The Korea University Student Union (KUSU), widely regarded as the top executive student body, advocates self-governance through renovation of academic traditions, such as annual events, research activities, and projects. On December 21, 2021, Korea University (KU) students from the Seoul Campus elected the 52nd KUSU, known as Beotimdol. With 87.47 percent votes and a turnover of 34.23 percent, Beotimdol has been communicating with the student body and attempting to fulfill its campaign pledges such as active communication and the continuation of traditional events since the beginning of its term.

Overcoming Past Controversies of SYNERGY

Beotimdol prioritized communication during its election campaign and has been successfully fulfilling its promise by releasing various evaluation reports on social media platforms such as Everytime and Facebook. Because of the controversy that surrounded the 51st KUSU SYNERGY, which “failed to communicate with students and did not announce its activities properly” according to the articles of impeachment presented to its then president, Kim Ga-young (’13, Division of Life Sciences), Beotimdol has been actively working on maintaining transparency.

In fact, out of the 60 campaign pledges promised by SYNERGY, only seven were completely fulfilled, 19 were either partially done or replaced, and 34 were not fulfilled at all because of miscommunication. Pledges on repairing sports facilities, holding meetings on human rights subjects, and improving the Anam Dormitory were fulfilled. However, it failed to provide better laboratory equipment and facilities for engineering and science students, functionally operate the Great Granite Tower Festival (Suktap Daedong Festival), or implement the course drop system. Thus, as mentioned before, Beotimdol is fixing these mistakes by focusing on communication and organizing the Suktap Daedong Festival properly by having an organized team.

For the Students, By the Students

Beotimdol’s major task during the spring semester of 2022 has been managing students’ reaction to KU’s implementation of offline classes. Since most of the undergraduate student body has only experienced online classes so far, students have experienced difficulties adapting to offline classes or hybrid ones. They can be particularly confusing because offline classes have a fixed schedule and students must find the building and classroom number. As a solution, Beotimdol extended the opening hours of the SK Future Hall, which is now accessible from 8:30 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on weekdays. It has also been releasing ongoing daily updated reports on which buildings have empty classrooms that allow students to listen to online classes at given times. Thanks to the efforts of *Beotimdol*, students are now guaranteed safe and quiet study areas where they can prepare for quizzes, projects, and exams.

Other promises that have been fulfilled by Beotimdol include the live screen broadcast of KU Cheerleaders’ cheerleading orientation on April 2022, an unspecified campaign to promote educational rights, a snack event during mid-term examination period, resumption of on-campus shuttle bus, the Harry Potter theme-based Club Festival, an organized protest to memorialize the April 19 Revolution, and the creation of a support staff team for the Suktap Daedong Festival. Beotimdol*s efforts, combined with its active communication with students through its social media platforms, show optimism for the return of university life before COVID-19.

To gain more insight into the operations of Beotimdol, The Granite Tower (GT) has interviewed Kim Seo-jin (‘20, Spanish Language and Literature), a current member of Beotimdol’s Public Media & Communications Team.

GT: What is Beotimdol’s main purpose, and what are some hardships running it?

Kim: The main goal of Beotimdol is to be a reliable supporter for the student body. In fact, new changes are being enacted by listening to students' voices. We have been trying to overcome the long hiatus of school events, which had been forcibly canceled due to COVID-19. The hiatus has made updating information and contacts more difficult, so everyone in KUSU is busy doing that work manually. Although most of us focus on our given duties, there can be an unexpected overwhelming workload at times. As a result, time distribution and managing mental health are two of my main challenges as a member of KUSU.

GT: How can students show support for Beotimdol?

Kim: We are always ready to do our best to support every student, so please don't feel pressured and come to us for any feedback or help. The support we receive from students gives us enough motivation and strength to strive to create a happy university life for everyone.