What is the Student Association?

The Student Association is the legitimate student governmental body of the State University of New York at Oswego. It is structured, and runs similar to that of the U.S. Federal Government, with the exception that there is only one house/body in the legislative branch.

The Student Association is comprised of the Executive Branch, headed by the SA President. Here the students on the E-board fulfill the needs of the Student Association in different departments such as Student Affairs, or Finance. For example, the Finance Department, headed by the Director of Finance, oversees the entire Student Association budget along with the SA organization’s individual budgets to ensure that policies are being followed and organizations’ needs are met. Students, faculty and staff can get in touch with the directors of each department by going to the SA office located at the Point in the Campus Center.

The Senate Branch, headed by the SA Vice President, is compromised of student senators, elected by their constituents (i.e. hall residents, off-campus students, or the entire student body). The elected senators represent different halls, and students, voicing their opinions and issues they need solved.

The Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice, interprets legislation passed by the Senate. The President, Vice President, and the Senators are elected by the student body each March to a yearly term. All directors and Supreme Court Justices are nominated by the SA President and confirmed by the Senate for the length of the SA President’s term in office.

The Student Association’s most important task, next to being the student voice, is to efficiently allocate the $1.4 million (approx.) net budget amongst the many clubs and organizations, services, and programming activities. This budget is arrived at by each full-time undergraduate student paying a mandatory $88.00 annual activity fee.

The Student Association collects the $88.00 student activity fee for the benefit of the community throughout this school. This fee allows clubs, organizations, programming and events to exist on the SUNY Oswego campus. According to the SUNY Board of Trustee Policy a mandatory/voluntary vote is conducted every two years. This vote is where you, the students, decide on whether the Student Association fee should be made mandatory or voluntary. The SA fee creates a new and fun atmosphere for the students, faculty and staff here at SUNY Oswego.

Our Funding:

Academic Groups: These groups are dedicated to an academic focus that reflects a major on the campus, such as accounting, biology, or chemistry.

Student Association Tier 2 funding: These organizations are more prominent on campus but only require minor funding, as they grow they can apply for Tier 3 funding which would allow them to join their pertinent category in the budget.

Student Association Sports Teams: We have an assorted group of very active sports teams that fit under this category. Among them are Field Hockey, Men’s and Women’s Rugby, and Volleyball.

Student Association Arts: We have many interesting arts groups that we are proud to fund in our budget. Among them are College Choir, College Band, College/Community Orchestra, Gospel Choir, Solid State Singers, Blackfriar’s acting, and Del Sarte dancing.

Executive Student Services: These accounts cover our services we provide in the Hewitt Union. Among them are check cashing, the OCT bus window, the Corner Store and the Copy Center.

Student Association Media/Publications: Under these accounts we fund the Oswegonian, WNYO Radio, WTOP Television, and the Great Lake Review, a collection of artistic writings by SUNY Oswego students.

Student Association Special Interest Groups: Among our special interest groups are the Black Student Union, the Jewish Student Union, Rainbow Alliance, Latino Student Union, Community Services, Art Exhibition Committee, SAVAC ambulance core, and the Caribbean Student Association.

Income Lines: This covers Student Associations various income lines that are made by organizations and then put back into their budget for spending throughout the year.

Student Association Contracts/Miscellaneous: These accounts cover any un-accounted for expenditures from the previous year. They are also used for our contracts with IRSA, Family Planning, CENTRO, NYPIRG and Senate accounts.

Student Association Programming: This goes towards SAPB concerts and lectures, as well as May Day. HUBAC is also funded by the Programming accounts.

Student Association Government/Business Services: This covers Executive accounts, employee salaries, and department expenditures. The Judicial and executive branch of the government is funded through these accounts as well as many business fees the Student Association Incurs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How does the SA work & how can you become a part of it?
- The Student Association is a team ran by your very own students and staff. Senators and elected officials (president and vice president) work as a 3 branch system like our very own federal government. There are 33/66 seats total for senator positions. Senators represent their constituents from each hall, providing a voice for the campus. E-board members such as the Director of Finance and Director of Communications work with committees and branch out into the campus atmosphere to help the SA build a stronger tomorrow.

How Do I become a senator?
- Becoming a senator is not a hard task, but it is for those who are willing to use their voices represent their dormitories and students. Students can find petitions in “The Point” (SA office) located in the new campus center. These petitions are to be signed by your fellow students and handed in to SA office when the petition is complete.

What if my hall already has representation, but I still want to get involved?
- If your hall already has the required number of senators, you can apply to be a Senator at Large. There are now 9 seats for this position each year. As a Senator at Large you would attend all hall meetings instead of just your own. This is to see the campus at a whole.
- If there are no openings for any position it is never to late to get involved. The SA is always looking for students to help, so do not be discouraged. Come on down to the SA office, and ask how you can get involved.
- If you live off campus, we have a handful of “off-campus” senator seats. See the SA office for more details.

What is your SA fee being used for?
- The $88.00 dollar SA fee is used for programming, organizations, clubs, events and lectures for the SUNY Oswego community. This fee allows the campus to grow with cultures, new programs and activities, providing great education and fun for all students, faculty and staff.
- The SA fee also provides the Centro and SAVAC services we offer to our students, faculty and staff on the SUNY Oswego campus. Having SAVAC as our ambulatory service goes along with the Student Associations “Healthy Campus” policy. This policy is a goal of the SA to ensure an effort on making the campus life secure and healthy.
- Intramurals went from $75,000.00 to $120,000.00 a year, providing more playing time and expanded hours.

The Student Association is here for all who welcome it. As a team and a government we work together to create and achieve our goals. Whether it is to have a “healthier campus,” or creating a better sport for intramurals, the Student Association is there for you. Help us create new ideas and fun filled memories by using your voice. There are so many definitions to answer the question of “What is SA,” because everyday is a new journey and a new experience. Come build with us.