Campus Y FAQ

What is the Campus Y?

The Campus Y is the hub for social justice and social innovation on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. The organizational foundations of the Campus Y date back 160 years, but the structure of our current model was developed in 1963, during which time it effectively functioned as the student union, serving as a hub for student leadership and social activism and as the leading organization for student action, addressing issues of integration, free speech, gender equality, workers’ rights, world hunger, apartheid, and armed conflict. 

Today, the name Campus Y extends to the following three distinct entities nestled in the heart of campus (just across from the Old Well): 

• Campus Y department; a department within the UNC Student Affairs division that fosters student success through leadership development, student advisement and support and high-impact local and global programming. Funds managed by the Campus Y department (in the Student Affairs division budget) support campus–wide student programming and resources, co-curricular development, and operations, including the Bonner Leaders and Global Gap Year Fellowship programs. 
• Campus Y Student Organization; a Registered Student Organization with more than 30 student-led committees and initiatives committed to the pursuit of social justice through advocacy, service, innovation, and direct action. Campus Y Student Organization funds its activities through private philanthropy, fundraising, undergraduate student senate fee allocations, and project-based grants. It does not receive any state funds.   
• Campus Y Building; a historic, shared building on campus that houses the Campus Y department, Campus Y student space, Anne Queen Faculty Lounge (managed by the Office of Faculty Governance) Meantime Coffee Co., Blue Ram Café, and reservable meeting spaces for the entire campus community.  

Why is it called the Campus Y?

Visit our historic building across from the Old Well and you’ll still find “YMCA” etched into the stone façade above our front door. That’s because our roots date back to the UNC YMCA chapter founded in 1860. In 1976 the chapter ceased affiliation with the national YMCA and its religious alignment, but the Y’s name stuck.

During the early decades of the Y’s history, it functioned as a hub for student leadership and social activism, addressing issues of integration, free speech, gender equality, workers’ rights, world hunger, apartheid, and armed conflict.

Do I have to know about social justice before I can join the Y?

You do not have to be a social justice wiz to join the Y! The Campus Y is an intentional space dedicated to open dialogue and ongoing education. We believe every person in our community has life experiences and knowledge to contribute. And – at the same time – we believe every person in our community has more to learn.

“Fighting for social justice” simply means working towards an equal distribution of respect, wealth, opportunities, and privileges within society no matter one’s race, gender, sexuality, ability, or socioeconomic status. You can find more definitions using Lewis and Clark’s “ABC’s of Social Justice”.

How do I get involved at the Campus Y?

There countless ways to get involved at the Y! For starters, follow us on Instagram and sign up for our e-newsletter to receive weekly updates about Campus Y events and opportunities.

Then, check out our student-run committees page or explore the Issues tabs below. Once you’ve found a committee you’re interested in joining, send them an email and follow them on social media to learn more about how to get involved.

How much of a time commitment is joining a committee?

It depends on the committee. Most of our committees are always open to welcoming new members, regardless of how much time you have to offer! Some committees, like Refugee Community Partnership (RCP) and Linking Immigrants to New Communities (LINC), do require a minimum number of hours per week since community members depend on their volunteers. Get in touch with the specific committee you’re interested in joining to learn more about expectations.

Do I have to join a committee or program to get involved at the Y?

No. You’re welcome to attend any public events hosted by the Y and/or Y committees!

I have a question you didn’t answer. How can I get in touch?

Feel free to contact us via email campusy.communications@gmail.com or DMing us on our Instagram account!