UAlbany Class of 2008 Donates Largest Gift in University's History

The University at Albany-SUNY's 2008 Senior Class left its mark on the campus by donating more than $16,300 to UAlbany. Funds from the Senior Class Gift will be used toward a new ambulance for Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service, a New York State certified ambulance service run and operated by UAlbany students.

A record number of University seniors participated in the Senior Class Gift with 484 students pledging donations. The class was challenged by Interim President George M. Philip, Foundation Board President George Hearst, and Acting Vice President for Development Fardin Sanai, who each pledged $1,000 if more than 300 students donated this year.

"This gift is a testament to the overwhelming generosity of students in UAlbany's graduating class and their ability to step up to a challenge for the betterment of the campus community," said Philip.

"The students rallied around this project and truly made it their own," said Sanai. "It's exciting to see such a sense of community among our graduating class."

"The Senior Class Gift is our chance to leave a lasting impression on our alma mater and leave the University in a better situation than we found it, and I hope we've done that," said senior Nick Fahrenkopf, who presented Philip with the check at commencement.

The Senior Class Gift, which is donated through The University at Albany Foundation, is a way for student to give back to the University at Albany, and serves as a living tribute to great memories, an outstanding education, and a bright future. Previous gifts include a bronze sculpture of UAlbany’s Great Dane mascot, art work in the Campus Center, and scholarships for needy students.

Since it's founding in 1973, Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc. has been serving the University at Albany community, as well as the surrounding areas of Albany and Guilderland. Five Quad is a New York State certified ambulance agency that is run and operated by University at Albany students. Five Quad is successfully able to provide Basic Life Support 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the fall and spring semesters. Each semester, Five Quad has 50-90 active members (including actively participating alumni), 20-30 members-in-training, and two functional ambulances.

University of Albany Ranks Third in State in Most Recycled Materials: UAlbany

UAlbany increased recyclables per person by 30 percent over last year. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

Students and faculty helped boost UAlbany’s rank in the national Recyclemania competition this year, with a 30 percent increase in recyclables per person over last year.
The school recycled 13.34 pounds of waste per person this year, contrasted with 9.81 pounds per person last year.

“We were No. 3 in New York State in total amount of recycled material with 232,925 pounds,” said Mary Ellen Mallia, director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability.

Indian Quad successfully defended its title in producing the largest amount of recycled material.

Despite the progress, UAlbany still can improve in recyclables per capita. The University was 95th out of 180 schools competing in the per capita contest.

For the first time this year, UAlbany measured its trash, throwing out 66.54 pounds of garbage per person over the 10-week cycle. In the waste minimization category, the University was 53rd out of 95 schools and fourth out of eight schools in New York State.

UAlbany continues to add more recycling bins around the campus. The first bins were added around the podium and near the lecture centers; the second ones will be placed around the libraries, academic buildings, and apartment complexes. A third phase will follow in the next academic year.

“University Auxiliary Services (UAS) has donated two new recycling bins for the interior of the Campus Center,” said Mallia. “This is hoped to be the start of a program to purchase a total of 10 new bins for the Campus Center food court, dining area, and commuter lounge.”