11/03/2011
The SUNY Cortland Student Government Association (SGA) will offer Fall Fest on Saturday, Nov. 5. The event, which is in its first year, will take place on the steps of Corey Union and along the sidewalk of Neubig Road from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We came into (this year) knowing that we had to get SGA’s name out there more,” said Jamie Piperato, the president of SGA. “In the past, we’ve been behind the scenes. But we want to be at the forefront this year.”
A mechanical bull and a pumpkin painting contest highlight this year’s activities. Homemade candy apples will be handed out, music will be played and student leaders from nearly 70 clubs across campus will answer questions from their classmates.
The theme of this year’s Fall Fest is ubuntu, a concept from African philosophy that represents the idea “I am what I am because of who we all are.” Piperato said the theme came from a fall retreat put on by the Multicultural Life and Diversity Office that she attended with a few other members of the SGA executive board.
Ubuntu was introduced by one of the retreat leaders and it resonated in the minds of Piperato and her executive board, she said.
“We decided we should really come up with a theme to unify our clubs to show it’s not individual clubs that are run by students,” Piperato said. “We’re all in it together.”
During the Fall Fest event, literature on the origin and importance of ubuntu will be handed out to educate students on the African concept.
“All of the clubs will put on different activities to promote themselves,” Piperato said. “Fall Fest is kind of the direct result of us talking about how to get our name out there more.”
In the event of rain, Fall Fest will be moved inside Corey Union. For more information, contact Piperato.