The Creighton Students Union
Leading the Way—and Developing New Leaders
The Creighton Students Union (CSU) is the comprehensive student government at the University, representing the University's nine schools and colleges—and 9,000 students. The organization exists to ensure every student’s educational experience is as fulfilling as possible. As the members of the CSU lead, they abide by the organization’s governing documents. They help new leaders develop through the CSU Presidential Fellowship Program, and they support the community with efforts and events like JayWalk.
Our Commitment to Our Fellow Students
As students at a Jesuit University, the CSU members are committed to social justice and our calling to be men and women for and with others. We’re dedicated to supporting students inclusive of race, color, nationalities or ethnic origin, disability, gender identity, religion, immigration status, and sexual orientation. And the CSU is committed to ensuring that all students feel they are in a welcoming and inclusive environment during their time at Creighton University. The CSU condemns hate speech and discrimination in any capacity; we are devoted to promoting and protecting the dignity of all people.
Governing Documents
The CSU strictly abides by its governing documents, policies and procedures to ensure the organization is run with fluidity and accuracy.
The CSU Constitution
This document outlines the CSU’s mission and its duties as a students union. It also describes the CSU’s purpose in representing the student body, as well as each branch and their responsibilities. And on November 7, 2017, at the State of the Student Address, the student body voted to add in a diversity and inclusion statement to the CSU constitution.
The CSU Bylaws
The CSU Bylaws provide details about running for election and the terms of each office. This document also maps out the duties of each position within the CSU and describes the process for organizations to obtain funding. These bylaws may be changed or amended to better accommodate the changing student body.
The CSU Presidential Fellowship Program
For more than ten years, the Creighton Students Union Presidential Fellowship has provided first-semester students with the opportunity to become involved with student government—before the annual elections in November. Presidential Fellows develop their leadership skills through networking with current student leaders, Creighton administrators and Omaha community leaders. They also partake in an Ignatian Leadership seminar and begin to explore the underlying values that explain why they believe what they believe.
The program includes approximately 20 first-year Creighton students who participate in leadership development, experience the ins and outs of the CSU programming, legislate on behalf of their class and much more. In terms of leadership development, students focus on three key aspects of leadership, which are discussed by guest speakers at the fellowship’s weekly meetings. These three leadership facets are:
- Creighton leadership: Before they can really learn about being a leader on campus, Presidential Fellows must learn what it means to be a student at a university as unique as Creighton. That’s why the first several weeks of the program focus on getting acclimated to the Creighton community and what it means to be a student at a Jesuit institution.
- Personal development and leadership: The second segment of the program focuses on the personal aspect of being a leader at Creighton and beyond. Students will discover their own unique leadership style and determine how to most effectively relay that to their peers. They will also attend presentations on personal branding, strengths and weaknesses, and professionalism.
- Future applications: Once each Presidential Fellow has developed their leadership style and understands how they lead most effectively, they can begin seriously considering getting involved in executive positions within campus organizations. This is explored in the final leadership segment of the program, which is devoted to looking toward the future, as well as the leadership options available at Creighton and beyond. This segment will also include student leadership panels, alumni reflections and communications sessions.
JayWalk
The CSU initially introduced the JayWalk race to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Creighton University—and the special relationship shared by all three of Omaha's Jesuit schools: Creighton University, Creighton Prep and Jesuit Academy. JayWalk has evolved specifically to help support Jesuit Academy, which provides a quality, comprehensive education to boys in grades four through eight who live in the North Omaha area.
Jesuit Academy prepares its graduates academically, socially and spiritually for a lifetime of leadership. CSU partners with Jesuit Academy to sponsor, support and build relationships with their students. We are proud to say that through JayWalk, CSU has raised over $80,000 for the Jesuit Academy, which has helped fund student scholarships, facilities and a new gymnasium floor.
