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Syracuse University’s Student Association allocated almost $17,000 toward its annual formal celebration during its Monday meeting.

The event honors 50 graduating students who have made significant contributions to student leadership and campus culture, SA President German Nolivos said, as well as the association’s accomplishments over the past year. The formal, which also celebrates SA’s 80th year on campus, will feature a DJ, dining options and a “Golden Hour” theme.

“We are saying goodbye to an amazing year and we’re saying welcome to the new year. And on top of everything, you will have the opportunity to have good food, nice music and potentially some new awards,” Nolivos said.

The celebration is on Sunday in the Miron Victory Court.

The funding will also cover an awards ceremony recognizing members of the association, Nolivos said. In previous years, SA recognized assembly members through superlative awards, but Nolivos hopes to solidify five official SA honors for this year’s celebration.

The president said these awards will likely include “best committee of the year” and “best assembly member of the year.”

“Formal should be about having fun, but also talking about all the cool stuff (SA) did throughout the year,” Anna Mirer, vice president of university affairs, said.

The assembly also allocated funds to cover supplies for its second Green Innovation Competition on April 18. SA’s Sustainability Forum will host the competition to address sustainability concerns on campus. Participants can pitch proposed solutions to a panel of professors and other sustainability professionals for evaluation, according to an SA Instagram post.

The budget mainly factors in dining accommodations and presentation easels, Mirer said.

The funding will also help cover SA’s Community Involvement Fair, which serves as an opportunity for students to connect with nonprofit organizations and engage in service work across the broader Syracuse community, Mirer said. SA’s Community and Government Affairs committee will host the fair as part of the Spring into Action service events series.

Fifteen organizations that do sustainability work will also present to interested students during the forum. SA has reserved the first floor of the Schine Student Center for the event, and will table on the second floor throughout the fair.

“(These events) will really help students feel like they’re making an impact on and off campus,” Mirer said.

Other business:

• The assembly elected 3 members to SU’s University Senate. The new senators are Emily Castillo-Malean, a freshman majoring in policy studies and citizenship and civic engagement; Luis Gomez, a sophomore majoring in policy studies and international relations; and Tommy DaSilva, a junior majoring in public health, policy studies and citizenship and civic engagement.
• Alexis Leach, SA’s comptroller, said she met with representatives from SU’s Graduate Student Organization to discuss budgeting strategies, fiscal code changes and financial stability for both organizations. SA’s Finance Board has had to reorganize the association’s allocation process after facing funding shortages throughout the year.
• SA will host its annual executive debate on Thursday evening at SU’s National Veterans Resource Center at 7:30 p.m. ahead of its spring elections.

Published on March 25, 2025 at 1:27 am