by Ilyssa Weiner

Oswego, NY- Fashion at Oswego’s first ever Fashion Week kicked off on Apr. 1.

Imani Cruz created Fashion at Oswego in 2014 after realizing there weren’t any fashion organizations on campus. She was influenced by designers in New York City and Paris.

“I kinda took it upon myself to think ‘You know what? It’d be cool if like we went around campus and took photos of people that were dressed really nice,” she said.

“The week is all about taking pride in how you appear and your appearance,” she said. “By creating Oz Fashion Week, we could light up some fire under students to dress nice just for one week.”

The week started with a pop up shop showcasing outfits created by up-and-coming designers from places such as Syracuse and Ithaca.

Rashaad Holley, a grad student at Buffalo State, is the creator of “Vingt Cinq Rashaad” and one of the designers at the pop up shop. His brand comes from a song lyric about not living past 25 years old.

“I take that and revert it into a positive direction and give people like myself inspiration to ascend as opposed to look at a ceiling and be limited,” Holley said.  

With the success of the pop up shop, Cruz is very positive about Fashion at Oswego’s future.

by Owen Marchand, WTOP10-TV

The November Town Hall meeting with President Stanley in the Campus Center’s auditorium attracted a group of students who were eager to ask SUNY Oswego’s president questions on different topics.

These monthly meetings are a great way for students to address any concerns or questions around campus with both President Stanley and fellow faculty members who attend the meetings.

Freshman Ethan Magram, Senator of the Student Association talked about how different campuses have insight on different demographics such as student involvement and asked, “how can we collect better data on students to figure out how they like things on campus, living here, and how they feel about activities such as clubs, etc.” Stanley and other faculty members chimed in by stating how last school year a committee was created to see what students think about. Jerald Woolfolk, Vice President of student affairs and enrollment, mentioned how auxiliary services and residential life do surveys.

Another student brought up the revival of the campus common hour and this was heavily talked about as it took a large point of interest. The common hour is an hour across campus where there are no classes or essentially any activities held. SUNY Oswego used to participate in the common hour, but it was later ended, brought back, and again taken away. The campus held the common hour between 12:45 and 1:00 however, it was voted to be suspended due to conflicts according to President Stanley. Many students and faculty appeared to be interested in bringing it back, however one graduate student at the meeting mentioned remembering how due to the common hour being during lunch time it made the lines at each dining hall very long.

One student simply wanted to thank President Stanley on her email sent regarding the recent presidential election as it brought out many mixed emotions among the Oswego community. President Stanley stated “No matter what happens, we stand together.” She was also amazed at the speak out regarding “The strength, depth of solidarity, humor, and hope for the future.”

One of the last questions for President Stanley was, “I chose this school because I have seen so many advances in the facilities, resident halls, Shineman, etc. How do you and the rest of administration see the future of this?” Stanley talked about how the school’s core values are how the student learns, and having a 24 environment on a campus where students live is also important. This is why many renovations have been made and there are still more to come. She also mentioned how important upkeep is.

The November Town Hall meeting was another success as each student who attended was able to get their questions and concerns addressed and get clarification on anything they were wondering.

by Stefanie Sciolaro, WTOP10-TV

Ironically, this week’s Meeting of the Senate, happened to fall on Election Day. Though, the excitement of the close race did not affect proceeding by any means. After talk of the election  subsided, the meeting was called to order at 6:03. With roll call taken, quorum reached, and minutes and agendas approved, the meeting began. Dr. Howland the Advisor of Student Associations, was also present at this week’s meeting.

Two representatives from the Oswego State Crew Team were the Senate’s first guest speakers of the night. The club’s Treasurer, Greg West, and Head Coach, Matthew Stufano, presented the Senate with a powerpoint touching on various subjects. Their presentation gave a brief explanation of who the crew team is, why they need help from SA, and an overview of what the team will need in the future.

The crew team has been around for over three decades, and it is only in recent years they have seen their highest participation and success rates of all time. During the weekend of October 22nd, high winds severely damaged one of the most important boats they own. The two speakers stressed that this boat damage has the ability to affect the stability of the team. Because of this, they came asking the Senate for assistance in helping to pay for its repairs. Invoices from various companies, along with contributions the crew team can afford, were discussed. The guests also asked for the SA’s support and endorsement on future plans to have a boathouse built for the crew team. This would help defer costly damages like such from happening again.

The next guest to the Senate was a representative from the International Student Association, she is the current Treasurer of the organization. This organization helps to better acclimate international students to SUNY Oswego. They hold and participate in multiple events that work towards making these students feel more at home during their time here in the U.S. This organization is open to both international and American students. The Treasurer came before the Senate to discuss her organization’s budget issue: the prior Treasurer had not submitted a budget for this academic year. As a result , she had come to shed light on the issue and gain the proper funding of the International Student Association for the remainder of the year.

After hearing from the International Student Association, Imani Cruz, the Assistant Director of  the Student Association Programming Board (SAPB), came to advertise her need for an events/social coordinator for SAPB. This job entitles various tasks including tabling, poster making, assisting with Ozfest, and more. If you have any questions, want more information, and/or are interested in this position, please contact Imani via email: sapb@oswego.edu or her personal oswego email if given.

Closing up the guest speakers for the evening was the Director of Public Relations, Emily Stasko, with a presentation on the Study Abroad Program. There are over 80 programs in 30 different countries offered, with various programs depending on your major. If a program is not offered through SUNY Oswego, students also have the opportunity to go through another SUNY school that offers the specific program they’re looking for. There are four program options: Quarter Courses, Courses with Optional Travel, Summer, and Semester. Each of the program options offer different durations of travel and are during different times of the year to best fit students’ needs. Stasko emphasized the advantages studying abroad brings: developing global and multicultural skills, a fantastic resume builder, connections and networking internationally.

She also touched on ways to pay for a Study Abroad Program. Financial aid, scholarships, loans, and many other options can be put in place to help students pay for their experience. If you have any other questions, concerns, or interest in studying abroad please visit the International and Educational Program Office in Sheldon, room 100 or call (315) 312-2118.

For the first time ever, this week’s Advisor Reports were held for Dr. Howland, who is the Advisor of Student Associations. One of the many topics she touched upon during the night was upcoming events within the I AM OZ “ Diversity Speaker Series Events”. Three event dates she spoke of are closely approaching: November 9th, November 15th, and November 16th. November 9th in Sheldon Ballroom at 6:00pm there will be three guest speakers presenting for the “ Indignation: Indigenizing Campus Culture” : Taiwentonti Chelsea Sunday, Jonel Beauvais, and Wakerakatste Louise McDonald Herne. On November 15th in Marano room 132 at 6:00pm there will be the “An Ordinary Hero” film screening. November 16th in Sheldon Ballroom at 6:30pm Joan Mulholland, a renowned civil rights activist, with be speaking.

The meeting then proceeded into Executive Reports. President Emily Nassir gave updates and run downs on various organizations and meetings she has been apart of throughout the past week.

The structure of this years Ozfest survey was also discussed. Students can expect an entirely different survey to be sent out this year in regards to the event. The survey will be more structured around what students will want out of the event, ticket prices, food, and preferred times of the show. There will no longer be an emphasis of who exactly students want the artists to be, but there will be a comment section to give suggestions.

Vice President Dalton Bisson then clarified that if a student attends Title IX training for one club, he or she may also use that same training session towards another club.

Post Executive Reports, three new legislations were voted on by the Senate. Bills in regards to needs of the Cheerleading Team and Writing Open Forum of SUNY Oswego were both passed by general consent. The last legislation was in regards to the Student Association’s Organization Liaison, both amendments requested were also passed by general consent.

Roll call was then taken and quorum was reached at 8:30pm. With this, the meeting came to a close, just in time for members of the Senate, both Trump and Clinton supporters alike, to watch the rest of the election.