Student-led programs at universities are more than just an opportunity to get involved–they can be catalysts for change among the student body. The organizations have direct impacts on individual students by empowering them to shape their own campus experiences.
The Division of Student Affairs works to uplift voices and back initiatives that stem from those students. Supporting the programs is a commitment that pays back in student development, campus culture and the long-term success of graduates. Through the collaboration of students’ passion and Student Affairs’ support, individual and community growth can become a reality
Building bridges through shared experiences
One of the student-led programs that Student Affairs supports is Cultural Events Board, which aims to broaden cultural knowledge by supporting the voices of underrepresented and misrepresented groups on campus.
Teagan Boiarsky, the Cultural Events Board secretary, joined when she discovered that the organization gave her an opportunity to connect with a diverse range of people, both within the 15-member board and through the speakers they invite to campus.
“They all have a really unique story, whether it’s their racial identity or their gender identity or just how they got to where they are in their career,” explained Teagan. “They’re all hoping to inspire students and share those stories with us.”
The current chair of Cultural Events Board, Aneesh Waikar, said he also appreciates the opportunities the board gets to fund events that other organizations host.
“I’ve really gotten to see just how many different cultural organizations there are at CU,” said Aneesh. “I’ve gone to multiple Nepali groups, Indian events, and just recently I went to the African fashion show. I think the most important thing we do is help those groups fulfill their visions. There’s a lot of groups on campus that are underrepresented or misrepresented that we could be interacting with more.”
Teagan and Aneesh explained that Student Affairs staff help them make connections and guide them through processes to make their events and funding allocations successful. Similarly, it is Student Affairs’ encouragement for Cultural Events Board to remain student-run that gives the board support to stay attuned to the campus atmosphere and identify topics that will speak to students’ identities, values and desires to learn.
“We know what students are talking about and the conversations that they are having,” said Teagan. “We’re seeing areas where we lack representation and could bring in somebody to help fill those gaps. I think being students who are interacting with other students gives us a better perception of who students will get a lot out of hearing from.”
Providing safe spaces and student-driven initiatives
CU NightRide, another student-run program within Student Affairs, is the university’s safe-ride service that allows students to request free evening transportation. The opportunity for personal growth and professional development within NightRide’s leadership roles is what drew student program coordinator Ruairhi Payne to the program. They also appreciated that they could directly provide a safe space for students.
“A lot of schools have a safe ride program that’s very focused on preventing drunk driving, which is always a good mission,” said Ruairhi. “But I think there were other pieces to me that a safe ride program can provide, like preventing assaults on campus and having extra ears around late at night.”
One of the initiatives that Ruairhi helped CU NightRide implement included adding an electric vehicle fleet and creating health and safety kits for the cars. Those health and safety kits come with bandages, menstrual pads, tampons, sanitizing wipes, tissues and informational pamphlets about support and reporting resources on campus.
The student-led CU NightRide team advocated for all those initiatives because they knew the resources resonated with the student body.
“When I mention that I work for NightRide in classes, people will say to me that ‘this’ or ‘that’ needs to be better, and we’re able to take in a lot more feedback,” explained Ruairhi. “I also think students have a different idea about how things can work in a university setting, which can be valuable.”
Ruairhi emphasized the importance of working with Student Affairs leadership and staff to get these initiatives through. Ruairhi said they find the most value in transparent communication, where Student Affairs staff explain how they can and want to help student ideas move through university processes.
“I know when I leave, not only am I trusting in my student team that I’m leaving it in good hands, but I also know that there’s going to be long-lasting professional workers at the university who are fighting for our program,” said Ruairhi.
Fostering a supportive campus environment
The impact of student-led organizations extends beyond the events they organize or rides they provide–they contribute to building a campus community that is diverse, inclusive and geared towards the success and well-being of every student. The students involved also contribute significantly to the culture and conversations at CU Boulder, since they identify and address the needs of their peers with dedication.
While the student-run nature allows for a deeper understanding of campus dynamics, Student Affairs plays a pivotal role in providing support and guidance. The transparent relationships in combination with a respect for student ideas helps the execution of events and initiatives, which foster an environment where students can boldly advocate for what they believe is best for the student body.
It is a collaboration that always provides opportunities for growth, and Student Affairs staff are consistently working on how to best support those programs so that students can thrive.
“We know that student-led groups are what make our campus environment vibrant, one where students can shape their community and find a sense of belonging on their own terms,” said Director of the Center for Student Involvement Erin Dewese. “We are dedicated to empowering these groups, ensuring students find the support they need to succeed personally and academically throughout their time at CU Boulder. Each individual student’s success is also a success for us and our campus community."
Student Affairs supports many programs that are led by students. In addition to Cultural Events Board and CU NightRide, other student-led organizations in Student Affairs include:
Students can check out these groups and other organizations on BuffConnect, the official campus community platform at CU Boulder.