Senate Bill No.: 0405-18
UNIVERSITY SENATE
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Introduced by:
Executive Committee
Date:
April 11, 2005
OBSERVANCE OF FOUNTAIN DAY
IT IS HEREBY PROPOSED THAT THE FOLLOWING BE ADOPTED:
1.
1. That University Senate Bill 0203-13 [attached] be rescinded and that the
University Senate endorses the celebration of Fountain Day on Sunday, April 17th,
2005, and urges University students, faculty and staff to participate in that
celebration and related events that weekend.
2.
That this change be forwarded to the President for approval.
Rationale:
While the Executive Committee recognizes the problems associated with recent years’
Fountain Day celebrations, it also appreciates the importance and value of this tradition,
so well articulated by the Student Action Committee in the attached 2003 Rationale. We
therefore applaud President Hall’s and the administration’s plans for a joyful and
memorable continuation of this event on April 17th.
Since the spirit and objective of Fountain Day is a shared celebration among all members
of the University community, the Executive Committee believes it is appropriate for the
University Senate to encourage faculty and staff to take a couple of hours or so that
weekend, if they are able to do, to demonstrate our commitment to our students and our
mutual commitment to the goals, aspirations and traditions of our University.
Senate Bill No. 0203-13
UNIVERSITY SENATE
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Introduced by: Student Action Committee and
cosponsored by University Life Council
Date: May 12, 2003
SUSPENSION OF CLASSES ON FOUNTAIN DAY
IT IS HEREBY PROPOSED THAT THE FOLLOWING BE ADOPTED:
I. That classes be suspended from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm on Fountain Day, beginning in the
Spring 2005 semester.
II. That Fountain Day be scheduled on a Wednesday in Spring 2005, and in subsequent
years on a Wednesday whenever possible, and otherwise on a Tuesday or Thursday, as
recommended by the Educational Policy Council in conjunction with the Department of
Student Life, in consultation with the Registrar.
III. That the Bill be forwarded to the President for approval and implementation.
RATIONALE:
Fountain Day, the annual rite of passage into spring sponsored by the department of
Student Life, is one of the most celebrated events at the University at Albany. It unites all
students, faculty, and alumni as one body, erasing ethnic, cultural and religious
differences. It is a force for unity within the student body, allowing members of different
groups, organizations and levels of involvement to come together. Fountain Day is
rooted in the history of the University at Albany. It originated with ‘Mayfest’ and
developed into the ‘Human Awareness Program’ of 1979 which had as its principal goal
the promotion of communication among students, faculty and administrators, working
together to break down barriers and to increase formal and informal interaction. The
fountain is more than just a concrete structure; it has come to symbolize the unity of our
community as expressed by faculty and students alike, for example during the events of
September 11, 2001. Moreover the fountain is used as a positive symbol of the
University at Albany family in the media and on the SUNY cards carried by all students,
faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni. Furthermore on November 6, 2002, Central
Council, the fully representative legislative branch of the Student Association, voted 21-
0-0-0 in support of a resolution for the suspension of classes on Fountain Day.
