▲ Godaegonggamdae. Provided by Godaegonggamdae

The year 2012 has nearly reached its end, and so has the administration of the 45th Korea University Student Association (KUSA), Godaegonggamdae. Whether it will be remembered as a successful KUSA or a less acknowledged one will depend on Korea University (KU) students’ future evaluation.

Godaegonggamdae successfully took office after a lengthy election, which lasted from November 29, 2011 to December 1, 2011. Its candidate Park Jong Chan (’00, Food and Resources Economics), along with his running mate, Jeong Yeon Ki, (’06, Mechanical Engineering) garnered 42.84 percent of all votes, leaving three other candidates far behind. This came as a shock to a number of people, for KU has long been known for activism; but, Godaegonggamdae claimed itself to be a non-activist. Since its taking of office, it has concentrated on carrying out its pledges it had put on the table. Some of its main campaigns include secession from the Hankuk University Student Association (HUA), publication of Anam-gol Taekriji, which is a booklet containing residence information of the Anam area, distribution of Cheong-chun card, and setting up of smoking booths. As its administration is nearing its end, evaluation of its campaign fulfillment seems most appropriate.

Secession from HUA

KUSA’s membership in HUA started in the year 2009, when the 42nd KUSA actively called for KU’s participation in social issues. KUSA’s participation in HUA was especially vigorous during the administration of the 44th KUSA. The intimate bond between KUSA and HUA was severely criticized by a plethora of students, when it was later found out that HUA had exerted a huge influence on the school’s internal matters including the Saenaegi Concert in 2011 and college elections. On top of that, according to those who were for the secession, HUA had affiliated itself with political parties, even issuing a statement of condolence after the former North Korean head of the state, Kim Jeong Il, passed away.

    Thus, Park, in accordance with his original pledge, suggested a student poll for deciding whether KUSA should keep its membership or withdraw from HUA. The student poll took place from September 10 to September 12, with voter turnout of 4,305 students. Out of 4,305 ballots cast, 3,841 were for secession, 420 were against it, and 46 were spoiled votes. As a result, 56 representatives met on October 6, proclaiming KUSA’s withdrawal from the association.

    The issue of KUSA’s secession from HUA leaves students with some points to deeply ponder. Without any doubt, the 45th KUSA’s fulfillment of its promise is something to be applauded. Nevertheless, some students are arguing that it falls short of coming up with an alternative to HUA. “KUSA had run well without the HUA before 2009,” comments Park, “and I think finding an alternative to HUA right now does not seem urgent. Moreover, building trust and grasping students’ needs should be prioritized.”

Publishing of Anam-gol Taekriji and Babriji

    Anam-gol Taekriji was one of Godaegonggamdae’s proposed measures to enhance student welfare. Anam-gol Taekriji was published and distributed starting February, 2012. Its goal was to provide students who are looking for residences around campus with useful information. Later, KUSA gathered more information that had been left out in the first edition, publishing the second edition in July, 2012. Park Sang Gi (’07, Law) comments, “I had a rather difficult time looking for a room around campus after I came back from the army. Fortunately, when I learned of Anam-gol Taekriji, I was able to save time in finding a residence most suitable for me.”

    In a sense, Babriji shares a similar role with Anam-gol Taekriji, for it serves students in bettering their welfare. Basically, it contains a list of a wide variety of restaurants around campus, which are classified according to their delivery availability, menu, and location. It was distributed to students in October. A number of students found this book greatly helpful in filling their appetites, but the others complained about the quality of photos that are intended to show the readers the restaurant menu. “The pictures are printed too dark,” says Lee Hyun Ji (’11, Spanish Language and Literature), “I could not recognize the letters on the menu.” Yet, KUSA successfully dealt with such difficulty by uploading the pictures on to the iKU, a smart-phone application, where they can be seen more clearly.

▲ Cheong-chun card. Provided by Godaegonggamdae

Distribution of Cheong-chun Card

    Cheong-chun card was another ambi­tious work of the 45th KUSA in an effort to raise KU students’ quality of life. It had been earlier noted that restaurants and shops around the Anam area do not of­fer many benefits to KU students, whereas shops in front of other universities do so to nearby university students. In an attempt to appease such discontent voice of students, Go­daegonggamdae distributed Cheong-chun card to KU stu­dents. The card could be used to affiliates, mostly clustered in the Anam area, where students could get cash-backs or small gifts. Some popular affiliated stores were Lotte Cin­ema near Cheongnyangni Station and Rockhu Karaoke near Anam Station. As of November 2012, around 40 affiliates are providing KU students with necessary benefits. “I found Cheong-chun card somewhat helpful,” says Lee Ji Ah (’11, German Language and Literature), “however, I hope there were more affiliated stores.” To such comments, Park says that he hopes the next KUSA expands the number of the card’s affiliates. Cheong-chun card’s contract with affiliated stores expires on December 31, 2012.

▲ Smoking booth.Provided by Godaegonggamdae

Installation of Smoking Booths on Campus

    When Godaegonggamdae suggested the installation of smoking booths on campus as one of their core pledges, some students ques­tioned its plausibility, for it would cost a large amount of mon­ey. Expectably, the way to the construction was a rather bumpy road. Godaegonggmadae met with offi­cials from Korea Tobacco and Ginseng (KT&G), carrying out negotiations that were ultimately unsuccessful. Then, a firm suggested providing necessary money, only if they were given exclusive rights to advertise its advertisements on the booths for five years. Park says, “School officials rejected the proposal, because exhibition of such advertisements could compromise educational environment.” Despite ini­tial predicaments, Godaegonggamdae was able to pull it off, with the school’s funding, starting the construction on November 18, 2012. On a trial basis, two booths would be set up, one behind the Science Library and one in front of the Central Plaza. Smoking booths in KU are worth paying attention to, because contrary to booths in other universi­ties, ones in KU are equipped with air conditioning, dust collectors, and air cleaners. “I look forward to the comple­tion of the construction,” says Park Seo Young (’11, German Language and Literature), “I will not have to inhale smoke anymore.”

Overall Performance of Godaegonggamdae

    A majority of students are agreeing that the 45th KUSA has achieved more than any other KUSA in enhancing student welfare. Other than the aforementioned performances, the 45th KUSA has achieved a myriad pledges. It has made banking fees at all Hana Bank ATMs (automated teller machine) free, launched the smart-phone application iKU, revised the student body bylaws, and negotiated with school officials to bring down tuition fees. “I was delighted to hear the news of free banking fees,” says Kwon Da Ye (’11, Chinese Language and Literature), “I could see the KUSA was definitely doing its work.” However, unfortunately, it has not succeeded in every business it has put its hands on. For example, it contacted school officials to bargain about implementing new policies regarding shifting of major, which was unsuccessful. Furthermore, its effort to increase number of core elective classes was met with practical problems including number of professors and classroom availability. When asked if he thinks the 45th KUSA has spent a constructive year serving as a student representative, Park says, “Godaegonggamdae has fulfilled more pledges than any other KUSA has in the last five years. However, I am deeply regretful that some pledges were not carried out due to school’s objections.”

    It may be carefully said that Godaegonggamdae was received warmly as it gathered more than 40 percent of all votes. It has spent a busy year, eagerly yearning to fulfill its pledges. Nonetheless, will it be remembered as a successful KUSA? Only time will tell.