For student associations at the University of Oregon, it’s important to maintain relationships with other student groups. The bond they create with each other is a simple friendship and when a group is in need of help they know they can count on other groups. Whether it’s getting to know each other or co-sponsoring an event, collaboration between student associations helps build community and common purpose.
Among the student unions that have had the opportunity to collaborate with one another are the Asian Pacific American Student Union, Vietnamese Student Association and the Black Student Union. All have taken advantage of various opportunities to partner with other groups on different projects, working together toward a common goal.
Some of the student groups that APASU has been able to collaborate are the Multicultural Center, VSA, Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence, Active Minds and Oregon State University APASU. In each of the student groups that APASU has been able to work with it’s either been collaborating for co-hosted events, joint meetings and support from co-sponsorship and attending events.
“It is important and valuable for student groups to collaborate with each other,” APASU Director Roseanna Ling said. “Student groups need to collaborate with each other to make connections on how group’s mission and purpose can relate with other communities. Through collaboration students within these groups are able to get a greater experience within college, while gaining a holistic point of view of society.”
For spring term APASU is hoping to collaborate with BSU, Multiethnic Student Alliance and Kultura Philipinas. Ling hopes group collaboration will create a space where members can get to know other members, and also have a discussion on issues both groups face in society.
Like APASU, the VSA also enjoys the opportunities of working with different student groups. Previously, VSA has been able to collaborate with APASU, KP, BSU and the International Student Association. This year the VSA has had a hand in hosting cosponsored events including a collaboration with Kultura Philipinas, BSU and APASU on a watch party for the Oregon versus Stanford football game, VSA co-hosted Coffee Hour.
“The relationships we have with other student groups are great,” VSA student media coordinator Thuc Vinh said. “We’re very close-knit and we always have our ears open about any upcoming events that other groups might be having. It helps that there are a lot of friendships and connections between members of organizations.”
VSA hopes in the future they can collaborate with university departments and other non-student union organizations such as Fraternity and Sorority Life. Similarly, the BSU also hopes to find the right opportunity to work closely with APASU, VSA, KP and the Native American Student Union in the near future.
For student groups, getting to know one another through collaborative group functions can help build a sense of unity of purpose.
In a recent example, the BSU was able to collaborate with MEChA on an event called ” Black and Brown Get Down” where both groups went to Skate World.
“We have great relations and I always try to go to union events like inside Africa part of the ASA and Ice Cream socials for BWA in order to give support and have fun,” BSU co-director Godwin Nwnado said. “They key is to be able to be flexible and move things around if there is something comes up for the sake of unity.”