Our Origin
In 2022, Sean and Lucas discovered an interesting dynamic here at Yale Undergrad. As first year students from polar opposite backgrounds, we wondered why friend groups such as ours weren't commonplace. Yale University consists of 14 residential colleges and 75 unique majors, and represents virtually the entire world demographically; the sheer diversity that comes with an international population is truly remarkable. And fortunately, Yale makes an exceptional effort to ensure that all students feel safe, secure, and accepted, through affinity-based spaces, clubs, events, and other support systems. This is necessary- history has shown just how dangerous an environment can be that overlooks representation. However, it seems that with this superb strive for inclusion, we have created another dilemma: a partitioned campus. The amount of secluded niches and microcosms here at Yale College is vast; certain majors and social groups are notorious for their gate-kept nature. It seems as if this emphasis on inclusion and affinity has created a “culture of cliques”, which strays away from the true values of this institution. The undergraduate experience is meant, in large part, to learn from varying perspectives and backgrounds. We want to actualize this truth here and now. The Yale Undergraduate Coalition for Advocacy and Innovation (YUCAI- youky) will unify the abundant minds of Yale College as one. It will serve as the only club where racial, sexual, political status, etc. are not standards of qualification or acceptance; the only club anyone can join.
The problem is obvious. And the solution seems to be quite simple; if the dilemma is intercollegiate integration, then simply bring people from different niches together. This is fundamental... the true question is what happens next. How do we implement this diverse group in a way unique from any other group on campus? After some thought, and a close look into what we are individually passionate about in our own lives, the answer became clear: social impact consulting. At its core, YUCAI is an official Yale undergraduate, social impact consulting group that works projects across fields. Whether we choose to tackle problems in the humanities, ed-tech, finance, climate, sustainability, foreign policy, or political space, the nature of our organization ensures that there is a team of experts ready to attack these multifaceted initiatives in creative ways. Furthermore, YUCAI is built on the understanding of shared advocacy, in both creating opportunities for collaboration and promotion of personal initiatives.