What is UNIQUE? you might ask. Well, UNIQUE is a University Union organization that brings entertainment such as movies, music, lectures and comedy shows to campus. Most events hosted by UNIQUE are free, but if there is a fee involved, the organization’s goal is to keep the cost as low as possible. If there is a price for events, some of the cost is covered by Associated Students, Inc. and the student union fee that is included in student tuition.

Sorenson feels that UNIQUE brings a connection between students and the campus. It is a way to get students to campus, stated Carmy Preston, Unique programs assistant.

“The most important thing to know about UNIQUE is that no other club can offer the experience that we do,” Preston said. “This is a group that gives (students) behind-the-scenes experience to the entertainment world.”

UNIQUE is comprised of student volunteers who all gather together to give back what UNIQUE stands for: Union Network for Innovative Quality University Entertainment.

According to UNIQUE’s “at a glance” flier, the organization’s overall goal is to bring a variety of programs that offer “something for everyone” at a low cost to both students and the school.Students are involved in the selection, promotion and evaluation of these events.

Preston said that, in order for UNIQUE to begin an event, it must have an idea as to what students might want to see on campus. So UNIQUE has student volunteers come together on Mondays and Tuesdays at noon to generate ideas.

“Most events, such as movies, are selected by student volunteers and are big blockbuster hits,” Preston said. UNIQUE’s goal is to get to the movie right before it is released on DVD.

As for the concerts, some of them are local bands that contact UNIQUE in hopes that the organization will have an open date that will suit their schedule. Large events, meaning those that involve “big name” stars, are either sought out or contacted by the organization if the particular event was going to be in the area.

Once UNIQUE has the event settled, it secures the needed resources for that event. In the case of a concert, security must be scheduled and the availability of sound and lighting must be checked.The next step before the show can go on is the promotion. All UNIQUE posters and signs are made on campus by the Graphic Design department in the University Union, Preston said. The last thing to do is run the event. The goal of UNIQUE is to get as many students out as possible. The more students, the more worthwhile the event is.

The students involved in UNIQUE are very welcoming and demonstrate the pride they have in the organization through the way they interact with each other and speak of the events.

Some members, such as Oscar Barragan, enjoy concerts from bands like Cafe Tacuba and Ozomatli. Others, such as Ashley Tapia, enjoy comedy shows such as the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. Sorenson prefers events involving people like Alex Haley, the author of “Roots,” and Caesar Chavez because they are memorable characters and their true purpose of visiting this campus was the students.

The feeling from this group is that they are not a part of this organization to schedule personal entertainment only they would enjoy, but to bring more students to campus.

For more information about UNIQUE Programs, visit its website at www.csus.edu/union/unique.

Angela Cavazos can be reached at [email protected]