University of Colorado Student Government
Encyclopedia
The University of Colorado Student Government (CUSG) is the student body government for the University of Colorado Boulder.
Known formerly as the University of Colorado Student Union (UCSU), CUSG creates, implements and oversees a $36.6 million budget generated by student fees and self-generated revenue for the operation of CUSG Cost Centers. CUSG also serves as the liaison between the student body and University Administration. Three branches, an executive, a legislative and a judicial are governed by the student-adopted Constitution. CUSG is the most powerful student government in the nation in terms of the amount of controlled funds and level of autonomy.
Green Initiatives and a commitment to sustainability have been a focus of many student leaders through the years. Their efforts have been recognized by Sierra Club Magazine
, which named CU Boulder the "Greenest School" for the second year in a row.
, exist not only as individuals, but also as a community. Our purpose
is to unify the student community by establishing the responsibilities and goals of CUSG governance.
In order to improve the administration of student affairs and to encourage the greatest level of cooperation and
communication, and to ensure the optimum of students’ rights, and to provide the best possible excellence in education we do
establish the University of Colorado Student Governments' Constitution.
Overseeing the everyday operations of the CUSG Cost Centers is a major responsibility for the student government. Cost Centers include the Student Recreation Center, Wardenburg Health Center, University Memorial Center (UMC), Environmental Center, Student Organizations Finance Office (SOFO), Women's Resource Center (WRC), Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS), Student Legal Services, Cultural Events Board (CEB), Volunteer Resource Center, KVCU Radio 1190 and the Student Outreach & Retention Center for Equity (SORCE). In conjunction with the Executives, each Cost Center submits a yearly student fee budget to Finance Board for final consideration and inclusion in the next fiscal year's student fee.
. Seven justices serve on the Appellate Court, led by a Chief Justice and an Associate Chief Justice. The Appellate Court has the final adjudicating authority over questions of the UCSG Constitution. Justices are appointed by the Executive and subject to ratification by a two-thirds vote of Legislative Council. The Appellate Court has the final authority on questions of constitutional interpretation for the CUSG when such questions are submitted by any student. All decisions by the Court are binding and valid on all affected parties.
The Finance Board is charged with preparing the Annual Student Fee Budget, with Recurring Allocations Subject to the approval of the CUSG Legislative Council and the Regents; The Finance Board also determines the annual budget for student fee supported operations, including the level of the student fees and the rate schedule, the identification of activities which merit continuing fee support, and the establishment of the level of such support for recurring allocations.
The Center works with large numbers of students who are interested in sustainability and the environment, providing access to knowledge and resources, creating funding and mentoring for student-developed programs and projects, and fostering leadership and action through meaningful volunteer, internship and job opportunities. The result is one of the most active student environmental communities in the country and graduates who often go on to distinguished careers in sustainability. Recycling and composting are among many of the initiatives pursued by the students, for which CU Boulder is nationally renowned as the "greenest" school.
1990 CU wins national campus recycling contest sponsored by MTV
1992 UCSU receives EPA Administrator's Award for its CUPPS mug Program
1992 CU Recycling receives the Governor's Pollution Prevention award
1993 CU recycling earns PLAN Boulder County award
1995 Outstanding School Recycling Program award by the National Recycling Coalition
1997 EPA Way to Go Award for student bus pass
1999 Model Campus Recycling Program Award, White House Task Force on Recycling
2000 EPA Climate Protection Award for Blueprint for a Green Campus
2001 Wirth Chair Community Leadership Award
2001 Green Power Leadership Award
2002 Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Award
2004 Colorado Environmental Leadership Award
The CU Student Body passed a referendum to fund a $5 million bond in the Spring of 1986 for the construction of a Student Recreation Center. The Rec Center opened its doors in 1973 to a 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²) building. The Recreation Services Staff continues to expand its programs and facilities to meet the diverse needs of the entire CU population. IN 1989 the Student Body passed a bond for $4.5 million expansion. This expansion included 3 basketball courts, a large weight room, an aerobic room, conference rooms, a children's center and a running track. All open recreation amenities are available to fee paying students.
, Dave Matthews Band
, Pearl Jam
, R.E.M.
, The Ramones, and many more to the University of Colorado Boulder. Concerts vary in size ranging from large scale concerts, to smaller local acts, some of which are free to attend. Besides concerts, Program Council also hosts a film series throughout the year which allows students to see soon-to-be-released movies as well as cult classics for free in one of the large lecture halls on campus.
, popularly known as Radio 1190, is a college radio station affiliated with the University of Colorado Boulder. Staff of the station are compensated with funds provided by the University of Colorado Student Union while operating funds are raised during biannual on-air pledge drives. It is also run by volunteers from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The elections were swept by candidates running on the INVEST ticket, a conservative leaning ticket with several incumbents, which beat out EDGE and PROPEL the two liberally leaning tickets, who see are quoted as saying they see a continuing decrease in support for progressive issues.
Known formerly as the University of Colorado Student Union (UCSU), CUSG creates, implements and oversees a $36.6 million budget generated by student fees and self-generated revenue for the operation of CUSG Cost Centers. CUSG also serves as the liaison between the student body and University Administration. Three branches, an executive, a legislative and a judicial are governed by the student-adopted Constitution. CUSG is the most powerful student government in the nation in terms of the amount of controlled funds and level of autonomy.
Green Initiatives and a commitment to sustainability have been a focus of many student leaders through the years. Their efforts have been recognized by Sierra Club Magazine
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
, which named CU Boulder the "Greenest School" for the second year in a row.
Mission as Enshrined in the CUSG Constitution
WE, THE STUDENTS of the University of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado
The University of Colorado system is a system of public universities in Colorado consisting of three universities in four campuses: University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and University of Colorado Denver in downtown Denver and at the Anschutz Medical Campus in...
, exist not only as individuals, but also as a community. Our purpose
is to unify the student community by establishing the responsibilities and goals of CUSG governance.
In order to improve the administration of student affairs and to encourage the greatest level of cooperation and
communication, and to ensure the optimum of students’ rights, and to provide the best possible excellence in education we do
establish the University of Colorado Student Governments' Constitution.
Executive Branch
Executives, elected by a popular vote, lead the executive branch. A single student is elected as President of the Student Body, and is assisted by a Vice President of Internal Affairs and a Vice President of External Affairs. Together they act as the student body executive branch, serving the students as the chief spokespeople to the community and the University Administration. The Executives are elected each spring for one-year terms.Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch, called Legislative Council, is CUSG's policy-making body. Legislative Council has final approval over the UCSG budget and the programmatic operation of all Cost Centers and CUSG services. There are two equal houses to Legislative Council, Representative Council and the Council of Colleges and Schools (CCS). Representative Council is composed of nine popularly elected Representatives who serve one-year terms; five Representatives are elected in the fall and four in the spring. The Council of Colleges and Schools has nine seats, one for each college and school on campus. CCS Senators are elected by their constituent colleges and schools, while some are appointed. Each school has only one vote. Legislative Council elects a Legislative Council President and Vice President to preside over the body.Joint and Advisory Boards
Working with Legislative Council is a group of eight Joint Boards and Advisory Boards that provide oversight for several of CUSG's Cost Centers and operations. Joint Boards act as boards of directors, governing and supervising each Cost Center's management structure. The Joint Boards include the Recreation Board, the Health Board, the University Memorial Center (UMC) Board, the Air Board, the WRC, Board the Environmental Center Board, the Cultural Events Board (CEB) and the Finance Board. Finance Board is unique in that it does not oversee a single cost center, but manages student fees and creates the annual budget. Each Joint Board is led by a chair, elected internally by the board and subject to ratification by two-thirds of Legislative Council.Overseeing the everyday operations of the CUSG Cost Centers is a major responsibility for the student government. Cost Centers include the Student Recreation Center, Wardenburg Health Center, University Memorial Center (UMC), Environmental Center, Student Organizations Finance Office (SOFO), Women's Resource Center (WRC), Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS), Student Legal Services, Cultural Events Board (CEB), Volunteer Resource Center, KVCU Radio 1190 and the Student Outreach & Retention Center for Equity (SORCE). In conjunction with the Executives, each Cost Center submits a yearly student fee budget to Finance Board for final consideration and inclusion in the next fiscal year's student fee.
Appellate Court
The Judicial Branch performs the judiciary function for CUSG and is known as the Appellate CourtAppellate court
An appellate court, commonly called an appeals court or court of appeals or appeal court , is any court of law that is empowered to hear an appeal of a trial court or other lower tribunal...
. Seven justices serve on the Appellate Court, led by a Chief Justice and an Associate Chief Justice. The Appellate Court has the final adjudicating authority over questions of the UCSG Constitution. Justices are appointed by the Executive and subject to ratification by a two-thirds vote of Legislative Council. The Appellate Court has the final authority on questions of constitutional interpretation for the CUSG when such questions are submitted by any student. All decisions by the Court are binding and valid on all affected parties.
The Finance Board
The purpose of the Finance Board is to make recommendations to appropriate University authorities about the level and distribution of student fees and about the designation of activities to receive student fee support, hereinafter referred to generally as cost centers. In making its recommendation, the Finance Board’s ultimate standard is the welfare of the University and in particular the welfare of the student body. Since its special area of responsibility is fiscal, the board has the obligation to develop and maintain policies and procedures which assure a responsible level of management and review of student fee funds, not only of funds under its direct control (student fees), but also of funds allocated to any area incorporated under the Autonomy Agreement. Student fees are monies collected according to a rate schedule set by the Regents from student designated kinds of student-oriented activities, which, by state or University policy, can be financed only partially, if at all, from state appropriations, tuition, or other funds available to the University.The Finance Board is charged with preparing the Annual Student Fee Budget, with Recurring Allocations Subject to the approval of the CUSG Legislative Council and the Regents; The Finance Board also determines the annual budget for student fee supported operations, including the level of the student fees and the rate schedule, the identification of activities which merit continuing fee support, and the establishment of the level of such support for recurring allocations.
Environmental Center
Established in 1970, the CU Environmental Center assists with the educational mission of the University by providing information on environmental issues to students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. The Environmental Center gives students applied experience in interdisciplinary environmental problem solving. In addition, the Environmental Center assesses the environmental performance of the university and works with other parts of campus to improve CU's environmental performance. The Center provides direct services to the University community, including the CU Recycling program, the student bus pass and bicycle programs, and energy conservation and renewable energy programs. The Center engages in the community with the environmental justice and earth education programs, and by sponsoring educational events.The Center works with large numbers of students who are interested in sustainability and the environment, providing access to knowledge and resources, creating funding and mentoring for student-developed programs and projects, and fostering leadership and action through meaningful volunteer, internship and job opportunities. The result is one of the most active student environmental communities in the country and graduates who often go on to distinguished careers in sustainability. Recycling and composting are among many of the initiatives pursued by the students, for which CU Boulder is nationally renowned as the "greenest" school.
Awards
1986 CU Recycling wins the "State Recycler of the Year" award from Colorado Recycles!1990 CU wins national campus recycling contest sponsored by MTV
1992 UCSU receives EPA Administrator's Award for its CUPPS mug Program
1992 CU Recycling receives the Governor's Pollution Prevention award
1993 CU recycling earns PLAN Boulder County award
1995 Outstanding School Recycling Program award by the National Recycling Coalition
1997 EPA Way to Go Award for student bus pass
1999 Model Campus Recycling Program Award, White House Task Force on Recycling
2000 EPA Climate Protection Award for Blueprint for a Green Campus
2001 Wirth Chair Community Leadership Award
2001 Green Power Leadership Award
2002 Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Award
2004 Colorado Environmental Leadership Award
Recreation Services
Recreation Services manages a complete recreation facility with a swimming pool and diving well, ice rink, climbing wall, aerobic studio, fully equipped fitness system rooms, free-weight room, tennis courts, racquetball/handball and squash courts, gymnasiums, and an indoor track. Recreation Services also manages intramural sports, collegiate club sports, outdoor recreation, and fitness and leisure classes, and is one of the toprated programs of its kind in the country. The center is open to all members of the university community through a membership program.The CU Student Body passed a referendum to fund a $5 million bond in the Spring of 1986 for the construction of a Student Recreation Center. The Rec Center opened its doors in 1973 to a 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²) building. The Recreation Services Staff continues to expand its programs and facilities to meet the diverse needs of the entire CU population. IN 1989 the Student Body passed a bond for $4.5 million expansion. This expansion included 3 basketball courts, a large weight room, an aerobic room, conference rooms, a children's center and a running track. All open recreation amenities are available to fee paying students.
University Memorial Center
Known as the campus "living room," thousands of people visit the University Memorial Center (UMC) every day to grab a bite to eat, enjoy free entertainment, catch some sun by the fountain, shop the retail stores, study with free wireless Internet, check e-mail at the computer lab, or just hang out. With a wide variety of student services and student group offices in the building, the UMC is an exciting center for community interaction and activism. At the UMC, diversity is celebrated through food, dance, art, music, and the free exchange of ideas. A number of student services are located here, and the UMC offers a wide array of events including concerts, visual arts, bowling, and billiards. Opened in 1953, the UMC gets its name from its designation as the state of Colorado's official memorial to veterans of war, honoring those who served from WWI to present day.Program Council
Established in 1953, Program Council is a student run group that coordinates concerts and movies played on campus throughout the year. Program Council mainly focuses on organizing concerts around campus. Over the years, this group has brought such acts as The Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, The Ramones, and many more to the University of Colorado Boulder. Concerts vary in size ranging from large scale concerts, to smaller local acts, some of which are free to attend. Besides concerts, Program Council also hosts a film series throughout the year which allows students to see soon-to-be-released movies as well as cult classics for free in one of the large lecture halls on campus.
NightRide
Established in 1985, NightRide is based in the University Memorial Center. NightRide provides a free evening escort to CU's students, faculty and staff. NightRide will escort riders anywhere on campus and within the city of Boulder. In order to use NightRide, the rider calls the NightRide phone number and a driver will come to pick up the rider. Each driver drives a CU minivan or other CU owned car that is clearly marked with the CU NightRide name and phone number.Wardenburg Health Center
Wardenburg Health Center is a quality, full-service health care facility that any fee-paying student can use regardless of health insurance coverage. Wardenburg's 200 staff members are specialists in college health issues, understanding the unique needs and concerns of students and providing a wide range of primary care, mental health, sports medicine, and health education services.Radio 1190
KVCU AM-1190, popularly known as Radio 1190, is a college radio station affiliated with the University of Colorado Boulder. Staff of the station are compensated with funds provided by the University of Colorado Student Union while operating funds are raised during biannual on-air pledge drives. It is also run by volunteers from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Volunteer Resource Center
The Volunteer Resource Center is a student funded organization aimed towards promoting volunteerism in the Boulder community. They provide a database with volunteer opportunities of 250 organizations around campus and in the Boulder area. The CU Boulder Campus was recently one of 3 U.S. Universities to receive the Presidential Award for Exemplary Student Community Service in 2008. The Volunteer Resource Center hosts or participates in special volunteer events and activities including Alternative Breaks, Better Boulder Better World, and The Buffalo Can Challenge. The Volunteer Resource Center also a yearly Volunteer Internship Program which engages six selected students through an interview process to create events aimed at involving more freshmen in volunteering, effectively managing all logistics of the event, and implementing the events on campus.Elections and Controversial Issues
The number of candidates that ran in the Spring 2010 University of Colorado Student Government (CUSG) election more than doubled from Spring 2009 because of controversial issues being tackled by the current administration, according to student government members, who said more competition could mean more voters.The elections were swept by candidates running on the INVEST ticket, a conservative leaning ticket with several incumbents, which beat out EDGE and PROPEL the two liberally leaning tickets, who see are quoted as saying they see a continuing decrease in support for progressive issues.