History Of Student Senate And SEEK

History of Student Senate and SEEK

The student organizations SEEK and Student Senate both are clubs that have been around for years but do you know how they have evolved? Visit the Archives and Special Collections and trace their history.

These organizations began as the College Association. It was a recognized organization at the beginning of St. Kate's, but did not have a Constitution or By-Laws until the fall of 1919. The College Association went by the motto Loyauté M'Oblige (Loyalty binds me) and was considered to be the college's court of justice and also controlled the activities of St. Kate’s. The photo above shows the College Association executive board in 1931. With them is Sister Ste. Helene Guthrie, Dean of the College, who was moderator of their meetings.

During an identity crisis in the 1960s and 1970s after revising their constitution 3 times, the College Association changed into something new. It evolved into the College Association Governing Board or CAGB. CAGB took over the duties of the College Association and this group became the new government and activities coordinator. Later on in the late 1990s/early200s CAGB split into Student Senate (for governance) and SKAT (for activities). This allowed students to concentrate on one area or another of campus life. SKAT made one final change and became SEEK very recently.

Archives Senate Collage

Our collection holds everything from promotional posters for events, articles and reports about student government, and even documents from the early years of the College Association. Come in to see the evolution and artifacts of two large organizations on campus.

For more information on the history of St. Catherine University, visit the Archives and Special Collections online or in person in room CDC62 in the lower level of the Library; open Monday-Friday from 9:30-4:30.