Veronica
Crespin A&S Senator
Jenny
Guo Legislative Vice-President
Sergio
Gonzales UCSU Tri-Executive
Naomi
Lopez UCSU Representative
Laura
Reinsch Legislative President
Kerry
Kite Diversity Director
Joseph
Neguse Student Affairs Liaison
Ara
Cruz Community Director
The Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity (SORCE) has been a University of Colorado Student Union project over the past four years. In the Spring of 2001, UCSU initiated an ad hoc committee specifically designed to oversee the implementation and creation of SORCE. The committee was also charged with the task of reviewing the progress of SORCE and reporting development to the Legislative Council and UCSU Tri-Executives. The original SORCE program was designed and constructed over an intensive semester process with the oversight and involvement of the UCSU ad hoc committee.
The concept of SORCE is a result of collaboration and dialogue between students with varied interests. These students held similar concerns regarding the lack of community and positive climate for underrepresented students at the university. In response to this dilemma, a student initiated and student run center was conceptualized that would reach out specifically to underrepresented students to create a positive, accepting and cohesive campus community and to serve as a bridge between the various underrepresented groups and resources on campus.
During the same time period in which the committee was created, SORCE was run as a referendum during the Spring 2001 elections. SORCE was overwhelmingly supported by students with 2,331 yes votes and 1,491 no votes. However, UCSU had changed election rules during this election, requiring a 15 % turnout of all student voters for any referendum to pass, this was not obtained. While this mandate was immediately changed back to 10% the next year, damage had already been done to SORCE and a number of other student groups that ran referendum in Spring 2001. Regardless, every representative elected during the Fall 2000 and Spring 2001 elections ran on SORCE as his or her principle platform agenda item, demonstrating a student desire for the development and realization of SORCE. Over the next year, a number of individuals continued to work on SORCE through educational and community building campaigns catering to underrepresented students. During the summer of 2002, a SORCE programmer finalized an in-depth SORCE proposal, including an informational packet and a detailed programming plan.
Students elected the UCSU 2003-2004 Tri-Executives with SORCE as a clear action item for their term in office. Consequently, the Legislative Council reestablished the SORCE Advisory Board to ensure that SORCE would be fully operational by Spring 2004. The Board has subsequently met on a regular basis to finalize the blueprint for SORCE, establish it as a programmatic and operational center, and complete an itemized budget.
This bill establishes the Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity as a cost center under the jurisdiction of the University of Colorado Student Union. The UCSU will retain the SORCE Advisory Board to oversee, review and manage SORCE.
BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council of the
University of Colorado Student Union, THAT:
SECTION 1: The Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity will be under the policymaking and financial jurisdiction of the University of Colorado Student Union, in effect, becoming a cost center. As such, the SORCE annual budget will be determined through UCSU's annual budget cycle process. Final approval of SORCE’s annual operating budget is subject to approval by the University of Colorado Board of Regents.
SECTION 2: The mission statement and framework for the Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity will be as outlined in Appendix A. Among the objectives of SORCE will be to provide community and outreach efforts through holistic programming and services to underrepresented communities, personal development and growth for individual students, as well as educational campaigns and initiatives that target the entire campus.
SECTION 3: The Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity Advisory Board, as established in 59LCB#12, shall remain intact. This board will serve as a direct governing and advisory body to SORCE, with input on all matters concerning the center including, but not limited to the creation and implementation of operational and fiscal policy.
SECTION 4: The annual budget submitted to UCSU by the Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity will reflect inflationary increases and expenses necessary to operate the program and services of SORCE. SORCE is expected to request at least 10% of their operating budget from general fund monies. The budget submitted to UCSU will include a student fee request and pledged university general fund monies. Near the midpoint of the budget process, general fund requests must be solidified. Each year during the budget cycle, it will be the responsibility of the UCSU Finance Board and the Legislative Council to ensure approval of the minimum budget and corresponding student fees required to continue operating SORCE without a sacrifice in the quality of service.
SECTION 5: The Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity will also rely upon general university funds, individual donations, and external grants to fund large-scale events, special projects, initiatives and programming. However, UCSU will be the primary provider for SORCE’s annual operating budget in order to maintain a student focus and involvement.
SECTION 6: External university grants for specific SORCE projects and programs will be approved by the Advisory Board. External university general operating grants to the Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity will be used for expenditures as outlined in the annual operating budget adopted by UCSU. Grant monies from outside the university will be spent prior to spending student fee funds. Grant monies from outside the university shall remain within the specified line item for which it was designated at the end of the budget year and will not transfer to the Supplemental Operating Reserve (S.O.R.) account.
SECTION 7: The Advisory Board will immediately be directed to open a search for a student programmer of SORCE. The search process shall be completed by April 20, 2004. The advisory board will then approve the student programmer for SORCE by simple majority. The programmer will act as the chief director of SORCE with responsibilities including, but not limited to, maintaining operations, initiating and conducting programs and services, outreaching to the campus community, and continual communication with campus resource offices and administrative officials(please see Appendix B).
SECTION 8: This Bill takes effect upon final passage and upon obtaining the signatures of the UCSU Legislative Council President and the Tri-Executives.
2-26-04 Amended and Passed 14-2-0
3-03-04 Passed acclamation
__________________________________ _________________________________ Laura Reinsch, Legislative Council President Sergio Gonzales, Tri-executive
__________________________________ _________________________________
Vershara Suddeth-Lott, Tri-executive Richard Murray, Tri-executive
Introduction
The Student
Outreach and Retention Center for Equity (SORCE) is a multicultural center
dedicated to serving current and prospective students of the University of
Colorado at Boulder. More specifically,
SORCE targets underrepresented students, Including students of color, LGBTQI students,
students with disabilities, first generation students, low income students, and
non-traditional students. On the
University of Colorado at Boulder campus, there is a very small population of
underrepresented students. This
population often has great difficulty acclimating to the campus climate, and
has historically been extremely difficult to retain. In addition, the percentage of incoming underrepresented students
is extremely low, making the construction of a supportive underrepresented
community extremely difficult. For
these reasons, SORCE strives to create a safe, inclusive, and inviting
environment for underrepresented students.
We do this by providing a personal, holistic approach to the empowerment
of our peers, supporting and outreaching to underrepresented communities, and working
collaboratively with other resources on campus.
Mission Statement
SORCE, the Student Outreach and
Retention Center for Equity, strives to build a student initiated and run
outreach and retention center that will provide a personal, holistic approach
to the empowerment of our peers while working with resources on campus in a
collaborative effort. Through outreach
and education, we seek to develop a broad, inclusive community inspiring
gratitude and understanding of both difference and similarity. We seek to
foster a safe and positive environment for traditionally underrepresented
students who have historically had barriers to higher education, including,
students of color, women in traditionally male-dominated fields, i.e. science,
engineering, law, business, etc., GLBTQI students, students with disabilities,
first generation, and non-traditional students.
Objectives
SORCE consists of
three main components:
Holistic Learning
Environment:
We recognize the importance of addressing the entire student,
promoting their cultural, academic, and personal growth. Focusing on the theme of student
development, SORCE seeks to ensure that all aspects of a student’s experience
is affirmed and cultivated. Often,
heavy emphasis is placed on one segment of a student’s identity. It is possible for a student’s academic
needs to be fulfilled, whereas their social and cultural needs are not. SORCE strives to foster an environment In which
students can explore all aspects of their Identity and place In society. Through
knowledge of self, students will be able to thrive In the University setting
with greater confidence and support. SORCE builds bridges across the multiple
layers of an individual to ensure an inclusive UCB experience.
Collaborative
Efforts:
There are several positive and constructive resources on campus
available to underrepresented students.
By establishing relationships with fellow services, SORCE will act as a
bridge, using our student-to-student infrastructure to provide further access
to these resources.
Student Centered:
In the United States, SORCE is the one of the few student
initiated, oriented, and operated center governed by our peers. Focusing on the outreach and retention of
traditionally underrepresented communities, we seek to empower all students at
all levels of the project. Through peer
mentorship programs, leadership opportunities, community building events, and
high school outreach. We will increase investment in the continuity of the center,
while developing strong role models for our communities.