The Occhiato Student Center follows the Role of the College Union as outlined by the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), which states:

• The college union serves as the community center for the entire campus—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. More than just a building, it is also an organization and a program designed to foster community life.
• As the "living room" or "hearthstone" of the college, the union provides services, conveniences, and spaces that support daily campus life and encourage informal interaction outside the classroom.
• The union is an integral part of the college’s educational mission, serving as a “laboratory of citizenship.” It promotes social responsibility, leadership, and personal growth through its programming, governance structures, and staff. It enhances student development by combining recreation, culture, and education, while encouraging self-directed engagement.
• Ultimately, the union serves as a unifying force on campus, nurturing lasting connections and loyalty to the institution.

The Occhiato Student Center is managed by the Department of Auxiliary Services, which operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Identification Cards

All enrolled students are required to obtain a student ID card, known as the ThunderCard, from the Auxiliary Services Office located in the Occhiato Student Center. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For information on fees related to new cards, replacements, or reactivation of a previous ThunderCard, please contact the Auxiliary Services Office.

The ThunderCard also functions as a declining balance card through the ThunderBucks program. ThunderBucks can be added to your card and used for food purchases at any on-campus dining location, where you’ll receive a 10% discount and pay no sales tax.

Additionally, the ThunderCard can be used at the University Bookstore, where students receive a 10% discount on all items—excluding textbooks, computer software, calculators, and sale items.

For more details, the Auxiliary Services staff will be happy to assist you.

Lost & Found

Auxiliary Services serves as the central Lost and Found for the campus. If you’ve lost an item, please visit our office in the Occhiato Student Center or call us at (719) 549-2149.

Parking Permits

Campus parking is managed by the Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management. For questions, please call (719) 549-2373.

All students who park a vehicle or motorcycle on campus are required to purchase and display a valid annual parking permit. Permits are available for purchase at the Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management, located on the first floor of the administration building.  Students are encouraged to obtain their permit at the beginning of the academic year in August, as parking regulations are enforced year-round by University Public Safety.

Permit types vary based on housing location: 

• Crestone, Culebra, and Greenhorn Hall residents may park in designated residential lots as well as General Student Lots. 
• University Village at Walking Stick (UVWS) residents must obtain a UVWS-specific permit, which also grants access to General Student Lots. 
• General Student permits are available for all other students. 

Students should choose a University Village at Walking Stick, Resident, or General Student permit according to their housing assignment. Permits may be eligible for student account billing prior to financial aid disbursement. All student permits expire annually on August 31. 

Parking is permitted only in student-designated spaces marked by two white lines.