It’s the sidewalk chalk outside the Nebraska Union advertising a philanthropy event for a club. It’s the convenience of a vending machine.

Unknown to many, there is a group of students who know the specific needs of those enrolled at the U. Nebraska-Lincoln – big or small – and the group is called the Union Board.

“We are advocates for students all around campus for the things that go on in the Union,” said Annie Kaup, a junior elementary education major and second-term member on the board. “The board is the voice for students on campus. We look to utilize all the space in the Union. Little things don’t go unnoticed; we discuss everything as a board.”

Union Board is made up of 12 students from various areas of campus to ensure that student interests are taken into account any time a decision is made.

The board’s mission is to make sure that the space in the Union is used to its fullest potential based on student needs. One of the current issues at hand is the attempt to get a Redbox on campus, a project that has been a focal point of the board for the past year. Redbox is currently conducting trials at 10 different campuses around the country.

Also, the Imperial Palace Express lease is nearing expiration, which means there could be a new look to the food court. Union Board will go about this the same way it would any other issue. The bids from restaurants to lease the space will be discussed by board members in regards to the best interests of UNL students.

Without the board members, students would have a very different Student Union to facilitate.

“If it weren’t for the Union Board, it would be a faculty-run Student Union,” said Union Board President A.J. Munn, a senior accounting major. “Students wouldn’t have a say in what went into the Union.”

If any student would like to make any requests or proposals to the Union Board, they are welcome to attend meetings that take place every other Thursday.