FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Difference between USG and SUBOG?

The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) exists to represent and govern all Undergraduate students and student groups, and oversee the disbursement of Student Fees. The Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG) is the Programming Board on campus and handles most large on-campus events and concerts. For more information on SUBOG visit their website www.subog.uconn.edu.

What is the Difference between USG and RHA?

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) works with Area Councils of each resident building on campus to plan events and ensure a positive residential experience. USG includes residential senators in who serve on these area councils to oversee political actions, and the USG Student Affairs Committee appropriates funding to all Area Councils. USG and RHA work closely to ensure students are happy in their residence halls.

What is the Difference between the Student Body President and the Student Trustee?

The President of the Student Body is the figurehead representative and official spokesperson for all students. They also serve as the Chief Executive Officer over all operations of USG. The Student Trustee serves as a voting member of the University Of Connecticut Board Of Trustees and is elected to be entrusted with that responsibility. The two positions often work together and approach situations from these different avenues. For more information on the Board of Trustees visit their website www.board.uconn.edu

What Does USG actually do?

USG has three main objectives: Representation, Oversight of Funds, and Community Enhancing. Representation is achieved by Student Senators in the Student Senate, USG Committees and their work, and USG appointing a student member to ALL University Committees to work directly with administrators and faculty in representing student interests. USG, through its Funding Board and Student Senate oversees the annual disbursement of a large sum of money to registered student groups in order to ensure that funds are continually used for the greater good of the entire University community. Community Enhancing is handled again by the USG Committees and include things like Programs (like GUARD Dogs) and traditions events like Student Appreciation Day, Straight From the Source, and the Spring Weekend Rally (and the shirt/supplies giveaway).

What kind of Authority does USG have?

USG is recognized by the University Of Connecticut Board Of Trustees as one of the five governing bodies on campus (along with the Board of Trustees, The University Senate, The Graduate Faculty Senate, and the Graduate Student Senate). USG is the primary recognized voice of students to all audiences and actively partakes in the university-wide decision making process through representation and advocacy. We also oversee a very large budget in student fees.

Can USG help me with _______ situation?

Most likely, yes! In addition to the actual duties we perform we serve as a clearinghouse for information about the University and policies and where to go for help if we cannot. Contact us.

Can USG get the University to change this policy?

If it is a reasonable change, this is also very likely. Get in touch with your USG Senator(s) or contact USG

I am interested in joining USG, but (elections have passed, I don't have the time commitment to ____, I am not interested in Politics or Political Science)

Student Government is one of the best leadership experiences on campus - and employers and graduate schools know this! You don't have to be elected to be actively involved with us, you can serve on a committee or special project with varying degrees of time commitment and responsibility that are usually up to you! There are plenty of opportunities for building certain skills in areas like event planning, marketing/communications, project management, financial oversight and planning, general administration, public speaking, human rights , design, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, lobbying, auditing, consulting and many other areas of leadership experience. Contact us about getting involved