While The Oswegonian is financed by the Oswego State Student Association, all reporting of SA is unbiased through reporting of facts. SA meets virtually every Tuesday at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Meetings can be accessed with the following link: https://zoom.us/j/91262556247
1. SA Announces Plans for Course on Diversity
Despite a period of virtual learning, the Oswego State Student Association has continued to find ways to provide opportunities for students to learn and educate themselves on social justice issues. Among all the social unrest spreading throughout the country in 2020, SA is actively working to help educate more students about such issues. According to SA President Lizeth Ortega-Ramirez, SA is working with Oswego State President Deborah Stanley to develop a new general education course on diversity. The course is planned to be introduced sometime in the next academic year.
A virtual town hall meeting was held on Thursday, Sept. 23, to allow students and faculty to discuss potential issues and topics to be included in the course, as well as voice any potential concerns.
2. Oswego State to Host 34th ALANA Conference
Along with introducing a new course, SA is continuing to provide additional resources for students to learn more about diversity and social justice issues, as they will host the 34th annual ALANA Student Leadership Conference. The ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, and Native American) conference describes itself as promoting “multicultural environment at SUNY Oswego, which will allow all members of the campus community as well as those from other colleges and universities to interact positively in an atmosphere of mutual consideration and understanding.”
The conference takes place from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30, and consists of several events. Among them are a virtual peace walk, scheduled for Sep. 27 at 3 p.m. and an Alumni-Student Leadership Panel, scheduled for Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.
3. Oswego State to use TurboVote to Aid in Voter Turnout
In addition to helping bring awareness to social issues, SA is working with the school and TurboVote, to help promote voter turnout in the upcoming November election. TurboVote is a website designed to help provide citizens with all the necessary information to vote. This includes election reminders as well as helping people register to vote. The site helps users with voting by mail, which can be confusing for many.
“Make sure you use it for yourself, or tell your friends to tell a friend,” Ortega-Ramirez said.
Links to access TurboVote can be found on the Vote Oswego Instagram page (@voteoswego) and the Student Association website.
4. Involvement Committee Expected to Survey Student to Increase Involvement
In an effort to keep up student involvement despite the temporary transition to virtual classes, the Involvement Committee is attempting to increase their virtual reach and communication with the students of Oswego State. Committee Chair Fiona Haynes said that the group met on Monday, Sept. 21 and are currently working to develop a survey for the students of Oswego State.
The survey would be distributed “just to check in on students and see what they want, what they know about SA or what they might need from it,” Haynes said.
The main purpose of the survey is to gauge student interest and familiarity with SA, and gather further information as to what SA could possibly do to increase student involvement.
5. SA Works with City of Oswego
Despite restrictions put forth due to the pandemic, SA is still finding additional ways to help both Oswego State students and the Oswego community as a whole. It is preparing a webinar titled “Off-Campus Housing 101.” The webinar is designed to assist students that may be looking to move off-campus in the future and help them find affordable and comfortable living arrangements.
In addition to this, SA is working with the city of Oswego in order to develop a virtual climate strike at a later date. The topic of climate change has been a major one in recent months, especially after a new “Climate Clock” was recently revealed in Times Square.
