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{{Construction}}{{Infobox group|access=Elected/appointed|leadership=|website=[https://vsa.vassar.edu/ vsa.vassar.edu]}}

The '''Vassar Students Association''' ('''VSA''') is Vassar's student government. 

== History ==
The VSA has its roots in the Student Association, which was formed on February 22, 1868, to organize that year's [[Founder’s Day]].<ref name=":0">https://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/student-organizations-and-activities/vassar-student-association-vsa/</ref> The government was relatively ineffective and undefined in scope.<ref name=":0" /> The Student Association was granted limited self-government by President Taylor and the trustees in 1889. The new charter allowed them to regulate and manage the rules created by the faculty and administration.<ref name=":0" /> They also began philanthropic initiatives at this time.<ref name=":0" />

By the 1901–1902 year, students pushed for more autonomy, in large part due to strict rules enforcing mandatory chapel attendance.<ref name=":0" /> A new charter was written in 1902, granting more extensive authority over conduct. As a result, "corridor teachers" were replaced with student hall representatives.<ref name=":0" /> By 1913, the charter was rewritten to give the Student Association authority over all non-academic student activities.<ref name=":0" />

President Henry Noble MacCracken’s progressive philosophy, contrasting with his predecessor's social conservatism, revitalized the Student Association. The first "Grant of Powers from Faculty" was given to the students in 1924, allowing them to revise the constitution to form judiciary and legislative bodies.<ref name=":0" /> The grant would be renewed every three years during MacCracken's tenure.<ref name=":0" /> The organization had major reforms in 1947, including a rename to the College Government Association (CGA).<ref name=":0" />

In 1968, students met with trustees, administration, and faculty for the Minnewaska Conference, held near Lake Minnewaska, New York. Student delegates argued for greater involvement in the affairs of the college, as well as an expansion of student rights, including protest rights.<ref>https://newspaperarchives.vassar.edu/?a=d&d=miscellany19681101-01.2.2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------</ref> The association would be renamed in the 1969–1970 year to the Student Government Association (SGA).<ref name=":0" /> With the rename came changes to the constitution, including the formation of a Student Activities Committee and student seats on the Curriculum Committee. 

The constitution was revised again in 1979, changing the organization’s name to the Vassar Student Association.<ref name=":0" />

== Structure ==

== References ==