The Student Council was established in 1946 with the help of senior Wallace Ramsey and sophomore Robert Rust. Faculty advisors at inception included Forrest H. Rose, H.O. Grauel, and Hattie Eicholtz. The Council was the student governing body of the college and students voted to select its members. Representatives met weekly to consider such items as dormitory hours, increases in Sagamore fees, and a new registration system. One Student Council member with voting privileges was to be seated with each faculty-student committee. The Student Council’s prime objective was to “encourage cooperation between the students, the faculty, and the college administration. The Student Council had the power to appoint students to the faculty-student committees and these students had the same discussion and voting rights as faculty members. Members had the right to make “recommendations” to any faculty-student or faculty committees or even to the administration of the college. Student Council also scheduled teas, dances, and other social events in cooperation with the Social Committee.

In 1960, the Student Council underwent reforms and the Student Assembly emerged with the hopes of providing more effective representation of the student body. In 1969, the Student Assembly was subsequently reorganized and the Student Senate became the primary governing body on campus. This body combined the governing councils of all campus organizations, including fraternities and sororities, residence halls, co-coordinating groups, and delegates-at-large, as well as the general student body. Off-campus delegates were added this year.

In 1977, the Student Government Association became the new student government organization on campus. Its functions included providing experience in self-government for students, to act a liaison between students, faculty, and administration, and to “promote, plan, and direct college aims and policies.” In 2009, Student Government still acts as a representative body of the entire student population and as a communication channel to different stakeholders in the university system.