UCMSA Universalis

Infobox University
name = UCM Study Association Universalis

established = 3 December, 2002
type = Public, Study Association
city = Maastricht
country = The Netherlands
members = over 400
host institution = University College Maastricht, Maastricht University
website = [http://www.ucmstudents.nl]

Universalis, or officially University College Maastricht Study Association Universalis (UCMSA Universalis) is a multicultural, multidisciplinary study association, directly affiliated with the University College Maastricht (UCM). It was created in 2002 to further the social and academic development of UCM students in an extracurricular capacity while contributing to the community. [Pot, E.; Pagán, B.; Lucas, G.; Wiebe, P.; Josten, L.; Plenter, J.; UCMSA Articles of Association, Notarized 3 December 2002] .

Universalis accomplishes its objectives through different events and activities. It follows a structure typical of most Maastricht University study associations, as it is lead by an executive board (currently six members), has committees staffed by active members, and provides services for and receives contributory dues from general members.

Leadership

Some active members can become leaders within the organization through annual election. For the executive board, certain members are nominated by themselves or other members. If these nominees do not wish to withdraw their nomination, they can campaign and be elected at a general assembly, ordinarily held in June. These elected leaders retain their positions for one academic year, at which point they may nominate themselves for re-election [Pot, E.; Pagán, B. UCMSA Universalis Charter, Notarized 3 December 2002] .

Committee chairs, on the other hand, are each chosen internally by her/his pertinent committee. The way this is done depends on the discretion of the committee's members.

Executive Board

Currently, the Executive Board is staffed by:
* President: Nina Weser
* Treasurer: Aernout Verhallen
* Secretary: Theresa Schlagheck
* Social Activities Officer: Pieter Verhallen
* Academic Activities Officer: Sarah Kunz
* Public Relations Officer: Susanne Kuhrmann

History

On 5 September, 2002, UCM's first students gathered in the back yard of their new university building, which at the time was at Bouillonstraat 8-10. There, Erik Pot and Gertjan Lucas expressed to the rest of the student body (then 72 students strong) their interest in creating a study association for the UCM. They were joined by Brian Pagán, Jennifer Plenter, Lucas Josten, and Justus van de Sande to form an informal "founding committee" to gather resources and get their study association on its feet [Lucas, G.; Pot, E.; Pagán, B.; Wiebe, P.; Josten, L.; Plenter, J., UCM Study Association Universalis: Annual Report 2002-2003] .

Name and Logo

During the first few months after their initial meeting, they decided on an identity for the association, its name and logo. Having discussed the matter over snacks and drinks at the Café Metamorfoos in Maastricht, they decided that there were already enough "student" associations at the university, so they decided to create a "study" association. This decision was borne out of a desire to perform more than only social functions for its students and to contribute to the community instead of just existing there. This philosophy would carry forth into all of the founding committee's subsequent decisions.

Given the diversity of UCM's students and the institution itself, the committee decided the best concept for the association's identity to be Leonardo da Vinci's Homo Universalis. This renaissance man idea expresses the juxtaposition of many diverse interests and skill sets in one person, and they felt that this idea also applies to UCM and its students. The idea further carries on to the city of Maastricht, which itself is a juxtaposition of not only many international cultures, but old, historical architecture and tradition with modern innovation and technology.

They then decided to call the association "Universalis". Having discussed the matter with Justus van de Sande, Brian Pagán designed the new logo concept, which uses da Vinci's Homo Universalis drawing as a basis while modifying it to be modern and unique.

Milestones

First Elections

The first unofficial Universalis general assembly was held on 19 September, 2002. It was there that the first executive board was elected, after the organization's structure was drawn up by the founding committee [Lucas, G.; Pot, E.; Pagán, B.; Wiebe, P.; Josten, L.; Plenter, J., UCM Study Association Universalis: Annual Report 2002-2003] . Universalis' founding executive board was staffed by:
* President: Erik Pot
* Vice President: Brian Pagán
* Secretary: Gertjan Lucas
* Treasurer: Peter Wiebe
* Internal Affairs Officer: Lucas Josten
* Public Relations Officer: Jennifer Plenter

Official Creation

It was this executive board that brought the association into official existence by way of registration with the Maastricht Chamber of Commerce and certification by a notary public on 3 December, 2002. This date marks the official birth of the UCM Study Association Universalis [Lucas, G.; Pot, E.; Pagán, B.; Wiebe, P.; Josten, L.; Plenter, J., UCM Study Association Universalis: Annual Report 2002-2003] .

Committees

Currently, there are 13 committees in Universalis. They are listed here, along with their respective chairs:
* Promo Team: Alexandra van Nunen
* Charity Committee: Amandine de Rosnay
* Excursion Committee: Lars Smits
* Party Committee: Bernard Gouw
* Arts and Photography Committee: Sophie Casimira Kromholz
* Yearbook Committee: Lionne Koens
* Gala Committee
* Sports Committee
* Artistic/ Drama Committee
* Introduction/ Promo Committee
* Governance Club
* Newsflash Committee
* Debate Team

Executive Board Member History

_{*) Executive Board positions and duties have evolved since Universalis' inception.}

References

External links

* [http://www.ucmstudents.nl Universalis Website]
* [http://www.ucmluminous.nl UCM Luminous, Alumni Official Website]
* [http://www.ucm.nl University College Maastricht Official Website]
* [http://www.unimaas.nl Maastricht University Official Website]