Navigating the Arts Undergraduate Society Structure: A Comprehensive Guide

For students pursuing undergraduate studies in the arts, understanding the structure and resources available through their respective societies is crucial for a fulfilling and enriching academic experience. This article delves into the multifaceted world of arts undergraduate societies, exploring their purpose, organization, and the diverse opportunities they offer. From academic support and social events to advocacy and leadership roles, these societies play a vital role in shaping the undergraduate journey.

The Purpose and Mission of Arts Undergraduate Societies

Arts Undergraduate Societies exist to enhance the educational experience of Arts & Science students both inside and outside the classroom. They represent and advocate on behalf of the student body to the faculty and administration. These societies aim to offer opportunities that span beyond the depth and breadth offered in the classroom. They are dedicated to ensuring their services are accessible to all students, regardless of their identities, and actively work to include them.

Organizational Structure and Governance

The Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) at Queen’s University, for example, is governed by an elected President & Vice President, who are responsible to the student body through the legislation of ASUS Assembly. The President & Vice President hire a council of commissioners and officers who oversee a diverse range of committees.

Student organizations are often formed by students to fill specific needs or advocate for particular interests within the arts community. Getting a group together and creating your own organization is encouraged, and resources are often available to help with the process.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

President: The president is the chief executive officer of the society, responsible for overseeing all activities and ensuring the society operates in accordance with its constitution and bylaws. Shariq Ahsan, in his campaign to become SFSS President, emphasized rebuilding trust with students, increasing SFSS awareness, and providing support to DSUs and FSUs.
Vice-President: The vice-president supports the president and assumes their responsibilities in their absence.
Commissioners/Officers: Commissioners or officers oversee specific areas such as academics, social events, communications, and finance.
Council Members: Council members represent different departments or faculties within the arts and science disciplines, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making.

Academic Opportunities and Resources

Arts undergraduate societies often provide a range of academic resources to support their members' studies. These may include:

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Mentorship programs: Pairing upper-year students with junior students to provide guidance and support.
Tutoring services: Offering peer-to-peer tutoring or facilitating access to professional tutoring services.
Study groups: Organizing study groups for specific courses or subject areas.
Workshops and seminars: Hosting workshops on topics such as research skills, essay writing, and exam preparation.
Career Services: The Leventhal Undergraduate Program Office and Marshall Undergraduate Student Services, for example, offer students assistance in networking, finding internships, resume writing, interviewing techniques, and other career-related issues.

Social and Cultural Activities

Social events are a cornerstone of the undergraduate experience, and arts undergraduate societies play a key role in organizing these activities. These events provide opportunities for students to connect with their peers, build friendships, and foster a sense of community. Examples of social and cultural activities include:

Welcome events: Orientation events for new students to help them integrate into the university community.
Parties and dances: Social gatherings to celebrate milestones or simply provide an opportunity for students to unwind.
Concerts and performances: Showcasing student talent in music, theatre, and other performing arts.
Film screenings: Organizing movie nights or film festivals to promote cinematic arts.
Cultural celebrations: Celebrating diverse cultures and traditions through festivals, performances, and educational events.
Pop up events: As SUS President, Shariq Ahsan's team held two pop up events in Fall 2021, one for Halloween and another before exams, to help students de-stress.

Advocacy and Representation

Arts undergraduate societies serve as advocates for their members, representing their interests to the faculty, administration, and university at large. This may involve:

Lobbying for improved resources: Advocating for increased funding for arts programs, improved facilities, and more student support services.
Addressing student concerns: Acting as a liaison between students and the university administration to address concerns related to academic policies, student life, and other issues.
Promoting equity and inclusion: Working to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all students, regardless of their background or identity.
Negotiating with the department: As PSA President, Shariq Ahsan negotiated a joint statement with the department in which they agreed to not pursue any invasive proctoring software, improving student mental health.

Opportunities for Leadership and Involvement

Arts undergraduate societies offer numerous opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and get involved in the university community. These opportunities may include:

Serving on the executive team: Elected or appointed positions such as president, vice-president, and commissioner.
Joining committees: Participating in committees focused on specific areas such as academics, social events, or communications.
Volunteering: Assisting with events and initiatives organized by the society.
Starting a new organization: Identifying a need or interest within the arts community and creating a new student organization to address it.
Revamping the structure of the union: As PSA President, Shariq Ahsan was able to revamp the structure of the union and foster a greater sense of community.

Examples of Specific Programs and Initiatives

Interdisciplinary Studies: USC's emphasis on interdisciplinary studies allows students to pursue degrees that combine specializations and cater to their interests.
Minor Programs: USC offers various minors, such as the minor in 3-D Animation in Cinematic Arts, which provides an introduction to basic animation principles, history, and skill-based instruction in 3-D computer animation. Another example is the minor in Accounting, available to students in all schools and departments except the Marshall School of Business, offering non-business majors an understanding of accounting in the business world.
Honors Programs: Leventhal/Marshall Honors is available upon graduation to majors in accounting or business administration, resulting in a special designation of departmental honors on a student's transcript.
Student Centers: UBC's Arts Student Centre provides arts students with access to worktables, printers, stationery, a kitchen, and accessible universal bathrooms.

The Importance of General Education Requirements

The university's General Education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself a generally well-educated person. This program is effective for all students entering USC in fall 2015 or later, or transfer students beginning college elsewhere at that time and subsequently transferring to USC. It requires eight courses in six Core Literacies, plus two courses in Global Perspectives and two courses in writing. In addition, all entering freshmen are expected to complete a General Education Seminar during their first year at USC.

Connecting with Faculty Student Unions (FSU) and Department Student Unions (DSU)

Shariq Ahsan's campaign to become SFSS President highlighted the importance of supporting DSUs and FSUs. He emphasized that the effort to rebuild trust and engage the membership has to start from these unions.

Addressing Challenges and Concerns

Pandemic-related challenges: The pandemic has been a burden on all students, affecting their ability to learn and socialize. SFU's communication during the pandemic has been a challenge, leading to uncertainty and stress for students.
Divides on campus: There may be divides on campus regarding preferred methods of learning. As SFSS President, one goal is to work with the University to provide a hybrid model that caters to all students.

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