Since SPLASH, Student Union has been reaching out to freshmen to join its staff executive program, a program that educates first-year representatives about Union operations.
“Their fresh and new perspectives can become great assets to the Student Union team,” said School of Education sophomore Alyssa Sarkis, a member of the advisory council. “They can be immersed in all aspects of the Union and quickly gain an understanding on how the university operates.”
The program educates freshmen on administrative matters and gives them opportunities to “drive right in … allowing them to make an instant impact,” Sarkis said.
“I strongly recommend that any first-year student who is interested in making an impact through Student Union apply,” she said. “We also encourage anyone and everyone to come to our meetings and make their voices heard.”
Union treasurer Sophie Miller, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said her participation in the program last year prepared her for future Union responsibilities. As an executive staff member, Miller worked under the executive board in Union affairs.
“It gave me insight into the inner workings of Student Union and BU as a whole,” Miller said. “Knowing that it’s a position available only to freshmen was empowering.”
Other graduates of the executive staff program echoed Miller’s sentiment, expressing gratitude for the opportunity provided.
“The executive staff was a great program for freshmen to get directly involved with the agenda and projects of the Student Union E-board,” said CAS sophomore Jack Moriarty, a member of last year’s executive staff.
Moriarty said that last year’s experiences helped him to understand how Union operates within the BU community.
“Our experience on E-staff definitely prepared us for future leadership in the Union and elsewhere on campus, and is a great program for any freshmen wishing to immerse themselves in the BU community,” he said.
According to the Union constitution, freshmen must complete applications submitted to the Executive Board and undergo an interview process to secure a spot in the program. All members must be unanimously voted into the program by the current Executive Board.
The Executive Board will review this year’s applications, which are due Sept. 22, to select the executive staff, said Miller, who called it “one of the most competitive positions a freshman can hold.”
Many first-year students said they liked the idea of the executive staff program.
“I think it would be cool,” said CAS freshman Laura Maciejko. “The idea of already doing something like an internship … with executive work is really cool. I know I could do undergraduate research, but I’d be cleaning test tubes for grad students. I think it’s good to learn how to do something more important.”
“I definitely think some freshmen would be interested,” said Peer Zampa, a freshman in the College of Communication. “Personally, I am more interested in specific things within my college. If I didn’t have so much on my plate, or if I were undecided, I would definitely want to do it.”
Staff writer Steph Solis contributed to the reporting of this article.
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