SARAH CLARK
News Editor
The College of Saint Rose Student Association held their first virtual meeting on April 1 using the online education tool Zoom.
The special order, Steve Ralston, the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, answered questions that students had regarding the closure and graduation for class of 2020 seniors.
“Within about a week we could see easily what was happening all around us,” said Ralston when asked about the college’s decision to close for the remainder of the semester. “We knew for the safety of you and the faculty and staff we just couldn’t bring people back.”
Ralston also acknowledged the training for faculty and staff members when they canceled classes on March 12 and 13. This training extended into that weekend and still continues to occur, according to Ralston. He also addressed summer classes as concerns grow about when students and faculty will be able to return. Ralston stated that those classes may be moved to the second summer session or online, but a decision has not been made as to how the college will proceed.
One senior expressed concerns with graduation, which has now been moved to September as of March 27, when Carolyn Stefanco, the college’s president, sent an email to students.
“If for some reason we are not back or we get back so late we can’t do it I think they will move it to December,” said Ralston. “We are gonna to do it. One way or the other we’re gonna honor the students who’ve completed their degrees.”
Graduating seniors can expect to receive their diplomas in September, which is normally when they are sent. Seniors who need their transcripts can reach out to the registrar, and they have implemented an online process through which students can request them. According to Ralston, this will also be an expedited process.
Ralston will also reach out to Shai Butler, the vice president for Student Development and chief diversity officer, on how seniors can receive their caps and gowns.
“To all of you, thank you for your patience as we work through this,” said Ralston. “You need to know that in every meeting I go to, in fact there was a cabinet meeting this morning, it’s all about you. There is nothing we talk about that’s more important than getting you in your programs and having the best experience we can have despite this thing that is going on.”
Allison Hansen, president of Student Association, also said that the Student Association reached out to facilities regarding work orders for student clubs. She said that starting next semester students in clubs can submit work orders themselves using facilities@strose.edu or call the office at ext. 2800 to report the issues between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Service and Appreciation awards were also discussed at this meeting, where students shared ideas for club advisors and administrators of the year. It is undetermined at this time how the awards will be distributed.
The meeting included information regarding clubs and how students can effectively fundraise and meet all of the Student Association requirements. They are encouraging club leaders to hold events by using Zoom and social media platforms, they can reach out to marketing@strose.edu for promotion by the college.
“Anything that people post please if you can reshare it, it is really crucial in a time where we are all online,” said Hansen. She also said that clubs must fill out a budget and event form, which was sent to students in an email.
The Marketing Department is looking for Student Association sponsored and active clubs for how they are staying active during this time, and clips can be up to 10 seconds long. Clubs can reach out to Hansen if they are interested in participating.
For fundraising, clubs can partner with different organizations and businesses, or they can look into Eventbrite. Hansen will also work with clubs with fundraising ideas, and to help club leaders with their FPRs she will also be sending out a video tutorial soon.
The Student Association will participate in the Rainbow Challenge, and each Monday posts will be featured on the Student Association’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
“Saint Rose Rocks is a new web series that provides music for the Golden Knights by the Golden Knights by the Golden Knights,” said Conor Walsh, the director for social activities. “If you have a talent or project you want showcased, or have an online event you want promoted, please let me know at walshc907@strose.edu.”
The Student Events Board will be doing a “Hashtag Challenge” next week hosted by Hannah Deetz, the chair of novelties. Each day there will be a different theme where students can submit a picture using their hashtag. The themes include Monday Motivation, Tuesday Shoes Day, Workout Wednesday (physically and mentally), Throwback Thursday, and Funday Friday. Each day, students who post a picture with the theme and the hashtag will be entered into a raffle, and those who complete all five days students can enter to win a Nintendo Switch. For more information, contact Deetz at deetzh416@strose.edu or follow SEB on their Instagram @stroseseb.
