The Student Activity Board is getting ready for the upcoming ACUI (Association of College Unions International) conference, Oct. 27–29 at the University of Idaho.
The ACUI has a long history of organizing college students to make their goals become a reality.

Following World War II, the association provided resources to union professionals dealing with the unprecedented number of students enrolling in colleges and universities.
The union itself was and is the community center of colleges. It serves students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests.

The union here at MHCC offers a variety of programs, activities, services and facilities that together try to assist student life at the college.

“If you could go check out a laptop because you can’t afford one, that’s a big help,” said Dick Magruder, the Student Center and Events coordinator. “This conference is to talk about those sorts of things, and how to service our students better.”

“We won’t be talking about math, we’ll be talking about the game room and food services,” Magruder continued. “We’re trying to enhance skills in teamwork, time management, all those skills that will help you be competitive in the work market.”

The conference is a chance for schools to find out what other schools are doing and finding to be successful.

“We don’t have a laptop loan program yet,” said Magruder, “but it’s working in other schools and we hope to bring it here.”

Region 14 includes Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Saskatchewan.

The international organization has several regions divided across the globe, united to make college life better for its students.

“People who come will never be the same again. They’ll get ideas for their school that they never thought possible before,” said Magruder.

Magruder says the idea is to give students a better experience. “It’s great if faculty want to come by and shoot some pool, but the College Center is for students, and that’s who you primarily see here. It’s a facility designed around them, for them, and by them. The students who were in the program in years before were actually the ones who designed the building.”

The game room in the College Center, as one example, has wi-fi capability, allowing students with laptops to come in and hook up to the internet whenever they fancy. MHCC students recently voted to allocate $6,000 to this area alone.

There is also a lounge room littered with tables and couches, and a fireplace in the center.

“It’s quieter here than it is in the library, which I think is pretty funny,” said Kush, an MHCC student.

Kush wasn’t the only one relaxing in this room. Students dotted the room, studying silently. “It’s a great place for us,” said Kush.