By AARON KREIN
Features Editor
Last Wednesday, the first Student Association meeting of the year kicked off at the conference room inside the newly opened Midnight Eats at Centennial Hall. All eyes and ears were open for numerous announcements.
Perhaps the most talked about discussion of the night was Vice President for Enrollment Management Mary Grondahl’s presentation of Saint Rose’s two potential branding campaigns. Both were created by Saint Rose graphic design graduate Scott Bartley and his team in Manhattan, NY. These new branding archetypes were designed to appeal to potential undergraduate and graduate students, parents, alumni, “internal audiences,” and the community. There are many reasons for this change in branding, including attracting new students and differentiating Saint Rose from other colleges.
The first concept, entitled “I Am Saint Rose,” centered on students identifying with the college and coming off with a sense of pride. Some of the taglines included “I am strong,” as well as “we are innovative,” which are labeled on adverts with notable alumni.
The second concept, called “Home,” leans toward a more personal and emotional method that promotes acceptance. “Home of Global Connection” and “Home of First-Generation Success” were examples of phrases in adverts that showed students in class settings.
According to Grondahl, they surveyed over 6,000 high school students across the country. 76.12 percent of the students preferred the general concept of the “Home” idea. 81.82 percent of the students preferred the general design of the “Home” idea as well.
However, when asking Saint Rose students who attended the meeting what they thought of both pitches, there were mixed reviews. Some believed the “Home” design seemed too “corporate” and preferred the “comfortableness” of the “I Am” advert. Some felt that the notable alumni photos in the “I Am” adverts should also encompass graduates who aren’t as successful as Jimmy Fallon. Many agreed that both concepts were great and could possibly be combined in ways such as “I am home,” or “We are home.”
“I am interested to see where the graphic design campaign goes and if it will be effective in bringing in new students,” said student Tanner Coon.
Despite many students being curious which branding venture will be taken, the idea of change seemed overall accepted at the meeting.
“I think no matter which one we go with I think it’s nice we’re rebranding, especially with all the changes the College is going through right now,” said Student Association president Carly Weller.
Another big announcement came from Director of Athletics and Recreation Cathy Haker. The final home game of the season will be nationally televised. The SA-supported event will include face painting as well as giveaways to students who dress in our school color, gold. Haker was keen about spreading the word to the student body.
“There was a lot of intensity at the beginning of the season with MidKnight Madness, and now we want to capture that same energy at the end of the season,” said Haker.
The televised game will take place Saturday, Feb. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m.
There were also a bunch of other upcoming events announced at the meeting. On Feb. 5, a special showing of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” will occur. The next blood drive will be at St. Joseph’s Hall on Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. St. Baldricks, a head-shaving event that raises money for child cancer research, is planned for April 7 from 11 to 6 p.m.
“Free of Fear,” a relatively new club on campus dedicated to sexual assault prevention and “healthy relationship promoting,” was the topic of discussion for potential SA support. President Matthew Eisner and Vice President Joe Rissacher presented their intentions to become more of a known presence at Saint Rose.
“With the support of Student Association, we hope to be able to shed some light on such a difficult topic that colleges across the United States are facing,” said Rissacher.
Eisner stated that the interest meeting had 20 students and have received feedback. The club is currently working with the English Club on an upcoming production of “The Vagina Monologues.” Both Eisner and Rissacher were amazed by the reactions from the students at the meeting.
“We were surprised that students had a lack of knowledge of the Sexual Assault Prevention Committee. The Committee has meetings monthly and is open to all students,” said Rissacher. “As for Free of Fear, we thought that there was a consensus among the students that there needs to be more information about the topic and that the club will address them. Overall, we are very confident that SA will approve us and we can move forward with our mission for a safer campus.”
At next week’s meeting, it will be decided upon SA members whether the club will receive SA recognition.
With all things discussed, students left the meeting with loads of information and things to anticipate during the next couple of months.
“There seems to be a lot of excitement heading into the next semester,” said Weller.
