Student Government and Student Clubs

Earlier this month, students at SAIS Europe elected five classmates to become the members of the Student Government Association (SGA). 

The SGA is the liaison between students and the administration. It plays a very important role as the Association organizes many of the student-led activities and acts as a point of contact for classmates. The SGA President and the other four members have different responsibilities, which range from academic affairs, career services, cultural and social activities and treasurer.

Below, Khrystian Pereira, a current student in the MA program, reports on his meeting with a member of the SGA.

Things are finally in full-swing at SAIS in Bologna.

After having conquered pre-term, language placement tests, waiver exams and the class selection process, we are now enjoying everything that the School of Advanced International Studies has to
offer at the Bologna campus.

Recently, the Student Government Association (SGA) held its first Club Fair of the academic year, which brought together all the students at SAIS with one main aim: to get students involved. The SGA is the leading student organization on campus. I was able to spend some time with one of its representatives to get the scoop on everything Student Government related.

I met up with Jane Schott, a classmate from the United States. Jane is the newly elected Social Events Coordinator for the SGA. I asked Jane a few questions.

Q: Why do you think the SGA is important to SAIS Bologna and what are its responsibilities?
Schott: The SGA's main job is making sure that the faculty and administration work together as efficiently and harmoniously as possible. We are a large and diverse group of individuals here at SAIS and it is important that we have input into the administration and express our concerns as needed. Throughout the year the SGA will work as a bridge between the administration and students to foster strong communication between the two. We work with the student body and administration to troubleshoot any concerns that may come up throughout the year and work towards making changes that will positively reflect students' quality of life and education.

Q: How will the SGA cultivate a sense of community at SAIS?
Schott: We put on social events and sell SAISwear (SAIS clothing) throughout the year to help form a stronger community and to fund raise for our events.. Furthermore, we are in charge of overseeing the Student Clubs and organizing a number of social events, such as the annual Halloween party, a Thanksgiving dinner and the Vienna ball.

Q: How does the SGA help students at SAIS?
Schott: If there are topics that the student body or students would like to address, the SGA’s works with the administration to foster communication and provide alternative solutions and working plans. We are also always available to meet and listen to students who may have ideas about how to build a stronger community here at SAIS Europe.

The Global Women in Leadership table

Q: How does being involved in clubs at SAIS help with life after graduate school?
Schott: I think the most concrete benefits students gain from joining clubs at SAIS are the opportunities to network and to benefit from the professional experience clubs offer.

Several clubs at SAIS are long-standing ones that are based on professional development, which provide large networks of alumni for club members to interact with. Many of our groups also work closely with professors to help organize activities, like guest speakers and study trips, which also provide  an added academic value to joining a club at SAIS. Finally, clubs are a great way to make friends. Who doesn't want that?!

As a new student at SAIS, one can become overwhelmed by all activities to choose from. It can sometimes be difficult to decide which opportunities to participate in. Following the Club Fair, the SGA officially registered twenty-one student-led organizations,  ranging from lifestyle clubs, to entertainment clubs, to great academic clubs. Here is the official clubs list for this fall semester:

• Jews and Pals
• Gastronomy Club
• Consulting Club
• Coding Club
• Energy and Environment Club
• Model United Nations
• Net Impact
• Pan-Asian Club
• Global Women in Leadership
• Eastern Europe/Russian Club
• Runner’s Club
• Latin American Studies Program
• Debate Society
• Defense and Intelligence Club
• The SAIS Observer
• The Middle East & North Africa Club
• Global Security and Conflict Management Club
• Football Club
• Yoga Club
• Cinema Society
• Pride Club

The Global Security and Cinema Society table

As you can see, there is definitely a club interest for everyone. However, creating a new club is quite simple. All ones needs to do is advertise one's organization at the fair, recruit a few number members, and  file an official form registration with the Student Government.  Once completed, the student is on his/her way to establishing a new organization at SAIS.

Like may of the SGA organized events, the Club Fair offers a very effective way of bringing our students together. The SGA events provide opportunities to bring diverse groups of students with varied backgrounds together to share common interests and  passions.

Here at SAIS,  one  does not only network with the students in your classes and in your clubs. Here, you become a part of a community of like minded individuals, who are keen and motivated to embark on internationals careers with passion and meaning, ready to  address the challenges and the opportunities of the future.

Khrystian Pereira,
SAIS Europe 2017

Photos by May Gabato, SAIS Europe 2017

Speakers at SAIS: Adding depth to the curriculum

Students at SAIS have access to world-class faculty. They also have access to visiting experts.

At SAIS Europe, the Bologna Institute for Policy Research (BIPR), organizes the Seminar Series, which attract policy-makers, academicians and practitioners across the world.

Students have the opportunity to listen to the experts and, most importantly, to ask them questions.

General John R. Allen talks about the Evolution of ISIL

Whatever one's interests, they can be sure there will be experts coming to SAIS to talk about the topics that whet their appetites. What's more, attending the talks gives students the opportunity to learn about and become interested in subjects they had not previously considered.

Below we list some of the speakers coming to SAIS in the month of October. For a full calendar of events, click here.

Prof. Christopher Hill will deliver a lecture on "Emerging Populism and Foreign Policy", a topic of great relevance in Europe nowadays.

Prof. Riordan Roett, director of the Latin American Studies Program, will visit the SAIS Europe campus also to talk about the rising of populism. However, Prof. Roett will look at the topic from a different prism in his talk titled "Populism is on the rise across the world, but not in Latin America, Why?".

Irene Khan, Director-General, IDLO

Ratna Kapur, will talk about religion and constitutional law in India in her seminar called "Faith in Law: The Politics of Secularism, Religion and Hindu Majoritarianism in Indian Constitutional Law".

Prof. Gary Sick is here for the month to deliver a four-week seminar on U.S.- Iranian relations. Here's a previous interview with prof. Sick.

Award-winning journalist Tina Brown, will talk about "Women Leaders Making a Difference on the Global Stage".

Irene Khan, Director-General of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) in Rome, will talk about "International Migration: Crisis or Opportunity?".

Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the US, will discuss "The Current State of US-Russian Relations.” 

Amina Abdiuahab