History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 109

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faculty, and the Student Body President serving as the ex officio chair. At that
time, each registered student was assessed a $20 student activity fee. The 1920
constitution created a governing body for the entire campus; however, it did not
replace class officers who continued their roles for several years.
By 1925, the Student Body Association was called the Executive Council and
consisted of 18 members at-large serving as both the executive and lawmaking
body. The Student Body President presided over the Executive Council but had
no other powers. In 1928, the first UF Dean of Students was appointed. Up to
then, UF student governments were advised by faculty or YMCA administrators.
Advising duties transitioned to the Dean of Students Office. In 1940, the powers of
the Student Body President were defined further when the executive branch and
cabinet were created. In 1962, the legislative council was created. The legislative
council became the Student Senate in 1969. The term “Student Government”
came into use in the 1960s. In the 1960s, each college was given at least one
delegate with additional delegates determined based on a proportional system.
The proportions changed over the years and delegates from campus housing
areas were added.
Today, the Student Government administers the allocation of the Activity and
Service Fee. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, UF students paid $18.19 per credit
hour into the Activity and Service fee resulting in an $18,735,300 budget, one of
the largest student government budgets. SG administers the allocation of these
fees which are divided into four main categories: Reitz Union, Recreational
Sports, SG, and the Department of Student Activities and Involvement. Today,
SG is advised by Student Activities and Involvement administrators.
F r at e r n i t i e s a n d S o r o r i t i e s
UF has one of the largest sorority/fraternity systems in the U.S. with 62 chapters
(39 with houses) and over 7,100 active members. Fraternities were among the
first student organizations formed at UF.
I n t e r f r at e r n i t y Co u n c i l ( IFC )

Fraternities have been part of what would become UF since 1884. The Florida
Agricultural College was established in Lake City in 1854. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon
and Alpha Tau Omega fraternities were chartered at the Florida Agricultural

Depa rtment histor ies : Student Activities an d i nvolvement