The Daily Bulletin Archive

It operates as an independent corporation, controls a $1.8 million budget for the 2007–2008 academic year, and retains seven full-time employees. But United Students Government (USG) plays perhaps the most important role in shaping life for students at Buffalo State College.

Funded by the SUNY-mandated student activity fee, USG allocates budgets for more than 50 student organizations; lobbies local and state politicians for matters important to the student body; manages the partnership with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) for student bus shuttles; and runs theWhispering Pines camp in Franklinville, the dental clinic in Weigel Health Center, and the game room in the Campbell Student Union.

Among its recent accomplishments, USG pushed for the 24-hour StudyQuad in E. H. Butler Library, organized the downtown student shuttle through the NFTA, advocated for and funded the Fitness Center in Houston Gym, mandated that all campus-paid events be held on campus, and stopped credit card lenders from coming to campus.

The experience of serving on USG complements classroom learning. Members effectively run a business, gain experience with promotion and marketing, and learn to balance budgets. Many serve as USG representatives within the College Senate, the College Council, and the Faculty-Student Association. Skills such as negotiating, critical thinking to assess arguments, settling disputes, and managing conflicts play a part in many situations.

“USG provides significant educational value,” said Charles Kenyon, associate vice president and dean of students. “I think their work can even tie into classroom projects—like writing a reflection on being a senator, or using experiences to discuss how to deal with difficult issues.”

Founded in 1971 and operating independently since 1977, USG now consists of a 10-member executive board, a judicial council branch with seven justices, and a senate with 20 voting members and 15 at-large members. Administrative vice presidents who serve on the executive board also run committees. Members are both elected and appointed. In addition, seven full-time employees process purchase orders, help with print and design for student organizations, provide billing and accounts payable services, and coordinate programs.

“We want to make sure organizations succeed,” said Michael St. Rose, president of USG for the 2007–2008 academic year. “If one fails, we all fail.”

“USG is one of the most important bodies on campus for the students,” said Allison Brady, the organization’s executive vice president. “It represents all students.”

A number of Buffalo State faculty and staff members oversee USG, including Hal Payne, vice president for student affairs; Gail Wells, director of student life, who particularly helps to coordinate leadership training programs and manage paperwork for events; and a faculty adviser, who attends USG’s weekly meetings every Tuesday at 8:45 p.m.

After serving as USG’s faculty adviser for four years, Diane McFarland, assistant professor of business, has stepped down. Gary Marotta, professor of history and social studies education and former provost, was just approved as this year’s adviser by USG’s senate last week. Marotta said he will offer the group advice on how to work with organizations on campus, but says the goals for the year are ultimately theirs.

“The first thing we need to do is get the executive committee to focus on working better collectively, and then develop a clearer agenda for the year,” he said. “I simply want to serve as a presence, and make sure everyone complies with the USG code of ethics and Buffalo State College’s oath of matriculation. It’s important we respect the opinions of our peers and conduct ourselves with civility.”

For the past two years, USG members have worked to revise their constitution. The changes took effect this semester, providing a stronger role for the faculty adviser, creating more accountability for members who miss meetings, and establishing a public relations committee for better communication with the campus.

“This year, we really want to get commuters more involved, we want to better diversify USG, and we want to better show the campus how we’re using funds,” said Brady.

As part of its ambition to be more open to all organizations on campus, USG now gives greater acknowledgement to academic clubs. Annual funding for each club went from an average of $400 to $2,500 this academic year, and there is now a cap on social club funding.

Besides focusing more on commuters, USG wants to boost school spirit and student morale this year. With a new adviser on board and a new constitution, the members are up for the challenge.

“The USG students are good stewards of democracy,” said Wells. “The organization is one of the most effective and powerful advocates for the institution.”