MAVAwards is an award show hosted annually to recognize students, faculty, clubs and organizations thriving at Colorado Mesa University (CMU); though, an interesting pattern in one category calls into question how well-deserved some of these awards are. 

For this year’s 2021-2022 MAVAwards, students had the opportunity to vote in a multitude of categories, one being Organization of the Year. This category came down to three nominees: Sustainability Council, Cultural Inclusion Council (CIC) and MAVRides. 

In the past four years, MAVRides has won Organization of the Year three times. Although, I’m not entirely sure why. 

The category itself says the award recipient should be “a fee-funded organization that has demonstrated proactive campus involvement, engaged in activities to benefit Colorado Mesa University students, produced notable campus, local or national achievement and recognition; and provides positive contributions to the university and/or the community.”

MAVRides certainly delivers a positive contribution to the university by driving inebriated students for free and helps the community by keeping drunk students off the road. Though, it just doesn’t make sense for an organization to win repeatedly when countless other organizations work just as hard every year. 

Comparing the relatively stagnant MAVRides to its competing nominees– Sustainability Council and CIC –paints a stark contrast as both of the stiffed organizations made leaps and bounds this year.

There isn’t much that can be done now, as MAVAwards is a CMU-based democracy and the MAVRides regulars have spoken. However, restrictions on how many consecutive years an organization or person can be nominated should certainly be placed in the future.

Of the many achievements made by Sustainability Council, the organization has pioneered the switch to reusable to-go containers at the Caf and partnered with New Way Refillery. New Way Refillery is a sustainable shop in Lucero Hall where the Sustainability Council runs their own “No Waste Wagon,” a program allowing Mavs to refill their soap and detergent for free.

The CIC has made a major splash this year as well; their annual fashion show was bigger and better than ever before, as it took place in the UC Ballroom and was even accompanied by a five-course meal. Additionally, many sub-groups of CIC– such as the Black Student Alliance (BSA) –have worked hard to go above and beyond this year. Among many other accomplishments, the BSA hosted a Winter Formal and Slam Poetry Night during this year’s Black History Month. 

I’m certainly glad to see that MAVRides is thriving, but it comes to a point where we have to understand that it’s essentially a free but more complicated version of Uber. Until the organization becomes more active outside of its mandated weekend hours or works to improve its programs like CIC or the Sustainability Council, the repetitive awarding of Organization of the Year will never feel deserved.