The Student Union of United College was established in 1962. Its constituent bodies include the Executive Committee, Council and affiliated interest groups and departmental societies.

The Executive Committee is the highest administrative organisation of the Student Union. It is responsible for drafting activity proposals and legislation for approval by the Council, and for implementing the decisions. The Executive Committee organises various large scale College events, such as Orientation Camp and Anniversary activities through direct involvement or the recruitment of organising committees. The Committee also manages the Student Union Office and all related facilities. All activities of the Executive Committee are monitored by the Student Union Council.

The Council is the highest legislative and monitoring organisation of the Student Union. It handles the election, registration and resource allocation of all affiliated student bodies. It is also responsible for monitoring all those organisations registered under the Student Union.

The affiliated student bodies include student hostels, non-residential halls, interest groups and departmental societies. There are over 40 organisations involved, which are all self-administered on a yearly re-election basis, striving for better benefits for their members and organising various non-formal educational activities for College students.

College Debate Team
The College Cantonese Debate Team was formed in 2000, with the objective of developing student interest in debate and improving their logical thinking, organisation and public presentation skills. The team has had good support from students over the years and organises regularly friendly matches with other debate teams.

United College Toastmasters Club
The United College Toastmasters Club was chartered by the Toastmasters International in September 2005. It is the second chartered Toastmasters Club of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, promoting English public speaking amongst United College students. The motto of the club is 'take the stage, speak your world'.

At Toastmasters meetings, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Members receive trainings on impromptu speaking, public speaking and presentation, and effective listening and leadership through practice and the aid of structured training manuals and feedback from their fellow club members.

Drama Club
The Drama Club was formed by a group of students who were enthusiastic about drama and acting. The club has participated actively in drama performance organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Every year, the club also organises drama, mini-shows and summer drama training camps, and participates in the Inter-college Drama Competition.

Music Activities
Music activities on the College campus are organised by the United College Music Society and the Guitar Club. The two societies have organised many outstanding performances with the assistance of the College and the Student Union. These activities have included the annual Singing Contest, Annual Music Concert and various instrument classes.

Social Service
Social service activities on or outside the College campus are mainly organised by the Rotaract Club and the Leo Club. Every year, these clubs organise many meaningful events and actively serve our local community. In the recent years, their service boundary has broadened to mainland China and overseas countries.

Organic Farming Group and Environmental Protection Activities
This group was formed by the College Environment Committee in 2000. The organic farm is located on the back lawn on Adam Schall Residence. Students and staff of the College are welcome to join. The objectives of the group are to promote the awareness of the needs for environment protection through organic farming activities and encourage students and staff to take part in this meaningful cause. Workshops, farm visits and actual organic farming sessions have been organised for members of the group.

Furthermore, United College Environmental Protection Society was set up on 2003. This was the first college-based student-led society of its kind in the University. The Society has organised activities on environmental protection, including the Energy Wise Award Scheme, an inter-hostel energy conservation competition, eco tours, organic farming practice, recycling scheme in the CUHK hostel, etc.

This Programme was established to encourage College students and student bodies to organise qualitative and creative activities for their members and fellow students. All student bodies registered under the College Student Union and College students are eligible for application. The objectives of the programme are: (i) to increase the organisation of quality student activities on campus to benefit all College students; (ii) to foster the development of an active spirit amongst student organisations; and (iii) to motivate students to participate in and support College life. Student organisations need to submit their activity proposals, including the objectives, implementation plan and budget, by a specified date for assessment. The award winning organisation(s) must submit detailed activity and financial reports to the College on completion of the events. The award amount is $60,000.

The Best Student Organisation of the Year Award was established by the College to encourage student bodies to improve their conduct of businesses and delivery of services. All student organisations registered under the United College Student Union are eligible to be nominated for the award. The selection criteria include:

(i) Detailed activity plans and financial reports;
(ii) Completion of all planned projects within the year;
(iii) Participation in other large-scale College functions;
(iv) Special meanings of creativity and themes of the projects organised; and
(v) Popularity and quality of the activities organised.
The award amount is $10,000.

There are four student hostels in United College: Adam Schall Residence, Bethlehem Hall, Chan Chun Ha Hostel and Hang Seng Hall. Together they provide a total of 1,267 hostel places for about 50% of students of the College.

All undergraduate students are given the opportunity to stay in student hostels for at least one year during their studies. Hostel places are guaranteed for non-local students and exchange students. The allocation of hostel places is administered by the Working Committee on the Selection of Resident Students, the members of which are appointed by the Student Hostels Management Committee. Selection criteria include: (1) living district (2) home environment and (3) participation in extracurricular activities. Special situations such as health or family problems, or final year students who have never been assigned a hostel place during their previous years of study, will also be considered.

Each hostel has its own common room, television room, study room, games room, music room and laundry. There are air-conditioning facilities, a direct telephone line and computer outlets connecting to the campus network in each student bedroom.

Adam Schall Residence
Adam Schall Residence was the College's first student hostel, and was built jointly with the Society of Jesus. It began admitting students in December 1971, providing a total of 439 hostel places. A unique feature of Adam Schall Residence is that it houses a chapel offering Catholic services for the benefit of the entire University.

Bethlehem Hall
Named after the Bethlehem Company Limited whose sizeable donation made its construction possible, Bethlehem Hall was commissioned on 23 September 1978. It houses 228 students.

Chan Chun Ha Hostel
Chan Chun Ha Hostel is the newest student hostel of the College. It was constructed with a very generous donation from the Chan Chun Ha Charitable Trust and accepted its first batch of students in September 2004. Chan Chun Ha Hostel is a ten-storey building that commands breath-taking views of Tolo Harbour. It has a total of 314 hostel places.

Hang Seng Hall
Hang Seng Hall, situated on the north side of the College campus just below Residence Road, was built through a very generous donation from the Hang Seng Bank. Opened in 1986, Hang Seng Hall provides hostel places for 286 students.

Residents' Associations are formed in all hostels to help organise hostel activities and promote resident welfare.

Student Hostels details »

Two non-residential halls, Ping Fun Hall and Pak Chuen Hall, have been established to allow students to develop friendship and join activities in a leisurely environment.

A galaxy of art and cultural activities are organised by the College to foster art and culture appreciation on campus, and to give impetus to local artists. While thematic art and cultural festivals are organised, diverse performance art forms such as dance, music, drama are also presented in Si Yuan Amphitheatre and other indoor venues. Exhibitions of paintings, Chinese calligraphy and sculptures are also organised regularly. Renowned artists and writers are invited as Artist-in-Residence or Writer-in-Residence to conduct workshops, lectures, luncheon talks and sharing sessions to promote art appreciation and creativity on campus.

Physical Education is recognised as an important part of the General Education Programme of the College for the whole-person development of students. Its objective is to encourage students to develop their personality and health through team work. It helps students obtain useful knowledge and physical skills, enjoy recreation and live in good health.

Each year special functions are organised by the Physical Education Unit, including the Swimming Gala and the Athletic Meet, etc. All students are encouraged to take part in these competitive events. Students with potential will be selected to represent the College in various inter-college competitions.

The Physical Education Unit and the College Life Committee jointly organise the Fung Kwok Pui Cup. Staff, students and alumni are welcome to join this sporting competition.

The Task Force on Health Promotion of United College organises a series of health-related activities with relevant College or University organisations. These activities include health screening, health talks and 'Campus Health Ambassadors' programme, which aim at raising health awareness of students and staff members.

Composition

Convener: Professor Stephen H S WONG, Dean of Students