The University of Northern Iowa’s two largest student organizations are about to unite as one. UNI Students Today Alumni Tomorrow and the Panther Posse have decided to combine forces for the 2009-2010 academic year.
The organization will still be under the UNI STAT name, but will include both UNI STAT and Panther Posse benefits. The organization will use “True Panthers” as its new theme.
UNI STAT and the Panther Posse have decided to merge because they each hold similar goals. Each organization hopes to help students get involved on campus.
“It just made sense to have them join since they have such similar goals,” said Libby Reindl, UNI STAT program coordinator. ““Both groups are pushing for student involvement so why not combine forces?”
UNI STAT and the Panther Posse used to compete with one another, but now that they have decided to join, they will be more organized and provide students with more opportunities to get involved on campus.
“It will definitely be more organized,” Reindl said. “It will take away the confusion of distinguishing between STAT and the Panther Posse.”
Eric Hrubes, Panther Posse coordinator, also said that this new organization will be more efficient.
“We will have a more organized and powerful staff,” he said. “We will have many opportunities to put on bigger and better events.”
As a member of the UNI STAT organization, students can receive numerous benefits, including a membership card that grants students access to discounts throughout the Cedar Valley and special members-only events hosted by UNI STAT.
“There will be more members-only events going on, which will be monitored more closely with the membership cards,” Reindl said.
Students who join will also receive a UNI STAT membership T-shirt, a True Panthers T-shirt, three “Beat” T-shirts, a specialty “Beat Iowa” T-shirt, an ID holder and a UNI STAT water bottle. UNI STAT members will also receive discounts at over 45 local businesses.
Another benefit of joining UNI STAT is that it allows students to get involved with the Alumni Association while they are still students. It allows students to leave UNI with knowledge of the services that the Alumni Association can provide.
“Upon graduation, students get a one year complimentary membership to the UNI Alumni Association and Panther Scholarship Club,” Reindl said.
There are many opportunities to re-join UNI STAT for the 2009-2010 academic year. Students can sign up outside the Alumni Association house on April 22, outside the West Gym on April 23 and in front of Maucker Union on April 24.
There will also be UNI STAT membership applications in the Northern Iowan on April 14 and April 17. Membership applications can be dropped off at the UNI Alumni Association house or the Student Involvement and Activities Center in the upper level of Maucker Union.
Current UNI STAT and/or Panther Posse members will receive an e-mail with a link to re-join online. There will also be a re-join barbeque event on April 25.
Students who re-join in April will automatically be entered to win one of three iPod Shuffles. The cost to re-join in April is $35.
Hrubes said that becoming a member is worth the price because students will receive numerous benefits and have the opportunity to attend UNI STAT-sponsored activities.
“The benefits will outweigh the costs of the membership,” he said.
UNI STAT has their membership goals set high for the upcoming 2009-2010 year.
“UNI STAT has the potential to become the largest student alumni association in the country. We’re already ranked among the top with our 2008-2009 numbers.” Reindl said.
Panther Posse and UNI STAT set to join forces
Published: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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