CU students gain valuable experience working with UCSU
You’ve seen the name above the basketball courts at the Recreation Center, but do you know what it is?
The University of Colorado Student Union is the student body government at CU.
When you receive your tuition bill, you may notice there is a $326 charge that goes toward “student fees.” These fees cover half of UCSU’s budget; the other half comes from CU’s general funds. The budget this academic year totaled $32 million.
The budget covers 13 different cost centers on campus. The cost centers include the University Memorial Center, Recreation Center and Wardenburg Health Center.
And it’s not just the administration who decides what to do with the money. Any student can apply for a position on a cost center board.
Sitting on these boards can be extremely beneficial for any undergraduate at CU.
Business majors can tell future employers they helped set policies. Health majors can work directly with Wardenburg and gain knowledge of medical funding.
Students on a board get to help decide what each center should do with funds to better serve the student body.
Ashley Nakagawa is a junior architecture major and one of UCSU Tri-Executives. She deals mostly with student affairs. She handles issues and events that directly affect students.
“I think it is really important for students to have a say in where their money is going,” Nakagawa said.
Andrew Aitchison is another UCSU Tri-Executive. Andrew is a fifth-year senior majoring in Economics. Unlike Ashley, Andrew deals more with administrative affairs.
He handles Greek issues, Boulder neighborhoods and city relations. A member of Andrew’s staff goes to student neighborhood meetings to represent UCSU and keep up relations with students living off-campus.
Aitchison said this is “Keeping good relations with the neighbors.”
Aitchison is currently discussing the building of a solar ceiling at the Recreation Center.
The cabinet of UCSU is set up much like the United States government. UCSU is comprised of a senate and a representative council, which is elected by the student body.
There are three Tri-Executives rather than a president. Each handles different issues.
The cabinet also hires staff, like directors or executive staff. These positions are all elected and hired by students.
UCSU hired Sylvia Khaton to handle bureaucratic matters.
“These students do what an administration would do on other campuses,” Khaton said.
UCSU is a great way to get involved on campus. Students do not have to hold office to apply for a board position.
To apply for a board position at one of the cost centers go to http://www-ucsu.colorado.edu/webber/index_jobs.cfm
