Black Student Union

About the organization

Black Student Union builds community for Black students, programs for Black History Month and beyond, and advocates on campus climate.

It is a recognized student organization in the Cultural & identity category, funded in part by the student activity fee and advised by a faculty or staff member. Recognition means it can reserve space, request funding, and use campus systems — it does not mean the university endorses every view its members hold.

Who joins

Membership is open to students who share the identity or heritage and allies who want to learn and support. There are no dues beyond what members vote on for specific activities, and you can come to a meeting before deciding to join. New members are welcomed all year, with the biggest push at the fall and spring involvement fairs.

What the group does

In a typical year: heritage-month events, cultural celebrations, discussion nights, a shared meal, advocacy on campus issues, and collaboration with the identity resource centers. The group meets weekly; times and locations are posted on the organization’s page in the campus engagement platform and emailed to members.

Why students join

It is a place to be known, to find community, and to shape how the campus supports students like you. Officer roles — president, treasurer, and committee chairs — are elected each spring and are real, resume-worthy leadership experience with training and an adviser’s support.

How to get involved

Search for Black Student Union in the campus engagement platform to see upcoming meetings and message an officer, stop by its table at the involvement fair, or email the Student Organizations & Leadership office to be connected. Starting your own group instead? That office has the two-page process.

What the first meeting is like

Come as you are; nothing is expected in advance. A typical meeting opens with announcements and upcoming dates, moves to whatever the group is actually working on that week, and ends with a way for newcomers to plug in — a sign-up, a small task, or just a name and email. You are not committing to anything by showing up, and it is normal to visit two or three organizations before settling on one. If the meeting time does not work with your schedule, message an officer; many groups run a second informal session or keep notes for members who cannot always attend.

Money, space, and the adviser

As a recognized organization, Black Student Union can reserve rooms and tables on campus, apply to the student activity-fee committee for event and travel funding, and hold its funds in a university account rather than a personal one. Spending has to follow the same basic rules every group uses: request ahead, keep receipts, no alcohol with fee money. The faculty or staff adviser signs off on funding requests and travel and is a point of continuity as officers turn over each year; the students, not the adviser, run the group.