Recent COVID-19 Communications to Alumni
Students have found their world up-ended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Within a few short weeks, their lives of attending class, campus and athletic events, and experiencing all college has to offer changed abruptly. Most of our students have left their college meal plans and housing to return to their parents’ homes. Many of these households have multiple family members competing for limited computers and technology, or are facing limited resources as oftentimes one or more earners, including the students themselves, have lost jobs or have had their hours reduced. They need help to stay on track with completing their academic coursework for the semester. In response to outreach from alumni who want to help, the college has established a Student Emergency Fund that will support immediate student needs, such as expenses for traveling home, laptops, food and health care. Gifts can be made online at alumni.oswego.edu/emergencyfund.
Why I supported the Student Emergency Fund:
“I supported the fund because as an alumna and a current member of the faculty, I know and see what it is like for many students to try to stretch their dollars and deal with unexpected expenses. I came from a ‘falling-between-the-cracks’ situation when I was in the same age-range as my students. I want to see them get the assistance to continue, in even the smallest way, much sooner than I did. It was at SUNY Oswego where I finally felt at home--when I was finally able to pursue my education full-time, and SUNY Oswego is the place I most identify with as being where I received emotional and academic help and support.” —Linda Black-Ochsenbein ’04 M’11, adjunct instructor “I have had students who couldn’t afford a trip to Syracuse for a play, or who couldn’t afford the bus home for Thanksgiving break, or who simply couldn’t scrape together the cash for the textbooks in one of their courses. Our students are proud people. They are smart, passionate, creative, can-do individuals and have a great deal to be proud about. This fund gives them a way to ask for help that is much, much easier and that, in the end, honors all of the pride that they have so richly earned.” —Leigh Wilson, Professor of English and Creative Writing “I am the perfect example of the American dream. I came here from Venezuela and took advantage of all the opportunities that this country offered. Today, I am at a point where I can look back and be grateful that someone reached out to help me stay in school. I was one of those students who needed help. I was $400 short to pay my school--which doesn’t sound like a lot now--but it sounded insurmountable at the time. If I hadn’t been able to find the help that I did, I probably wouldn’t have completed my degree.” —Juan DaSilva '83 of Kissimmee, Fla., who went on to have a successful career with Kodak and now is an international sales manager for Latin America for AVT.
To connect with students in a virtual event or classroom session, or if you are simply looking to connect on a one-on-one basis with a student to share career, professional or personal advice, please reach out to alumni@oswego.edu.
Messages for the Class of 2020 Have you checked out the nearly 500 "kudos" we collected this spring for our graduates from alumni, parents, faculty, staff and fellow students? Visit kudoboard.com/boards/oswegolakers2020 to scroll through the videos, photos and messages -- or click the "Slideshow" option to view them as a presentation! #OzGrad2020
U.S. Government Passes CARES Act On March 27, U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act that enacts a few new provisions that allows for some tax breaks for charitable gifts to organizations such as SUNY Oswego. The new law
If you have questions about how the new law could affect your charitable giving to Oswego, please talk to your tax and/or financial advisor and then contact our staff at develop@oswego.edu or by calling 315-312-3003 if you have any additional questions.
Campus scenes now available as Zoom backgrounds
Zoom Background Images
Show your pride in SUNY Oswego by showing off our gorgeous campus while conducting online meetings or zoom calls with your alumni friends. With these backgrounds, you can hold Zoom meetings from your favorite campus locations.
Scenes including Sheldon Hall, sunsets, West Campus/The Village, Park-Wilber and Marano Campus Center are available under the Virtual Background section of the Zoom resources page.
Campus Health & Well-being Resources Programs and activities to help you to be well during the COVID-19 outbreak.
On Tuesday, May 5, SUNY Oswego participated in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The college established a Student Emergency Fund to help students with unanticipated expenses that have arisen as a result of the situations presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
For those who are able, please consider making a gift to support SUNY Oswego. Plus, an anonymous donor has agreed to match dollar for dollar every gift up to a total of $50,000 donated to SUNY Oswego’s Student Emergency Fund through June 30.