UCMSA Universalis
UCMSA Universalis is a multicultural and multidisciplinary student association directly affiliated with the University College Maastricht. It is run by UCM students for UCM students and contributes to both academic and social life at UCM. The association is involved in the organisation of debates, poetry readings, open-mic nights, parties, charity fundraisers, student representation, and other events.[1] Following a structure typical of Maastricht University study associations, it is run by a student board. The Universalis student board consists of a Social Board, an Academic Council, and an Independent Body. Board positions are traditionally a semester to two semesters long. Active members of the association are organised as committees which provide services for all students at the college. All new students automatically become a member upon enrollment at the college.
Association Information | |
---|---|
Full name | University College Maastricht Study Association |
Abbreviation | UCMSA Universalis |
Formation | December 3, 2002 |
Legal status | Study Association |
Location | Maastricht, The Netherlands |
Membership | 600-700 |
Official language | English |
Affiliations | University College Maastricht, Maastricht University |
Website | http://ucmsa.nl |
Social Board 2019-2020 | |
President | Michiel Nieuwenhuijs |
Secretary | Joost Wijffels |
Treasurer | Elena C. Lungu |
Executives | Kendra Kibbey, Manuel Ntsoumou, Ties Keim |
Academic Council 2019-2020 | |
Chair | Emilia Goessler |
Treasurer | John Horstmann |
Executives | Joost Boswinkel, Rufus Busse, Sarah Kiegeland |
Communication | |
UCMSA Universalis on Facebook | |
UCMSA Universalis on Instagram |
Organisation structure
There are currently six members on the UCMSA Universalis Social Board: President, Treasurer, Secretary, External Executive, Social Executive, and Acquisitions Executive. Currently only the President is elected by Universalis members, the rest of the Board are selected by the previous Board and then officialised through a public vote in a General Assembly. Board members serve for one or two semesters after which they can re-apply.[2] Social Board meetings are held once a week. Universalis's committees and societies operate under the Social Board, who seek to financially and logistically facilitate all committee activities.
The Academic Council works in parallel with the Study Association Board, with five members: Chair, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, Internal Executive and External Executive. The Council represents students in working with the University College Maastricht's Board of Studies, who are responsible for evaluating academic courses and affairs. They also organize Academic conferences, guest speakers, academic workshops, and student exchanges with sister colleges. The Academic Council is funded by the Social Board, but works in conjunction with the Social Board.
The Independent Body consists of three to five students elected by a general assembly with the goal of keeping the Social Board and Academic Council in accordance with the association's Statutes and Policy Manual. They also serve a functional role in General Assemblies and voting procedures.
Current Committees and Societies
Arts & Photo Committee
Archeion History Committee
The Bell: Student News
Book Club
Charity Committee
Choir
Circus Committee
Culture Committee
Dance Society
Excursion Committee
Feminism Society
Film Society
Gastronomy Society
G.E.C.C.O Sustainability Committee
Ludens Games Society: board games and video games
Meditation Society
Music Committee
Musical Committee
Party Committee
Pluralism in Economics Committee (PINE)
Spirit(ual) Enlightenment
Sports Committee
Theatre Society
Wellbeing Committee
History
At the beginning of September 2002 UCM's first students gathered in the back yard of the newly founded college. Several students formed an informal founding committee to get a student society started.[3] Because the diversity of UCM's students and its curriculum, they decided that Da Vinci's Homo Universalis was a suitable symbol for the student society's identity. It represents the juxtaposition of different interests in its members and of the diverse UCM student body. The founding committee decided to call the association Universalis and Brian Pagán designed the logo, a stylised version of the Vitruvian Man. The first unofficial Universalis general meeting was held on 19 September 2002. The organisation's structure was drawn up by the founding committee and the first board was elected. The organisation was registered with the Maastricht Chamber of Commerce and certified by a notary on 3 December 2002, marking the official establishment of UCM Study Association Universalis.[4]
UCMSA Universalis joined University College Student Representatives of the Netherlands (UCSRN) in 2014(ref needed) and has been an active member since.
<Contributions to this section are welcome as there is a gap in book-keeping>
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-02-05. Retrieved 2010-03-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Pot, E.; Pagán, B. UCMSA Universalis Charter, Notarised 3 December 2002
- Lucas, G.; Pot, E.; Pagán, B.; Wiebe, P.; Josten, L.; Plenter, J., UCM Study Association Universalis: Annual Report 2002-2003
- Lucas, G.; Pot, E.; Pagán, B.; Wiebe, P.; Josten, L.; Plenter, J., UCM Study Association Universalis: Annual Report 2002-2003