The Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) of the University of New Haven is a large organization with a myriad of functions and purposes. The USGA represents the undergraduate student body, serves as a forum for students to discuss their concerns, manage the $1.4 million budget utilized by clubs and organizations, serve as a liaison between students and administration, and so much more. It is comprised of an executive board made of the five students that oversee the operations of the USGA, a senate made of 20 students that represent the interests of the student body, a house of representatives made of students that represent the clubs and organizations on campus, as well as various committees and general student body members.

As the USGA budget is derived from the student activity fee paid by every undergraduate student at UNH, every student is considered a member of USGA. Because of the ever-changing and constantly growing nature of the student body, the USGA has to expand and change as well. One opportunity to discuss the best ways to do so is the USGA Retreat.

The USGA Retreat, held every year on the first weekend of the spring semester is a chance for the E-Board, senate, representatives, and others to leave campus for a weekend and fulfill several goals: to inform and educate everyone on the inner workings and structure of the USGA, to brainstorm and discuss strategies to continue growing and developing as an organization while addressing issues and problems, and of course, to have fun! This year, the retreat was held at Mohegan Sun located in Uncasville, Montville, CT. Leaving UNH on Friday, January 20, everyone stayed at the Hyatt Place located a short shuttle away. After dinner, attendees had the opportunity to explore the casino and the various stores around it.

The most important part of the retreat however began on Saturday when everyone met for the sessions and discussions. USGA Treasurer Danielle Palladino began with an explanation of the budget, which is broken down into the club and organization budgets, the miscellaneous budget, line item and executive line item budgets, and the Office of Student Activities’ accounts. The yearly budget process (also known as Big Budget) that begins in March and determines clubs’ operating budgets for the next academic year was also discussed, including the possibility of amending the deduction rules that resulted in many clubs not receiving the full amount they requested as well as ideas for simplifying the overall process.

Danielle then moved on the conference policy and asked for suggestions to improve the current policy. One suggested idea was the establishment of a conference committee to review conference funding requests while another was the separation on conferences into different types (i.e. academic vs. competitive) which could determine the amount of funding received.

Danielle then handed the room over to USGA Sergeant-at-Arms John Capozzo who spoke on accountability in the senate and house and ways to improve the communication throughout them. Other topics included the constitution, representation, and ways of improving the conduct council, also known as the judicial council that addresses violations within the USGA. USGA Executive Assistant Shawn Trembley then asked everyone to assess the positive qualities they see in the senate as well as the areas of improvement, while the Chief of Senate Laura Pisano added to that by assessing ways to improve the recruitment process for both senators and the general student attendance at meetings.

For the final discussion and closing sessions of the retreat, USGA President Scott Kazar reflected on the changes he has seen in USGA in nearly five years, not only in size and policy, but in atmosphere as well. USGA meetings for the spring 2012 semester will take place on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Students that cannot attend the meetings can visit the Office of Student Activities located upstairs in Bartels, where the E-Board and senators have their office hours. Ultimately, the USGA exists to serve the student body, but to do that, you have to make your questions, concerns, and suggestions known and let your voice be heard!