The University of Oregon Student Alumni Association (UOSAA) is a term that is thrown out a lot around campus, but what is it that they actually do?
The SAA is one of the largest student-run non-profit organizations on campus, with a member base of approximate 1/4 of the undergraduate student body.
“Our goal is to build the best Ducks possible while still at UO through a variety of events and opportunities,” said Susan Burton, the assistant director for student and alumni relations, “including connecting students with our family of 180,000 Duck alumni, community service and philanthropy opportunities, and building spirit and continuing traditions at the UO.”
The UOSAA has been hard at work to make 2015 their most successful year yet.
“Many events are annual fixtures on the calendar, and will be repeated,” said Damian Foley, the assistant director of marketing and communications for the University of Oregon Alumni Association (UOAA). But there’s also a lot of new events the UOSAA will be hosting. Here’s a list:
Miracle Madness: The SAA will again be having a team for the UO Miracle’s annual dance party, Miracle Madness. Teams work together to fundraise and participate in a 12-hour activity packed dance party on Jan. 24 to raise funding and awareness for the children in local Eugene/Springfield hospitals.
Etiquette Dinner: Each year, the SAA works with the Career Center and the Lundquist College of Business to host an etiquette dinner for students, in which they are taught professional dining etiquette. Students are served a multi-course meal while getting tips and tricks on etiquette for each course; each table also has two table hosts – either alumni or from local businesses. Afterwards, there is a business fashion show, with dos and don’ts of business dress.
Seattle Spring Break Trip: This is a new opportunity for SAA students. From Wednesday-Saturday of spring break, we are taking a select group of students on a networking and career prep spring break to Seattle. While there, students will visit with alumni at various companies such as Amazon, Tableau Software and the WNBA Seattle Storm, as well as give students opportunities to experience Seattle with some alumni, such as a tour of the Experience Music Project (EMP).
Life Beyond UO series: In the past, the SAA has worked with the UOAA’s Duck Career Network to put on events for graduating seniors to help prepare them for professional life after college. This year, they are teaming up with other partners across campus, including the Career Center and the Parent Professional Network, to bring each of the senior programming to a wider group of students with our Life Beyond UO series for graduating seniors starting in April.
Oregon Made Possible: In the spring, the SAA will be continuing the tradition of helping students thank donors for their support of the UO. Oregon made possible is an opportunity to bring awareness to the support provided to the university by private donors as well as give students an opportunity to thank first-time donors for their support.
Senior Send-off: Senior send-off is an annual event in June the UOAA puts on as a send-off party for graduating seniors. It is an opportunity for graduating seniors to celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy a relax in the EMU Amphitheater.
To become a member, students can join through their website for a one-time fee that lasts the entire time they are in school at UO.