The YCC: serving the Yale community with leadership

Student government at Yale is as diverse as the students. Various student councils address campus issues, develop projects to improve college life, and organize activities, dances, and parties.

Within residential colleges, students can join a Student Activities Committee (SAC). These councils hold weekly meetings to coordinate their residential colleges' social activities, including dances and trips to baseball games and talk shows. At the end of each semester, students can run for offices in the SAC. Non-elected members are encouraged to attend council meetings and to give their input on residential college issues.

Freshmen can represent their college in the Freshman Class Council (FCC). The FCC pursues issues, projects, and social events such as the "Freshman Screw"—an annual dance where freshmen set their roommates up on blind dates. Last year's FCC opened the Freshman Lounge in Bingham Hall, a recreation room with a big screen TV. Freshmen can run for one of their college's two FCC representative seats early in the year. There is also a Senior Class Council that organizes special events and activities for members of the senior class.

The YCC is the representative government of the entire Yale student body, selected every year in April elections. Reps can pursue their visions of a better Yale through the YCC's three committees. The Issues Committee addresses campus-wide questions like financial aid reform. The Projects Committee focuses on special projects such as improving the dining halls. The Activities Committee hosts campus-wide events like the Winter Ball and Spring Fling, which hosted Rusted Root this past year. Students not interested in running for election can become associate members of the YCC.

Some YCC reps serve on the University's student-faculty standing committees. They help the Administration make decisions, ranging from the funding of major undergraduate organizations to sexual harassment grievances.

Student government thrives at Yale, and anyone with the desire to get involved can work on large-scale improvements or minor but important changes. Whether you are a former high-school class president or a newcomer to student elections, you can easily find a place in Yale's student government.

Zach Kaufman, SY '00, served as YCC president in 1998-1999.

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