CU Alumni Association provides benefits for students throughout the year
During football season, the sound of laughter and the smell of hot dogs fill the air. The Herd’s pre-game tailgate parties are their main event during the fall. But what do they do in the spring semester?
The Herd is the student section of the CU Alumni Association. Though the Herd is most recognized in the fall semester they are also very active through the winter and spring months.
Activities include senior-only events such as the senior ski trip to Crested Butte and student performances like CU Idol in March.
In addition to many events throughout the year, Herd members acquire other perks. CU Career Services sponsors career and internship fairs throughout the year, as well as giving students information on resumes and career applications.
They also provide discounts on graduate level tests and test prep. Member discounts are also available at various stores and restaurants in Boulder.
Many students join the Herd simply for one main perk. Freshman political science major Jackie Knous is one such member.
“I joined (the Herd) so I could ride the ski bus for free,” Knous said. “It would have been worth it if I had signed up for the bus early enough.”
Knous is referring to the free ski bus which runs to Keystone and Breckenridge every Saturday and Sunday. All Herd members can ride the ski bus for free if they show a valid membership card when they purchase a ticket. Unfortunately only the first 20 Herd members to sign up for each bus will ride free.
Besides becoming a member, there is another way to get involved in the Herd. The student group who volunteers to help run this organization is called the Herd Leader Council (HLC).
In order to become a member of the HLC, a student must contact the Director of Future Alums, Tyler Hartung, and sit for an interview.
Once in the group, students help plan and set up for events. These 25 students often go unrecognized despite putting lots of time and effort into planning Herd events.
According to Hartung and the Herd’s Web site, the group’s main goals are to get students involved in many free events, establish tradition, give students the full CU experience and promote CU pride. Another goal is to reach as many students as possible.
The Herd focuses on student involvement and loves to hear from students. They like to get ideas from members and it’s great when lots of people come to the events.
Hartung said the only way for students to fully enjoy the Herd is to participate. He would hate for someone to become a member and not take advantage of it.
Why join the Herd? Hartung believes the answer is simple.
“Join the Herd because your money pays for itself really quickly,” said Hartung. “There are lots of people who’ve met their best friends, girlfriend or boyfriend, or just a lot of great people at our events.”
For more information on the joining the Herd and their spring semester events go to www.cuherd.com
