Events and Programs

Welcome Mugs and Bundles: The Welcome Mug and Welcome Bundle program gives new students a gift from home with a personal touch. We hand deliver more than 500 welcome mugs and welcome bundles to students’ doors filled with Hershey® Hugs and Kisses and other necessities that no first-year student can live without. These gifts come with a hand written message from home. In addition, we sell Halloween "Trick or Treat" Packages in October for new students. This isn't a trick, but a treat from home.

Chancellor's Personal Host: The program is exclusively for SAA members who are selected. It was established when the most recent former chancellor, John Lombardi, joined the UMass Amherst family in 2002. Chancellor's Personal Hosts (CPH) serve as student ambassadors at all Chancellor-attended events and functions. The mission of program is to welcome guests of the Chancellor and make them feel welcome and comfortable. Events range from athletic events to Hillside (home of the Chancellor) dinners and formal ceremonies.

SAA Winter Awards Banquet : This is the official semiformal and awards banquet of the SAA. It is annually held near the end of the fall semester. It is a great time for UMass Amherst students to unwind and acknowledge everyone for all the hard work the previous two semesters. There is, typically, a theme and we honor four members with organizational awards: Host With the Most (outstanding CPH member), Rising Star Award (new member with most potential), In Memory of Franklyn Award (campus involvement), and SAA All-Around Award.

Kiss-a-Senior Goodbye: The Kiss-a-Senior Goodbye program allows students, faculty and staff to purchase a champagne glass or a class mug filled with Hershey Kisses ® for their favorite seniors. Seniors are surprised and happy to receive their special 'Kiss Goodbye.' This program serves as the largest fundraiser for SAA.

Commencement Ball: Established in 1998, it is the final senior gala. Typically held two nights before Commencement, the Commencement Ball occupies the entire Student Union Complex. It serves as a formal and traditional means of celebrating Commencement.

Tuition Raffle: The UMass Alumni Association co-sponsors the annual Family Day Tuition Raffle. Each year one lucky winner is chosen during Family Day weekend and receives up to $2,000 towards tuition.

Retreats and Entertainment: The SAA has a retreat at the end of each semester where members get together and talk about the past, present and future of the SAA. These retreats help us determine where we want the organization to go. However, we aren't always business. We also go out to dinner, movies, bowling and athletic events to get away from all our work and have a little fun. We are not only friends at the SAA, but outside too!

ASAP District and International Conferences: As a member of the Association of Student Advancement Programs, the SAA is invited to its annual network convention and the regional District 1 Conference. These conferences are a chance for us to meet students from other schools and organizations like ours. SAA members learn about other organizations, their structure, programs and practical tips. The network convention takes place during the summer, with the regional conferences held at the start of the spring semester.

Community Service Events: The SAA is always trying to make the community a better place. Each school year, we commit to one or more community service events a semester. Currently, we participate in the 5-College Relay for Life during the spring semester and rotate our fall semester involvement.

Alumni Association Events: We assist the Alumni Association Office in many events such as Homecoming, Family Day, Alumni Weekend, and regional alumni club activities.

Other: In addition, the President and Vice President serve on the UMass Amherst Alumni Association Board of Directors.



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	Events and Programs Welcome Mugs and Bundles: The Welcome Mug and Welcome Bundle program gives new students a gift from home with a personal touch. We hand deliver more than 500 welcome mugs and welcome bundles to students’ doors filled with Hershey® Hugs and Kisses and other necessities that no first-year student can live without. These gifts come with a hand written message from home. In addition, we sell Halloween "Trick or Treat" Packages in October for new students. This isn't a trick, but a treat from home. Chancellor's Personal Host: The program is exclusively for SAA members who are selected. It was established when the most recent former chancellor, John Lombardi, joined the UMass Amherst family in 2002. Chancellor's Personal Hosts (CPH) serve as student ambassadors at all Chancellor-attended events and functions. The mission of program is to welcome guests of the Chancellor and make them feel welcome and comfortable. Events range from athletic events to Hillside (home of the Chancellor) dinners and formal ceremonies. SAA Winter Awards Banquet : This is the official semiformal and awards banquet of the SAA. It is annually held near the end of the fall semester. It is a great time for UMass Amherst students to unwind and acknowledge everyone for all the hard work the previous two semesters. There is, typically, a theme and we honor four members with organizational awards: Host With the Most (outstanding CPH member), Rising Star Award (new member with most potential), In Memory of Franklyn Award (campus involvement), and SAA All-Around Award. Kiss-a-Senior Goodbye: The Kiss-a-Senior Goodbye program allows students, faculty and staff to purchase a champagne glass or a class mug filled with Hershey Kisses ® for their favorite seniors. Seniors are surprised and happy to receive their special 'Kiss Goodbye.' This program serves as the largest fundraiser for SAA. Commencement Ball: Established in 1998, it is the final senior gala. Typically held two nights before Commencement, the Commencement Ball occupies the entire Student Union Complex. It serves as a formal and traditional means of celebrating Commencement. Tuition Raffle: The UMass Alumni Association co-sponsors the annual Family Day Tuition Raffle. Each year one lucky winner is chosen during Family Day weekend and receives up to $2,000 towards tuition. Retreats and Entertainment: The SAA has a retreat at the end of each semester where members get together and talk about the past, present and future of the SAA. These retreats help us determine where we want the organization to go. However, we aren't always business. We also go out to dinner, movies, bowling and athletic events to get away from all our work and have a little fun. We are not only friends at the SAA, but outside too! ASAP District and International Conferences: As a member of the Association of Student Advancement Programs, the SAA is invited to its annual network convention and the regional District 1 Conference. These conferences are a chance for us to meet students from other schools and organizations like ours. SAA members learn about other organizations, their structure, programs and practical tips. The network convention takes place during the summer, with the regional conferences held at the start of the spring semester. Community Service Events: The SAA is always trying to make the community a better place. Each school year, we commit to one or more community service events a semester. Currently, we participate in the 5-College Relay for Life during the spring semester and rotate our fall semester involvement. Alumni Association Events: We assist the Alumni Association Office in many events such as Homecoming, Family Day, Alumni Weekend, and regional alumni club activities. Other: In addition, the President and Vice President serve on the UMass Amherst Alumni Association Board of Directors.
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