Management Association Receives National Superior Merit Award

NEW PALTZ– The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in Alexandria, VA has awarded the 2005-2006 Superior Merit Award designation to the SHRM student chapter at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, Management Association (MA). This national recognition is awarded to student chapters for a notable year of providing opportunities for development and growth to its student members.

Winning a Superior Merit Award places SUNY New Paltz in the top 24 percent of all student chapters nationwide and was awarded to only eighteen collegiate chapters in the Northeast region. “Our students did an outstanding job this year. Their activities were particularly innovative and creative. They are most deserving of the Superior Merit Award,” said chapter advisor and assistant professor of management, Kristin Backhaus.

Of the 430 active SHRM student chapters nationwide, 123 submitted Merit Award applications for this national award. To earn the Superior Merit Award distinction, chapters must receive at least 1,901 points out of a possible 3,300. Management Association earned a grand total of 2,490 points or 75% of the maximum points that can be received. Management Association receives a specialized plaque to display at the School of Business, and is being recognized in SHRM’s publications and at its conferences.

“This award is a clear indication of the efforts of our very dedicated MA board in providing a significant number of educational programs that can easily compete with well established and large chapters from other schools across the nation,” remarked Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business. “The recognition of our Management Association’s activities demonstrates the outstanding qualifications of our students and the great leadership of its faculty advisor.”

The SHRM student chapter merit award program, in existence since 1972, recognizes chapters for achievement in the four broad areas of professional chapter operations, professional development of members, support of the human resource profession, and partnership with SHRM. Says Chuck Salvetti, SHRM’s Student Programs Manager, “The Society for Human Resource Management’s student chapters help to advance the human resources profession by demonstrating their knowledge and commitment to the field of human resources. This year’s meritorious chapters serve as models of excellence, not only to other SHRM student chapters, but those of other campus-based student organizations.”

MA organizes numerous educational activities for students each year including the annual Student Development Day professional development conference. In April of 2006, MA’s HR Games team advanced to the semi-finals at the regional HR Games competition in Glassboro, New Jersey. Other recent initiatives by MA included an “In the Office” workshop mini-series consisting of reality skits, HR scenarios, and plot lines to educate students about real life work experiences. Other opportunities MA offers students include its affiliation with the Mid-Hudson Human Resource Association (MHHRA), on-campus meetings with business professionals, educational workshops, internships, company visits, and community service activities.

For the fourth consecutive year, Management Association has attained national recognition as a SHRM Superior Merit Award chapter. For more information about Management Association please visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/schoolofbusiness/.