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.
Campus to Career programs – Fall and Spring Semesters
Accomplished alumni come back to campus to share insights from their professional experiences.
Welcome to UMass Amherst program – Fall Semester
Parents of new students have the opportunity to provide their new student(s) with a gift(s) from home: Welcome to UMass Amherst Bundle or Class Mug filled with candies, a note from home and other necessities that no first-year student can live without. In addition, Halloween Trick-or-Treat packages are available for October.
Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast – September
Students are welcomed back to campus in the fall and invited to Memorial Hall for a free breakfast of pancakes and breakfast sausage while they enjoy morning cartoons.
Etiquette Dinner – Homecoming Week and Spring Semester
Learn proper meal etiquette and how to navigate a formal dinner place setting during this multi-course dinner.
Tuition Raffle – Fall Semester
Typically held in conjunction with Family Weekend, this program gives UMass Amherst students the chance to win up to $2,000 towards the next semester's tuition and fees.
Bears that Care – November and December
A winter-holiday teddy bear and stuffed animal drive that benefits local children and families in need.
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.
Student Leader Appreciation Reception – January or February
The UMass Amherst Alumni Association recognizes student volunteers and leaders who contribute to the advancement of UMass Amherst every day with this reception.
Dinner with Strangers – Spring Semester
Alumni host students at a dinner on campus in this interactive program that combines good food with good conversation and an opportunity for students to network with alumni about life after UMass Amherst.
Kiss-a-Senior Goodbye – Spring Semester
Students, faculty, staff and parents purchase a champagne glass or class mug filled with Hershey Kisses ® for their favorite senior(s).
Commencement Ball – May
Established in 1998, this final senior gala serves as a formal and traditional means of celebrating Commencement. Typically held two nights before Commencement, the Commencement Ball occupies the entire Student Union Complex.
Community Service
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 hold our Bears that Care drive during the fall semester (above).
Social Events
– Fall and Spring Semesters
Several times during the semester we will get together and go out to get away from all the work and have a little fun! Dinner, movies, hay rides, and apple picking are all past social events we have set up. We
are not only friends at the SAA, but outside too!
CASE ASAP District
and International Conferences
As a member of CASE Affiliated 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.
Alumni Association Events
The SAA assists
the Alumni Association in many events such as Homecoming, Family Weekend, Alumni
Reunion Weekend and regional alumni club activities.
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