The Dobbs University Center (DUC) is launching a new advisory and programming board called the University Center Board (UCB), which will allow students to voice their opinions about the DUC more easily and make it the living room of campus.
Spearheaded by Jonathan Duke, assistant director of programs and night operations, UCB is asking current freshmen, sophomores and juniors to apply.
UCB will consist of eight student members, called the leadership team (LT), who will direct building policies and act as committee co-chairs for the four committees being formed under the board.
The LT will recruit 15-20 members of the Emory community for each of the four committees: Signature Events, Late Night at Emory, Info and Entertainment and Promotions.
Info sessions about the UCB's responsibilities are being held March 5 at 1 p.m. and March 7 at 6 p.m. in Eagles Landing at the DUC.
"I want people other than freshman coming into the building and using the space," Duke said. "It's a great lounge space, ... [and] there's students that do that all the time. But it's not used enough, so this board will be able to give the student voice and tell us what we actually want to see."
The signature events committee will be responsible for organizing and promoting the traditional DUC events such as the Harland Cinema Series, DUCtoberfest and DUC day.
The Late Night at Emory division will advertise and plan late night non-alcoholic activities, which will include among other events, interactive games and shows.
Info and Entertainment members will also arrange concerts and shows, but also put together lectures and talks.
Lastly, the promotions piece of this initiative will manage all the advertising, marketing, public relations and web related duties within all the other committees.
These responsibilities previously fell into the hands of the student DUC managers, who in addition to this were in charge of proper facilities operation. College junior Niko Patel, one of the 13 managers of the DUC, appreciates this change.
The UCB "helps balance the two [duties] because now I can just focus on my work instead of worrying about programming," Patel said.
Duke also believes that because these students work for the DUC and have a certain relationship with the DUC's administrative staff, their views in this programming agenda might be slightly biased.
By having volunteer student members as part of the UCB, that can hopefully be avoided, according to Duke. UCB's efforts will be complemented with the renovation of the study spaces at the DUC.
Revamping the TV lounge and introducing new, stylistic furniture are changes that have already been made. There is also talk of improving the sound quality in the commons area to let groups perform there.
These changes have "brightened up the space, and it makes [the DUC] a little more friendly to be in and less, 'Hey, I am in 1983,'" Duke said.
Applications to be on the LT are due March 8 by 4 p.m. in the DUC Operations Office, Room E214. At this time, students will sign up for an interview, which is to be held between March 19 and 21. Recruitment for the committees will take place after the LT is formed, and committee meetings are to start next fall.
– By Shivangi Singh
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