Among the many academic clubs in the Student Association, three stand out for their active membership and positive influence: the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Environmental Network (EN) and the Student Visual Arts Organization (SVAO).
ACM brings students with an interest in technology together through tutorials and guest speakers, according to ACM's president David Fine.
"It's a great way to make friends and learn some interesting things that you may not learn in the classroom," he said.
Tutorials have covered topics like Web development and networking. Guest speakers have included representatives from the FBI, Microsoft and the UB Center for Computational Research.
One of the club's main events over the past two years has been a LAN party held in the Student Union, which attracted about 60 people last year.
"The LAN went from noon until midnight," he said. "This year we are planning to hold an even bigger LAN party in the spring semester."
According to Fine, the group has made holiday cards for the Women and Children's Hospital and participated in food and clothing drives.
EN is also reaching out to the community. With nearly 90 members, they are active in the fight for a healthier planet.
"Our group is based on an understanding that our environment matters and that what we do as people impacts our environment," said Environmental Network President Emily Bauer.
EN members work with other campus clubs to spread environmental awareness. They helped plan UB's first Bicycle Awareness Day with the Outdoor Adventure Club and are also working with UB Green to improve the University's recycling program.
"We all know recycling here is not quite up to par, and we've decided to take that on as a focus," she said.
Bauer noted that the demographics of club members range from biology majors to music majors. According to Bauer, it is important to have a diverse group because environmental issues are universal.
"Environmental issues affect us all," she said. "By having people with different backgrounds in our group address the same issues, it makes what we do stronger."
SVAO has also become an active club within SA.
"Our club in the past year has become really prominent in the art community and (is) really getting involved with the department," said SVAO President Oreen Cohen.
The club hosts Open Figure Drawing with a nude model every Wednesday night for $5 in the Center for the Arts. According to SVAO secretary Amanda Maciuba, University students, community members and high school students attend.
"It is a unique opportunity for high school students because it's something that most high schools are not allowed to have, yet many colleges look for it in applying students' portfolios," Maciuba said.
According to Cohen, the group also works to bring art to the elementary level and will be participating in a project to make ceramic tiles with underprivileged children, which will later be displayed in the community.
"The tiles will be installed somewhere either in the schools or in Delaware Park," Cohen said.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
