UAlbany Student Association

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2010-03-07T18:40:00.001-05:00

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Clarifying Alumni Policy for Fountain Day 2010

2010-03-04T17:53:00.002-05:00

SA's official statement on UAlbany's Fountain Day 2010 policy.

“Participation in Fountain Day 2010 is limited to current UAlbany students.”

Attendance at Fountain Day has risen more than 25 percent in the past two years. In order to ensure the safety of our students in the event area, the University has decided it must limit participation to current UAlbany students. Fountain Day is one of the most treasured student traditions here on campus, and our goal is to guarantee it remains a safe, memorable experience for our student body.

Please note that the Student Association played no role in this decision.

If you have any further questions about the Alumni policy, please contact the Alumni Association at (518) 442-3080.

Important Student Group Budget Deadlines

2010-03-03T15:21:00.004-05:00

Budget Time is everyone's favorite time of the year!

Photo by Alan Cleaver via Flickr

As many (hopefully all) student group e-board members know, the budget process for next year has already begun. Every recognized and funded student group must submit a budget packet to the front desk in the SA office by 4:55PM on March 10th. The budget packet can be found here: http://bit.ly/cPpNB1

But don't freak out! Members of the SA Board of Finance will be around to give individualized help with preparing budgets each night on March 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th from 5-8PM. Come to have your budget packet reviewed, ask questions, figure stuff out, and make special requests. These sessions will be held in the West Lounge outside of the SA Office.

Additionally, as mentioned in the State of the SA Address, ALL student groups must submit a list of all members of their group that intend on running for an e-board position. They must provide their name, student ID, email address, and signature to complete this form. Submit it to the front desk in the SA office by 4:55PM on March 8th. The budget packet which contains the nomination form can be found here: http://bit.ly/cPpNB1

Finally, recognized groups' e-board members must meet with SA officers at a designated time from March 3rd until March 10th. An e-board member of each group should have been notified via email. The full schedule of meeting times can be found here: http://bit.ly/cKKtb4

New SA Position Available!

2010-03-01T10:55:00.001-05:00

The Student Association Senate is hiring a Senate Communications Aide.

On February 17th, the Student Association Senate passed the Senate Efficiency and Accountability Act, which increases the effectiveness of SA Senate by creating more oversight and further documenting SA Senate activity.

This bill added the "Office of Senate Communications" which will be run by the "Senate Communications Aide." Duties include, "documenting Senate meetings" and "transcribing events for the records of the Student Association Senate."

The aide will receive a stipend, which will be decided at the annual budget meeting.

Please contact mccarthy1988@gmail.com if you want to apply.

Bo Burnham on Thursday - Comedy for Charity

2010-02-19T13:39:00.006-05:00

The Fake ID Tour Comes to UAlbany.

The Student Association's Annual Relay for Life Comedy Show featuring Bo Burnham will be this Thursday in the Campus Center Ballroom. Tickets are NOW on sale at Copies Plus for $10! Also sold at the door. All proceeds will benefit Relay for Life. RSVP via the Facebook Event page.

Three years ago, Bo Burnham was just another high-schooler recording YouTube videos for fun. Today, Burnham has burst on the comedy scene with a full-length LP, a Comedy Central special and a deal to write a film for Judd Apatow. Entertainment Weekly recently named Burnham one of the “12 Rising Stars of Comedy.” In March, Burnham released his first full length LP “Bo Burnham” which topped Billboard’s New Artist chart and was #2 on the Billboard’s Comedy chart in its first week. Four days after his eighteenth birthday, Burnham became the youngest person to record a “Comedy Central Presents” special. The special premiered on March 27th, 2009.

Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. No bags, bottles, weapons or re-entry. UAlbany students only- SUNY Card is required for admission.

Karl Rove & Howard Dean to Debate at UAlbany

2010-02-17T17:17:00.005-05:00

The political heavyweights will be debating current events as part of the next World Within Reach Speaker Series.

It's true! Former Bush Administration political advisor Karl Rove and former Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean will be coming to UAlbany on April 8th to engage in a spirited debate.

The journalists at the Albany Student Press did some good old-fashioned investigative journalism and released this information in a story posted this afternoon. You caught us red-handed!

But the ASP didn't uncover the full story, so expect some more surprises as the event comes closer!

SA Senate Midterm Election Results

2010-02-17T13:01:00.003-05:00

Make sure to congratulate your new senators! And the winners are...

Senator-At-Large
Joe Sanders
Justin Wax-Jacobs

State Quad
Ethan Ullman

Dutch Quad
Jonathan Wiggins

Empire Commons
Willow Burns
Michael Cerrato

Off-Campus
Ryan Farrell
Gillian Gay

They will be swearing-in to Senate tonight at 8:30PM. We are sure that they will serve the campus well!

"SA Concerts Explained" As Seen in the Albany Student Press February 3, 2010

2010-02-03T13:38:00.003-05:00

SA Programming Director Reuben Ingber explains how musical performers are chosen.

How does the Student Association choose their musical guests and performers?

Over the past 4 years, I have worked within the Student Association in a variety of capacities, from the student Senate to a variety of jobs in the Executive branch. I currently serve as the S.A. Programming Director, and will explain the process of choosing music artists.

Each year the Student Association receives a budget of $2 million from the Student Activity Fee. The Senate allocates the Activity Fee money to fund our (approximately) 200 student groups (including Five Quad, WCDB, Hillel, etc), Dippikill wilderness retreat in the Adirondacks, club sports teams, intramural sports and student legal services. Additionally, there are funds allocated to the internal Student Association offices, including the Programming Office (concerts, Speaker Series, etc).

It is rumored that a single person within SA picks each musical guest. However the organization bases their decisions on a variety of surveys and focus groups (done each year) to determine the genre of music students would like to hear on campus. The Programming Director works with members of the Executive Branch to make a list of artists that are determined from our student feedback. Then we contact our booking agent who shares artists' availability and prices. From there we determine the concert artist.

The Student Association is budgeted roughly $100,000 for the Fall Concert and $100,000 for the spring. Many would think that this amount is fairly high, but in reality it is not. Putting on a concert is very costly. On top of paying for the artist, SA is responsible to pay for security, sound, lights, stage, hospitality, catering, hotels, staff, and more. These outside production costs average about $50,000 per event. That leaves us with about $50,000 to use to book artists. An artist's fee ranges from $100 (for a local band) to hundreds of thousands of dollars (for big names like Jay Z, Kanye West, Dave Matthews, Lady Gaga etc).

With this in mind, we work diligently with our booking agency to find artists that appeal to our student body and fit within our budget. We keep our ticket prices low because students have already paid the Student Activity Fee. Student Association events are for UAlbany Students only, so we can ensure that the Activity Fee is not used to entertain those who do not pay it. Additionally, our insurance policy only covers students that attend UAlbany. In short, we cannot allow the surrounding community to attend our events to create more revenue to pay for artists.

To directly address many of the Facebook messages and emails that I have received; I would love to bring major artists like Lady Gaga or Jay Z to UAlbany. However for the reasons I have described throughout this article, the Student Association, really, cannot afford it. Because the Student Association has a budget, allocating more money into SA concerts would mean taking money away from student groups, other events and all of the many things that the Student Association funds.

Reuben Ingber serves as the Student Association Programming Director. He can be reached
at SA@albany.edu

Mid Term Senate Elections

2010-02-01T11:12:00.003-05:00

Nominate yourself and run for office!

The elections will be held on February 11th and 12th. There are open spots on almost every quad and two At-Large seats, so anyone can run. Here is a full rundown of what you need to know:

-Positions are available for two At-Large Senators, two off-campus, two Empire, one Dutch, one Alumni, and one State.

-The self-nomination forms are due on February 3rd. They can be filled out in the SA office.

-The candidate's meeting is on February 3rd at 8pm in the Fireside Lounge. Campaigning will begin at 12:01am on Feb 4th.

-The elections are on February 11th and 12th. Voting takes place on MyUAlbany.

Feel free to visit the SA office if you have any questions.

SA is Hiring!

2010-01-15T15:21:00.008-05:00

New positions are available for the Spring 2010 semester.

Interns for the Marketing and Programming Departments:

SA interns aid the Marketing and Programming Departments in current projects. This is a great way to start getting involvement with SA or to build your resume! Interns receive academic credit (up to 3 credits) or volunteer hours.

Student Group Affairs Director:

The SGA Director is the Student Association Executive Board's primary liaison to over 200 student groups. Applicants should have strong ties to current student group leaders in addition to the ability to network with new leaders. Additionally, it is important (but not required) to have experience with Student Association policy and procedure as well as having a thorough small scale programming background (student group or reslife). The duration of the position is only throughout the Spring 2010 semester.

Apply for these positions by bringing a resume and cover letter to the SA offices during the Spring 2010 semester. Applications can also be e-mailed to JSUSSMAN@uamail.albany.edu

Important E-board Deadlines!

2009-11-30T18:47:00.003-05:00

This is the last week that student groups will be able to submit vouchers for this semester.

If your group has a department number between 1001 and 4015 then the last days that you may submit your vouchers are on December 1st and 2nd.

If your group has a department number between 5001 and 8011 then the last days that you may submit your vouchers are on December 3rd and 4th.

Year to date balances/activity are currently available in your group's folder.

Fall Concert Media Roundup

2009-11-12T14:49:00.009-05:00

Awesome photos and videos of the event. (WARNING: EXPLICIT IMAGES OF A SWEATY GIRL TALK)

Reel Big Fish and Girl Talk both performed amazing shows that got UAlbany students dancing for hours. The adrenaline-fueled concert had people waving their hands, jumping around, and crowd surfing. Girl Talk was an unstoppable machine as he pushed out incredible mash-ups that got the audience pumped and electrified. Those cases of Red Bull we got Girl Talk served him and everyone else well.

Reel Big Fish playing some Ska.

SEFCU had around 1200 students packed in.

Girl Talk on stage with UAlbany students.

Toilet paper being launched at the audience. (photo by Kayla Galway)

They seem happy...

You can practically touch the stage. (photo by Kayla Galway)

Dedicated Girl Talk fans that stuck around got to meet him after the show.

SA Programming Director Reuben Ingber and SA President Josh Sussman with Girl Talk during cleanup. (photo by Kayla Galway)

Read the event recap by the Albany Student Press for full details of the show.
Go to AlbanyAlive.com for a complete picture gallery.

Have a Problem With a Professor?

2009-10-29T15:05:00.004-04:00

SA has got your back! The new academic concern form allows any student to request the support of SA officers in the possibility that academic policies were violated.

If a student feels that their professor did not follow official academic policies and procedures, then they can use the academic concern form to file a complaint. Complaints can range from professors continuously missing stated office hours, bias in the class room, or other academic issues.

The SA Office of Academic Affairs will confirm the validity of the complaint before officers start seeking action. Action can include reviewing official policies, speaking with professors, talking to university officials, and using other means to find a fair solution.

Pick the Name of the Great Danes Student Fan Club

2009-10-27T14:46:00.005-04:00

Purple Pack, Daniacs, "Dane"ger Zone? Today you can make history by voting for your favorite name and be a founding member of the Fan Club.

Go to MyUAlbany, click on "Campus Life," and then "Student Elections" to vote for your favorite student fan club name. The voting will take place from today (Oct. 27) to Thursday (Oct. 29) and the winner will be announced at the Nov. 7 football game. Be heard – show your purple and gold pride!

The newly founded Fan Club will kick-off on Nov. 13 at the first men’s home basketball game. At the kick-off party there will be food, prizes, and a free official fan club t-shirt giveaway. The official shirt gets you exclusive access to events, prizes and VIP seating for the rest of the year!

Go Great Danes!

Today is the Re-Vote for the SA Senate Elections

2009-10-12T12:20:00.003-04:00

Dutch, Freedom, and off-campus residents get voting on MyUAlbany!

On Monday night (10/5), the Supreme Court made a 6-1 decision that found the elections on Dutch Quad, Freedom Quad, and off-campus to be invalid. Other quads and the Senator-At-Large elections were ruled to be valid. The case involved a discrepancy with the number of senators that were elected on specific living areas.

The SA Supreme Court Majority Brief states, "this court sees the elections used to enact representatives on Dutch Quad, Freedom Quad, and Off-Campus in the fall of 2009 elections be null and void. The student body numbers initially used were not reputable, thereby placing into question those newly elected."

The re-vote is taking place Today (10/12) and Tuesday (10/13). It will be the same candidates as before and voting will still be done through MyUAlbany. Only those who live on Dutch, on Freedom, or off-campus can vote.

Homecoming Events featuring General Colin L. Powell

2009-10-09T12:52:00.003-04:00

Homecoming weekend is now here. Get ready to see Paul Krugman and Colin Powell!

Here are some selected events for this Homecoming Weekend, October 9-11.

On Friday night, Paul Krugman, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics and columnist for the Op-Ed Page of the New York Times, will be having a reading/discussion at 8 p.m. in Page Hall at the Downtown Campus. More information can be found here.

On Saturday, SA will be hosting a tailgate party in the SEFCU Arena parking lot from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enjoy food and fun with other Great Danes fans under the big top. Enjoy live music provided by the band, What-Ever!

On Saturday night, General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. secretary of state, will be giving a speech at 8 p.m. in the University's SEFCU Arena. He will be speaking on the delicate process of forging alliances, bringing people and countries together, and promoting universal human ideals of democracy and peace around the world. Q&A following his talk. Find out more here. There will be a live blog covering this event on the front page of Student Association's website.

Other Homecoming activities include a wine tasting, a mini-marathon, tours of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (weather forecasting), tours of UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, sports games, and a film screening of MILK.

A full itinerary can be found here.

SA Supreme Court Finds Senate Elections Invalid

2009-10-08T16:18:00.006-04:00

Re-vote to be held for Dutch Quad, Freedom Quad, and off-campus residents.

On Monday night, the Supreme Court made a 6-1 decision that found those elections to be invalid. Other quads and the Senator-At-Large elections were ruled to be valid. The case involved a discrepancy with the number of senators that were elected on specific living areas.

The re-vote will take place on Monday and Tuesday. It will be the same candidates as before and voting will still be done through MyUAlbany. Only those who live on Dutch, on Freedom, or off-campus can vote.

More details on the case and the re-vote to follow.

Fall Senate Election Results

2009-09-25T17:23:00.005-04:00

Make sure to congratulate your new senators! And the winners are...

Senator-At-Large
Ben Jacobs

Indian Quad
Salina Rivera
David Forsythe
Anthony Manna

State Quad
Nikoleta Papa
Dan Scott
Joe Bassell

Colonial Quad
Brooke Kargman
Michael Blaustein
Matthew Wimpelberg

Dutch Quad
Timothy Broschardt
Andrew Ziegelstein
Colby Creedon

Empire Commons
Emily Donahue
Jaqi Cohen
Anna Politano

Freedom Apartments
Anna Tu
Stephen Guarneri Jr.
Noel Robokoff

Alumni Quad
Whitney Martinez
John Watts

Off-Campus
Joe Bonilla
Jesse Crescent
Alyssa Lovelace
Savanah Fox
Katelyn Messina
Adam Feisthamel
Mildred Vargas
Brandon Hall

We are sure that they will serve the campus well!

This semster will be BIG!

2009-09-22T16:21:00.005-04:00

Get ready for some big events! From one of the most respected leaders in America to one of the greatest mashup artists this decade, SA is bringing the best to UAlbany.

- Senate Elections are this week on the 23rd and 24th. You can vote by going to MyUAlbany and clicking on "Student Life" and then "Student Elections."

- There will be two town hall meetings next week on Indian on the 29th and State Quad on the 30th. Both will be in the penthouse at 8 p.m.

- You can meet the SA staff on October 5th and 30th at "Free Day." Where we will be giving out free stuff! Location TBA, check the blog for updates.

- This semester's events will kick-off on Homecoming Weekend, October 9-11. Paul Krugman will be having a discussion on Friday night at the Downtown Campus and General Colin L. Powell will be speaking on Saturday night in the SEFCU Arena. Register for the event here.

- Girl Talk and Reel Big Fish will be performing for the Fall Concert on November 5th. Tickets are now on sale at Copies Plus for $10. It is $15 at the door.

"Coming this fall..."

PUT YOUR GAME FACE ON

2009-09-01T15:34:00.003-04:00

Sign up by Friday, September 11th at 5 pm to play an intramural sport. Register to play basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, volleyball, racquetball, or tennis

Register to play basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, volleyball, racquetball, or tennis. Sign up on MyInvolvement.org by typing “Intramurals” into the search box and selecting the sport you wish to play. Register by Friday, September 11th at 5 pm.
Contact saathletics@uamail.albany.edu with any questions.

Download the flyer here.

Still accepting applications!

2009-04-30T14:26:00.007-04:00

The Marketing Department is hiring for the 09-10 school year!

Assistant Marketing Director- Assistant to the Student Association Marketing Director. In addition to marketing the Student Association as a whole, the Marketing office also promotes SA general events and departmental events.

New Media Assistant- Focus on "new media" and how this plays a roll in reaching our students; including, but not limited to, facebook, twitter, blogs, etc. This person will be responsible for creating and maintaining (and updating) these new mediums.

Student Group Marketing Assistant- Student groups do not have enough resources for marketing their group and their events. Assisting them would include everything from providing groups with lists of vendors that accept purchase orders to helping groups create flyers (many do not have the software to do this).

Please note, *You must include a resume with your application to be considered.

Please turn in applications to the SA front desk- We are still accepting applications!

Click HERE for the application

For more information, email samarket@albany.edu

SA is Hiring!

2009-04-27T00:34:00.008-04:00

Hiring Assistant Director Positions! Applications due May 5th!

Assistant Programming Director- Assistant to the Student Association Programming Director. The Programming office coordinates Student Association Events, helps Student Groups plan events, and works in conjunction with the university to help plan events.

Assistant Marketing Director- Assistant to the Student Association Marketing Director. In addition to marketing the Student Association as a whole, the Marketing office also promotes SA general events and departmental events.

Student Association Advocates- Student Advocates for the Student Association. This position, along with Legislative Affairs Directors, is in charge of advocating to the Administration about Student needs on this campus, as well as the State Legislature when they are in session. This position will be expanded greatly from its current form.

Pick up an application in the SA office. Applications are due by 4:55 p.m. on May 5th!

If you have any additional questions about the positions, please email j.d.sussman@gmail.com.

Comptroller/Deputy Comptroller positions open!

2009-04-24T12:13:00.005-04:00

The Board of Finance is currently accepting applications for the position of Comptroller and Deputy Comptroller for the 2009-2010 Academic Year.

Please e-mail a resume and cover letter to sabudget@albany.edu to apply.

Applications are due by 11:59PM on April 28th. No late applications will be accepted.

Apply today!

1986-2011 UAlbany 25 Year Reunion

2009-04-21T12:12:00.001-04:00

If you attended the State University of New York at Albany in-- or around-- the year 1986 and are wondering what ever happened to your old college friends and classmates, well wonder no more!

Former Student Association Presidents James Lamb (1988-89) and Matt Doddo (1987-88) invite you and your familes to a very special 25 year reunion/picnic to be held in the Summer of 2011 at a New York State park (probably a downstate park. Since most events are usually held on campus during Homecoming, we want to offer an event in the Metro New York area). We're starting the planning for this event 2 years in advance. Let us know if you want to help plan this event. Please feel free to post your then and now photos and spread the word to other University at Albany Alumni. More details to come... Join the Facebook Group to stay updated.

SA Is Hiring for Next Year!

2009-04-05T09:17:00.004-04:00

Many positions are available for the 2009-2010 year, and applications are being accepted until *April 24th* (note date change).

Available positions:

Programming Director - Head of the Student Association Programming Department.
This office coordinates Student Association Events, helps Student Groups plan events, and works in conjunction with the university to help plan events.

Marketing Director - Head of the Student Association Marketing Department.
In additional to marketing the Student Association as a whole, this office also promotes SA general events and departmental events.

Legislative Affairs Director - Head advocate for the Student Association
This position is in charge of advocating to the Administration about Student needs on this campus, as well as the State Legislature when they are in session. This position will be expanded greatly from its current form.

Academic Affairs Director - Head of the new Academic Affairs Department
Due to how new this position is there will be a lot of flexibility to what the office will be trying to accomplish. Currently, the first main tasks would be advocating for Students’ academic needs, creating a more visible peer tutoring program, and working to appropriately evaluate our professors.

Intramurals Director - Head of Intramurals Sports
This office creates the schedules and finds field availability for Intramural Sports.

Gender & Sexuality Concerns Director - Head of the Gender & Sexuality Concerns Office
This director works to make the University at Albany a safe space for those of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Through our programs and events we hope to educate and empower the University at Albany student population around LGBT and Women's issues in order to bring about change and equity to our campus community.

Student Group Affairs Director
This director shall advocate for recognized student groups to the Executive Branch of the Student Association. In consultation with the Programming Director, assist the groups with their programming. The Student Group Affairs Director will be a resource for all students trying to, create a new group, make changes within their current group, and create programming with several groups.

Elections Commissioner
SA Supreme Court Justice (5)

Click here to download instructions and the application form.