University Programming Council, UPC, is an organization at UMass Amherst that centers around creating fun, engaging events for the UMass student body. “YOUPS” is what the members of UPC are called, and they are involved in many aspects of UPC.
Inside of UPC
Anyone can join UPC! Every Tuesday at 7 pm in the Student Union, there are general body meetings! At these meetings, people are updated on what is going on at UPC and upcoming events. After, there is a social hour where people do a social activity to get to know each other. Overall, these meetings are meant for people to engage with one another, make new friends, and learn more about UPC.
However, if you want to get involved in UPC, you can be an Event Coordinator (EC)! There are many event coordinators such as Social, Late Night, Production, Special Events, Marketing, Campus Collaborations, Performing Arts, Finance and Policy, and Speaker. All of these ECs have their own tasks and event planning according to their roles. For example, Late Night is in charge of planning something like movie nights, while Social is in charge of the Social Hour at the general body meetings. If you want to go even further in leadership, you can apply to be on E-Board if you fulfill the requirements.
In order to be an EC, you have to attend every general body meeting, unless you’re excused, and volunteer at the 4 movie nights, required events, one non-required event, and 3 tablings. These are very easy and low-stakes tasks that people can get done within the semester. They’re meant to let you engage in different activities within UPC, and see what you’re interested in! It also gives you a chance to help make an event happen, and create a fun environment for the UMass body!
Some examples of events we have done are Spring Concerts with artists like Flo Rida, Jack Harlow, and Don Toliver. We have also done other events like a haunted house, Homecoming, Big Chill, a yard sale, and so much more.
How Did I Get Involved?
I got involved because my friend, Heli, was a Speaker EC and was hosting her event. I decided to visit her and see what it was all about. I came around the time they were setting up, and I got to see the logistics of event planning along with their roles put in action. I enjoyed seeing the process because it looked like everyone was trying their best to help out and genuinely wanted to make sure this event went smoothly. I saw so much dedication and hard work in all of these volunteers, and I was inspired by them.
The next semester, I decided to go to the general body meetings, where everyone was so open and friendly. You would think a big organization like UPC would be hard to make friends, but it was the exact opposite. I have made so many friends from UPC, and feel very comfortable to be myself.
My experience as an EC?
After completing my voting rights and applying to be EC, I had the opportunity to be a Social EC this semester! I work with my Social EC pair and advisor to plan social activities for each meeting. We have our office hours every Monday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to brainstorm ideas, keep each other informed, and plan the end-of-the-year banquet. It has been super fun being in charge of making the slides, making fun games for people to play, and being upfront and presenting our activity! My social pair, Manny, makes me feel more confident and comfortable with myself, especially when we’re in front of the room. I still continue to volunteer for events to get my voting rights for this semester, and it is still so much fun as it was to be a general body member!
What I learned?
In my time at UPC, I learned that if you put yourself out there, you will find fulfillment of the college experience. That experience is a safe space where you can grow and develop as a student and as a person. UPC has given me many opportunities, such as learning to plan an event, the logistics of event planning, communicating with others, being a leader and a teammate, and overall helping me build my confidence in both a professional and social environment.
This is not a promotion for UPC– but it genuinely has been on my mind lately. Especially since as my next step at UPC, I hope to be on E-board as their Marketing Director. Reflecting on UPC and its values has emphasized my passion for the organization that I will hopefully be able to carry on as Marketing Director.
The result? UPC will always be remembered as a major part of my college experience, just like Her Campus, since this club was the very first club I joined at UMass Amherst. UPC and Her Campus will both hold a special place in my heart. Since I am getting closer to being a senior and reflecting on my college experience, I realize it is very important to join these types of organizations to expand who you are and could potentially become.
Can’t get enough of HC UMass Amherst? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Spotify, like us on Facebook, and read our latest Tweets!