From left to right: Ryan Chiu, Ester Tracy Silalahi, Ananya Gupta, Sarah Wong
Welcome back to another Winter session at UBC! Your Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) is ready to kick off the year with exciting opportunities to connect and grow within the Arts community.
We spoke with AUS members and UBC Arts students, Ryan, Ester, Ananya, and Sarah to share the exciting events and opportunities that the AUS is bringing your way this fall. Whether you’re learning about the AUS for the first time or are already familiar with them, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make the most of your Arts experience this year.
What is the Arts Undergraduate Society?
The Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) is the UBC Faculty of Arts’ student government, made up of over 200 student leaders who work towards a common goal of enhancing the social, academic, and professional experiences of UBC Arts students. The AUS is structured into seven portfolios—Administration, Academic, Engagement, External, Finance, Student Life, and Presidential—each contributing uniquely to the Arts student experience through events, advocacy, and various initiatives.
- Academic: focuses on Arts students' academic life, offering support through academic resources, research opportunities, mental health advocacy, and promoting student wellbeing.
- Administration: manages daily operations of the AUS, including maintaining the Arts Student Centre (ASC), facilitating AUS Council meetings, running the Food Hub, and supporting AUS clubs.
- Engagement: manages the AUS brand through marketing, merchandise, media, and analytics, and ensures effective communication with the Arts community.
- External: builds and strengthens relationships with external organizations, while also overseeing philanthropy and sponsorship initiatives.
- Finance: oversees the allocation of AUS funds, including distributing grants, guiding the annual budget, and hosting financial workshops for Arts students.
- Student Life: promotes a sense of Arts community through social events. This year, the first year committee and year representatives are joining the student life portfolio to enhance student involvement.
- Presidential: oversees the equity & inclusion department, internal affairs, human resources, and elections.
Each portfolio is led by undergraduate students, with an elected Vice President and supported by a team of volunteers, who are recruited during the summer and fall terms.
“I've found such an amazing community of people and grown so much through my experience at the AUS. By joining in my first year, I was able to find my home on campus simply by doing what I loved. I'm so excited to be your AUS President this year and help bring the Arts community together!”
Major upcoming initiatives
AUS members have been working all summer planning a diverse range of events and initiatives designed to benefit Arts students, whether you’re new to campus or returning!
KickstART
KickstART is the AUS’s signature welcome week, designed to introduce incoming Arts students to the vibrant UBC community. This annual tradition features a range of engaging events to help newcomers start their Arts journey with excitement. This year, from September 9 to 13, mark your calendars for Studio Ghibli Movie Night on September 9, Lunch with A(US) and KickstART Your Finances on September 10, the Volunteer Fair on September 12, and the AUS Sunset Social at Koerner’s Pub on September 13. For more details, check the KickstART schedule and follow us on Instagram for updates.
“Joining the AUS as a first-year international student has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve found a welcoming community, developed leadership skills, and gained confidence. My experience with AUS continues to open up professional opportunities, which has motivated me to return as VP Engagement in my second year.”
Purple Card Program
We are excited to announce the relaunch of the Purple Card program this year, with a significant update: the Purple Card is going digital! Students can now sign up online and add their digital Purple Card to their Apple or Google wallet, eliminating the wait for physical cards. Additionally, this year features an expanding of Purple Card sponsors, with many new partners already secured, offering even more benefits and discounts.
“I joined the AUS in my second year to contribute to the Faculty of Arts, develop my leadership skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. Joining the AUS has undoubtedly been one of the best decisions I’ve made at UBC, allowing me to achieve all these goals and more. I’m particularly passionate about connecting students with incredible charities and collaborating with various businesses”
Arts Student Centre
Located at the corner of East Mall and Walter Gage Road, the Arts Student Centre (ASC) is dedicated to supporting the academic, social, personal, and professional needs of UBC’s diverse Arts student community.
Students can visit the ASC for a range of events, access amenities such as study spaces and meeting rooms, and engage with initiatives like the Food Hub, which includes a community pantry, monthly meals, and the Food Fund program.
There’s always something fun going on at the Arts Student Centre. Check out the AUS Instagram and the ASC Event Calendar to find out more.
Philanthropy Grant Program
The Philanthropy Grant program connects students with local organizations addressing important community challenges, reflecting the AUS’ dedication to giving back. More details on this initiative will be available soon on their website and Instagram.
Get involved with the AUS
Being part of the AUS can be incredibly rewarding. There are various roles available to suit different interests and skills. For updates on opportunities, follow the AUS Instagram and Facebook, and check out their website. If you’re interested in joining the AUS team, keep reading to find out how you can get involved.
AUS Fall Recruitment
From September 9 to 23, the AUS will be recruiting new volunteers for a range of positions across all portfolios, suited to various skills and experience levels. For the latest information on available roles and how to apply, visit the AUS Instagram!
“My experience with the AUS has been so fulfilling . I’ve learned a lot about community building, skill development and have found friends I call my family. I have a deeper understanding of how we, as volunteers and student leaders, can impact and change the experience for all Arts students on campus while also building our own skills as individuals!”
Equity and Inclusion Department
This year, the AUS Equity & Inclusion (E&I) department is focused on fostering ongoing conversations around equity and inclusion within the AUS and across other portfolios. By engaging in consultations with UBC clubs and organizations, the department aims to revise and update the E&I Checklist and Strategy document. Stay tuned for many exciting events throughout the year, including the upcoming ASL Workshop in October! Follow @ausequity, the Equity and Inclusion cepartment’s Instagram account to keep updated!
We hope this post has inspired you to connect with your Arts community. The Arts Undergraduate Society is committed to enhancing your student experience and is excited to welcome you to UBC. Join us and be part of a supportive and engaging community!
