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About ACUI

The Association of College Unions International is a non-profit higher education organization that has existed since 1914. The Association is a network of nearly 1,000 member institutions from urban and rural campuses, four-year and two-year schools, large universities, and small colleges. Their common goal is to help college unions improve their programs and services and to be effective contributors to individual growth and development.

Association members are located in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Japan. ACUI is divided into sixteen (16) geographical regions, each with its own regional representative. This regional structure encourages the participation of students as well as union staff in ACUI programs, activities, and leadership positions. Through regional committees, conferences, and newsletters, students and staff learn about the role of the college union on campus and share in fulfilling that role.

The Role of the College Union

The union is the community center of the college, serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. By whatever form or name, a college union is an organization offering a variety of programs, activities, services, and facilities that, when taken together, represent a well-considered plan for the community life of the college.

The Union is an integral part of the educational mission of the college.

• As the center of the college community life, the union complements the academic experience through an extensive variety of cultural, educational, social, and recreational programs. These programs provide the opportunity to balance course work and free time as cooperative factors in education.
• The union is a student-centered organization that values participatory decision making. Through volunteerism, its boards, committees, and student employment, the union offers firsthand experience in citizenship and educates students in leadership, social responsibility, and values.
• In all its processes, the union encourages self-directed activity, giving maximum opportunity for self-realization and for growth in individual social competency and group effectiveness.

The union's goal is the development of persons as well as intellects.

Traditionally considered the "hearthstone" or "living room" of the campus, today's union is the gathering place of the college. The union provides services and conveniences that members of the college community need in their daily lives and creates an environment for getting to know and understand others through formal and informal associations.

The union serves as a unifying force that honors each individual and values diversity. The union fosters a sense of community that cultivates enduring loyalty to the college.

Adopted by the Association's general membership in 1996, this statement is based on The Role of the College Union Statement, 1956.

Affirmative Action Statement

The Association of College Unions International is dedicated to a policy that fosters mutual respect and equality for all persons in all of its work. The Association, in accordance with its educational mission as well as federal, state, and local laws, does not engage in or tolerate discrimination of any form.

Volunteer service is the mainspring of the organization's undertaking. Hence, the ACUI actively solicits and encourages all of its members, regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or differing ability, to participate both in its formal and informal activities. This shall include a conscious effort to locate interested and qualified volunteers through procedures that permit individuals to respond to the Association's needs.

In addition to encouraging service, ACUI shall provide reasonable and fair opportunity for appointment to all volunteer positions within the organization.