Working in the College Union with student leaders and programmers provides me with some special insight into the exciting and constructive things that Geneseo students are involved in. While Geneseo has experienced some hardships over the past year, I have witnessed our community go beyond perceived limits, embrace our values, and move forward.

At the start of Weeks of Welcome, student leaders from across the campus participated in formal Bystander Intervention training and then led face to face discussions with first-year students on the topic of not being a bystander. It was made known that at Geneseo we get involved, learn, and take action. We are not bystanders. From look-ing out for our environment to looking out for each other, we stand up and take action. There was a focus on the idea that as a commu-nity we need individuals who are loyal and unwavering in their sup-port of one another and our values and that we need individuals who will embrace Community, promote Diversity, and demonstrate Integrity. “The Red Watchband Program,” which teaches students how to prevent toxic drinking and handle alcohol related emergen-cies, was also launched on campus.

Throughout the fall semester, I had several conversations with student leaders about how their student groups have been living the Geneseo values and expanding the Geneseo circle of caring. One such stu-dent group, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, was recently highlighted in The Livingston County News for their efforts in leading a major charity fundraiser that supplied food for needy families on Thanksgiv-ing. IVCF worked to bring together students, professors, community members, fraternities, sororities and other student groups. The Council for Exceptional Children is another such student group. CEC works to improve the educational outcomes of students with exceptionalities and disabilities. One of the ways in which CEC members currently accomplish this is through their volunteer work at the Geneseo and Livonia elementary schools, with elementary school children who need special attention and academic support. CEC also works in collaboration with the Volunteer Center to provide tutoring services to area school children.

In an effort to draw attention to the great work that is being done by Geneseo, the department of College Union and Activities has been working on the development of the “Positively Geneseo” campaign. The “Positively Geneseo” campaign will use a variety of means to highlight the posi-tive efforts and accomplishments of Geneseo student lead-ers, student programmers, and recognized student organiza-tions.

I trust that this issue of the “State of the Union” will provide you with some insight into a few of the exciting and positive things that are taking place in the MacVittie College Union.

The State of the Union Charles “Chip” Matthews

Fall 2009

Volume 3, Issue 1

State of the Union Robert W. MacVittie College Union Newsletter

Inside this issue:

The State of the Union 1

Community Mural 2

Geneseo Welcomes 2

The Union is in My Bright Future 3

A Bicycle Built for Two 3

College Union & Activities

College Union 321

585-245-5851

union.geneseo.edu

College Union Building Hours

For Spring 2010

Monday-Thursday: 8am-11pm

Friday: 8am-2am

Saturday: 10am-2am

Sunday: noon-11pm

The Department of College Union

and Activities is a part of the Division

of Student and Campus Life.

1. Be aware of your surroundings. 2. Identify problems or emergencies. 3. Assume personal responsibility. 4. Help – stand up for one another.

STAND UP For One Another

Page 2

State of the Union

The College Union has always been a place of stability and reli-ability for students, but also a place of growth and change. In recent years, much of this growth is attributable to the many dif-ferent aesthetic works that have been added to the Union. One of the most prominent additions to the College Union this year is the mural in the main lobby. This large-scale mural is not a small undertak-ing by any means, espe-cially since it is being com-pleted by just one SUNY Geneseo stu-dent. Nicholas Pesce, a sopho-more business administration major, has always been very involved with the arts. He has painted non-profit and commissioned works for three years, start-ing around his hometown of Oakdale, N.Y. In those past three years he has completed over 50 paintings, including 12 murals, one of which is located in Onondaga Hall. His artistic talent has also provided him the opportunity to share his skills through making multiple banners for events this year and last, such as

In the Business of Developing Community Through Art Sara Wigderson , Student Manager, MacVittie College Union

Homecoming, the Holiday Jubilee and the Ice Knights' challenge. He has been drawing since he was very young, and said that painting was just the “next step.” Pesce finds it very important that his murals reflect timeless qualities that can be enjoyed by any generation, such as the qualities in his current mural. The mural in the College Union represents

many land-marks and qualities that are not only recognizable to Geneseo students, but also to com-munity mem-bers. Pesce is blending to-gether scenes of the town, community and Geneseo campus all

into this one mural, with images of Sturges Hall, Fall Brook falls, the Geneseo valley, the fountain on Main Street, and many more. This mu-ral is so unique because it includes images that are easily recognizable and representative of Geneseo as a whole. Painting this mural is a con-tinuous process that Pesce will complete throughout the rest of the school year.

You may have come across a new face among your welcoming College Union and Activi-ties staff. Meet Lauren Taraska, your new Coordinator of Student Organizations and Cam-pus Activities. Lauren works directly with students to help their organizations become rec-ognized by the college and oversees the New Organization Recognition Committee. Lau-ren, who has had previous experience working at Syracuse University, loves that “Geneseo is close-knit and there’s a definite sense of community.” What’s Lauren’s favorite part about working here at Geneseo? In her own words, “the people.” Everyone has been so helpful and really takes the time to welcome you.” You can always find a friendly face among the College Union Employees, some of whom were lucky enough to get to know Lauren personally at the recent Rochester conference for the Association of College Un-ions International. Since Geneseo has close to 200 student organizations on campus, Lau-ren is really getting to know the student body. Just this semester, she’s already worked with about 75 student groups and looks forward to meeting more of you! Feel free to drop by CU 304 and say hello to Lauren as well as personally meet with the rest of your friendly CU staff!

Geneseo Welcomes Lauren Taraska Laura Cardoso , Student Manager, MacVittie College Union

Page 3

State of the Union

The Union is in My Bright Future Audrey Schiffhauer, First Year Student and College Union Employee

While working in the Union, I realize that I had no idea how much goes on here; it's literally the epicenter of campus. Everyone works together to give the students here so many oppor-tunities to have fun. I love working here because it's preparing me for my teaching career. Just as I'll have to prepare activities for my students, the staff at the Union works hard to give us so many fun things to do. I've also learned to appreciate how hard everyone works here. Simply the amount of paperwork and mail is astounding; people here are in charge of so much! I admire how much everyone does and how efficient everyone is, while still hav-ing fun and making this an atmosphere students want to be in. I've learned a lot while work-ing in the Union and plan on enjoying my job here for the rest of my college career.

A Bicycle Built for Two Gina Giordani, College Union Financial Assistant

It is customary that unique equipment is put to good use in the MacVittie College Union. Throughout the years sev-eral odd products have been purchased to benefit the staff and students that traverse the building and this year is no different. The newest edition to our line-up is a bicycle built for two. After much pressure from the student popu-lation a Trek T900 Tandem bicycle was purchased for stu-dent use.

Like other bikes, the tandem will be loaned from the Con-cierge Desk for up to 5 hours. Unlike other bikes, the tan-dem will offer its riders more than just a ride – it will offer them an experience. Although the specifics of the ride will be slightly different than those of a single rider bike, the mix of teamwork, companionship, athleticism and extreme fun is guaranteed to provide anyone the ride of their life.

"Anecdotal evidence from student employees indicates that working during college can build self-confidence that carries forward in their future professions."

Scannell & Simpson, 1996

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."

John F. Kennedy

Role of the College Union The union is the community center of the college, serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. By whatever form or name, a college union is an organization offering a variety of programs, activities, ser-vices, and facilities that, when taken together, represent a well-considered plan for the community life of the college.

The union is an integral part of the educational mission of the college.

• As the center of the college community life, the union complements the academic experience through an exten-sive variety of cultural, educational, social, and recreational programs. These programs provide the opportunity to balance course work and free time as cooperative factors in education.

• The union is a student-centered organization that values participatory decision-making. Through volunteerism, its boards, committees, and student employment, the union offers first-hand experience in citizenship and educates students in leadership, social responsibility, and values.

• In all its processes, the union encourages self-directed activity, giving maximum opportunity for self-realization and for growth in individual social competency and group effectiveness.

The union's goal is the development of persons as well as intellects.

Adopted by the Association's general membership in 1996, this statement is based on the Role of the College Union statement, 1956.

SUNY Geneseo College Union & Activities CU 321 1 College Circle Geneseo, NY 14454

College Union & Activities Vision Statement The Department of College Union and Activities aspires to continually improve its facilities, resources, and programs to meet the needs of the College community and to advance student learning.