What do Amazin' Blue, The Michigan Every Three Weekly, Laughtrack and 12 other student programs have in common? They are all funded and programmed by the University Activities Center.

UAC, founded in 1965 as a campus-wide, student-run programming initiative, now provides programs and leadership opportunities, while managing 15 organizations and allocating $250,000 a year.

"The University started UAC in order to provide large-scale projects for students," said Engineering senior and UAC President Brian Netter. "We provide a variety of programs and keep a tight watch over those we manage because there is so much money being spent."

University funding for UAC - provided by tuition dollars - increased this year from $180,000 to $250,000.

"UAC hadn't gone up for a funding increase since 1986," said Susan Wilson, director of Student Activities and Leadership and primary advisor to UAC. "They were able to convince the Vice President of Student Affairs (E. Royster Harper) and the regents that they needed more money because there had been a dramatic increase in student involvement and no corresponding funding increase."

Mandated to provide campus-wide programs, Wilson said UAC is different from other student organizations.

"UAC is not just another student group - its mission is to provide campus-wide programs," Wilson said. "Other groups may define their scope that way, but they are not obligated to reach out - UAC is.

"It is using the new funds to broaden its base and better engage student groups by providing more social, educational and cultural programs outside the classrooms."

Like the Michigan Student Assembly, UAC funds student programs, but offers more than just financial assistance.

"A student group goes to MSA with a proposal and leaves with funds," Wilson said. "A student group goes to UAC with a proposal and engages in a much more collaborative process: If it wants to bring a program to campus, for example, it could work with UAC, which would do the programming and publicity, while the student group provides the ideas and talent. In this way, UAC provides more than just funding - it is a true programming body."

Although MSA funds the majority of campus student groups, UAC funds 15, which, according to Netter, "require significantly more oversight and money to operate."

"MSA isn't designed to program events - it is a political organization," Netter said. "It allocates funds, but it is unable to organize student programs. That isn't its role."

UAC receives funding from the University, but few guidelines.

"Aside from internal procedures, UAC doesn't receive much University oversight," Netter said. "One of the amazing things about UAC is that the University trusts students with so much money and responsibility."

UAC is managed by an executive board of five students who, serving a one-year term, manage 15 two-person committees, which run each of the center's programs.

"We act as a board of oversight and try to develop long-term projects for the organization," Netter said.

Applications for next year's executive board must be submitted by Feb. 13. A panel of University staff and outgoing board members will interview applicants.

"We are looking for students who are already involved with campus student groups and have some leadership experience," Netter said. "Applications for the general board are due in late March - the general board is an opportunity for students to get their first leadership experience."