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Established in March 2021, the Office of Senate Legal Counsel (“OSLC”) serves as the standing counsel to the Senate and Legislative Branch. Our office assists the Senate, and its committees and members, in drafting legislation and performing related legal functions on an impartial basis. Our office also represents the Senate and Legislative Branch in litigation before the Student Court, including by serving as Plaintiff and responding to cases that name the Senate or its actions. The legal issues encountered in providing this assistance include Student Government Association charter law, constitutional law, bylaw statutory law, and administrative law.
Staff Counsel
Neil Sairam, Senate Chief Counsel
Public Accountability Inquiry &
Request for Counsel
As part of our effort to engage and support the student body, the OSLC has made itself available to Requests for Counsel and Public Accountability Inquiries from the public. All registered student organizations and both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for both services.
Public Accountability Inquiry: Public Accountability Inquiries are meant to prevent, investigate, and prosecute dishonest political practices, through either misfeasance or nonfeasance, by Student Association officials in positions of public trust. This includes campaign finance violations, influence peddling, unethical lobbying, quid pro quo, cronyism, nepotism, graft, and other practices.
If you suspect dishonest practices or you have been denied rights or privileges guaranteed by the Student Government Association Charter, Constitution, Bylaws, or Administrative Rules, then you are entitled to file a Public Accountability Inquiry with the OSLC. When the OSLC receives a Public Accountability Inquiry, it will use its institutional authority to subpoena documents or interrogate witnesses. Once it has concluded its Public Accountability Inquiry, it may decide to file a complaint or refer the case to the Office of the Legislator General.
Request for Counsel: If you believe you have been denied rights or privileges guaranteed by the Student Government Association Charter, Constitution, Bylaws, or Administrative Rules, then you may petition the OSLC to assist in or serve as counsel in your case. If the OSLC cannot assist you, then your case may be referred to the Office of the Legislator General for further legal relief.
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