Student Association

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Contents 1 Government Structure 1.1 Executive 1.2 Legislative 1.3 Judicial 2 Student Association Constitution 3 Clubs & Organizations 4 Services 5 Media 6 Student Association Attorney 7 Election Information 8 Student Association Budget 9 Rainbow Month 10 Contact Information

The Student Association (usually referred to simply as "S.A.") is the Student Government of SUNY New Paltz. It represents and advocates for the student body, provides services for students, and oversees the hundreds of student organizations.

It presents many opportunities and activities both educational and entertaining for the entire campus community. The S.A. supports extracurricular programs in an effort to enhance and broaden the classroom experience. Organizations within the Student Association also host social events as well such as dances, concerts and small gatherings centered around a common interest. In addition to campus events, the S.A. sponsors many field trips and provides students with the opportunity to participate in numerous conferences throughout the country.

The terms “Student Association” and “Student Government” are used interchangeably. The S.A. is called an association because we are comprised of approximately 140 different clubs and organizations. It is also the official student government representing all New Paltz students; full and part-time, off and on-campus, graduate and undergraduate. The Student Association encourages students to get involved and take an active role in student life.

[edit] Government Structure

The Government structure of the SA under the current Constitution resembles a Presidential systm with a bicarmeral legislature. Like the US Government, the SA Government has three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

[edit] Executive

• The Executive Branch (or Executive Board) is partly elected and partly bureaucratic. It has five elected officials:
  • The Student Association President, Ben Olsen
  • The Executive Vice President, Jeff Fonda
  • The Vice President of Finance, Sarah Elswit
  • The Vice President of Programming, Yasmeen Khan
  • The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Governance, Brenna Fearey

Additionally, six professional staff members, an executive secretary, a public relations specialist, and many students are employed by the Student Association and managed by the Executive.

The main charge of the Executive Board is to implement decisions and administer projects set in motion by the Legislative branch.

[edit] Legislative

The Legislative Branch consists of the Student Senate and the Council of Organizations.

• The Senate is a 25-member body of elected student officials. It is formally charged with setting the goals and priorities of the Student Association for the Executive Board to carry out. It does this by passing legislation.

• The Council of Organizations is literally a council of all student organizations. It's main power is to recognize new organizations, although some students, including members of the Constitutional Reform Party, have shunned this process as grandfathering.

[edit] Judicial

The SA Judiciary consists, at present, soley of the SA Judicial Board, whose decisions are binding on all other parts of the SA Government structure.

Other, smaller courts could be created within SA at some point with the consent of the Senate and Judicial Board.

[edit] Student Association Constitution

Please click here to view the current constitution.
Please click here to view the Proposed 2006 Constitution.
Please click here to view the Tooth Fairy Constitution.

[edit] Clubs & Organizations

Official list of recognized Student Assocation Clubs and Organizations.

[edit] Services

• • OASIS
  • Haven
  • Legal Consultant
  • Student Advocates
  • SA Graphics
  • Welness and Recreation
  • Student Association Entertainment (SAE)
  • Senator Charles Cook Children's Center
  • The Campus Media Center
  • NYPIRG

[edit] Media

• • Oracle
  • The Fahari
  • Paltzonian Year Book
  • Radio64AM/WFNP
  • Television - WNPC TV

[edit] Student Association Attorney

The Student Association Attorney is available for legal services for students at no additional charge. This service is paid for by the $100 mandatory Activity fee.

[edit] Election Information

[edit] Student Association Budget

Please click here to view the 2005-2006 Budget.

The 1.3 million dollar budget is solely supported by the mandatory student activity fee. It is allocated through the Budget and Finance Committee and approved by the Student Senate. At present, the student activity fee also funds recreational activities including the pool, a weight room facility, club sports and numerous exercise classes, although some of these expenditures are controversial.

[edit] Rainbow Month

Rainbow Explosion
Caribash
Jam Asia
Latino Week
Black Week
Spring Fest

[edit] Contact Information