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Student Association Update: February 19th
SUNY OSWEGO – On Tuesday evening, the Student Association called their fourth meeting of the Senate to order. The quorum to start the meeting was met, and following the approval of the meetings agenda and minutes, the meetings was well under way.
Emily Cole, President of PRSSA was the first and only guest to the Senate for the evening. The organization was requesting funds to help with the costs of the tee shirts they will be purchasing from “Zink” for Com Week in April. PRSSA stated that they tie-dying event held that week will be free for students. Although they do have funds in their budget, they do not wish to use all of it as they need to purchase the supplies for the tie-dying. The requested funds from SA to help with the tee shirts. They feel this is a great and fun way for them to promote SUNY Oswego’s School of Communication. Two senators volunteered to write the bill which will be proposed and voted on at a later date.
In Executive Reports, SA President Emily Nassir gave her first official report seeing as she was in a conference last week in Boston. Nassir revealed that the legislation for her first project as President “SA Assembly” has been laid out. SA Assembly will give organizations on campus a better opportunity to effectively communicate with SA, through monthly meeting where concerns and questions can be expressed. The legislation will be looked over and reviewed several times prior to voting by the Senate which will determine whether the bill passes or not. Nassir also stated that she is open to any suggestions or changes. Nassir also shared minor details of a new project she is working on with Auxiliary Services. The plan is to make student food favorites from the dining halls available in the express markets on campus. This project is just in the beginning stages and Nassir will provide more information as the project evolves. Nassir also discussed the use of the discount cards available to students on campus. The cards have expired, but are currently being renewed. Due to expenses, they will not be purchasing the cards, but instead the discount app. There are several store in town that work with the school to provide discounts to students. To finish off her report, Nassir proposed that funds be moved to the contingency account due to the lack of funds currently there. This allows SA to help the organizations on campus with their funds. By majority vote, all senators approved and the funds will be moved to the account.
Vice President Shelby Gallaro gave a short and brief executive report sharing the success of the town hall meeting and workshop that were both held last week. Gallaro said that the town hall meeting was informative and shared that SUNY Oswego is working on creating a common space in Sweatman gym, There is space that is not being used which can be a potential common are including but not limited to pool tables and a dance area. The workshop in which Gallaro and Senators attended was a great leadership and teambuilding experience.
Matthew Peters, Director of Finance concluded the meetings executive reports. Peters reminded senators that the budget for clubs and organizations opens on February 29th. Clubs and organizations can submit their budgets for next year and SA will begin reviewing them shortly after the date budgeting opens. Peters wanted to clarify a previous statement made about the ticket prices of OzFest. In the previous meeting Peters suggested that prices be reduced anywhere from $10 to $20 per ticket, however this was not an official statement revealing the price of the ticket. Peters was merely expressing his opinion, and stated Tuesday night that ticket prices will be determined by the overall cost of the event as well as how much funding they receive from the school. Peters closed his executive report by stating that SA does not currently know who the performer(s) will be, but hopes to know by the end of next week.
Following Executive Reports was Committee Reports. Finance Committee shared that the bill for the ASL Organization on campus has been written. They are currently working with the National Broadcast Society to reduce the amount of funds requested. The Men’s Rugby team is waiting for a response from the Women’s Rugby team to see if they will be willing to help fund the tournament hosted on campus in the spring. The Involvement Committee shared that the “Miss-a-Meal” date for this semester has been chosen. April 14th, students will be able to donate their meal to help veterans in the community. The committee is also working on making posters to be placed on bulletin boards in campus that will encourage students to vote yes for the mandatory student service fee. The poster will include some of the reasons why students are encouraged to vote yes especially since the service fee is what allows student shuttle services to run, fund SAVAC and also funds WNYO and WTOP on campus. These are just a few of the many things that the student service fee fund, which is why it is extremely important that the fee be kept mandatory.
In Hall Council Reports Oneida shared that their night in Hollywood event was a great success. All students who attended really enjoyed the program and had a great time. Johnson hall will be making a constitution committee which will serve to make sure that all rules of the hall’s constitution are being followed during their hall council meetings. Finally, Waterbury is in the process of re electing E-Board Member.
There were no special orders, therefore the meeting moved to the only general order for the evening. The National Association of Black Students Accountants requested funding for promotional materials, travel and lodging and guest speakers. The budget presented at the meeting included funding to help them sustain their new organization through promotions such as flyers to be placed around campus and a new banner to represent their organization. Funding for their events will be voted on at a later date because they are currently finding other ways to help with funding. The budget for the promotional materials was voted on and approved by general consent.
The meeting was adjourned following the passing of the only bill of the evening. SA holds their weekly meetings of the Senate Tuesday nights at 6pm, in Lanigan 106. Each meeting is open to the public. All students and organizations are encouraged to attend to express any concerns they may have.
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SUNY Oswego updates students on new guidelines due to COVID-19
[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text]BY: TOMAS RODRIGUEZ
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SUNY Oswego will be transitioning all summer courses to distance learning, with some facing possible cancellations. A full updated schedule was made available to students May 1.
As a New York state institution and a member of the SUNY system, Oswego’s campus will have to comply with any mandates issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“While there are still many unknowns at this time, the leadership team and I are hard at work and vetting several possible plans for SUNY Oswego for the Fall 2020 semester, including face-to-face should government and health guidelines allow,” SUNY Oswego president Deborah Stanley said. “We will also institute all necessary health and safety measures.”
Due to the constant changing nature of the virus, Mary Walker Health Center will maintain its current appointment-only policy until the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, allowing for proper screening of students and added safety for both students and personnel.
Telehealth will also remain available until the current threat is no longer existent.
Students will still be required to complete COVID-19 questionnaires and will be screened by a nurse prior to their appointment.
“There will be a separation of sick and healthy students in the waiting area for those students that are seen face-to-face,” Director of Student Health Services Angie Brown said.
Additional precautions will include requiring students to wear a mask or covering while present at Health Services.
Currently, Oswego Health has made a mobile testing site available, although Health Services may have the ability to test under some circumstances should test kits become more readily available.
Penfield Library has been impacted by the epidemic as well, providing about 95 percent of its services online.
“As we plan for the fall, we will continue to provide all appropriate services to our students, faculty and staff, and adapt library operations and use of the facilities in concert with the guidelines from the Governor on social distancing and limiting human density in our academic buildings,” Provost Scott Furlong said. “As an example, we may need to limit the number of students sitting at individual tables or in small group study rooms.”
Orientation for both first-year and transfer students, which were scheduled to stretch between the months of June and August, will become available online, still requiring incoming students to activate their email and complete their academic and health history information.
Summer orientation has been broken into two different steps. A portion of the information made available during the orientation programs will be moved to the online world, while the remaining information will be delivered face-to-face during the Fall Opening.
“In addition to online summer modules we are building, we are in the process of developing ways to engage new students with Laker Leaders through videoconferencing, social media and other platforms,” college Vice President Jerri Howland said.
While aiming to build a quality first-year class this fall, the safety and health of the campus community remains the top priority, college officials say.
“Residence Life and Housing will adapt based on how many students are allowed back on campus following future guidelines received from the Governor on social distancing and limiting human density in our residential buildings,” Howland said.
In terms of sanitizing, SUNY Oswego has custodial coverage seven days a week that routinely disinfects residence halls, all rooms, offices and any spaces utilized.
Daily cleaning protocols also include door handles, light switches, faucets and door knobs, among others.
Dining halls will remain take-out or delivery only, pursuant to Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Orders.
Concerning study abroad programs, SUNY has canceled student study abroad for the summer session.
“SUNY Oswego and SUNY leadership are closely monitoring the evolving situation and have not yet made a determination about the Fall,” Furlong said.
When it comes to the Fall semester, SUNY Oswego plans on welcoming new and returning international students.
“We are proceeding as we normally would to recruit, enroll and retain our international student population and will continue to work within any new guidelines received from the state and SUNY,” Associate Provost for International Education and Programs Josh McKeown said. “It’s an uncertain time but staff in the Office of International Education and Programs is prepared, like the rest of the Oswego campus, to be flexible and adjust as the situation demands.”
In the event that SUNY Oswego returns to normalcy in the Fall, the college will have to adhere to CDC guidelines and in some cases those applying to the state of New York to ensure students’ safety.
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