UPDATED: The original version of this story states that the future of OzFest is uncertain, and it could have been interpreted that the event may not happen at all. This is inaccurate, and we apologize for our mistake. This version of the story has been updated.
The Oswego State Student Association president is looking for ways to make out of class academics easier on students and updating SA rules.
Student Association represents the voices of the students at Oswego State. They promote the wants and needs of the students while funding many clubs and organizations on campus with a budget of $1.8 million. Many students may not realize how much SA affects the campus experience at Oswego State, such as free hockey game tickets and the GoCentro bus routes.
One of SA President Takeena Strachan’s main priorities for the year is to reduce the costs of textbooks by finding a cheaper alternative to required textbooks, which can cost upwards of $200.
Her goal is to “find better and cheaper ways for students to get their textbooks and required resources.”
A good example of this would be a PDF version of a textbook, rather than a hard or online copy through the publisher.
“Textbooks are too expensive, I spend hundreds of dollars every semester on textbooks,” said Jacob Tawil, an Oswego State student. “If we could find any way to make it more affordable, that would be great.”
Strachan stressed that college is expensive enough as it is and paying additional hundreds of dollars a semester for textbooks is too much.
The other main priority for Strachan is to extend the hours at Penfield Library. Compared to other SUNY schools, Strachan said, Oswego has some of the most restrictive library hours. Strachan found that students were using the library for more than what libraries usually provide.
“Students want a place to study rather than needing a computer or other material,” Strachan said.
According to Strachan, students need these spaces to be available later into the night to finish their work in an effective manner.
“Penfield Library should be open for 24 hours,” said Zach Stockman, an Oswego State student. “They need to do that so students always have a place to study.”
Stockman also added that this would create more jobs in the library and make shifts longer, which in turn would put more money in students’ pockets.
Matthew O’Donnell, the SA vice president, said he is interested in improving student safety, looking at SA finances, and updating SA rules in addition to Strachan’s plans.
“We’re really keening in on student safety, we’re seeing all these terrible acts done by people,” said O’Donnell, in reference to recent mass shootings. “We’re working with [University Police], we’re working with other campus officials, to make sure we have a policy and preparations in place just in case something might happen.”
O’Donnell said the SA budget was a real concern for him, especially given the budget cuts last year which saw clubs receive significantly less money than they expected.
“SA as a whole is trying to make sure we’re staying afloat. Last [year] we had budget cuts, and the reason we did those was for the organization itself.” said O’Donnell. “All these previous years we were budgeting into the red. In the red means we’re giving out money we don’t even have.”
As for updating SA rules, O’Donnell said the overhaul is long overdue.
“[The rules were] made in the 60’s and the 70’s, stuff that works in the 60’s and 70’s just doesn’t work anymore,” O’Donnell said.
The Student Association has been hosting OzFest during the last day of classes in May each year. OzFest features games and free food during the day and puts on a concert to end the night. Last year the concert lineup included Ella Mai, Gunna, and more.
OzFest’s main goal is to attract students who are under 21 away from the Bridge Street Run, an unofficial bar crawl on the last day of classes in downtown Oswego. Strachan stressed how important it was for students to attend OzFest and to have a fun and safe last day of classes at Oswego.
The current future of OzFest is uncertain, as changes to club funding last year left with the Student Association Programming Board with a budget they said is insufficient to support an OzFest concert of the same size and cost as previous years concerts have been.
The Student Association has an open meeting at 6 p.m. every Tuesday in Lanigan Hall room 106, where anyone is free to come and share thoughts, suggestions or concerns. Strachan and O’Donnell also welcome anyone to pop into their offices at The Point during their posted office hours.
Photo provided by Kelly Perkins
