The first student association was formed in 1901, and various attempts to represent student interests were made at organizations prior to the founding of the All Students’ Club on March 11, 1920. D. G. Stout was elected temporary chairman, and at the organizational meeting on March 16, William Lowe was elected the first president. Every student officially enrolled at the university automatically became a member of the ASC.
The ASC Council was traditionally composed of the officers of the ASC, the presidents of each class, two representatives from each class, and one representative from each college. In addition, its membership included the president of the Women’s Student Government Association (later, Associated Women Students), the presidents of the two Christian organizations (YMCA and YWCA), the presidents of the Panhellenic Council and the Fraternity Relations Board, two representatives of the Publications Council, and the Intramural Manager. In 1953 the ASC began publication of the Hill, expanding information provided in the Torch and instituting what has become HillTopics.
In 1961 UT was one of the founding members of the Southern University Student Government Association. UT withdrew from the organization in 1960 and rejoined in April 1961. In 1962 the ASC changed its name to Student Government Association.