It takes nearly a quarter million dollars a year to fund Lawrence’s student groups and activities. But who allocates all of that money? Who sets the policies that govern these groups? You do, through the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC).
LUCC is not a mere “student council” like the ones you remember from high school.
LUCC and its committees hold elections, work to change university policy, arrange room selection for the coming year, and fund student groups, campus speakers, guest bands, comedians, and artists.
They manage and change legislation on everything from student behavior regarding alcohol, drugs, and smoking to legislation on pets in dorm rooms, vehicle registration, and demonstration policy.
In high school, the principal and administrators set the policies; at Lawrence, students are largely responsible.
LUCC is the student voice to the university administration, and works with the administration to better our community. Lawrence is largely what we make of it, and one way to help make a difference on campus is to run for an LUCC Representative position.
Another way to make a difference is to run for Hall Council. Hall Councils have jurisdiction over dorm-specific policies, and also decide how best to enact LUCC legislation for their specific dorm.
They plan hall parties, movie nights, cookouts, athletic events, and also allocate funds for these activities.
Hall Councils work with LUCC Representatives to bring dorm-specific concerns to the attention of the entire Lawrence community.
To draw a very rough analogy, if LUCC is the federal government at Lawrence, Hall Councils are the state governments: each its own issues, responsibilities, and agendas, but all are tied together to form the organization of student-centered government.
LUCC was created in 1968 as a joint operation between students and faculty.
The faculty licensed their authority (given to them by the bylaws of the university) to govern social and non-curricular matters to LUCC, granting LUCC more power than many other student governments.
The Council consists of an elected president and vice president, a cabinet appointed by the president and vice president, 14 elected student representatives, and four faculty members.
LUCC creates and maintains several committees designed to address concerns in all areas of student life. LUCC can pass legislation on most non-curricular matters, subject only to a veto by the university president.
How do you get involved? Elections for LUCC and Hall Councils will be held concurrently during the third week of classes.
Your RHD and RLAs should have information on how to get your name on the ballot by the end of first week.