Union Board discusses changes, updates

10/06/09 - In the University of Rhode Island's Memorial Union lounge yesterday students were offered free cups of apple cider courtesy of the Memorial Union Board of Directors.The Union Board is an organization that bridges the gap between students and administrators when making decisions about the Memorial Union.

"Union Board is the student body that works with us determining policy, space and programs in the building," the Director of the Memorial Union, Bruce Hamilton, said. "It's important for the staff and me to hear from the students and use them for different ideas about assessment and improvement and everything else."

Other than providing the free apple cider, the Union Board is responsible for setting up the annual spring block party, changing policies, allocating office space, making sure Union booths are being used properly and providing input on how the Union should be run.

"Our opinions are what matter the most, not what the administration wants to do," Programming Chair Alisha Pavao said. "It's our Union and we need to take it back."

The Union Board has also been involved with changes in the lounge such as the reupholstered chairs and the addition of new desks. They are currently trying to remove the lounge's TVs while attempting to add digital signage.

The board also has plans to get rid of the Union's arcade, known as the Atlas Game Room, and turn it into a group-run store. Currently, the only significant profits in the game room come from the Dance Dance Revolution arcade game, Juliana Belizario, a second-year general voting member said.

In addition, the board is looking to use the space that was occupied by the now defunct America's Cup restaurant. Though nothing is concrete, possible ideas include converting the space into another type of student lounge or relocating the game room there.

The board's goal for the America's Cup space is to make it more student-oriented rather than faculty-oriented.

"We cannot say it now for sure, but we are trying to get America's Cup room back under student control, so that we can figure out things that we want to do in it and put in it," Pavao said.

Currently, there are only 10 members on the Union Board, but any student can become a general voting member by attending three meetings in a row held on Wednesdays at 4:30 in the Memorial Union Room 301.

"It's a relatively small time commitment in connection with all the things that you have the power to do," Pavao said.

The group's objective is to incorporate student opinion into the Union, Belizario said. In addition to holding weekly meetings, the board promotes student involvement by having deposit boxes for students to leave their ideas.

The next Union Board event will be Autumn Fest scheduled for Oct. 26.