The Office of Student Activities and Union Services is responsible for the campus programming, fraternity and sorority life, leadership programming, campus involvement opportunities and education, and the overall operation of the Student Union. To learn more about our staff, please keep reading. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of us. Our departmental contact information is:
OFFICE LOCATION: Student Union 211
E-MAIL: saus@newpaltz.edu
PHONE: (845) 257-3025
FAX: (845) 257-3695
MAILING ADDRESS: Student Union 211, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561
MEET OUR PROFESSIONAL TEAM
MICHAEL PATTERSON
Director
E-MAIL: pattersm@newpaltz.edu
PHONE: 845-257-3025
DUTIES: Approve all student club activities and events; student event policies and procedures; overall management of the Student Union; advise the Student Association; Adjudication of fraternities and sororities; Make a Difference Day; Getting to Know New Paltz Merchant Fair; Student Club and Leader Awards; Oversee departmental budgets, management, planning, assessments, and supervision.
ABOUT MIKE: Michael is originally from Tully, N.Y. He went to college at the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and received his B.S. in Business Admininstration with a concentration in Human Resources (2000). He was actively involved as a student serving as a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, Tour Guide, President of the University Student Alumni Board and worked in the Student Union. His favorite college moment is chairing the 96-team mud-volleyball tournament, Oozfest. After receiving his B.S., he went to Ohio State University to obtain his M.A. in higher education and student affairs (2002). While at Ohio State, Michael was the graduate assistant in the Student Activities & Orientation office at Capital University working primarily with club management, leadership, and advisement of the freshman class. Michael then moved to New Jersey where he worked for six-and-a-half years in the Office of Student Activities and Student Center Operations at Monmouth University, the last four as the Associate Director. In his role at Monmouth, he oversaw the advisement of the student activities board and yearbook; managed student center operations, set-ups, student staff supervision & club office space; and supervised fraternity and sorority life and multicultural and diversity initiatives. Michael started at New Paltz in September 2008 in his current position. Michael is happy to be back in New York State closer to family and friends. He secretly (not really a secret) loves NASCAR, is an avid watcher of "The Amazing Race," and is a proud brother of a national fraternity. Michael recently purchased his first home with his partner, Jeff, in Hudson, N.Y., where is enjoying the projects that comes with home ownership.
EMILY SPILMAN
Assistant Director
E-MAIL: spilmane@newpaltz.edu
PHONE: 845-257-3025
DUTIES: Fraternity and Sorority Life management; advise the United Greek Association; supervise the Student Activities Managers; Emerging Leaders Program; Leadership Conferences and training; Student Employee Training; Departmental Professional Development.
ABOUT EMILY: Emily is originally from Oswego, N.Y. She went to college at SUNY Geneseo, where she received her B.A. in history with a minor in mathematics in May 2002. While at Geneseo, Emily was a resident assistant, an orientation leader, a peer health educator, a member of the college senate, a student ambassador and a member of the Judicial Hearing Committee. Emily came to New Paltz in August 2004 as part of the Residence Life Staff team. During that time, she was the complex director for Bevier Hall, the area coordinator for Esopus Hall, coordinator of the First Year Initiative Program, RHSA advisor, and program coordinator for student orientation and registration. In June 2008, Emily joined the Student Activities & Union Services Staff as the assistant director, and enjoys working with the student activities managers, the emerging leaders and the fraternities and sororities. Most recently, Emily completed her MPS in humanistic/multicultural education here at New Paltz. Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends, biking, traveling, and everything autumn (especially pumpkin spice lattes).
BRENDAN O'BRIEN
Event Coordinator
E-MAIL: obrienb@newpaltz.edu
PHONE: 845-257-3025
DUTIES: Department programming and activities; event promotion and marketing; Student Union event management (set-ups and technology); student employee supervision; Trailways operation; information desk services; departmental website.
ABOUT BRENDAN: Brendan is originally from Albany, N.Y. He went to college at the College of Saint Rose and graduated with his B.A. in English with a minor in public communication (2006). While at the College of Saint Rose, Brendan was a vice president for student government, a family weekend coordinator, a member of the Campus Appeal Board and worked for the Office of Event Management. Brendan also worked for the Liberty Partnership Rising Stars program at the State University of New York at Albany where he coordinated an after-school program for at-risk students in the Albany public school system. Brendan joined the Office of Student Activities and Union Services in January of 2007. Brendan recently graduated with his M.P.S. from New Paltz in humanistic/multicultural education (2009). Brendan enjoys watching action films and has seen every James Bond film ever released. Brendan is also a big fan of the New York Giants and the New York Yankees.
NAOMI VOGT
Keyboard Specialist
E-MAIL: vogtn@newpaltz.edu
PHONE: 845-257-3025
DUTIES: Student Union scheduling and reservations (FUSE); departmental reception and common area management; support to professional staff; vending tables and display case reservations; student office assistants.
ABOUT NAOMI: Naomi started working for the office in 2006 and has been an important part of our operation ever since. Naomi enjoys working in our office because she loves interacting with our students and is always available to assist them. Recently, Naomi won the CSEA Presidential Award for outstanding service. Naomi enjoys spending time with her family and loves outdoor activities. Naomi has two dogs, Kaydo and Dude. She loves them both!
NICOLE SHANAHAN
Graduate Assistant
E-MAIL: nshanahan08@newpaltz.edu
PHONE: 845-257-3025
DUTIES: Off-campus and commuter student support; advise the Off-Campus Student Union; Involvement Fairs and involvement resources; some departmental programming; and oversee the commuter locker rental program.
ABOUT NICOLE: Nicole was born and raised in Winthrop, Massachusetts. Nicole graduated from Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts with a B.S. in psychology. Nicole is currently a graduate student in the mental health counseling program. Throughout Nicole's undergraduate career she had been actively involved within her campus. She had been national communications coordinator for RHA, regional communications coordinator for New England in the North East Affiliate of College University and Residence Halls (NEACURH), president of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), resident assistant and academic mentor. She enjoys watching movies, listening to music and watching sports. Nicole joined the Student Activities staff in August 2010 and couldn't be more excited!
MEET OUR STUDENT TEAM
SUMMER STUDENT ACTIVITIES MANAGERS: A key staff member for you to utilize is the student activity manager (SAM). The primary role of the student activities manager is managing the Student Activities and Union Services office in the absence of professional staff. They oversee the operations of the Student Union, are the lead staff member for events held in the student union, supervise all other student employees working during their shift, and can provide basic guidance to student groups about programming. While on duty, they are located at the HQ in the Student Union.
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Name: Daniqua Windsor |
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Name: Lixmer Ventura |
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Name: Hana Suhail |
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HQ AT THE STUDENT UNION STAFF: For students seeking information about the Student Union, this is the team to go to. Not only is the HQ staff prepared to answer a variety of campus life and activities questions, but they also can assist students with gaining access to their club offices and signing out gaming equipment.
EVENT SET-UP CREW: This crew is the often behind the scenes. They work before and after events held in the student union. They are the ones that set-up every chair perfectly and push around tables, set-up stages, and coordinate other physical elements to events.
OFFICE ASSISTANTS/TRAILWAYS TEAM: These students assist with the daily office management during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.). They assist with office reception, greeting visitors, and oversee the sales of the Trailways Bus Service.
