ACUI: The Role of the College Union: https://www.acui.org/content.aspx?menu_id=30&id=296

Establishing and Reinvigorating Student Advisory Boards

Dave Furhman, Senior Director, Food Service AdministrationDr. Ben Perlman, CASP, Director

Jonathan Duke, Associate DirectorDobbs University Center

Emory University

Building a Union Board

Ben Perlman and Jonathan Duke

History of Union Boards

• Started as European and Ivy League debate societies

• Developed to build socials and school spirit• Created ACUI in 1914• ACUI – Role of the College Union: “A student-

centered organization that values participatory decision-making.”

ACUI: The Role of the College Union: https://www.acui.org/content.aspx?menu_id=30&id=296Jordan, J. & Vakilian, C. History of ACUI. 2013: http://education.indiana.edu/graduate/programs/hesa/iuspa/College%20Union

%20Book_History%20ACUI%20.pdf

Why a Union Board?

• Council for the Advancement of Standards: The CU provides opportunities for student, staff, and faculty involvement in program planning, policy development, and facility operation

Why a Union Board at Emory?

• New university center leadership in 2011-12• University center experienced some neglect• Model for student programming and advocacy

elsewhere in the university– Residence Life– Large event programming

• Preparation for large construction project

University Center Board Evolution

• Initial interest sessions and marketing during fall orientation, 2012

• Formal applications in Spring 2013 for 2013-2014 academic year

• University Center Board Chair appointed by UCB membership for 2014-2015 academic year

University Center Board

• Two main missions: Advocacy and Programming

• UCB has several subcommittees:– Signature Events– Late Night programming– Promotions

• UCB reps serve on construction project teams

Looking toward the future

• Regular 1:1s between chair and director• Possibly move towards university elected chair

or executive board• Increase social media presence• Expand Late Night programs to Thursday night

and weekend days

Lessons learned

• Learn from colleagues with long-established union boards

• Start small (and with newer students)• Consider locus of control and funding• Engage in leadership development programs

outside of your institution (via ACUI, NASPA, Leadershape, etc.)

University Center Board

Food Advisory Committee Emory:Reshaping a student advisory board

Dave Furhman

F.A.C.E. Chairs

F.A.C.E. History

• Long standing food advocacy group at Emory• Leadership self-appointed• Organized monthly “town hall” style feedback

sessions for dining• Attendees largely motivated by free dinner• 1 hour session focused on sharing individual

food preferences• No formalized action plans or follow up

Evolution

• Fall of 2014: – Emory Campus Dining began effort to upgrade

program quality and facilities– Renewed emphasis on student input and

involvement– F.A.C.E. leadership engaged as key opinion leaders– Organic growth of F.A.C.E. required based on new

and tangible responsibilities of the group

Evolution

– Student leadership and organizational development:• Developed charter• Developed advisory committee

– Representing various class years, dietary interests– Students developed detailed roles and responsibilities of each

member» Program direction » Location specific responsibilities

First year results

• Good first year:– Natural leadership emerged established; less

engaged self-selected out– Role and responsibilities fine tuned; students

gravitated toward areas of interest– Advisory committee became exceptionally

engaged; became 3rd party supporters and endorsers of dining program

F.A.C.E.

First year results• F.A.C.E. committee members:– Deeply engaged in campus dining issues and ideas• Drove new residential and retail initiatives

– Emerged as effective, credible voices of campus dining

– General participation in town hall meetings increased by nearly 50%

– New ideas and initiatives developed by students

F.A.C.E. Taster

Moving Forward

• Working to make advisory board more independent:– Developing tighter system for board nominations– Recruit a broader-base of the community to better

reflect diversity on campus• Graduate students

– Creating strategic public relations and communications program

– Better integrating F.A.C.E. into key initiatives, e.g., Campus Kitchens, Meatless Mondays

Questions