Clubs across campus continue to grow

Clubs across campus continue to grow 

By Errol Evans

            Clubs are an important on all college campuses. Clubs provide a way for students to get involved in something of interest to them and also meet and interact with other students who share the same interest.  Clubs also help new students to make new friends and get accustomed to a new environment.

            There are 65 official clubs onthe SUNY Buffalo State campus.  Each of these clubs had to go through the process of becoming official. This means that you need to have a president, a vice president, a treasurer, 10 members, and at least one faculty advisor f State.  When you have all these things arranged, you have to go to the fourth floor of the student union on campus and speak to someone from the USG office.

            “Successful clubs always have a strong base of people who feel strongly about the club and are willing to advertise to others,” said Charlene Fontana, assistant to the director of student life.  Her job is to check and review submissions of want-to-be clubs. She reviews the club applications, how much funding they want, and sets them up to become certified. The process takes at least a year.

The top three clubs on the Buffalo State campus are AASO (African American student Organization), BAM (Black Active Minds), and PASO (Pan African Student Organization).  These clubs all have to do with African American students, but anyone can join regardless of color or nationality. Any student on campus has the right to join any club on campus and it’s a requirement to admit everyone and anyone to get a club certified.

            “Clubs have been a great way for me to make friends,” said Michael Ong. Ong is a senior who is a part of 11 clubs, including the geology club, Nature and Adventure Club, and the debate club. Ong’s favorite club is the Geology Club. The club does a lot of outdoor activities that Ong enjoys.

            There are numerous clubs Buffalo State and the number is still growing every year. Clubs are important and everyone should get involved in at least one. No matter who you are, most people can find one club they like.  As Michael Ong said,” Clubs just provide a feeling of belonging” 

                       

Micael Ong, of the geology clubs shows off his Ban Fracking bumper sticker

Argo Tea adds flavor to the E.H. Butler Library

By Errol Evans

            The library has always been known as a good place to study and get some work done in a quiet environment, the E.H. Butler library at SUNY Buffalo State is no different.  Many students utilize the library and all its resources daily.

            ArgoTea opened in the SUNY Buffalo State library last Feb. 4.  The project was designed by BHNT architects. Argo Tea is a company that sells various forms of tea from growers all over the world, using its own special blends. The teas are made with all - natural ingredients. These teas come from from cafes all across the United States and even a few place internationally.  Argo also sells fresh baked goods such as muffins, croissants, and cookies.

            “Argo Tea makes a nice place inside the library where students can come and get some tea or snacks and get right back to work,” said Mitchell Gordon, an employee of Argo Tea. Gordon helps open up the store every day and serves and prepares tea and food for customers. He described a normal day at Argo being very busy, especially in the middle of the day, when most people are studying and working on homework between classes. Gordon explained how Argo is the only place besides the vending machines to get food and drink in the library, and saves the students a trip to the student union.

            “I’ve noticed that the library has a lot more people in it just because of Argo,” said Justin Medley. Medley has been a red shirt for the library for the last 3 three years.  A red shirt is a student security guard who makes sure things are in order and patrols their assigned area. Medley has been around through the construction of Argo Tea and said more students’ study in the library now in the area around the Argo Café.

            “I have Argo at least four times a week at the very least,” said Aaron Jones, a senior, and commuter from Grand Island, who spends a lot of time in the library when he’s not in class. Jones and most his friends hang out in the Argo Café because it has a very “homely” feel to it.

            “The earl grey tea is my favorite,” Jones said.

            Argo Tea is adding a lot of business to the Buffalo State campus.  The $630,000 project is just another stepping-stone in the $350 million construction plan that will be running through 2018. 

                                            A chai latte inside a signature Argo cup