during the President's absence.
    • Secretary: Maintains records, schedules meetings, and ensures effective communication within USC.
    • Treasurer: Manages the USC’s budget, oversees fundraising activities, and ensures financial transparency.
  • College Representatives: College Representatives: Act as liaisons between their respective colleges and the USC, gathering and conveying college concerns and suggestions.
  • Year Representatives: Represent the interests of their respective year levels, ensuring that issues pertinent to different stages of academic progress are addressed.

5. Election Process
Elections for USC will be conducted annually during the month of October, and it will be supervised by the Deanship of Student Affairs, Admissions, and Registration, with all registered students eligible to vote. The election process will include:

  • Nomination: Open to all students in good academic standing and who have not been subject to any disciplinary sanctions.
  • Campaigning: Candidates will be given a specified period to campaign and present their platforms.
  • Voting: Conducted through a secure online system to ensure fairness and accessibility.
  • Announcement of Results: Results will be announced promptly after the voting period ends.

Election Methods

  • Executive Committee: members of the Executive Committee will be directly elected by the students, nominees for the Executive Committee must meet the following conditions:
  1. Good Academic Standing (minimum 2.5 CGPA).
  2. Finished at least 60 credit hours in Alfaisal.
  3. Able to collect 200 student signatures to support their candidacy from all the colleges in the university.
  4. Students in their final year in Alfaisal are not eligible to hold positions in USC.
  • Year Representatives: Year Representatives will be selected by the Deanship of Student Affairs, Admissions, and Registration.
  • College Representatives: will be nominated by each college professional association.

6. Training & Supervising
The Deanship of Student Affairs, Admissions, and Registration will provide training for USC members on leadership, governance, and their specific roles and help the newly elected USC in initiating regular meetings and starting the council's activities.

7. Budget & Resources
The USC will require an initial budget to cover the costs of elections, training sessions, promotional materials, and operational expenses. Funding will be sourced from the Deanship of Student Affairs, Admissions, and Registration budget, sponsorships, and fundraising activities organized by the council.

8. Membership Term
The term of membership in the Student Council is a full academic year.

9. Meeting

  1. USC shall meet at least twice per semester.
  2. Meeting quorum is set at two thirds (2/3) of the members.
  3. At least one general students meeting should be held during the academic year.
  4. Minutes of USC minutes must be submitted to Vide dean of Student Affairs, Admissions, and Registration within two days from the meeting.

10. Removal From Office
Any USC member may be removed from office under the following conditions:

  1. Member is no longer in Good Academic Standing
  2. Member was involved in inappropriate action as determined by the Deanship of Student Affairs, Admission, and Registration.
  3. Member is no longer full-time student.
  4. Member is regularly absent from USC meeting without excuses (3 times).
  5. The member was a representative of a specific college but changed to another college.

11. Suspension
At Alfaisal University, the University Student Council is an essential body that represents the student voice, fosters community, and facilitates a vibrant campus life. However, it is imperative that all actions and activities undertaken by the University Student Council adhere strictly to the university’s policies, rules, and regulations. The administration holds the University Student Council to the highest standards of conduct. Consequently, if the actions of the University Student Council are deemed inappropriate and in violation of these established guidelines, the university reserves the right to suspend its activities. This measure ensures the integrity of the university environment and upholds the principles upon which Alfaisal University is founded.

11. Evaluation and Feedback
To ensure the USC’s effectiveness, regular evaluation mechanisms will be implemented, including:

  • Annual Reports: Documenting the council’s activities, achievements, and challenges.
  • Surveys: Collecting feedback from the student body, faculty, and administration.
  • Review Meetings: Periodic meetings with university officials to discuss progress and areas for improvement.