About the SAA

Mission and Purpose
The Student Alumni Association (SAA) is a registered student organization sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Alumni Association (Alumni Association). Our purpose is to assist the Alumni Association in providing programs of direct benefit to students, alumni, parents and faculty as well as the campus in general. We serve as viable links between the alumni of today and the alumni of the future. The programs of the SAA are designed to promote interaction between students and alumni and increase student involvement and a sense of belonging to the UMass Amherst community. It is this whole UMass Amherst involvement that makes the SAA one of the most valued organizations on campus.

SAA Structure
The Student Alumni Association is made up of a general body of members and governed by a five-person Executive Board. Each Executive Board member chairs at least one committee or Chancellor's Personal Hosts program (CPH). Each general member must be active in two (2) committees. A staff member of the Alumni Association acts as the organization's advisor and oversees all general activities and the Executive Board.

Why join the SAA?
Membership in the SAA gives students the opportunity to network with alumni, cultivate their professional and social skills, inspire other students with their pride in UMass Amherst and maintain an active relationship with the campus. Members are able to connect and share ideas with other motivated students from other schools and colleges regionally and nationally. There are opportunities to travel to conferences and to have an impact on the campus as a Chancellor's Personal Host.

In addition, current members are eligible and encouraged to apply for two SAA scholarships, only available to SAA members. Check out more information about the Robert B. Collins '19 Student Alumni Association Scholarship, the Alumni Merit-Based SAA Scholarship and all the other scholarships awarded by the UMass Amherst Alumni Association.

Who we are
The SAA is made up of current students from all classes, a variety of majors, from in-state to out-of-state and all walks of life. Most members are active with other Registered Student Organizations, campus community service projects and Greek life. The common thread between all members is pride in UMass Amherst and in the SAA. This is carried through all we do and support.

Committees
The majority of work that gets done in the SAA is completed in committee. Members are asked to join at least two committees. Each committee has at least one chairperson and an Executive Board liaison.
- Commencement Ball Committee
- Fundraisers Committee
- Student & Alumni Programs Committee
- Community Service Committee
- Campus Partnerships and Recruitment Committee
- Social Committee

Membership and CASE Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (CASE ASAP)
We encourage any UMass Amherst student who wants to make a difference on our campus to join. Our doors are always open and welcoming!

Every SAA member makes an important contribution and the success of the organization depends on each individual's involvement. Being in the SAA is a commitment, and to operate successfully the SAA depends on members' attendance and promptness at all general meetings, committee meetings and events. The SAA tracks participation and involvement with a point system, which allows the SAA to accurately and fairly assess members' involvement throughout a given academic year.

By becoming a member of the SAA, you become a member of the CASE Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (CASE ASAP). This is the international association that similar student alumni organizations belong to. The SAA attends CASE ASAP conferences where we meet students from other groups and exchange programming ideas, gain insight on how other organizations operate, but most importantly, create lasting relationships with other students from around New England and the country.