The SAO is the center of student life at AUK and the home of AUK's Student Senate and student newspaper, The Star. The goal of the SAO is to enhance the value of what students learn in the classroom and to contribute to the purposeful use of students' time by supporting interaction between students, professors, and those outside the university. Those interested in planning student activities, organizing a new student club, or joining an existing one can come to the SAO for materials and information. With advance notice, and depending on space availability, student clubs can also hold their meetings in the SAO.
As the American University in Kyrgyzstan values democratic governance, student views and student participation in the governance of the university are both respected and expected. AUK encourages students to take an active part in influencing university policy and practices. The main forum for student participation is AUK's elected student government, the Student Senate. The Student Senate is chosen every year in elections held in November and open to all students. Representatives serve a one-year term.
The primary functions of the student government are to represent student interests to the administration and to manage the student activities budget. It meets weekly to review students' funding proposals, plan university events, and discuss university policy. If you have concerns that you believe the Senate should address, or you wish to suggest an activity the Senate should fund or plan, you should ask your representative to raise these issues at a Senate meeting. All meetings are public, are announced beforehand, and are open to all members of the student body who wish to attend.
In addition to democratic governance, AUK also values freedom of speech and of the press. In accordance with this idea, there are currently two student run media organizations. The Star is the student newspaper, and the AUK TV Production Club has produced short films that deal with AUK student life.
The Star is the official student newspaper at AUK. Published roughly every three weeks, it includes articles in both English and Russian on university issues and topics of interest to students. Its newsroom is the Student Affairs Office, and staff meets twice weekly in a scheduled elective course to prepare the newspaper. Those who are not in the class may write for The Star. See the editor-in-chief for details.
The activities of the AUK TV Production Club include writing, filming, directing, editing, presenting and producing TV programs and video films. Journalism students are preferred as club members except for producers. Talent and willingness to work a lot are essential. Knowledge of Russian and English languages is necessary.
During the past year, the first AUK TV production studio equipped with first class professional tele - and video equipment was opened. The opening ceremony of the educational television studio took place on September 7, 2000, at the main building of the AUK, right before the journalists' International Solidarity Day.
Today it is a cradle of budding journalists' first creations: TV programs, advertising clips, documentaries, etc. The center is intended for students of the Journalism program, but it is open for projects and programs of all other students as well. The television studio is dedicated to the memory of the former head of the Journalism department Raushan Hasanovna Bulatova.
Student clubs exist to give participants opportunities to develop interests and skills in many different activities. Clubs increase conviviality among students and a sense of pride in AUK. Participation in club activities can also sharpen a student's knowledge and experience in a particular area of expertise. Active involvement demonstrates to prospective employers commitment to extra-curricular responsibilities. Clubs are recognized and registered through the Student Affairs Office. Information about each club, its faculty sponsor (if any), membership requirements, and student contacts are listed opposite the Student Affairs Office, New Building, Room 105, telephone 66-35-26.
KSTAN (Kyrgyzstan: Service To All Needs) is an officially registered Student Youth Association organized in fall 1997 by a group of enthusiastic students who felt there was something they could change in the life of Kyrgyzstan by a collective effort. The mission of KSTAN is TO SERVE AND IMPROVE KYRGYZSTAN. The range of KSTAN activities is unlimited: they are involved in charity, environmental, social and educational projects. Besides working on the above-mentioned projects, KSTAN also organizes different kinds of fundraising activities in order to sustain the operation of the organization. The members of KSTAN are especially proud of the fact that they earn most of the funds themselves, contributing their time and effort. Any student, who shares their ideals and interests, can become a member of KSTAN. For that, he or she needs to study the Charter of the organization, fill out an application form and submit an entrance fee. All outgoing, interesting, ambitious and fun students are always welcome. You are welcome to contact us by e-mail: kstan_org@yahoo.com
Students in Free Enterprise is a student movement brought to Central Asia by KAF students returning from study in Nebraska. Its goal is to spread the idea of free enterprise. Members of this movement devote their time to developing and implementing various (social, business, etc.) projects. Their projects are aimed at helping our country overcome social and economic problems and most importantly, to raise people's spirits. Anyone can get involved in the projects that have been initiated so far or come up with their own new ideas. SIFE members have won regional competitions several times and represented the country in international competitions in the US.
Amnesty is an international organization made up of individuals pursuing the global acceptance of human rights. Members, as part of the international network of local groups, take part in letter-writing campaigns directed at violators of human rights around the world, and organize events aimed at raising awareness of human rights issues locally.
Amnesty International Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is the only official Amnesty group in Central Asia. Due to its members' tireless efforts during the past year, it was officially recognized as an affiliate of the international organization in May, 2000. Its current goals include expanding the network in Kyrgyzstan with new student groups and organizing public activities that will draw attention to human rights issues.
Alpha & Omega is a fellowship that teaches and discusses Christian morals and values, readings and studies of the Bible. The club performs acts of social kindness. Club members study the Bible, acquire new knowledge, develop a new attitude towards the world, and take an active part in the life of AUK. Everybody is always welcome to visit the Alpha and Omega club and to take part in our meetings. You are welcome to contact us by e-mail: alena@auk.edu.kg
Debate Club members strive to be the best in the country, and have represented Kyrgyzstan at the Soros Foundation's debate tournaments abroad several times. The club holds training and tournaments throughout the year. For those interested in improving and practicing their rhetorical skills and competing against others, defending their arguments with the adept use of Russian, Kyrgyz and English oratory, the debate club is for you.
Auk Flying B-Boyz strives to make the name of the AUK synonymous with the name of progressive youth. We actually do one of the main streams in Hip-Hop culture, BREAKDANCE. What we do is dancing and helping others to master it. To become a member of our club you have to be physically strong, have a sense of rhythm, and just be interested. Contact us by e-mail: bs@auk.edu.kg
The Indian Club was inaugurated on 10 February, 1999, by the ambassador of India to Kyrgyzstan. Its aim is international cultural exchange and enabling students to enrich their knowledge and experience. The club has many interesting and exciting activities such as the celebration of Indian and international festivals and holidays, visiting selected children's homes or orphanages on a regular basis, and visiting old age homes and giving entertainment on certain holidays. For intellectual enrichment, the club organizes panel discussions in English.
The Intelligence Service is a group of intelligent, educated, and experienced students of the American University in Kyrgyzstan. The Intelligence Service uses the intellectual potential of students to strengthen society in educational, political, economic and social spheres as well as it involving students in social, political and economic activities. Since the first days of the club's foundation in December, 1999, the Intelligence Service has proved to be a reliable organization providing a wide range of professional services:
Translating.
Interpreting.
Conducting surveys.
Staff recruiting.
Secretarial services.
To become a member of the Intelligence Service you have to be a person of actions as well as words, to share the values and ideas of your teammates, to see yourself as a tool to change your life and lives of others, and to strive for challenging responsibilities. You are welcome to contact us by e-mail: intell@auk.edu.kg
The club provides an opportunity for people to discover their talents for acting, producing, writing, and singing and to learn to make these talents useful to themselves and the university. KVN involves a vocal, critical thinking, comic spirit and creative work.
This club was organized in January 2000. Members take an active part in regional and national competitions. Currently our team is a KVN tournament finalist. In the near future we would like to take part in the championship of Kyrgyzstan and to be participants in famous Maslyakov's KVN. In order to become a member of club, you have to play and work a lot. Five minutes of triumph on the stage is worth working hard. Let's make our lives more interesting! To know more about the KVN movement in Kyrgyzstan, see the official Web Site: http://www.kvn.kg
The sport club organizes athletic activities for the student body throughout the year. AUK's students can participate in football, basketball, tennis, bodybuilding, arm-wrestling, mini-football, chess and other tournaments as well as other events. At the end of the year, awards and gifts are given to those of AUK's student athletes with the highest level of achievement as well to the sportiest program of the season at the big sports holiday. You are welcome to contact us by e-mail: ion@auk.edu.kg
Activities that will give students opportunities to explore and develop their interests at the university are encouraged. The creation of clubs is a continuous process in AUK. The Catalog contains information about the clubs, which have been existing for two or more years. In fact, there are many more clubs in AUK. To register a new club, come to the Student Affairs Office to pick up a form. The form requests the names of those organizing the club and a brief description of its planned activities. Once registered, clubs may request money from the Student Activities Budget.
Limited funds are continuously available to support student activities and the maintenance of student clubs. Requests for funds under $10 can be made directly to the Student Affairs Coordinator. For requests over $10, students must complete a proposal to the Student Senate, which is responsible for allotting the Student Activities Budget. Requests should be made as far in advance as possible, and usually requests made on short notice are refused.
The proposal form is available from the Student Affairs Office, and should be submitted at least one week before the anticipated funds are needed. The Senate will generally consider all proposals at their next weekly meeting, so it's a good idea to find out when this is, so that the proposal can be submitted on time. Those making the request should also be present, in case the Senate wishes to ask questions about the proposal or suggest alternatives.
Once funds are approved, those responsible should deal only with the Student Affairs Coordinator. The student must agree to provide official signed, stamped receipts for all funds issued. This is not an AUK regulation, but one of the tax inspectors. Any funds which cannot be accounted for by official receipts in the time period agreed upon with the SAC must be returned, and if they are not, will be added to the student's tuition bill.
If a student club wishes to use a room of the university or equipment owned by the university, the SAC should be notified first. The SAC may refer you to Boris Borisovich Alin, the physical plant manager, or to the Registrar's Office. No profit-making institutions or companies are permitted to use university property free of charge, regardless of the service they may be offering. Due to regulations concerning the university's taxation status, companies also cannot pay to use the university grounds. However, companies who offer services, which may be of interest to AUK students, are welcome to post announcements on the various bulletin boards around the university.
Via the Students' Senate and clubs the Students' Affairs office maintains links with youth democratic organizations, which influence democratic processes in the country. It presents and promotes democratic values of the modern open society.
Room 104 of the New Building houses the university's doctor. The health service's goal is to provide AUK students with timely and cost-effective health care so that they are able to focus on their education with minimal interruption due to illness or injury. The Student Health Service provides walk-in, no appointment health care to students Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Finding a job is one of the most challenging tasks students face. However, as an AUK student, you do have an advantage. AUK has recently developed an Office of Career Services, which will provide resources that will make your job search much easier. OCS is currently housed in the Student Affairs Office. The staff consists of the Student Affairs Coordinator and one part time career services coordinator. Throughout the year, OCS will hold seminars on job-searching skills, including resume - writing, interviewing, and how to conduct research for a job search. Keep an eye out for announcements for these seminars, as they will be an invaluable aid in developing the skills needed to search for employment. OSC holds consultations on resumes and cover letters. If you are considering applying for a job, come to the OCS for comments on how to you can improve these documents. The OCS also maintains contacts with businesses around the area, and can supply phone numbers and contact details.
During the school year OCS will maintain a bulletin board outside the Student Affairs Office to post current vacancies. Please make sure to check this bulletin board frequently for information.
A first-term student registered at AUK is required to attend a special pre-registration orientation session. The program is specifically designed to help students successfully adjust to college life, and to utilize the various university resources for maximum personal development and benefit.
Every year, on the second Wednesday in November, freshmen participate in a show during which they are officially inducted into the university as students, and are awarded their student IDs. Planning for the show
starts early and tryouts take place towards the end of September.
During the academic year the Students' Affairs Office organizes different events which may be included or not into the Academic Calendar. The most significant of them are:
m Orientation Week
m Initiation
m Commencement
Traditionally Commencement is held in early June, and students are awarded Bachelor's and Master's diplomas. Greetings from the President, faculty and students form an integral part of this ceremony. The awarding ceremony is a real holiday and one of the most memorable events in the life of students.
The Students' Office takes an active part in the conduct of festive events some of which have become traditional:
m Thanksgiving Day
m Christmas
m Spirit week
m Halloween
m The April Fool's Day, etc.
Trying to preserve the spirit of AUK THE Students' Office conducts all the holidays in a very original manner, which the American University in Kyrgyzstan is famous for.
The Students' Office distributes tickets to the most significant events in the cultural life of the capital.
2000 American University in Kyrgyzstan Designed for 800x600, Netscape 4, Explorer 4 or above
