UCSU’s enormous budget, level of cost center oversight set it apart from nearby neighbors
Every semester the University of Colorado Student Union, CU’s student government, holds elections to determine who CU’s next student leaders will be. Controlling over $30 million dollars in student fees, UCSU is the most powerful student union in the nation. They fund and control 12 student cost centers, the largest of which are the UMC, Wardenburg and the Rec Center, and they form and debate policy that guides the campus and its students.
Despite the influence the elected members possess, it is rare for more than 20 percent of CU’s large student population, numbering near 30,000, to vote in the spring election. Fewer than 10 percent of students have historically participated in the fall elections. Two years ago, the number of students voting dipped below 1,000.
The Campus Press will break down the positions, the process and the people in an 11-part series that will run through April 20, the last day of voting. Stay with The Campus Press during this time for developments and results regarding the 2007 UCSU elections.
As the University of Colorado Student Union elections get underway, some student governments across the nation make plans for their own elections and others have already counted the votes.
UCSU Elections 2007: CP’s 11-day Series
Part 1 | Rules of the race – The ins and outs of CU’s election code
Part 2 | Taking office – The elected officials and what they do
Part 3 | Repeat runners – What they’ve accomplished, why they’re back
Part 4 | An apathetic audience – What UCSU is doing to make you care
Part 5 | Showing support – A look at CU’s student groups and the candidates they endorse
Part 6 | The candidates – An in-depth look at the election hopefuls
Part 7 | The voters – Students who vote, and why they care
Part 8 | Voting trends – A look at the winning tickets of the past, and the stronghold of the campaigners
Part 9 | $30 million strong – An analysis of UCSU and how it differs from other student governments in the region
Part 10 | Autonomy – A look at the 1985 agreement that gave UCSU its power today
Part 11 | The campaign trail – Candidate experiences from the 2007 campaigning process
How does UCSU stack up to these other student governance organizations across the state and across the nation?
UCSU controls a budget of over $30 million, more than any other student government in the nation. But they are not the only one to control student fees in multi-million dollar form.
“We are the largest (student government) in terms of budget,” UCSU Tri-executive Andrew Aitchison said. “We compete, only in certain years, with the University of Wisconsin at Madison. They have a similar sized student body and a similar sized student government. (The budget) varies year to year; it’s often quoted at $36 million. It depends on the number of students and the actual breakdown of the fees.”
According to their Web site, the Associated Students of Madison represent the needs of over 40,000 students. The group uses its considerable funds for various student welfare programs and services, as well as their recreation and gymnasium facilities. Its level of cost center oversight and control is not as great as that of UCSU.
“ASM is dedicated to one cause: maintaining and improving the quality education and student life on campus,” the ASM Web site reads.
As far as in-state schools go, UCSU has some competition.
According to their Web site, the Associated Students of Colorado State University control a budget of over $16 million.
The ASCSU’s Web site is reminiscent of UCSU’s.
“ASCSU oversees the allocation of over $16 million in student fees throughout the year to support student services like the Student Recreation Center, Lory Student Center, Hartshorn Health Center, Transfort, and a variety of other departments,” the Web site reads. “In addition, ASCSU uses fees to support student organizations and programming.”
Student governments across the nation are similar. Most have finance or budget-control committees, programming organizations and a three-branched system similar to those employed by UCSU. They all tend to differ very little in the sense of structure.
It is UCSU’s budget, size and relationship with the administration that makes it unique among the many student governments nationwide. Colorado State University and the University of Wisconsin provide competition for UCSU, but other student governments only plan homecoming festivities and dances.
“In terms of competition we are the biggest. I don’t think that makes us the best necessarily,” Aitchison said. “You know Boulder, everyone just does their own thing here. Everyone has their own way and it’s no different with UCSU. Part of the reason we’ve been able to grow this large is just a trust the administration has in the students.”
Aitchison said UCSU remains one of the foremost student governments in the nation.
“We tackle bigger issues. Some of the resolutions that come out, even if they don’t have a huge impact, address issues ranging from the war in Iraq, the school’s policy on healthcare and on building construction. In terms of running individual programs like the cost centers and in terms of student autonomy and student involvement I think that we are probably unrivaled.”
Thursday: How does the history of UCSU and the elections shape what we see today? A look at the autonomy agreement and the governments that came before.
