Several newly-elected University Student Union Board of Directors representatives will serve as the voice of CSUN students, said a board member.

Debra Hammond, executive director of the USU, said she is optimistic with the new group of students and faculty representatives.

“I’m excited, they seem enthusiastic and committed to serving students,” Hammond said.

Three people ran for the chair of student relations and the chair of vice-president.

Hammond said that demonstrates many students are interested in serving on the board and being involved with CSUN activities.

Hammond said Audris Barnes, new chair of student relations, is an inclusive leader who solicits real concerns and issues important to students.

Barnes served as chair last year for three months prior to re-election in March for another term.

Overall, working as a board member has been a good experience, Barnes said.

“You benefit and learn so much like parliamentary procedures, delegating responsibilities, public speaking and how to work with people,” Barnes said.

She said juggling both academics and her Board of Director’s duties were challenging.

The USU Board of Directors is comprised of 17 members. Eleven are students, including Adam Salgado, Associated Students president. Of these students, five are elected through campus wide elections, said Wendy Phelps, associate director of Marketing ‘ Programs of the USU.

Phelps, who has been an adviser of the board for four years, said board members are voted into office on the same ballot as the A.S. elections.

The duration of board member terms is two years, although Phelps said it is difficult for students to complete.

“Two year terms are big commitments for students,” Phelps said. “Students frequently lend their talent to something else, and might want to do something that is closer to their major.”

The mission of the board is to adopt policies, oversee financial matters, facilitate programs and maintain buildings and facilities. Each category has a director and each director is the head of an individual committee. The committees on campus include finance, facilities and commercial services, personnel, marketing and recruitment, and the union program council.

“It wasn’t difficult for me,” Barnes said. “I’m a list person. I make lists. I prioritize and organize everything.”

Barnes, who graduated this spring with a bachelor’s of science and arts n microbiology and Pan African Studies, is currently working on a secondary education credential and plans to attend medical school. She was appointed in June of 2005 to the personnel committee and then re-appointed in March 2006.

As for the new board members, Barnes is optimistic with their abilities to delegate responsibilities.

“The board is very diverse which is pretty much what L.A. is,” she said.

The board recently had orientation where members spent time getting to know each other while participating in activities, such as team building, learning parliamentary procedures, legal basics, finance, how to read budget sheets and marketing ideas for recruitment, Barnes said.

The board works year-round to create events, programs and services for students. They meet once a month during the regular semester while committees meet every other week.

The board has organized events such as Matador Nights, where games are held and music is played, and student showcases, which are held every October.

“Events are a way for new students to be excited and promote new excitement for returning students,” Phelps said.