Present Research at NY6 Conference, 25% Off Champion Merch, Register for Next Week's Blood Drive

October 11, 2026

Send announcements to newsletter@sage.edu.

Opportunities and Reminders

🍂 October Break: There are no classes Monday, October 12, or Tuesday, October 13. College offices will be closed Monday, and some services have limited hours Tuesday. Enjoy the break!

📣 Class registration for spring 2027 opens next month: Make sure you can log in to Self-Service and Student Planning, connect with your advisor, and plan out your spring courses. Have questions? Contact Solutions at 518-244-2020 or solutions@sage.edu or stop by either library to chat in person.

💲Get 25% Off Champion purchases through October 15 from the Troy bookstore and Albany bookstore. Adjusted hours this week: Closed Monday, October 12, and open for the Open House on Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Albany and 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in Troy.

🚨 Disaster Training Drill: The Nursing Department will conduct disaster drills Tuesday, October 20; Wednesday, October 21; and Friday, October 23, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in Schacht Theater (Troy). The drill will simulate a business conference involving a gas explosion, with simulated injuries and special effects. Expect increased activity and simulated emergency conditions around McKinstry and Schacht Theater.

✒️ Publish Your Creative Work: Submit your art, photography, or writing to The Rev literary and creative arts magazine before November 20.

🩸Blood Drive: Sign up to give blood on Monday, October 19, in the Armory, Albany.

🩺 Help Spread the Word: Members of the Community Nursing class will offer blood pressure screenings at the Troy Farmers Market Saturday, October 17. Chompers will be there, too!

A presenter explains a historical poster to a group of five people in an indoor setting

Call for Proposals: New York Six Undergraduate Research Conference

⏰ Confirm your interest by this Wednesday, October 14

The New York Six Undergraduate Research Conference will be at Union College on November 7. This is a great opportunity to share research or a project you have completed or are working on. Interested?

Email Professor Kate Kagan before October 14. She can help you choose a project, prepare your abstract, and get ready for the poster presentation.

Learn more about research opportunities at Russell Sage on the DCUR webpage.

Things to Do

Looking for something to do? New events are added to The Chomp online calendar every day. Check it often to see what is going on!

Have an event to promote? Add your event to The Chomp, then email the details to newsletter@sage.edu.

Green alligator mascot stands surrounded by hay bales mums pumpkins and corn stalks

Giveaways, Trivia, and Crafts

🏳️‍🌈 Thursday, 10/15, Giveaways for LGBTQ History Month, noon-2 p.m., Freddie's Lounge, Albany (Student Activities)

🎃 Thursday, 10/15, Halloween Trivia , 7 p.m., The Aggie, Troy (Student Activities)

🕊️ Friday, 10/16, Learn Origami, 1-5 p.m., Albany Library, 3rd Floor, (Solutions)

Person seated in a shallow forest stream beneath an arched tree trunk, with a painted circular design on their back. Text reads, â€œSHAPESHIFTERS: BODIES LIKE WATER.â€

This Week at Opalka Gallery

Albany campus

On Thursday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m., Ira Baumgarten, producer of the multimedia project Shapeshifters: Bodies Like Water, will talk about the connections between the body, land, and queer wisdom. Copies of the Shapeshifters book will be available for purchase to support a local nonprofit benefitting the LGBTQ+ community.

Catfishing, Romance, and Sextortion

Scam Prevention

October 15, 5 p.m., Albany County Events and Athletics Center, Saint Rose campus,

420 Western Avenue, Albany

Shared by the Title IX Office: In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Albany County Crime Victims and Sexual Violence Center is offering a training exploring how sextortion, romance scams, and catfishing can involve manipulation and coercion; the emotional impact these experiences can have on victims; and how to better recognize and respond to these forms of technology-facilitated harm.

Home Games This Week

Wednesday, October 14:

⚽ Men’s Soccer vs. Utica, 4 p.m. (ACPHS Athletic Complex)

🏑 Field Hockey vs. Elmira, 6 p.m. (home games played at UAlbany)

Saturday, October 17:

🏐 Women’s Volleyball vs. Utica, noon and vs. St. Lawrence, 5 p.m. (KCC, Albany)

⚽ Women’s Soccer vs. SJFU, 1 p.m. (ACPHS Athletic Complex)

🏑 Field Hockey vs. SJFU, 4:45 p.m. (home games played at UAlbany)

Streaming matches all week!

🕹️ Esports: See the full esports schedule and watch at twitch.tv/sagegators.

Purple graphic reading â€œwith survivors. ALWAYSâ€ with a white outlined heart.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Title IX Office will have giveaways and resources for #DVAM2026:

💜 Monday, October 19, 3-5 p.m., Buchman Pavilion, Troy

💜 Thursday, October 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., ACPHS Gozzo Student Center Atrium, Albany. It is also New York’s #PurpleThursday (wear purple and post pictures to social media with #DVAM2026 #NYSOPDV @RSC_TitleIX.)

Person in a pink-and-orange mermaid costume poses in turquoise water beside a large ridged tail.

Discussion with Mermaid Chè Monique

Monday, October 19, 4 p.m.

James L. Meader Little Theater, Troy

Mermaid Chè Monique is a mermaid performer, instructor, and founder of The Society of Fat Mermaids. She has been featured in Netflix's MerPeople, YouTube's Embodied, and various news stories and interviews. In conjunction with Professor Meaney's PHL275 “Water Stories” class, she will discuss the ways that mermaiding works as not only a form of play but of liberation, engaging bodies and minds and opening up opportunities for identity expression, wellness, and community.

Graphic announcing a Russell Sage College Graduate Open House.

Grad School Open House & Career Webinar: Wednesday, October 28

Graduate Open House (5:30 p.m., Troy campus): Explore graduate programs at Russell Sage, meet faculty, talk with Financial Aid, and grab light refreshments. Register for the Grad School Open House.

Navigating Non-Linear Careers Webinar (6 p.m., online): Media executive C.J. Kettler (Hearst, MTV, Netflix) discusses how varied job experiences build a powerful skill set and how to navigate career pivots. Presented by the Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute and Times Union’s Women@Work. Register to receive the event link.

Previously Announced and Recurring Events

💬 Tuesdays: Open Discussion with College Chaplain Darren Gundrum, noon, Buchman, Troy: Bring thoughts, interests, concerns, or listen and enjoy the company.

⚖️ On Thursday, October 22, at 9:30 a.m., Michelle Horton will discuss Dear Sister, a memoir detailing the case of Nikki Addimando, who was incarcerated for killing her abuser, and Horton’s fight to raise Nikki’s children in the fallout. The talk is at Opalka Gallery, Albany.

🧠 Register for an interprofessional program on dementia care and brain health on Thursday, October 29, at 7 p.m. in Bush Memorial (Troy).

👟 Scroll to the ICYMI section for group fitness schedule with sign up links.

What Else is New

Russell Sage College Takeover on Upstate Living

Russell Sage was featured extensively on News10’s “Upstate Living” program last Tuesday morning. The program featured:

Provost Theresa Hand and Associate Professor and Director of The Collaboratory at ACPHS Stacy Pettigrew, who spoke about the merger, the Collaboratory’s work in Albany’s South End, and how the merger will support public health in the community.

Nutritional cooking with Assistant Professor of Nutrition Selina Preyer-Blakney and graduate student Summer Atchley, who shared an overnight oats recipe.

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Lauren Tourtellot and alumnus Asuan Farrell, who demonstrated the mechanics of a proper push-up.

Professor of Education and School Psychology Steve Hoff and students Alea Ransom and Jada Ruiz, who spoke about Positive Education.

Associate Professor of Musical Theatre Robin Lewis and students Natalie Pace, Elliott Richards, and Aaron Ballentine, who spoke about the college’s performing arts programs and investment in the arts.

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science and Criminal Investigation Resource Center director Christina Lane and student Victoria Burger who spoke about hands-on experiences available through CIRC.

Also Featured in the News

The Times Union reviewed ‘Light and Transient Causes’ at Opalka Gallery.

Nutrition Science Professor Theresa DeLorenzo discussed plums as a source of fiber for Verywell Health and ”swicy” foods for Yahoo! Lifestyle.

The Times Union recognized Russell Sage’s enrollment growth in a story about enrollment at local colleges.

Close-up portrait of a smiling person with long brown hair, wearing a white blouse, dark vest, and pendant necklace.

Mental Health Counseling Student Focuses on Community and Cultural Competency

In a new profile on Sage.edu, Mental Health and Community Counseling graduate student Alison Arias talks about using her Sage education to expand culturally responsive care.

From the Career and Self-Discovery Center: Build Real Skills Through Work-Study

On-campus jobs aren’t just convenient — they’re career builders! These positions allow you to develop the transferable leadership and technical skills recruiters look for, from project management to professional communication, all without the stress of a commute.

Looking for a flexible job between classes? Browse positions on Handshake or email CareerCenter@sage.edu with questions.

Updates at McKinstry Dining Hall

Based on student feedback, there are several updates at McKinstry Dining Hall in Troy, with many of the changes beginning October 12. Updates include the return of the served deli, a new weekly rotating station, an expanded salad bar, new rice and grain options, grill improvements, additional ice cream and dessert offerings, a Proudly Served Starbucks program, and improvements to allergen-friendly options, food quality, variety, and consistency throughout meal periods. The dining team will continue listening to feedback and making adjustments. The Voice to Vision Survey is open through October 31 for you to share suggestions.

TECH CHECK FROM IT: Strengthen the Gates to Your Digital Kingdom

In the Papercraft Kingdom, a strong gate helps keep unwanted visitors out. In our digital world, your password is one of those gates. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take a few minutes to strengthen your defenses:

🔐 Make your password long and unique, and use a different password or passphrase for each important account.

🗝️ Don’t reuse your keys. Reusing passwords means one compromised account could put other accounts at risk. A trusted password manager can help you keep track.

🚫 Never hand over the keys. No matter how urgent a message sounds, don’t share your password or approve access you didn’t initiate.

And remember: Russell Sage College IT will never ask you for your password.

THIS WEEK’S QUEST: Find one password you’ve reused and replace it with a strong, unique one.

HALT. VERIFY. TELL SOMEONE.: If something doesn’t look right, stop before you act, and report it. Together, we can keep the college Cyber-Citadel secure.

ICYMI

Fitness Classes in Troy

Open Gym, Robison Gym (no sign up required):

Monday, Tuesday, Friday: noon-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: noon-10 p.m.

Fitness Classes in Albany

For help with anything, visit the Solutions team in the libraries of both campuses!

Access streaming films with the library’s Kanopy subscription. Sign up at https://www.kanopy.com/en/sage with your Sage email address.

Volunteer at the ACPHS Collaboratory, which provides pharmacy and mental health services in Albany’s South End. All majors welcome! Help with social media, food packing, screenings, and admin support. Shifts available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. To sign up, email manager Kaylee Stewart with your interest, availability, and any relevant experience.

Discover the Gator Claws-It: Find free food, personal care products, and academic supplies in Troy (Hart Hall 203) and Albany (KCC 226).

Campus Dining: Find mobile ordering, menus, and more on the Dine On Campus website.

Student Discounts in Troy: Find a list of discounts available with your Russell Sage ID.

Free CDPHP Cycle! membership: Enjoy 30 minutes of e-bike riding and unlimited pedal-bike riding every day. Borrow a bike at no charge with the CDPHP Cycle! app and the promo code RussellSage: www.cdphpcycle.org.