By Sierra Babbie
On February 4, the Student Association held their second meeting of the semester, where the organization approved a new senator, Samiya Cole, and Lambda Pi Upsilon proposed a collaboration with the SA.
Cole is a sophomore majoring in social work with interest in pursuing a master’s degree. In high school, she was the vice president, although felt that her position didn’t allow the opportunity for her to make impactful decisions for the student body. With the SA, she believes her communication skills and experience with counseling will provide her the background needed to effect change.
“I want to join more meaningful clubs that align more with my major and what I see myself doing in the future. I feel like I can make a lot of impact,” Cole said.
On Wednesday night, the SA approved Cole in a unanimous vote. After being sworn in, the new senator joined the table, and the Student Association heard a sorority’s proposal.
Lambda Pi Upsilon brought a proposition to form a joint partnership with the SA in the hope of creating an annual event known tentatively as Love on the Yard. This event, which would take place each fall, would feature different clubs, vendors and dance performances. Unlike a traditional yard show, Love on the Yard would be centered around the intersection of greek and non-greek life, and its purpose would be in part to dissolve the barriers between these two groups on campus.
Lambda Pi Upsilon is the only multicultural sorority currently at SUNY Plattsburgh, and a large aspect of the event would be to introduce new students, particularly students of color, to the diversity that can be found on campus. The inspiration behind much of Love on the Yard involves the sorority members’ own experiences arriving at Plattsburgh and feeling the need for belonging.
