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December 1, 2025
Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employee) or Solutions (student) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues.
P.S. The last issue of Solutions for the semester is Sunday, December 7. The last issue of Coffee Break for the semester is Monday, December 15.
| | Federal loan update: An email message was shared with the college community last Tuesday about proposed federal loan changes for graduate students under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” You can also reference the full message and additional resources on the college's Institutional Response to Federal Issues webpage. | |
Join Advancement for Giving Tuesday!
December 2 is Giving Tuesday — a day dedicated to generosity and giving back. This year, Advancement is highlighting an essential student resource: the Gator Claws-it, the on-campus food pantry that provides essentials to students at no cost.
Donated items are always welcome, but monetary gifts can go even further. As a member of the Regional Food Bank, the Gator Claws-it can purchase food at 16 cents per pound, and many surplus items — including produce — are free with each order. Every $1 donation provides 6.25 pounds of food, plus additional healthy items at no cost.
Your generosity this Giving Tuesday will allow the Claws-it to stretch dollars, purchase perishable foods it can’t obtain through drives, and better meet students’ nutritional needs.
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Please Encourage Grad Students to Apply for Broughton Graduate Fellowship; Applications Due February 15, 2026
The Broughton Graduate Fellowship is an award for advanced scholarly research by graduate students. Students may apply as an individual or a team.
The fellowship committee updated the 2026-2027 Broughton Graduate Fellowship guidelines and application. The application deadline is February 15, 2026.
Please encourage graduate students to apply for this prestigious award and to be attentive to the details provided in the guidelines and application. Email Kathy McLaughlin with questions.
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Speech-Language Pathology and Nursing Collaboration Presented at Conference
Aphasia Center Director Julie Hart (left) and Nursing Instructor Amy Dixon (right) presented their work at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference in Washington, D.C., highlighting how Russell Sage integrates Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia into nursing education. Read more about their collaboration.
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Update on the Trees on the Albany Campus
If you frequent the Albany campus, you may have noticed several trees being cut down last week. Hollow cavities throughout the trees and stress fractures in many of the large branches posed a risk of limbs falling, and two tree service companies were called in to assess the situation. Some of the ailing trees were able to be maintained, but six trees were removed. We believe our green spaces are important, and new trees are scheduled to be planted in the spring. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to follow up with John Zajaceskowski, senior director of facilities and planning, at zajacj@sage.edu.
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Doctoral Research Colloquium Celebrations
Each November, students in completing doctoral cohorts share their dissertation research at the annual doctoral research colloquium. This year, three cohorts marked this milestone with presentations and celebrations in Albany and New York City:
| | Fourteen students from Albany Cohort No. 17 participated in the research colloquium at Opalka Gallery on November 13. Coffee Break sends a special note of congratulations to cohort members Geoffrey Miller, executive director of Strategic Partnerships and Chief Values Officer at Russell Sage, and Emilly Obuya, associate professor of chemistry. | | Sixteen students from New York City Cohort No. 11 participated in a research colloquium in NYC on November 20. | | Thirteen students from Long Island Cohort No. 1 participated in a research colloquium in NYC on November 21. | |
Wall of Wins
"They say it takes a village, and my village is AWESOME. Huge shout out to Write in the Night regulars, Associate Director of the Career and Self-Discovery Center Jenn Morill, Student Success Librarian Amy Pass, and Director of Libraries Chris White for once again donating time to support students. You are truly the best! Ginormous thanks to Access Services, Instruction and Reference Librarian Regina Vertone and Director of Student Success Advocacy Rebecca Palmer for joining in and keeping Write in the Night running smoothly this semester (and trust me, that was not guaranteed!) I appreciate it more than you know." -Director of Academic Support Tracy Egan-Lasek
Add your success or celebrate someone else’s on the Wall/Google Doc of Wins
| | Previously Announced Events | |
Your Company Is Requested at
Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Ball
Your company is requested for tea and treats at Wool House on December 1 at half past 4 o'clock p.m.
Please join members of English 309: Major Writers for Regency ballroom dancing led by Dean Rehn, to explore students' final creative projects, and to celebrate the anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. Period dress encouraged but not required. Please RSVP to Tonya Moutray.
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Wellness Workshop from CDCHP
Sign up for a Addressing Burnout and Improving Wellbeing on Tuesday, December 2, noon: Learn how to identify burnout in yourself and others, cultivate wellbeing, and improve effectiveness, productivity, and life satisfaction. Managing work stress benefits both home and work life.
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Scarf Day, a TIS Tradition on December 2
The Theatre Institute at Sage's annual Scarf Day is on December 2, noon-5 p.m. Costume shop manager Jenn Raineri opens the shop doors for anyone who wants to help make scarves and hats for local charities. All students, staff, and faculty are invited to stop by the basement of Schacht Fine Arts Center. No sewing experience needed!
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The Lightning Thief
The Theatre Institute at Sage presents The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at the Schacht Fine Arts Center, Troy campus, December 3-12.
Performance schedule and ticket info at theatre.sage.edu.
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Please complete Russell Sage's Q4 2025 Security Awareness Training by December 23. Check your email for the link.
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Please Help Promote Nutrition Study
The Nutrition Science department is conducting a study to understand how many college students experience food insecurity and how it affects their education and well-being. The findings will help inform recommendations on policies and the use of food assistance resources available to college students.
Participation is voluntary, and identities will remain anonymous during and after the study. Students 18 or older, enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program and residing in the U.S., are eligible. You may also forward the survey to others. Questions can be directed to Assistant Professor Laura McClure.
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Undergraduate Dean's Office Holiday Drive: Unity House and Northern Rivers
The Undergraduate Dean's Office is collecting items for the Unity House and Northern Rivers holiday drives.
To support Unity House, sign up for an item on the Unity House Toy Wish List and drop off unwrapped gifts in the dean’s office in Hart Hall or KCC 201. Wrapping paper and tape are welcome. You may also shop from Unity House’s Target, Walmart, or Amazon lists and ship directly to Unity House (Att: DEV, 2431 Sixth Avenue, Troy, NY 12180).
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Recharge with Rec and Fitness
👟 Fitness Consultations: Stop by McKinstry Fitness Center in Troy for a free fitness consultation with strength and conditioning specialist John Carpenter:
— Tuesday: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
— Wednesday: 9:30 a.m.-noon
— Thursday: 2-4 p.m.
👟 Free online fitness at BODi/Beachbody on Demand with username Recreation@sage.edu and Password: Thrive2020
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Discover the NYT’s Best Books of the Century: Browse the collection in the library's catalog.
Pizza Deals from Papa John's: Use these online-only coupon codes for deals from Papa John's at 571 New Scotland Avenue (Papa John's is an athletics sponsor.)
- Use code GATOR1: 1 large pizza, 1 topping, $7.99
- Use code GATOR2: 3 medium pizzas, 1 topping, $18
- Use code GATOR3: 2 medium pizzas, 1 topping, $5.99 each (must buy 2)
- Use code GATOR4: 1 medium pizza, 1 topping+ breadsticks OR 6 garlic parmesan breadsticks, $12.98
Volunteer with Every Campus a Refuge: Fill out the ECAR volunteer interest form if you are available to help individuals and families get settled and find community in the Albany area.
Find past issues of Coffee Break in the newsletter archive.
For reference:
| | Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employees) or Solutions (students) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day on Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues. | | | | |
