(a) There is continued the state advisory council of students.

(b) During the month of April of each year, each student government organization at each institution of higher education shall elect a student to serve on the student advisory council. Terms of the members of the student advisory council are for one year and begin on September 1, of each year. A duly elected member currently serving on the advisory council of students may continue to serve until a new member from that institution is elected pursuant to the provisions of this section. Members of the student advisory council are eligible to succeed themselves.

(c) The student advisory council shall meet at least once each quarter. One of the quarterly meetings shall be during the month of September, at which meeting the student advisory council shall elect a chairperson. A member may not vote by proxy at the election. In the event of a tie in the last vote taken for the election, a member authorized by the student advisory council shall select the chairperson by lot from the names of those persons tied. Immediately following the election of a chairperson, the student advisory council shall elect, in the manner prescribed by this section for the election of a chairperson, a member of the council to preside over meetings in the absence of the chairperson. If the chairperson vacates the position, the student advisory council shall meet and elect a new chairperson to fill the unexpired term within thirty days following the vacancy.

(d) The student advisory council, through its chairperson and in any appropriate manner, shall communicate to the commission or the council, as appropriate, matters of higher education in which the student members have an interest.

(e) At the request of the chairperson of the student advisory council, the commission and council each shall meet annually, between the months of October and December, with the student advisory council to discuss matters of higher education in which the student members or the commission or council have an interest.

(f) Members of the student advisory council serve without compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their official duties. Expenses are paid from funds allocated to the state institution of higher education in which the student is enrolled.

(g) The student advisory council shall prepare minutes of its meetings. The minutes shall be available, upon request, to any student of a state institution of higher education represented on the council.