The Observer, April 7, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 23
UPB's new exec configuration could affect campus
click to enlarge
The University Program Board (UPB) is undergoing a major overhaul this semester. The structure of the organization's student executive committee has recently been revamped so that more students can get involved in planning activities and so that duties of positions are more clearly defined. This reorganization may sound as if it is a behind-the-scenes development, but it will affect the direction of UPB and its planning of events for the upcoming semester.
The new executive committee is comprised of the offices of President, Vice President, Director of Public Relations, Director of Finance, and Director of Communications. This is a deliberate specialization of positions compared to the previous year's board, which contained the Executive Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and the Communications Chairman. Implementation of these adjusted roles serves two purposes, according to UPB President Katie Riedel. "The great thing about this new board setup is that it clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each position, and also puts one more person on the board to help with promoting events," she said. Particularly crucial is the new Director of Public Relations, a welcome addition for an organization that could benefit from more word-of-mouth communication.
Advertising for events seems to be in dire need of improvement. Despite e-mails and flyers, a street survey revealed that many people were unaware of UPB's role on campus.
Junior Lauren Ciambrone voiced a common sentiment when she said, "You don't really hear much about [UPB]. I know what it is, but not really what it does." Even students involved with events such as live music at the Spot or the latest spring break trip to New York City still wanted more attention devoted to less-publicized outings. Alan Klinkhachorn, a frustrated senior, remarked, "The UPB focuses on big trips, but they don't pay enough attention to local stuff." Though the aforementioned weekly e-mails have likely helped in letting students know what's happening on campus, perhaps newly elected P.R. Director Nicholas Noble will need to devise new means of getting the word out. That is not to say that there aren't people on campus who check UPB events religiously – but getting more students hooked on UPB's free events may be a crucial step.
The new executive office system consciously encourages member diversity. The Board has expanded student access to UPB by allowing people who have not previously served with the organization to be elected into any position (except for president). While some may fear that a less experienced group would not be up the task of planning an exciting schedule of activities, current treasurer Jordan White is optimistic. He points out that experience has to come from somewhere. "Everyone who was elected to UPB was a new member at one point," he said, "even if that person began as a co-chair." Riedel shared his enthusiasm. "UPB actually has a full and pretty exceptional board," she said. "There are a lot of fresh faces on the board which is always good because they bring new and innovative ideas for programming."
Some positions were filled later than usual this year, as there was some difficulty finding people to run. White hypothesized that weekly meetings and event planning sessions are a demanding time commitment that leads some students to question participating in UPB. Even so, current board members emphatically state that this should not be a problem for potential recruits. Riedel felt that recruiting wasn't a big issue this year, stating, "The people that were elected late are just as capable and amazing as the others so I have no problem with the way elections went this year."
Planning for next semester's programming is set to begin next week. In the meantime, be sure to keep an eye out for announcements of upcoming events, and be sure to check out one of Case's most influential student groups if you're interested in making a difference on campus.
