NEW PALTZ — For the fifth consecutive year, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in Alexandria, VA has awarded the 2006-2007 Superior Merit Award to the SHRM student chapter at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, the Management Association (MA). This national recognition is awarded to SHRM 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 25 percent of all student chapters nationwide and was awarded to only fourteen student chapters in the Northeast region. The Management Association was one of two SUNY collegiate chapters to receive the Superior Merit Award. 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.
"I was very pleased that our students were again awarded the Superior Merit Award for the fifth consecutive year. Our executive board works very hard to ensure that we meet the guidelines set by SHRM, and also meet the needs of our students. They did a great job," said chapter advisor and associate professor of management, Kristin Backhaus.
Out of more than 400 active SHRM student chapters nationwide, 118 submitted 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 points.
Being recognized as a Superior Merit Award student chapter is an annual strategic objective for MA. Each fall, Merit Award applications are mailed to chapter advisors and all active student chapters are eligible to apply. Applications are completed in the spring by chapters documenting and listing all chapter activities in the appropriate categories. All chapters that accumulate the required points are awarded either a Merit or a Superior Merit Award. The Management Association receives a specialized plaque to display at the SUNY New Paltz 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."
MA organizes several educational activities for students each year including the annual Student Development Day conference and an "In the Office" workshop mini-series. These workshops educate students about real life work experiences by utilizing reality skits, HR scenarios, and plot lines. Each year, MA competes at the HRGames academic competition, which tests students by using a Jeopardy style format to answer human resource questions. MA is also affiliated with the Mid-Hudson Human Resource Association (MHHRA) and offers students the chance to attend on-campus meetings with business professionals, educational workshops led by business leaders, internship opportunities, company visits to businesses such as Mohonk Mountain House, and community service activities.
Says Salavitabar, "The Management Association has provided our students with a large number of outstanding educational programs, an invaluable outside of the classroom educational environment, and very effective leadership opportunities."
For further information about the SUNY New Paltz Management Association please contact Kristin Backhaus by e-mail at backhauk@newpaltz.edu or by phone at 845-257-2972.
