Student leaders addressed at Fall Summit

Approximately 150 student groups were represented at this year's Student Association (SA) Fall Summit on Sept. 17.

Executives from SA were dealt the unenviable task of delivering a nearly two hour presentation to a student audience on a Saturday morning. Free stress balls and Fredonia memorabilia were thrown into the crowd for those who actively participated.

The main goal of the presentation was for groups to meet the SA executives as well as receive valuable information to help their groups operate smoothly. SA Vice President Jordan Nicholson opened the presentation with a 15 minute roll call in which the mere mention of the Quidditch team's presence garnered a laugh from the crowd.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dave Herman spoke to the crowd and fielded questions about the "3 strikes" rule. Herman's message of "minimizing risk" was an appropriate theme and seemed to sufficiently reach the students in attendance.

 The popularity and intensity of house parties has increased recently, and concern within the community is on the rise. Binge drinking and house parties continue to be a concern for the university.

Herman was asked many questions about the "3 Strikes" policy during a brief Q&A session. Students had many questions concerning the hot-button policy. The session had to be cut short due to time restraints.

Curbing off-campus drinking is an issue of student safety more than an attempt to punish students. Anyone looking to avoid punishment under the "3 Strikes" policy needs simply to avoid high risk behavior.

SA comptroller Nate Zager explained the budget for SA funded groups. The approximately 150 student groups on campus share a $1.4 million budget. This money comes from a $93 fee each student pays. These assets are allocated depending on the designation of the group.

Groups are considered to be endorsed, acknowledged, chartered or constituted. Endorsed groups receive the least money, a maximum of $150, while the constituted groups receive the most, each with their own budget per academic year. The 21 constituted groups on campus make up for $544,055 of the $1.4 million budget.

 Students pay the $93 fee whether they participate in a group or not so involvement is encouraged.

Toward the end of the presentation the glow of cell phones in the crowd could be seen while others began falling asleep in their chairs. No amount of free Fredonia swag or SA stress balls thrown into the crowd can carry a two hour presentation on a Saturday morning.